Copycat Chick-fil-A Mac and Cheese Recipe

Do you ever daydream about irresistible Chick-fil-A mac and cheese? Well, you’re not alone! 

There’s just something about that creamy, cheesy concoction that has us all returning for more.

With this copycat recipe, you don’t have to drive to Chick-fil-A every time the craving hits. 

It’s so easy to whip up this crowd-pleasing side dish right in your kitchen. This tried-and-true homemade Chick-fil-A mac and cheese recipe is totally spot-on.

Plus, you’ll find tips and tricks for making the ultimate comfort food. 

Get ready to enjoy some homemade, piping hot, cheesy goodness.

Chick-fil-A Mac and Cheese

Skip the drive-thru! This recipe is all about bringing tasty Chick-fil-A joy right into your kitchen.

It’s made with tender pasta bathed in a luscious cheese sauce with a trifecta of cheeses. This dish has American, Parmesan, and Romano for the ultimate cheesy delight.

Keep reading and improve your day with a creamy, cheesy forkful!

Ingredients

Here’s what you need to make this copycat recipe:

• Pasta – This recipe calls for elbow macaroni pasta, a classic choice for mac and cheese.
  
• Cheeses – I used a mix of American, Parmesan, and Romano cheese for a cheesy, melty treat. For the topping, I use grated Colby Jack cheese. 
  
• Butter – It’s used to create the roux that thickens the sauce.
  
• Flour – Combined with the butter, flour makes a roux that helps thicken your cheese sauce.
  
• Heavy Cream – It adds a rich and creamy element to the sauce and helps create a smoother texture.
  
• Whole Milk – It’s used along with the heavy cream to form the base of the cheese sauce.
  
• Salt and Pepper – For seasoning.

How to Make Chick-fil-A Mac and Cheese

Making this homemade mac and cheese couldn’t be easier.

1. PREP: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.

2. PASTA. Cook the pasta in a large pot of well-salted water until 2 minutes before al dente (per the package instructions). Drain and set aside.

3. ROUX. Melt the butter in a separate saucepan, whisk in the flour, and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly.

4. SAUCE. Slowly whisk the heavy cream and whole milk into the roux and cook until it simmers and thickens.

5. CHEESE. Lower the heat and add the American cheese, Parmesan cheese, and Romano cheese in 1/4 handfuls. Mix and melt after each addition to prevent clumping.

6. ASSEMBLE. Mix the pasta into the sauce and season it with salt and pepper. Transfer the macaroni and cheese to the baking dish and top with the shredded Colby Jack cheese. 

7. BREADCRUMBS. Optional: melt 1 tablespoon butter in a clean skillet. Add 1 clove minced garlic + 1/2 cup Panko breadcrumbs. Cook until lightly golden then sprinkle over the mac and cheese.

8. BAKE for about 15 minutes or until the cheese on top is melted and slightly golden. Rest for 10 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

Tips for the Best Mac and Cheese

Making the best macaroni and cheese comes down to key elements. Here are some tips to help you craft the creamiest, most flavorful mac and cheese:

• Undercook your pasta! Cook your pasta until it’s al dente. It will continue to cook in the oven.

• Choose your cheeses. Combining cheeses can add depth to your mac and cheese. A sharp cheddar is necessary, but you can mix in other melty cheeses.

• Make it great by grating. Grate your own cheese. Pre-grated cheese often contains anti-caking agents and doesn’t melt as well as freshly grated cheese.

• Skip the cold ingredients. If every ingredient, especially the liquids, is at room temperature, it’ll mix well.

Variations

To level up your mac and cheese, try these incredible variations:

• Bacon and Jalapeno Mac and Cheese – Add cooked bacon and sliced jalapenos for a smoky and spicy flavor profile.

• Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese – Add shredded buffalo chicken to the mac and cheese. Top it with some crumbled blue cheese for an extra tang.

• Lobster or Crab Mac and Cheese – Mix in cooked lobster or crab meat. This version is a bit fancy and deliciously indulgent.

• Vegan Mac and Cheese – You can use nutritional yeast, cashews, and almond milk to make a creamy, vegan “cheese” sauce. Add some sauteed veggies for extra nutrients.

• Mexican-Style Mac and Cheese – Add taco seasoning to your mac and cheese. You can even mix in some ground beef for a filling protein kick.

• Truffle Mac and Cheese – Add a drizzle of truffle oil and some sauteed mushrooms for a gourmet twist.

• Pizza Mac and Cheese – Stir in marinara sauce, pepperoni, and extra mozzarella. You can even add some sautéed bell peppers and onions.

• Smoky BBQ Mac and Cheese – Add cooked pulled pork and a drizzle of BBQ sauce for a Southern spin.

• Crunchy Mac and Cheese – Top the mac and cheese with breadcrumbs or crushed Ritz crackers for texture contrast.

• Veggie-Loaded Mac and Cheese – Add bell peppers, broccoli, carrots, mushrooms, green beans, peas, or wilted spinach for a healthy, indulgent treat.

What to Serve with Mac and Cheese

For a truly satisfying feast, serve your mac and cheese with these accompaniments:

• Chicken Milanese
• Stuffed Bell Peppers
• Cracker Barrel Meatloaf
• Little Smokies
• Dr. Pepper Pulled Pork
• Albers Cornbread
• Ambrosia Fruit Salad
• KFC Coleslaw

How to Store and Reheat Leftovers

If you have leftover mac and cheese, here’s how to keep it fresh:

To Store: Keep the mac and cheese in an air-tight container and refrigerate it. It’ll keep for up to 3 to 4 days.

Freezing is not recommended because the pasta might get mushy when thawed.

To Reheat: Use one of these easy methods to heat it up.

1. Microwave: This is the quickest way to reheat mac and cheese. Reheat individual portions on medium at 30-second intervals. Stir it halfway through to ensure even heating.
   
2. Oven:  Preheat your oven to 350 F. Place the mac and cheese in an oven-safe dish and cover it with foil to prevent drying. Depending on the quantity, it should take about 20-30 minutes to heat through.

More Mac and Cheese Recipes You’ll Love

Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese
Ina Garten Mac and Cheese
Original Kraft Mac and Cheese

Copycat Chick-fil-A Mac and Cheese Recipe

Servings

12

servings

Prep time

10

minutes

Cooking time

20

minutes

Calories

494

kcal

This copycat recipe for Chick-fil-A mac and cheese is just like the real deal! With 4 different kinds of cheese, it’s creamy, dreamy, and delicious!

Ingredients

• 2 cups (16 oz) elbow macaroni pasta

• 2 tsp salt, divided

• 3 tbsp butter

• 3 tbsp flour

• 1 cup heavy cream

• 1 cup whole milk

• 1 cup American cheese, shredded

• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded

• 1/2 cup Romano cheese, shredded

• 1 cup Colby jack cheese, shredded

• salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
• Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil. Cook the elbow macaroni per the package instructions to 2 minutes before al dente. Drain and set aside.
• While the pasta is cooking, melt the butter in a separate large saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour to create a roux. Cook this mixture for 1-2 minutes, constantly stirring to avoid burning. Slowly pour in the heavy cream and whole milk while continuing to whisk the mixture. Cook until it begins to simmer and starts to thicken.
• Lower the heat and add the American cheese, Parmesan cheese, and Romano cheese in 1/4 cup handfuls, stirring well between each addition so the cheese melts. Add the pasta and mix until well coated in the sauce then pour into the baking dish and top with the shredded Colby Jack cheese.
• Optional: Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a clean skillet. Add 1 clove minced garlic + 1/2 cup Panko breadcrumbs. Cook until lightly golden then sprinkle over the mac and cheese.
• Bake for 15 minutes or until the cheese on top is melted and the sauce is bubbling at the sides.
• Cool for 10 minutes then serve and enjoy!

Kim - InsanelyGood

Hey there! I'm Kim. I love running, cooking, and curling up with a good book! I share recipes for people who LOVE good food, but want to keep things simple :)

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