Chick Fil A Mac and Cheese

Chick Fil A Mac and Cheese Ingredients

Pasta

• 3 cups elbow macaroni, 12 ounces – you can also use small shell noodles, cavatappi, rotini, or even penne
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

Cheese Sauce

• 5 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 5 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2½ cups milk – whole milk makes a creamier sauce but a lower fat milk can be used
• 1 cup half and half
• 2 cups medium cheddar, freshly grated – you can also use sharp cheddar or smokey cheddar cheese.
• 2 cups white cheddar, freshly grated
• ½ cup Romano cheese, freshly grated
• ½ cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
• 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper, or to taste – Include a pinch of cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes, or paprika for a touch of heat.

How to Make Chick Fil A Mac and Cheese

1. PREP. Preheat your oven to 350°F.
2. PASTA. In a large pot, add water and bring to a boil. Add 3 cups elbow macaroni and 1 teaspoon salt and boil for 8-9 minutes. Drain pasta and add pasta back to the pot with 1 tablespoon butter and mix to coat.
3. CHEESE SAUCE. Make a cheese mix by combining 2 cups medium cheddar, 2 cups white cheddar, ½ cup Romano, and ½ cup Parmesan cheese in a medium bowl. Remove 1 cup of the combined cheeses and set aside.
   • Make the cheese sauce by adding 5 tablespoons butter to a large skillet over medium heat and melting. Add the 5 tablespoons flour and whisk for about 1 minute, to create a roux. Whisk in 2½ cups milk and ½ cup half and half and cook, whisking often, for 6-7 minutes.
   • Turn heat to low and add 4 cups combined cheese mix to the roux/sauce mixture. Whisk until melted and smooth.
4. BAKE. Add buttered pasta to the cheese sauce and stir to combine, adding about 1 teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon pepper, to taste.
   • Pour this mixture into a lightly greased 9×13 dish and sprinkle with the reserved 1 cup of cheese and bake for 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted.

Kristyn’s Recipe Tips

• Use freshly shredded cheese . Just like Chick-fil-A, the secret is a creamy, smooth melt, which you only get from grating cheese.
• Broil for a golden top. For that signature baked look and flavor, pop the dish under the broiler for 1–2 minutes after baking until the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.
• Make it a meal. Pair with our famous ChickFilA chicken nuggets or grilled chicken to really bring home the Chick-fil-A experience.

5 from 2 votes

Chick Fil A Mac and Cheese Recipe

By: Kristyn Merkley

This Chick-fil-A mac and cheese copycat recipe is rich, creamy, and tastes just like the real thing making it an instant family favorite.

Servings: 8

Prep: 10 minutes mins

Cook: 32 minutes mins

Total: 42 minutes mins

Equipment

• colander
• rotary cheese grater
• whisk
• 9×13 baking dish

Video

Ingredients 

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Pasta

• ▢ 3 cups elbow macaroni, 12 ounces
• ▢ 1 teaspoon salt
• ▢ 1 tablepsoon butter

Cheese Sauce

• ▢ 5 tablespoons butter
• ▢ 5 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• ▢ 2½ cups milk
• ▢ 1 cup half and half
• ▢ 2 cups medium cheddar, freshly grated
• ▢ 2 cups white cheddar, freshly grated
• ▢ ½ cup Romano cheese, freshly grated
• ▢ ½ cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
• ▢ 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
• ▢ ½ teaspoon ground black pepper, or to taste

Instructions 

• Preheat your oven to 350°F.
• In a large pot, add water and bring to a boil. Add elbow macaroni and salt and boil for 8-9 minutes. Drain pasta and add pasta back to the pot with the butter and mix to coat.
• Make the cheese mix by combining medium cheddar, white cheddar, Romano, and Parmesan cheeses in a small bowl. Reserve 1 cup of the combined cheeses.
• Make the cheese sauce by adding the butter to a large skillet over medium heat and melting. Add the flour and whisk for about 1 minute, to create a roux. Whisk in the milk and half and half and cook, whisking often, for 6-7 minutes.
• Turn heat to low and add the remaining combined cheese mix to the roux/sauce mixture. Whisk until melted and smooth.
• Add pasta to the cheese sauce and stir to combine, adding salt and pepper, to taste.
• Pour this mixture into a lightly greased 9×13 dish and sprinkle with the reserved 1 cup of combined cheese. Bake for 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted.
• Let cool for 5 minutes, then serve warm.

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Notes

Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Reheat (Oven): For the creamiest results, place mac and cheese in a baking dish, cover with foil, and warm at 350°F for 15–20 minutes. Add a splash of milk before baking if it seems a little dry.

Reheat (Microwave): Heat in a microwave-safe dish with a splash of milk, stirring halfway through. Heat in 30–40 second intervals until warm.

Freeze: This mac and cheese can be frozen (before baking) for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and bake as directed.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g, Calories: 582kcal, Carbohydrates: 50g, Protein: 28g, Fat: 30g, Saturated Fat: 17g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 7g, Trans Fat: 0.02g, Cholesterol: 89mg, Sodium: 1182mg, Potassium: 333mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 7g, Vitamin A: 891IU, Vitamin C: 0.3mg, Calcium: 679mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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This recipe was originally published August 2024.