Summertime and grilling are certainly a match made in heaven. No matter what you've got sizzling on the barbie—be it burgers and hot dogs, chicken and shrimp, or skewers of delicious veggies—there's something to sate pretty much every palate under the sun or stars. Still, even with such a wealth of choices, as we head into the dog days, some grillers find themselves falling into a bit of a serving rut. Thankfully, Panera Bread has come up with a way to break out of your same-old grill drill and truly elevate your barbecue game with its out-of-the-bun, customizable DIY Mac & Cheese Bread Bowls.
It couldn't be easier to enjoy a Panera Bread Mac & Cheese Bread Bowl extravaganza at your next barbecue. Just call in to order the basic components—or get them via the Panera app—then set up a dedicated station at your barbecue table, fill it with the add-ons of your choice, and let your family and friends build their ultimate barbecue meal. Thanks to Panera Bread's updated New Era menu that features more customer-centric selections than ever before—including a meltingly mouthwatering Bacon Mac & Cheese in addition to their perennially pleasing classic Mac & Cheese—barbecue revelers will be able to load up on a variety of tasty bread bowl fillings that are sure to fuel everyone's culinary creativity and satisfy each unique appetite.
Panera Bread Bowls Go Way Beyond Barbecue
Of course, summer's the season for more than just barbecues, and it follows that Panera Bread's oh-so-customizable Mac & Cheese Bread Bowls make the perfect complement for outdoor picnics, family gatherings, casual brunches, and friendly get-togethers of all kinds. Looking for some inspiration? Here are a few ideas sure to "bowl you over" in a big way:
— Caprese Mac & Cheese: For a new twist on a summertime classic, top your Panera Bread Mac & Cheese Bread Bowl with ripe cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella cheese, and a drizzle of basil pesto.
— The Buffalo Bowl: For this recipe mashup of Buffalo wings and classic mac and cheese, simply top your Panera Bread Mac & Cheese Bread Bowl with sliced grilled chicken, then step it up with your favorite Buffalo sauce and some crumbled blue cheese. Go wild or go mild, but don't forget the garnishes: traditional celery sticks paired with carrot batons will give you just the right amount of crunch as you munch.
— Souper French Onion Bowl: There's arguably nothing Panera Bread is more famous for than its bread bowl and soup combos, but it has come up with a way to make the classic one better. Load your Panera Bread Mac & Cheese Bread Bowl with a combination of classic Mac & Cheese and Panera's signature Bistro French Onion Soup. Top with a soupçon of grated Gruyere cheese and transport your taste buds to a tableside seat at an enchanting Parisian cafe.
— Brunch Bowls: Brunch is a meal that can be casual or more upscale. Whether you go basic or aim for haute is up to you, but the Panera Bread Mac & Cheese Bread Bowl offers the perfect vehicle for either option. For simple yet filling late-breakfast fare, top your Panera Bread Mac & Cheese Bread Bowl with bacon strips, crunchy hash browns, and a sunny-side-up egg. (An egg over easy works fine as well, and having a bottle of hot sauce on hand likely wouldn't go amiss.)
Meanwhile, brunch sophisticates can whip up their very own Bread Bowl Benedict. Top your Panera Bread Mac & Cheese Bread Bowl with slices of smoked salmon or Canadian bacon, a poached egg, and a dollop of homemade lemony hollandaise sauce. (A garnish of capers is a nice touch, but totally optional.)
By now, you've likely figured out that Panera Bread bowls are the ultimate handheld vessel for mac and cheese, but did you know they can also double as edible serving bowls for your go-to dips, soups, and salads? So, whether you're grillin' or just chillin', why not order up a bunch? Your summertime cuisine is sure to be a whole lot more fun when you do.
