$11.79 | Cal 1050
This dish features tender pipette shell pasta nestled in Panera’s signature blend of creamy cheese sauce and tangy aged white Vermont cheddar cheese. It is topped with crispy, toasted pieces of applewood smoked bacon for an added layer of smoky flavor and texture.
View full – Panera Bread Menu
Price
- Bowl: ~$9.89 – $11.49
- Cup: ~$7.29 – $8.49
- Bread Bowl: ~$11.99 – $13.59
Note: Prices vary significantly by location (e.g., higher in NYC or LA).
Customize Option
Panera offers several ways to modify your bowl:
- Add-ons: Avocado, extra bacon, or smoked pulled chicken.
- Base Swap: You can order it in a Sourdough Bread Bowl.
- You Pick Two: Pair a half-portion (cup) with a salad or sandwich.
- Vegetarian Note: You can request the bacon be removed to return it to the classic Mac & Cheese.
Calories
- Cup: 520 Cal
- Bowl: 1,040 Cal
- Bread Bowl: 1,200 Cal
Ingredients
The primary components include:
- Pasta: Enriched macaroni product (semolina wheat, egg whites).
- Cheese Sauce: Pasteurized milk, bacterial cultures, salt, enzymes, cream, soybean oil, and aged white cheddar.
- Protein: Applewood smoked bacon (pork, water, salt, sugar, sodium phosphates, sodium erythorbate, sodium nitrite).
Nutrition
(Values based on a standard Bowl serving size)
| Nutrient | Value |
| Total Fat | 71g |
| Saturated Fat | 37g |
| Trans Fat | 2g |
| Cholesterol | 185mg |
| Sodium | 2,620mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 68g |
| Dietary Fiber | 0g |
| Total Sugars | 15g |
| Protein | 37g |
Allergens
- Contains: Wheat, Milk, Egg.
- Shared Equipment Warning: Panera handles peanuts, tree nuts, soy, sesame, fish, and shellfish in their bakery-cafes and cannot guarantee a 100% allergen-free environment.
FAQs
1. Is the bacon in the Mac & Cheese real?
Yes, Panera uses authentic applewood smoked bacon that is chopped and added to the bowl before serving.
2. Can I get the Bacon Mac & Cheese in a You Pick Two?
Absolutely. You can select a cup of Bacon Mac & Cheese as one of your two items and pair it with any half-sandwich or salad.
3. Is this menu item gluten-free?
No. The pasta is made from wheat semolina, and the cheese sauce often contains flour as a thickener.
4. Why is the sodium content so high?
The high sodium (2,620mg for a bowl) comes primarily from the aged white cheddar cheese sauce and the cured applewood smoked bacon.
5. Can I order this for catering?
Yes, Panera offers “Group” sizes of the Bacon Mac & Cheese that typically serve 2–4 people as a side or main.
