Who knew that recreating Chick-fil-A's famous mac and cheese at home could be this simple? When Emily and I first tried making this Chick Fil A Mac and Cheese Recipe, I honestly wasn't expecting much – but wow, were we in for a surprise! After countless attempts and tweaks (and maybe a few too many trips to the actual restaurant for "research"), I finally cracked the code to their ultra-creamy, perfectly cheesy masterpiece.
The secret? It's all about that 20-minute pasta cook time and the magical three-cheese blend that makes this dish absolutely irresistible. This copycat version delivers that same rich, velvety texture that makes Chick-fil-A's version so addictive.
If you love comfort food classics like this, you'll definitely want to try my old-fashioned baked macaroni and cheese – it's another family favorite that never disappoints!
Why You Will Love This Chick Fil A Mac And Cheese Recipe
- Incredibly creamy texture that rivals the restaurant version
- Ready in just 45 minutes with simple pantry ingredients
- Three-cheese blend creates the perfect flavor combination
- Family-friendly – even picky eaters can't resist this one
- Makes a large batch perfect for feeding a crowd or meal prep
- Broiled golden top adds that extra special restaurant touch
Ingredients For The Best Chick Fil A Mac And Cheese Recipe
- 1 pound elbow macaroni
- ¼ cup butter
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon ground paprika
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 egg yolk
- 8 slices American cheese
- 16 ounces freshly grated extra sharp cheddar cheese, divided
- 1 cup Italian blend cheese, shredded
Instructions For Perfect Chick Fil A Mac And Cheese
Preparing The Pasta
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook for 20 minutes (yes, really – this is the secret to that tender texture!).
- Drain the macaroni and set aside while you prepare the cheese sauce.
Making The Cheese Sauce
- In a large pot over medium heat, melt the butter completely.
- Whisk in the flour, salt, and paprika, stirring constantly to prevent lumps from forming.
- Add the whole milk gradually, a little at a time, whisking thoroughly after each addition until completely smooth.
- Continue whisking for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens to a creamy consistency.
Tempering The Egg
- In a small bowl, place your egg yolk. Add a spoonful of the hot milk mixture to the egg yolk and immediately whisk together (this prevents the egg from scrambling).
- Add the tempered egg yolk mixture back to the pot and whisk until fully incorporated.
Adding The Cheeses
- Turn the heat down to low. Tear the American cheese into pieces and add to the pot.
- Add half of the cheddar cheese and all of the Italian blend cheese to the sauce.
- Stir gently until all cheeses are completely melted and the sauce is smooth.
Final Assembly
- Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir gently until everything is well combined.
- Transfer the mac and cheese to a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Top with the remaining cheddar cheese.
- Place under the broiler until the top is golden brown (watch carefully – it can burn quickly!).
- Remove from oven and serve immediately while hot and bubbly.
Storage And Reheating Tips For Your Chick Fil A Mac And Cheese
This copycat Chick Fil A mac and cheese stores beautifully for future meals. I love making a big batch on Sunday and enjoying it throughout the week!
Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For longer storage, wrap the baking dish with plastic wrap and foil, then freeze for up to 3 months.
To reheat, thaw overnight in the refrigerator if frozen. Cover and bake at 350°F until heated through, or microwave individual portions until warm. The creamy texture holds up wonderfully!
Speaking of comforting soups, if you enjoy cheesy dishes like this, my cheeseburger macaroni soup is another crowd-pleaser that combines similar flavors in soup form.
Tips And Variations For The Ultimate Chick Fil A Mac And Cheese Recipe
Here are my tried-and-true tips for making this Chick Fil A mac and cheese recipe absolutely perfect every time:
- Use whole milk only – don't substitute with lower-fat options as it affects the creamy texture
- Freshly grate your cheese from the block for the best melting and flavor
- Cook the pasta for the full 20 minutes – this creates that signature tender texture
- Don't skip the broiling step – it adds that restaurant-quality golden top
Want to mix things up? Try adding crispy bacon bits, a sprinkle of parmesan cheese, or even some sautéed spinach for extra flavor and nutrition.
For a lighter twist, you could experiment with my cottage cheese cloud bread as a side – it's a fun, protein-packed addition that pairs surprisingly well!
Frequently Asked Questions About This Chick Fil A Mac And Cheese Recipe
This copycat recipe uses elbow macaroni, a creamy cheese sauce made with butter, flour, whole milk, and three types of cheese: American cheese, sharp cheddar, and Italian blend cheese, topped with extra cheddar and broiled until golden.
The recipe combines American cheese slices, freshly grated extra sharp cheddar cheese, and Italian blend shredded cheese for the perfect creamy and flavorful cheese combination that mimics Chick-fil-A's signature taste.
The secret lies in cooking the pasta for a full 20 minutes until very tender, using whole milk for creaminess, and the specific three-cheese blend that creates an ultra-smooth, rich sauce with perfect flavor balance.
For this Chick-fil-A copycat, the winning combination is American cheese for smoothness, extra sharp cheddar for flavor, and Italian blend for complexity - freshly grated from the block works best for optimal melting and texture.
Recipes You May Like
- Old-Fashioned Baked Macaroni And Cheese – Another classic comfort food favorite with a crispy breadcrumb topping
- Cheeseburger Macaroni Soup – All the flavors of a cheeseburger in a cozy soup form
- Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken – The perfect main dish to serve alongside this mac and cheese
Conclusion
This Chick Fil A Mac and & Recipe has become one of our most requested dishes, and for good reason! The combination of that perfectly tender pasta, ultra-creamy three-cheese sauce, and golden broiled top creates a dish that's even better than the restaurant version.
I love how this recipe brings the family together around the dinner table. Emily always asks for seconds (and sometimes thirds!), and I never mind making extra because it reheats so beautifully for busy weeknight dinners.
Give this copycat Chick Fil A mac & cheese a try and let me know what you think! Don't forget to save this recipe to Pinterest so you can find it easily when that mac and cheese craving hits.
Happy cooking!
Chick Fil A Mac and Cheese Recipe
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook for 20 minutes (yes, really – this is the secret to that tender texture!).
- Drain the macaroni and set aside while you prepare the cheese sauce.
- In a large pot over medium heat, melt the butter completely.
- Whisk in the flour, salt, and paprika, stirring constantly to prevent lumps from forming.
- Add the whole milk gradually, a little at a time, whisking thoroughly after each addition until completely smooth.
- Continue whisking for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens to a creamy consistency.
- In a small bowl, place your egg yolk. Add a spoonful of the hot milk mixture to the egg yolk and immediately whisk together (this prevents the egg from scrambling).
- Add the tempered egg yolk mixture back to the pot and whisk until fully incorporated.
- Turn the heat down to low. Tear the American cheese into pieces and add to the pot.
- Add half of the cheddar cheese and all of the Italian blend cheese to the sauce.
- Stir gently until all cheeses are completely melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir gently until everything is well combined.
- Transfer the mac and cheese to a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Top with the remaining cheddar cheese.
- Place under the broiler until the top is golden brown (watch carefully – it can burn quickly!).
- Remove from oven and serve immediately while hot and bubbly.
