Panera-style mac and cheese

By Serree

Ingredients

• 11 oz medium pasta shells or pipe regate
• 5 Tb butter
• 4 Tb flour
• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 4 oz sharp white cheddar
• 4 oz white american cheese
• pinch of salt
• pinch of white pepper

Preparation

Step 1

1. boil pasta until just cooked and tender. drain.
2. in microwave safe bowl, microwave on high 5 Tb
of butter and 4 Tb flour for 2 min, stopping half way
to whisk. Whisk again after 2nd minute.
3. Mix 1 cup of milk and 1 cup of heavy cream. Pour
into roux slowly, whisking all the time.
4. Microwave mixture 1 min at a time, stirring between
minutes until sauce becomes thick and creamy
(4-6 min)
5. While sauce is hot add cheese, stir till melted.
6. add a pinch of salt and white pepper to sauce.
7. mix pasta and sauce together in serving dish.