Panera’s Stove Top Mac and Cheese

source: Panera Bread
Ingredients:

• 16 oz pipette pasta or other small pasta shapes
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 1/2 cups milk, heavy cream, or half-and-half
• 4 oz white American cheese, chopped or torn into pieces
• 8 oz extra sharp white Vermont cheddar, shredded
• 2 tsp – 1 tbsp Dijon mustard (adjust according to your tastes)
• 1 tsp Kosher salt
• 1/4 tsp hot sauce (like Frank’s)

Instructions:

1. In a large stockpot, cook pasta according to package directions. Drain well.
2. While the pasta cooks, melt the butter in a 4-quart sauce pan over medium heat. When the butter has melted and has started to bubble, whisk in the flour; cook for 1 1/2 minutes whisking constantly. Gradually whisk in the milk until no lumps remain. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook milk mixture, whisking frequently, until it thickens and bubbles, about 8 minutes.
3. Remove sauce pan from the heat and by the handful, stir in the cheeses allowing all of the cheese to melt into the sauce before adding more. Stir in the mustard, salt, and hot sauce. Return the sauce pan to the heat and stir in the pasta. Be sure to stir up the sauce from the bottom of the sauce pan and thoroughly coat all of the pasta with sauce. Cook for 1-2 minutes over medium-low heat until heated through. Serve hot in bowls with spoons

Broasted Potatoes

1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon dried marjoram
1/2 teaspoon dried dill weed

1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

1/2 teaspoon dried parsley

1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

1/2 teaspoon salt

4 large potatoes, peeled and cubed

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 475 degrees F (245 degrees C).
2. In a large bowl, combine oil, garlic, basil, marjoram, dill weed, thyme, oregano, parsley, red pepper flakes, and salt. Stir in potatoes until evenly coated. Place potatoes in a single layer on a roasting pan or baking sheet.
3. Roast for 20 to 30 minutes in the preheated oven, turning occasionally to brown on all sides.

I have used dry ranch dressing and even Rosemary, they are all pretty good! Also it is a good idea to coat your pan with something. I spray the potatoes and the pan with olive oil spray.

Loaded Mashed Potatoes, Just like Applebees!

Ingredients

4 cups diced red potatoes Salt 2 cloves Garlic 1/4 cup Fat Free Sour Cream 1/4 Cup Country Crock 1/4 Cup Skim milk 1/4 cup Green onions, sliced 2 Tbsp Hormel Bacon Pieces 1/4 cup Italian Blend or Cheddar Cheese, shredded Pepper

Directions

Boil potatoes and garlic cloves in salted water till tender. Drain. Mash adding milk, sour cream and Country Crock. Mix well, adding more milk it desired. Add onions, bacon bits, pepper and cheese. Stir and serve.

Make 6 generous servings.