Panera Broccoli Cheddar Mac and Cheese (High-Protein Copycat)
This Panera Broccoli Cheddar Mac and Cheese copycat tastes just like the discontinued original, but with extra protein from cottage cheese. Ready in 30 minutes. Makes 4 servings (2 adults for dinner + lunch leftovers).
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish, Side Dish
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 8 oz pasta (medium shells or elbows)
- 2 cups fresh or frozen broccoli florets, cut small
- ½ cup shredded carrots
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1 cup milk (whole, 2%, or 1%)
- ⅔ cup heavy cream (or half-and-half)
- ⅔ cup cottage cheese, blended smooth
- 1¾ cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded from a block
- ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook pasta and broccoli: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package directions. In the last 3-4 minutes, add broccoli florets. Drain together (don’t rinse) and set aside. Save ½ cup pasta water.
- Cook carrots: While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add carrots and cook 2-3 minutes until slightly soft. Remove and set aside with pasta.
- Make cheese sauce base: In same pot, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook 2 minutes, whisking constantly. Slowly add milk while whisking, then add cream. Simmer 3-5 minutes until thickened. Remove from heat and whisk in blended cottage cheese, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper.
- Add cheddar: Off heat, add shredded cheddar one handful at a time, stirring until melted before adding more. If too thick, add splash of reserved pasta water.
- Combine everything: Add cooked pasta, broccoli, and carrots to cheese sauce. Fold together until coated. Taste and add more salt/pepper if needed.
- Serve: Serve hot with extra cheese or bacon bits if desired.
Notes
Want to Feed More People? This recipe is intentionally scaled for 2 adults with 1-2 leftover meals (not 5 days of leftovers). To feed a crowd or make extra for freezing, double the recipe.
Classic Version (No Cottage Cheese): Skip cottage cheese and add ½ cup more heavy cream.
Frozen Broccoli: Add straight to pasta water without thawing.
Cheese: Must shred from a block. Pre-shredded will make sauce grainy.
Storage: Fridge 3-4 days. Reheat with splash of milk.