Instant Pot Copycat Panera Bread Mac and Cheese Recipe

Make this creamy copycat Panera Bread Mac and Cheese recipe in your Instant Pot in minutes! Just like the restaurant — but easier, cheaper, & still SO good.  

If your kids have ever taken one bite of Panera’s mac and cheese and declared it “the best thing ever,” you already know the struggle. You also know the price tag. As a busy mom, I wanted all that creamy, cheesy goodness — without the drive-through run and small portion sizes. So I tested and tweaked until I nailed it. This copycat version is made right in your Instant Pot, making it so easy, and honestly? It tastes just like the real deal.

What Is Panera Bread Mac and Cheese?

Panera’s mac and cheese is famous for a reason. It’s ultra-creamy, rich, and made with real cheddar. Unlike the bright orange boxed stuff (which, no judgment — we’ve all been there), this version has a deep, smooth cheese sauce that coats every single noodle with white cheddar cheese goodness. It’s comfort food at its finest. Furthermore, it’s one of those dishes that both kids AND adults will absolutely devour.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

Good news — the ingredient list is short. You probably have most of this already!

• 1 lb pasta shells
• 8 oz shredded white cheddar cheese (regular cheddar works too, but will be slightly different) 
• 4 oz shredded white American cheese
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 2½ cups milk
• 1 teaspoon hot sauce
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Bread crumbs (optional, but so yummy on top!)

💡 Quick tip: Shred your own cheese if you can! Pre-shredded cheese has a coating that can make your sauce a little grainy. Freshly shredded melts way smoother for the best mac.

Shop everything you need to make this delicious creamy macaroni cheese recipe, learn more by clicking each image below:

How to Make Copycat Panera Mac in the Instant Pot

This is where the magic happens. You know how nice it is to dump everything in and walk away? That’s basically this recipe. Here’s how to do it step by step. You can watch a video or read through the steps below:

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Add the pasta and water. Pour 1 lb of pasta shells into the Instant Pot. Add 4 cups of water.
2. Add the butter. Drop in 4 tablespoons of butter right on top.
3. Season it up. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. But personally, I like to add about 2 teaspoons of salt.
4. Seal and cook. Close the lid and lock it. Set to Manual (High Pressure) for 5 minutes.
5. Quick release. When the timer goes off, do a quick pressure release. ⚠️ Important: Pasta in the Instant Pot creates a LOT of steam. Cover the valve with a folded kitchen towel before releasing to avoid a big starchy mess on your ceiling. Ask me how I know. 😅
6. Add the milk. Open the lid and pour in 2½ cups of milk. Stir it in.
7. Add the cheese. Stir in both the cheddar and American cheese until melted and smooth. One of the best secret ingredients is to add a couple of dashes of Hot Sauce.
8. Melt trick: If your cheese isn’t fully melting, close the lid again while still on Keep Warm for a couple of minutes. Then open and stir. Cheese melts every time!
9. Optional topping. Sprinkle bread crumbs on top before serving for a little crunch. So good!

Total time from start to finish? About 15 minutes. Yes, really. 🙌 Serve immediately and remove from heat. If left on, the creamy white cheddar macaroni will dry out in the large pot!

Where to Serve This Cheesy Goodness

This creamy Panera Bread macaroni and cheese copycat recipe fits just about everywhere. Here are some of my favorite occasions to bring it to:

• Weeknight dinners — Because nobody has time for complicated on a Tuesday.
• School potlucks — It travels well and kids go absolutely wild for it.
• Holiday gatherings — Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter? This fits right in on any comfort food spread. And frees up oven space by using a pressure cooker.
• Game day parties — Serve it alongside pulled pork or hot dogs and watch it disappear.
• Birthday parties — A crowd-pleaser, especially for the little ones.

Basically, bring this dish anywhere people are hungry. That’s my rule. 😄

Variations to Switch It Up

Once you’ve mastered the base recipe, it’s so easy to make it your own. Here are some fun ideas:

Add Protein

Stir in shredded rotisserie chicken, crumbled bacon, browned ground beef, or diced ham for a heartier meal. Additionally, smoked sausage sliced up works really well here.

Spice It Up

Love heat? Double the hot sauce or add a pinch of cayenne pepper. It gives it that grown-up kick without being too much for the kids. Yay for meals the whole family enjoys.

Go Extra Cheesy

Swap some of the cheddar for Gruyère or smoked gouda. As a result, you get a deeper, more complex flavor — almost like a fancy restaurant mac.

Veggie Boost

Stir in steamed broccoli, peas, or roasted red peppers. In contrast to plain mac and cheese, this version sneaks in some veggies without the side-eye from your kids.

Baked Version

Pour the finished mac and cheese into a baking dish. Top with bread crumbs and a little extra shredded cheese. Broil for 3–5 minutes until golden and bubbly. 🤤

Can You Make This Ahead or Store It?

Absolutely — and this is one of the reasons I love this recipe so much.

To store: Let it cool completely, then transfer to an airtight container. It keeps in the fridge for up to 3–4 days.

To reheat: Add a splash of milk before reheating on the stove top or in the microwave. Stir as it warms up. Consequently, the sauce comes back together and stays creamy instead of clumping.

To make ahead: You can make the full recipe a day in advance. In fact, some people say it tastes even better the next day. I’m not here to argue with that. 😂

Can you freeze it? Mac and cheese CAN be frozen, but the sauce may separate a bit when thawed. For best results, I recommend enjoying it fresh or within a few days from the fridge.

Common Questions About This Recipe

Why does Panera mac and cheese taste so different from boxed mac?
It comes down to the cheese blend and the creaminess of real milk. American cheese is actually the secret weapon here — it melts incredibly smooth and gives that velvety texture everyone loves. That cheese tastes amazing.

Can I use a different pasta shape?
​Yes! Shells are ideal because they scoop up all that cheese sauce. However, you can also use elbow macaroni, cavatappi, or penne. Just note that cooking times may vary slightly.

Can I make this without an Instant Pot?
Of course! Cook your pasta on the stovetop according to package directions. Then drain, return to the pot, and stir in the butter, milk, and cheeses over low heat until melted and combined. Or check out my other 30-minute Macaroni and Cheese recipe on the stovetop.

Is the hot sauce noticeable?
Not really! It adds a subtle depth of flavor rather than actual spice. Even picky eaters won’t notice it. Nevertheless, you can leave it out if you’re nervous. Or do a quick taste test before adding it, and see. Or serve up individual portions and add it to those who like the kick.😊

What kind of cheddar works best?
​Sharp or extra-sharp cheddar gives the most flavor. White cheddar also works great and makes the dish look a little more “gourmet,” you know?

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Make It Tonight — You Won’t Regret It! 🧀

This Panera Bread Mac and Cheese recipe is exactly what busy moms need. It’s fast, it’s easy, and it’s made with simple ingredients you likely already have. Moreover, it’s the kind of meal that makes your family think you spent way more time in the kitchen than you actually did. And honestly? That’s a win.

So next time your kids are begging for Panera, save yourself the trip and make this instead. I’d love to know how it turns out — drop a comment below and let me know if you tried any fun variations!

And if you loved this recipe, be sure to save it to your Pinterest board so you can find it again on those “what’s for dinner?!” nights. 📌 You’re also welcome to join my email list for more easy, family-friendly recipes and seasonal fun delivered right to your inbox!

Happy cooking, mama! You’ve got this. 💛

​More Copycat recipes:

• Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes
• Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana
• Starbucks Pumpkin Muffins
• Cosmic Brownie Cookies

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