We Tried Panera's New Grilled Mac & Cheese Sandwich And It's The Stuff Of Cheesy Dreams
Update, September 16, 2021: So, the Mac & Cheese Sandwich is officially out, and we had to give it a try. ICYMI, Panera Bread introduced this new sandwich at the beginning of this month as a new spin on their popular side dish.
The Grilled Mac & Cheese Sandwich takes their famous creamy mac and layers it between two pieces of bread before grilling it to melty perfection. And in person, the sandwich looks just as amazing.
The bread is slightly crispy on the outside with a soft interior, and the mac and cheese is so creamy and delicious. But here's the unexpected star of the show—the crunchy top baked bits of mac and cheese. When you get a piece in a bite, it adds a welcome bit of crunch and nuttiness that breaks up the monotony of the rest of the dish. So, we definitely recommend trying this sandwich. And if you're as obsessed with it as we are, Panera has come out with a macaroni necklace of your dreams. That way, everyone can know how much the mac and cheese has your heart.
Original Post, September 8, 2021: To me, restaurants have seasons they thrive in. Olive Garden is a summer restaurant (the Tuscan vibes are so summery). Buffalo Wild Wings is a winter spot (football at its peak). Red Robin is a place for the spring (it’s just starting to get warm, and I equate that to a grill).
But for fall—my favorite season—it’s all about Panera Bread. The broccoli cheddar soup in a bread bowl is perfect for those just-chilly days, and the apple salad with chicken is just a total autumn vibe. But a new menu item has taken the fall season at the chain restaurant to a whole new level.
The Grilled Mac & Cheese Sandwich is a step up from a traditional grilled cheese. They have taken the creamy mac & cheese and squashed it between two slices of bread for the ultimate carb dream, and might I add, the perfect dipper for a broccoli cheddar moment.
Let me break it down for you: The mac & cheese, made with a blend of mozzarella and fontina cheeses, is stacked with Parmesan crisps and layered between two toasted thick-sliced Classic White Miche bread. Imagine the cheese pull! Imagine it!!
Panera is also adding a Sausage & Pepperoni Flatbread Pizza to the menu. It comes with tomato bell pepper sauce, shredded mozzarella and fontina cheeses, crumbled chicken sausage, and pepperoni. Both of these new items are currently available at locations nationwide, so I know where I will be spending every lunch break this month.
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