Panera's American Cheese: What Kind And Why?

Panera Bread is a popular bakery-café style restaurant that offers a variety of menu items, including sandwiches, salads, and soups. One of their signature items is the Classic Grilled Cheese sandwich, which has a dedicated fan following. The exact brand of cheese used in this sandwich has been a topic of discussion and speculation among customers. While some believe it to be normal American cheese, others have suggested specific brands like Horizon. Panera's Mac and Cheese, another popular menu item, is made with a combination of white cheddar and white American cheese, according to a copycat recipe. The grown-up grilled cheese sandwich features a combination of cheddar, gruyere, and fontina cheeses.

Panera's classic grilled cheese uses American cheese

The classic grilled cheese is made with two slices of Panera's White Miche bread and 1.5 slices of American cheese. It is cooked in a toaster oven at 535 degrees for around two minutes. One former employee states that the sandwich is not grilled, but cooked in an oven for one and a half minutes.

While the exact brand of cheese used in the classic grilled cheese is unknown, some have speculated that it may be from the company Schuman. However, it appears that Schuman only supplies cheese to restaurants and does not sell to grocery stores.

In addition to the classic grilled cheese, Panera also offers a "Grown-up Grilled Cheese" sandwich. This sandwich is made with Country White Bread and layered with cheddar, gruyere, and fontina cheeses, along with crispy bacon. The Grown-up Grilled Cheese provides a more sophisticated take on the classic comfort food, appealing to adult tastes.

Panera's Mac & Cheese is another popular menu item that features a combination of white cheddar and white American cheeses. The specific type of cheese used in the Mac & Cheese is not disclosed by Panera, but recreating this dish at home has led to the discovery that a blend of these two cheeses results in the most authentic flavour.

A combination of white cheddar and white American cheese is used in Panera's mac and cheese

Panera Bread is known for its delicious grilled cheese sandwiches and mac and cheese. While the exact brand of cheese used in their recipes is not known, a combination of white cheddar and white American cheese is said to produce the most authentic flavour for their mac and cheese.

For their grilled cheese sandwiches, Panera uses a combination of country white bread layered with cheddar, gruyere, and fontina cheeses, topped with crispy bacon. The bread is spread with butter and cooked until the cheese is melted and the bread is golden brown.

Some sources suggest that the cheese used in Panera's grilled cheese sandwiches is "normal" or "just" American cheese, while others speculate that it may be from a specific brand or company. One person claimed that the cheese was from a random company in the Midwest, while another mentioned the "Horizon" brand.

Creating a similar taste to Panera's mac and cheese at home involves using a combination of white cheddar and white American cheese. The white cheddar, such as Cracker Barrel's, provides a nice richness and tang, while the classic American cheese adds extra creaminess. The two cheeses together create a depth of flavour and texture that cannot be achieved by using just one type of cheese.

In addition to the type of cheese, the shape of the pasta also plays a role in the overall taste experience. Panera uses a shape similar to Pipette Rigate, which allows the cheese sauce to cling well with its small size and ridged outside. If Pipette Rigate is unavailable, a medium shell or another small, ridged shape can be used instead.

Panera's grown-up grilled cheese uses cheddar, gruyere and fontina cheeses

Panera's Grown-Up Grilled Cheese sandwich is a classic comfort food with a twist, designed for adults who still crave the familiar grilled cheese of their childhoods. The sandwich features a blend of three cheeses: creamy and nutty fontina, sharp and tangy cheddar, and gruyere, layered between slices of Panera's Country White Bread. The bread is spread with softened butter and filled with sliced or shredded cheese, sliced Roma tomatoes, and crispy Applewood smoked bacon. The sandwich is then grilled in a skillet until the cheese is melted and the bread is golden brown, resulting in a gooey, creamy, and crispy creation.

The Grown-Up Grilled Cheese is a more sophisticated take on the traditional grilled cheese, offering a combination of flavours and textures that elevate the classic sandwich. The sharpness of the cheddar and the nuttiness of the fontina add depth of flavour, while the buttered and grilled bread provides a crispy contrast to the melted cheese. The addition of bacon and tomato further enhances the sandwich, making it a hearty and indulgent option for cheese lovers.

While the Grown-Up Grilled Cheese is a popular choice, Panera has also offered other grilled cheese variations. One such example is the Fontina Grilled Cheese, which featured fontina, gruyere, and cheddar cheeses, along with an herbed cheese spread. This sandwich was discontinued but remains a favourite among customers, with some creating their own copycat recipes to replicate the flavours at home.

The Grown-Up Grilled Cheese sandwich at Panera showcases a creative approach to a classic dish, appealing to adults who want to indulge in a familiar favourite with a twist. By combining multiple cheeses and adding complementary ingredients, Panera has elevated the grilled cheese experience, offering a unique and indulgent option for customers seeking a comforting and satisfying meal.

Whether it's the Grown-Up Grilled Cheese or one of their other cheese-focused offerings, Panera has established itself as a destination for cheese lovers seeking innovative and flavourful sandwiches that go beyond the ordinary. The Grown-Up Grilled Cheese is a testament to the appeal of comfort food with a creative twist, proving that sometimes, all it takes is a few simple yet high-quality ingredients to elevate a classic.

Panera's classic grilled cheese is cooked in a toaster oven

Panera's classic grilled cheese is a popular menu item, and the method of cooking is just as important as the ingredients. Using a toaster oven to make this sandwich ensures a crispy, golden exterior and a gooey, creamy interior. The toaster oven's enclosed space and direct heat create the perfect environment for melting the cheese and toasting the bread evenly.

To make the classic grilled cheese, Panera uses thick-sliced white Miche bread, which provides a soft and fluffy base for the sandwich. The bread is sourced from their own bakery, ensuring a fresh and consistent product.

The cheese is the star of this sandwich, and while the exact brand remains a closely guarded secret, it is believed to be a type of American cheese. This cheese is known for its melting ability and creamy texture, making it ideal for grilled cheese sandwiches. Some sources suggest it could be "Pasteurized Process Yellow American Cheese," while others mention the "Horizon" brand.

Preparing the sandwich is a simple process. Two slices of bread are placed in the toaster oven with 1.5 slices of American cheese in between. The oven temperature is set to 535 degrees Fahrenheit, and the sandwich is cooked for approximately two minutes. This high temperature and short cooking time create the perfect melt without overcooking the bread.

The result is a classic comfort food, elevated by the quality of ingredients and attention to detail in the cooking process. The toaster oven plays a crucial role in achieving the desired texture and taste, making it a signature offering at Panera.

A copycat recipe for Panera's mac and cheese uses white cheddar and white American cheese

A copycat recipe for Panera's mac and cheese

Panera's mac and cheese is a popular dish, and it's easy to recreate at home. The key to making it extra creamy is to use a mix of white cheddar cheese and white American cheese. Here is a copycat recipe for Panera's mac and cheese that uses these two cheeses.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups Whole Milk
• 1 1/2 cups Heavy Cream
• 4 ounces Sharp White Cheddar Cheese (cut into cubes)
• 8 ounces White American Cheese (Boar's Head from the deli is recommended)
• 1/2 teaspoon Pepper
• 3/4 teaspoon Dried Mustard
• 1 lb. Pasta (such as orecchiette, macaroni, or pipette)
• Butter
• Salt

Instructions:

• Heat water in a large pot on high until it reaches the boiling point. Generously add salt to the water. Once it begins to boil, add pasta and cook according to package instructions.
• While the water is warming up, make the sauce. Heat a pot over medium heat and add butter. Once melted, whisk in the flour until a paste forms.
• Slowly add in the milk and heavy cream, whisking continuously. Let the mixture simmer for 8-10 minutes.
• Slowly add in the cheese in small increments, whisking after each addition. You don't want to add all the cheese at once, as it may clump.
• Add in salt, pepper, and dried mustard. Let the cheese melt, and once the sauce has thickened, add the drained pasta.
• Taste for seasonings and adjust as needed.

Tips:

• It is recommended to shred the cheese yourself, as pre-shredded cheese may not melt as well.
• For a full Panera experience, serve the mac and cheese in a bread bowl.
• Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for three to four days or frozen for longer.

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