Chick Fil A Mac and Cheese: Tasty and Simple Recipe

An easy, fun copycat, this Chick fil A Mac and Cheese is super easy, oh so tasty, and tastes just like what you would get from the restaurant.

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I’m a sucker for Chick-fil-A, if I’m going to get fast food, that is the spot that we hit up the most. But I also love to recreate some of my restaurant favorites and this Chick fil A Mac and Cheese is one of them.

We have been making this recreation for the longest time, and after many trials and errors, we had gotten the perfect flavor and texture that aligns with the restaurant.

Now, this is our go-to Mac and Cheese Recipe whenever that craving calls. Plus making your own copycat recipes saves money and drive time, how can you go wrong with that!?

Honestly, when it comes to this recipe you just can’t go wrong. It has readily available ingredients and it is super quick to make, I love quick and easy and I don’t know anyone who doesn’t!

Gooey mac and cheese is comfort food at it’s best. There’s a good reason kids love it so much.

And when you take classic macaroni and cheese and level it up like this? Well trust me when I say you’ll be humming with each and every bite!

If you love a good comforting recipe that tastes like one of your favorite restaurants, then you need to make my Chick fil A Mac and Cheese.

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Jump to:

• WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS:
• INGREDIENTS NEEDED (SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST FOR THE FULL RECIPE CARD):
• HOW TO MAKE CHICK FIL A MAC AND CHEESE:
• FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS RECIPE:
• DO I REALLY HAVE TO COOK THE PASTA FOR 20 MINUTES?
• WHAT IS THE BEST CHEESE TO USE?
• DO I HAVE TO USE WHOLE MILK?
• ANY ADDITIONS?
• ANY SUBSTITUTIONS?
• HOW TO STORE:
• DANA’S TIPS AND TRICKS:
• Copycat Chick Fil A Mac and Cheese Recipe

1. Ready in about 30 minutes!
2. Easily available ingredients.
3. Makes a nice large batch to feed the whole family.

• Elbow macaroni
• Butter
• All-purpose flour
• Salt
• Paprika
• Whole milk
• Egg yolk
• American cheese
• Extra sharp cheddar cheese
• Italian blend cheese

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1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the macaroni noodles and boil for 20 minutes, no that is not a typo, cook this pasta for 20 minutes.
2. Drain the macaroni and set aside.
3. Meanwhile, make the cheese sauce. In a large pot over medium heat melt your butter. Whisk in the flour, salt and paprika, stirring constantly.
4. To that add your milk a little at a time, whisking it in completely before adding more.
5. Once all the milk has been added, whisk for 1-2 minutes until the sauce is thick.
6. In a small bowl place your egg yolk. Add a spoonful of the hot milk mixture to the egg yolk and immediately whisk together.
7. Add the egg yolk mixture to the pot of the milk mixture and whisk in.
8. Turn the heat down to low and begin to add your cheese.Tear the american cheese into pieces and add to the pot. Add in half of the cheddar and all of the italian blend.
9. Stir to combine and melt the cheeses.
10. When the cheese is all melted and smooth add in the noodles.Stir gently until everything is combined.
11. Place the macaroni and cheese in a 9×13-inch baking dish.
12. Top the macaroni and cheese with the other half of the cheddar cheese.
13. Place under the broiler of your oven until just browned.  Do not take your eyes off of it or it will burn!
14. Once the cheese is browned remove from the oven and serve!

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DO I REALLY HAVE TO COOK THE PASTA FOR 20 MINUTES?

You must cook the noodles for 20 minutes!

I know it goes against everything you’ve ever been taught about cooking pasta, but cooking the pasta this long prevents the noodles from absorbing too much cheese sauce and making the dish dry.

It helps the recipe stay nice and creamy.

WHAT IS THE BEST CHEESE TO USE?

We use a variety of cheese in this recipe, including American, extra sharp cheddar, and an Italian blend.

Chick-fil-A uses parmesan and Romano, so that is why we use the Italian blend.

You can use another cheese blend if you like, but we like this mixture as it really gives it the flavor that comes closest to what we are looking for.

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DO I HAVE TO USE WHOLE MILK?

Yes, do not switch this for any other milk.

Since whole milk is slightly thicker than your other milks it helps produce that creamy texture that we want for this recipe.

ANY ADDITIONS?

This copycat Chick Fil A Mac is perfect for experimenting. Trying out a thing or two from down below!

• Add a sprinkle of romano cheese or parmesan cheese on top for a nutty flavor and extra cheesy goodness.
• Stir in a handful of white cheddar cheese or other different types of cheeses for a more complex combination of cheeses.
• Serve alongside some crispy chicken nuggets or diced waffle fries to make it a more filling side dish or even a main.
• Drizzle a little avocado lime ranch dressing over the top layer of cheeses for a bright, tangy contrast.
• Sprinkle a pinch of black pepper or even a tiny bit of chili flakes for a pop of heat.
• Add a spoonful of heavy cream if you want an even richer and creamier sauce.
• Fold in some cooked and crumbled bacon for a salty, meaty burst that elevates the entire dish.
• Mix in a small amount of caramelized onions to give it a subtle sweet depth and better flavor.
• Toss in a few bits of sautéed spinach or broccoli for a touch of green, adding color and a little extra flavor.
• Top with bread crumbs before broiling for a crunchy, golden brown crispy top layer that’s irresistible.

ANY SUBSTITUTIONS?

My favorite dishes are the ones I can make my own. Adjust to find the best taste!

• Use a lower fat milk instead of whole milk if you want a lighter dish, though it might affect the creamy texture.
• Swap the colby jack cheese or american cheese with another good melting cheese like gouda for a fun twist.
• Replace elbow pasta with small shells or rotini if you’re out of elbow macaroni—just ensure the pasta is well-cooked and soft.
• If you can’t find the specific cheese combo, pick a good-quality american cheese and another sharp cheddar for a simpler blend.
• Try using heavy cream and a little less flour for a richer sauce if you don’t mind the extra fat.
• If you prefer a lighter option, use reduced-fat cheddar and skip the top layer of cheeses, resulting in a less heavy dish.

This can be stored in the dish covered with plastic wrap or in an airtight container in the refrigerator where it will keep for up to 3 days.

This can also be frozen, place plastic wrap and then foil over the baking dish and place in the freezer where it will keep for up to 3 months.

To defrost, remove to the refrigerator overnight, to reheat you can either place covered in the oven until heated through or portion out and microwave it until heated through.

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Love a good takeout meal but don’t want to waste the time or money?

Then you absolutely have to make my Chick fil A Mac and Cheese, filling, tasty, and everyone loves it.

If you’ve tried this CHICK FIL A MAC AND CHEESE let me know in the comments how it turned out! You can follow me over on PINTEREST, INSTAGRAM OR FACEBOOK to find some more of our mouthwatering recipes!