Panera Mac and Cheese is a popular comfort food that has been around for years. It’s cheesy, creamy and delicious. But what makes it so special? In this article, I’ll be taking an in-depth look at Panera Mac and Cheese and giving my personal review of the dish. I’ll discuss its taste, texture, appearance, health benefits, price point, pros and cons, nutritional information, and comparison to other macaroni products.
Panera Mac and Cheese Overview
Panera Mac and Cheese is a classic American dish that is made with elbow macaroni noodles, creamy cheese sauce, and a blend of aged cheddar cheese. It’s an indulgent treat that can be served as a side dish or as a main course. The dish is available at Panera Bread locations nationwide and can also be purchased online.
Taste and Texture
The taste of Panera Mac and Cheese is rich and creamy. The aged cheddar cheese gives the dish a sharp flavor that is balanced by the creaminess of the cheese sauce. The macaroni noodles are cooked to perfection – they are al dente but still soft enough to cut through easily with a fork or spoon. The texture of the dish is smooth and velvety – it melts in your mouth!
Appearance
Panera Mac and Cheese has a golden yellow hue from the aged cheddar cheese that adds to its visual appeal. The noodles are perfectly cooked – not too soft or too crunchy – which adds to the overall look of the dish.
Health Benefits
Although Panera Mac and Cheese is considered an indulgent treat, it does have some health benefits. It’s low in fat, high in protein, and contains essential vitamins and minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, zinc, vitamin A, vitamin B12, thiamin (vitamin B1), riboflavin (vitamin B2), niacin (vitamin B3), folate (vitamin B9) and pantothenic acid (vitamin B5).
Price Point
Panera Mac and Cheese is reasonably priced at around $7 for a single serving size portion. This makes it an affordable option for those looking for an indulgent treat without breaking the bank!
Pros and Cons of Eating Panera Mac and Cheese
The pros of eating Panera Mac and Cheese include its rich flavor, creamy texture, affordability, convenience (it’s available at many locations nationwide), health benefits (it’s low in fat but high in protein)and nutritional value (it contains essential vitamins & minerals).
On the downside however it’s not very filling – so if you’re looking for something more substantial you may want to consider another option!
Nutritional Information
One serving size portion of Panera Mac & Cheese contains 370 calories, 19g fat (11g saturated fat), 35mg cholesterol, 700mg sodium,38g carbohydrates (3g dietary fiber), 5g sugar,14g protein.
It also contains essential vitamins & minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, zinc, vitamin A, vitamin B12, thiamin (vitamin B1),riboflavin (vitamin B2),niacin (vitamin B3),folate (vitamin B9) & pantothenic acid (vitamin B5).
Comparison to Other Macaroni Products
When compared to other macaroni products on the market such as Kraft Mac & Cheese or Annie’s Homegrown Organic Shells & White Cheddar, Panera’s version stands out due to its unique flavor profile.
While both Kraft & Annie’s offer up classic versions of macaroni & cheese, Panera’s version is more complex in flavor due to its use of aged cheddar cheese. Additionally, while Kraft & Annie’s contain higher levels of sodium than Panera’s version, they do not contain any added sugar.
Conclusion
In conclusion, I highly recommend trying out Panera Mac & Cheese if you’re looking for an indulgent treat that packs a flavorful punch!
Its unique flavor profile combined with its health benefits make it an attractive option for those looking for something special without sacrificing their diet.
