This Instant Pot Panera Copycat White Cheesy Shells recipe has that super rich, thick, and creamy cheese sauce.
Instant Pot pasta recipes make a simple pasta dinner even simpler.
You can make it all in one pot and no straining of the noodles!
Our kids even ask for this recipe by name because they love the macaroni from Panera Bread.
To add sides to this copycat macaroni recipe, I normally make up either our Apple Cranberry Walnut Green Chopped Salad Recipe, 30 Minute Homemade Rolls Recipe, or Slow Cooker Green Beans Recipe.
Need more easy Instant Pot recipes?
- Instant Pot Cheesy Beef Taco Pasta
- Homemade Bolognese in the Instant Pot
- The BEST Instant Pot Sloppy Joes
Ingredients Needed For Our Instant Pot Panera Copycat White Cheesy Shells:
- Macaroni noodles (uncooked)
- Chicken broth
- Butter (unsalted)
- Flour
- Milk
- Heavy cream
- Shredded sharp white cheddar cheese
- Shredded parmesan cheese
- Ground mustard
- Salt
- Pepper
How To Make Our Instant Pot Panera Copycat White Cheesy Shells:
Start by plugging in your Instant Pot and pour in the uncooked noodles and just enough chicken broth to cover the noodles.
Then, place the lid on the Instant Pot, turn the valve to the SEALING position and press the MANUAL button and set the timer to 4 minutes.
After the timer runs out, move the valve to the VENTING position and do a quick release of the pressure in the pot.
When all the pressure has been released, pour the pasta into a separate bowl and set it aside.
Then, press the SAUTE button and add the butter to the bottom of the Instant Pot and let it melt completely.
Once the butter is melted, slowly whisk in the flour until it is blended together.
Next, slowly add in the milk and heavy cream. Be sure to stir the mixture the whole time. This will make your Instant Pot Panera Copycat White Cheesy Shells recipe, really creamy!
Now, bring the mixture to a boil and continue stirring everything together until the flour mixture begins to thicken.
Once it has thickened, add in the white cheddar cheese, ground mustard, salt, and pepper and mix it all together until it is smooth and creamy.
Now that the cheese sauce has been made, add the pasta back into the Instant Pot and mix it all together until all the pasta is covered in the cheese sauce.
After you combine the sauce and the noodles together it is ready to serve and top it with the Parmesan cheese and ground pepper! Enjoy your homemade Instant Pot Panera Copycat White Cheesy Shells.
Items Needed to Make this Instant Pot Panera Copycat White Cheesy Shells:
- Instant Pot (THIS is a great one!)
- Wooden spoon
