Chick-Fil-A Mac and Cheese Recipe (Easy Copycat)
Hey there, fabulous foodies! If there’s one thing I love more than waffle fries and chicken sandwiches, it’s diving into a bowl of creamy, cheesy goodness. Today, I’m sharing a recipe that’s near and dear to my heart: a copycat Chick-fil-A Mac and Cheese. Trust me; with the very first bite, your taste buds will be dancing with joy, thinking they’re tasting the real deal from one of our favorite restaurants.
What is Chick-fil-A?
Chick-fil-A is a beloved fast-food restaurant, renowned for its chicken offerings and delicious side dishes. But it’s not just any fast food restaurant—it’s a place where comfort food meets quality, and where simple ingredients come together to create an amazing recipe that lingers on the taste buds.
Does Chick-fil-A only serve chicken?
While the name might suggest a poultry-only menu, Chick-fil-A offers a range of items. From their famous chicken sandwiches to waffle fries and, of course, the classic macaroni dish we’re diving into today, there’s something for everyone.
What makes Chick-fil-A mac and cheese so good?
The secret lies in a special blend of cheeses that Chick-fil-A uses. This combination of cheeses, including american cheese, romano cheese, parmesan cheese, colby jack cheese, bellavitano cheese, and white cheddar cheese, meld together to create a creamy cheese sauce that’s rich and packed with flavor. And let’s not forget the crispy top layer that makes every first bite memorable.
What can you pair it with?
Chick-fil-A’s mac and cheese is the perfect side dish to complement their chicken sandwiches. However, in your own kitchen, this copycat recipe can be paired with a range of main courses. Try our homemade Raising Cane’s Chicken Tenders and some Texas Roadhouse Bread Rolls, and this mac n cheese recipe will be the star on the side.
What types of cheeses work best?
For the best results, stick to a combination of cheeses like sharp cheddar, monterey jack, and romano. These cheeses offer a creamy texture and rich sauce that’s hard to beat. If you’re adventurous, you can also experiment with other types of cheese like bellavitano or white cheddar.
Can I substitute cheeses?
Yes, you can! While the original recipe uses a specific blend, you can experiment with different types of cheeses. Just ensure they melt well to achieve that creamy macaroni dish we all crave.
Creating the Creamy Dream
The cheese sauce is all created separately in its own saucepan. The result? A smooth sauce that clings to every macaroni noodle. Pro tip: For an even creamier texture, try adding a pinch of sodium citrate.
How to cook macaroni properly?
Start by boiling a large pot of water. Once boiling, add your macaroni noodles or elbow macaroni and cook until al dente. Remember, you want the pasta to have a slight bite as it will continue to cook in the oven later.
Do I need to undercook the pasta since it’s going in the oven?
Yes, it’s recommended to cook the pasta al dente. This means the pasta should be tender but still firm to the bite. Since it will be baked later, this ensures the pasta doesn’t become too soft.
Baking to Perfection
Pour your creamy macaroni dish into a baking dish and let it bake until you see a crispy top layer. The result is a blend of the homemade taste with the comfort food vibe of the original recipe.
Storing Leftovers (If You Have Any!)
While I doubt there’ll be any leftovers, if by some miracle there are, store them in an airtight container. Wrap with plastic wrap for the best flavor the next day.
Dress It Up
Feel free to pair this with some homemade Chick-fil chicken offerings or as a perfect side dish to Garlic Honey Dijon Chicken. And if you’re feeling adventurous, why not sprinkle some pre-shredded cheese from the deli counter for an even richer sauce?
Sharing is Caring
Once you’ve tried this copycat mac, I’d love to see your creations on social media. Who knows? Your homemade version might just become your new favorite mac!
Wrap It Up
In the world of copycat recipes, this Chick-fil-A Mac and Cheese stands tall. With its special blend of cheeses and creamy macaroni dish, it’s the comfort food of dreams. Dive in, enjoy every bite, and remember: the best part is sharing this delicious mac with the ones you love.
Ingredients
- 8oz elbow macaroni
- 1 cup whole milk
- 5 slices American Cheese (from the deli) chopped or torn
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup (mild) cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup white cheddar cheese, shredded
- 3 tbsp grated parmesan
- 1 tbsp grated romano
Topping
- 1/2 cup (mild) cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup white cheddar cheese, shredded
Instructions
In heavily salted boiling water, cook your elbow macaroni for around 16 – 17 minutes or until al dente. Strain the pasta in a large colander, then move it to an oven safe dish that has been greased with butter to keep it from sticking.
While the pasta is boiling, make your cheese sauce. In a medium saucepan, add the milk, American cheese, butter and salt, and place it over medium heat.
As it heats, whisk the ingredients together to create a loose sauce.
Remove the pot from heat and add in the other cheeses, stirring until they have all melted to form a sauce.
Place the pan to the side and allow the sauce to thicken about 5 – 7 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 500º or turn on your broiler.
Once your sauce is thickened, pour it over the macaroni in your prepared dish. Stir to coat.
Add the additional shredded cheeses on top, then place in the oven to melt for 5-6 minutes.
Remove from the oven and serve!
Notes
Shredded cheese off the block will have more of a stringy cheese pull than the pre-shredded cheeses, it will also make it more creamy.
I hope you love this easy copycat recipe. It’s definitely great for families, and your kids will eat it right up! Until next time, keep those taste buds tantalized and always be on the lookout for new recipes. Bon appétit!
Copycat Chick-Fil-A Macaroni and Cheese
Dive into the ultimate Chick-fil-A mac and cheese copycat recipe! Discover the cheese blend secret, cooking tips, and why it's a comfort food favorite.
Ingredients
- 8oz elbow macaroni
- 1 C whole milk
- 5 slices American cheese (from the deli, chopped or torn)
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 C (mild) cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/2 C white cheddar cheese, shredded
- 3 Tbsp grated parmesan
- 1 Tbsp grated Romano
Topping
- 1/2 cup (mild) cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup white cheddar cheese, shredded
Instructions
Cook the Pasta:
- Boil heavily salted water.
- Add pasta and cook for 16-17 minutes.
Prepare the Pasta for Baking:
- Strain the water from the cooked pasta.
- Transfer pasta to an oven-safe dish.
- Add 1 tbsp butter to prevent sticking.
Prepare the Cheese Sauce (while the pasta is boiling):
- In a medium saucepan, combine milk, American cheese, butter, and salt over medium heat.
- Whisk continuously until all ingredients are fully melted.
- Remove from heat.
- Add the other cheeses, stirring until they melt completely.
- Allow the sauce to thicken for 5-7 minutes.
Oven Preparation:
- Preheat the oven to 500°F or activate the broiler.
Combine Pasta and Sauce:
- Pour the thickened cheese sauce over the noodles in the prepared dish.
- Sprinkle an additional 1 cup of shredded cheeses on top.
Bake:
- Place the dish in the oven.
- Bake or broil until the cheese on top melts (around 5-6 minutes).
Serve:
- Remove from the oven.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
Shredded cheese off the block will have more of a stringy cheese pull than the pre-shredded cheeses. It will also make it more creamy.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving:Calories: 272Total Fat: 17gSaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 51mgSodium: 656mgCarbohydrates: 16gFiber: 1gSugar: 3gProtein: 13g
This nutrition information is automatically calculated and may not be entirely accurate. Please do your own research if you are overly concerned about specific macros.
Katie Reed is a passionate writer and mother of four vivacious boys from Salt Lake City, Utah. Drawing from her own journey through TTC, pregnancy, and the joys of raising children, she offers a wealth of insight into the world of motherhood. Beyond her heartfelt tales, Katie delights her readers with family-friendly recipes, engaging crafts, and a curated library of printables for both kids and adults. When she’s not penning her experiences, you’ll find her crafting memories with her husband and sons—Dexter, Daniel, Chester, and Wilder.
