In an unexpected twist, I fell in love with the Steak & White Cheddar Panini at Panera Bread. A friend and I met at Panera, and I followed her lead. Then we made Copycat Panera Steak and White Cheddar Panini later at my home!
Panera Steak and White Cheddar Panini
I’m glad I got out of my “rut” of always ordering the same sandwich every time! Rosanne stopped by later for an afternoon of cooking (we cooked and divided the spoils), so of course, this Copycat Panera Steak and White Cheddar Panini.
About Copycat Panera Steak and White Cheddar Panini
Panera’s description is “Seared steak, pickled red onions, Vermont white cheddar, and horseradish sauce all grilled on Artisan Ciabatta.” It all sounds simple, but it is outstanding.
Especially in a Panini. What is it about pressing all the ingredients together and heating them that makes those sandwiches so good? The bread is warm and toasty, the filling and cheese meld together, but rest…maybe magic?
Layer the ingredients. – this was a huge Ciabatta – I cut it into two sandwiches.
Making Copycat Panera Steak and White Cheddar Panini:
Other than the beef, it’s all about assembly and a quick press in a hot pan. Buy or make the condiments.
- Pickled Red Onions are simple to make and a fabulous way to rescue any partially used red onion.
- Horseradish Sauce is just a few ingredients; riff off the recipe, making a small amount.
The Bread: Rosanne picked up Ciabatta from Panera. If you don’t have a fabulous friend, any Ciabatta will do. A baguette or good hoagie roll can sub.
The Cheese: You want Vermont Cheddar; compare deli options, either packaged or cut for you, and in the cheese aisle.
The Beef:
You have options, some pricier than others. You don’t need “steak” – any good beef, medium rare, will work. The roast we used was the budget winner.
- Deli Beef: Have the beef custom-sliced about 3/4″ thick.
- Roast Beef Lunch Meat: Some are surprisingly good; many cut thicker than the norm.
- Steak: Cook for the sandwich, but a flex is using leftover from a meal; if you never have leftover steak, make and set aside an extra one.
- We used the 30 Minute Roast Beef made in my Instant Pot. Any roast beef will be delish, but in the spirit of Panera, an American-style “pot roast” isn’t the vibe.
We had extra roast beef, even though we loaded our sandwiches with far more than Panera ever does.
Pressing the Copycat Panera Steak and White Cheddar Panini:
No Panini Press? No worries. If you have a grill pan or a heavy skillet (cast iron is great), use it.
Place the sandwich in the pan and press it by putting something heavy on top. Another heavy pan works well. Add extra weight if needed – my go-to is a large can or two of tomatoes.
A layer of foil between the food and the “weight” will keep things nice and clean.
30 minute Instant Pot Roast, medium rare (mostly)
Our Day of Cooking:
Cooking in my small kitchen was a challenge, but we managed. On the list:
- Instant Pot Roast Beef – So we could make sandwiches!
- Roasted Sweet Potato and Brussels Sprouts – It has a special dressing – not to be missed.
- Easy Broccoli, Ham & Cheese Quiche – Quiche is always a winner for make-ahead!
- Almost Alton’s Oven Roasted Broccoli – I think we made this, too!
- Copycat Panera Steak & White Cheddar Panini – of course!
We divvied up the spoils and had meals and leftover roast for more meals in the next couple of days! See Leftover Steak and Leftover Beef.
Easy Broccoli, Ham & Cheese Quiche; other veggies are just as easy to use!
My Other Favorite Panera Sandwich Copycats:
- The Turkey Artichoke Panini – discontinued now; the link is to my copycat.
- Panera Chipotle Chicken Avo Melt – a newer favorite.
Copycat Panera Chipotle Chicken Avocado Melt
Saving Money on Groceries:
What you pay for groceries depends not only on WHERE you shop, but WHEN. Be strategic and stock up at rock-bottom prices.
- The best sales are before holidays; check out Win at the Grocers. Use these sales not just for your holiday, but to stock up at a low for the coming weeks to months.
- Take advantage of discount stores like Aldi or Lidl. The pricing at Buyer’s clubs is not always the lowest, but can trump in quality; be selective.
Be open to a loose interpretation of this sandwich. The less exact you are, the more options for saving.
Ciabatta:
- Panera is a pricy option. Lidl rocks with their in-store bakery, but go early, and Ciabatta can be picked up at most buyers’ clubs. If you bake, it’s an easy make.
- Freeze extra, tightly wrapped. Thaw overnight in the fridge. Reheat in the microwave wrapped in a damp towel or quickly run under a stream of water, shake off excess, and toss in a 375 degree F. oven for a few minutes.
Vermont Cheddar:
- If you use often, pick it up on sale; if hermetically sealed, unopened, it lasts for a good amount of time.
- The discount stores and buyers’ clubs have fabulous pricing. If buying at the grocery, compare deli options, either packaged or sliced for you, and the cheese aisle.
Horseradish Sauce:
- The flex is to buy “Prepared Horseradish.” It’s grated horseradish and comes in small jars. Add it to Mayo for a simple sauce or follow a recipe.
- Once opened, horseradish keeps for months in the fridge. You may only find it at standard grocery stores, possibly refrigerated.
Cheaper Roasts:
See all my tips on buying Steaks and Roasts at the bottom of my Beef Main Dishes and Meals Menu.
- Look for good pricing in the fall, after the cattle go to market. Beef is seasonal, and the fall pricing reflects that. Summer is the worst time to buy; many cheaper cuts are used to meet the demand of ground beef.
- Look for great in the weeks after holidays when ‘fancy” roasts or steaks are featured: Christmas, New Year’s, Valentine’s Day. They have to do something else with the rest of the beef.
- Bottom line: to save money, pay attention to sales cycles. Stock up at a low and toss in your deep freeze. Don’t have one? Get one!
Ok Friends, it’s time to fess up! Do you have a favorite Panera item? Something that’s a guilty pleasure, maybe? Maybe this Copycat Panera Steak and White Cheddar Panini will be yours, now, too.
Mollie
Panera Steak and White Cheddar Panini
Copycat Panera Steak & White Cheddar Panini
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
- Category: Sandwiches
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 4 Ciabatta Rolls (substitute baguettes or hoagie rolls)
- Horseradish sauce
- 8 ounces cooked and thinly sliced Roast Beef or Steak (more if desired)
- 6 slices of White Cheddar (about 1 1/2 slices per sandwich)
- Pickled Red Onions
Instructions
Assemble sandwiches: Slice rolls, horizontally. Spread the top side of the bottom roll with horseradish sauce. Add the beef, then cheese, and top with pickled red onions. Close sandwich.
Place on panini press and grill until sandwich is heated through or alternatively, place in a heavy pan over medium-high heat, weighing down with another pan, using something heavy in the top pan to add additional weight if necessary. Use medium-high heat; turn after grill marks are achieved and do the same on the other side. Wrap if desired, in wax or parchment paper after.
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