Chick Fil A Mac and Cheese Recipe (2024)

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If you are a Chick-fil-A-lover, the one thing can’t ever forget to order the Mac and Cheese! Their mac n cheese is probably among the best ones out there. Made with several types of cheeses, the mac n cheese is rich, creamy, cheesy, and utterly divine. It is one of the hottest items on their menu and is loved by children and adults equally.We’ve come up with a version of their top-secret recipe that we know you are going to love.

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Why I love Chick-fil-A Mac and Cheese

We have developed a perfect copycat recipe that will give you just about the same results as buying it in the store – and we think the homemade taste. makes it even better. Our kids absolutely LOVED this, and to be honest, we did, too! It really kicks classic macaroni and cheese up a notch, we don’t think they’ll be a disappointed party in the house with this recipe.

The first bite I had of Chick-fil-a’s mac and cheese last year, I was a little bit taken back – the cheese flavor is very strong, and when it comes to mac and cheese, I tend to be a little more on the mild cheese side of things. However, it has quickly become one of my favorite sides.

We think this is a great recipe for a family dinner or for a larger gathering – in fact, I plan to make this at an upcoming family reunion! It is really the best mac and cheese recipe!

The key to making this recipe absolutely outstanding is using a special blend of cheeses and baking it just long enough to get a crispy layer of cheese on the top that you mix in with the dish. -The Chick-fil-A website says it is a combination of romano cheeses, parmesan cheese, and cheddar. We tried different combinations, and I think we got it down. This is a very cheesy pasta, dish and it is so delicious!

Chick-fil-A Mac and Cheese Ingredients

  • 16 ounces elbow macaroni
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 cup salted butter
  • 1/4 cup flour
  • 1 cup cream
  • 2 1/2 cups whole milk
  • 1 3/4 cup shredded sharp cheddar
  • 3/4 cup shredded parmesan
  • 1 cup shredded romano cheese
  • Salt and Black Pepper (to taste)
  • Extra cheddar cheese for top

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
  2. Bring a large pot water to a boil with salt.
  3. Boil noodles until al dente, drain and set aside (reserve about 1/2 cup of pasta water in case you need to thin up the sauce)
  4. Melt butter in a large sauce pan over medium heat.
  5. Whisk in flour and mix continuously for about 4-5 minutes over low heat.
  6. Slowly pour in the cream and whole milk and stir the whole time until it starts to thicken over low heat.
  7. Mix in the combination of cheeses until the cheese starts to melt and become creamy and season with salt and pepper to taste.
  8. If it becomes too thick, thin the sauce with a little bit of reserved water.
  9. Mix in the macaroni noodles.
  10. Pour mixture into a large baking dish.
  11. Top with additional shredded cheddar cheese.
  12. Cook for five minutes.
  13. After five minutes, cook on a low broil for two minutes.
  14. Remove from oven and mix together so crispy cheese on top is incorporated throughout the dish.
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Tips for Cooking Chick-fil-A Mac and Cheese

Although making Chick-fil-A Mac and Cheese is quite easy. It is all about the ingredients and their quantity. However, there are still a few things you have to keep in mind. These are:

  • Make sure every ingredient is at room temperature.
  • If you don’t find whole milk, you can also use low-fat milk. However, the texture doesn’t be creamy and thick.
  • Sauté the flour and butter at low heat to avoid burning.
  • When adding cream or milk, remove the saucepan from heat and let it cool slightly.
  • If you can’t find sharp cheddar cheese, you can use regular cheddar cheese as well.
  • Add cooked macaroni to the sauce, mix it well and then broil it for 2 to 3 minutes for better results.

Can I make this ahead of time?

You can! You can make it up to a day ahead of time and put it in the fridge, uncooked – I would recommend waiting to put the cheese on top until you bake it the day of. If you want to freeze it for later, just put it in the freezer, uncooked, and well-covered for up to three months.

Can I freeze this mac and cheese?

Yes, if you have leftovers, you can put it in a freezer-safe storage container and freeze them for up to three months. Be aware that it likely won’t taste as good defrosted and reheated.

How long does this last in the fridge?

In an airtight container, it should last for 3-5 days.

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Can I use different kinds of cheese?

While Chick-fil-A’s mac and cheese recipe is delicious as is- you can experiment with different cheeses to achieve a similar creamy and flavorful result in your recipe.

Mozzarella is known for its excellent melting qualities. Combining it with other cheeses can contribute to a gooey and stretchy texture.

Gruyère has a distinct and nutty taste. It melts beautifully and can provide a unique flavor profile to your mac and cheese.

Havarti is a semi-soft cheese with a buttery and mild flavor. It can contribute to the overall creaminess of the dish.

This cheese blend of Colby and Monterey Jack combines the mildness of Colby with the creaminess of Monterey Jack. It’s a good option for a well-balanced flavor.

For the record, I have not tried using different cheeses with this recipe but in my opinion, I prefer using the cheeses listed in the original recipe.

What pasta shape is best to use?

The best pasta shape for homemade mac and cheese is often subjective, as it depends on personal preference and the texture you desire. However, some pasta shapes are particularly well-suited for mac and cheese.

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Elbow macaroni is a classic choice for mac and cheese. Its small, curved shape allows the cheese sauce to cling to the pasta, creating a satisfying and cheesy bite.

Cavatappi, also known as cellentani, is a spiral-shaped pasta with ridges.

Large pasta shells, or conchiglie, are another excellent option.

Rotini is a spiral-shaped pasta that works well in mac and cheese. The spirals help trap the cheese sauce, creating a creamy and enjoyable dish.

Penne pasta, with its tube-like shape, is a popular choice for mac and cheese. The hollow center of penne allows the cheese sauce to seep inside, ensuring a flavorful bite

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Chick-fil-A Mac and Cheese Recipe

Yield: 12

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Stay home and save some money by making this Chick-fil-A Mac and Cheese recipe at home! It is creamy, has amazing flavor from the cheese blend, and it's quite easy to make!

Ingredients

  • 16 ounces elbow macaroni
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 cup salted butter
  • 1/4 cup flour
  • 1 cup cream
  • 2 1/2 cups whole milk
  • 1 3/4 cup shredded sharp cheddar
  • 3/4 cup shredded parmesan
  • 1 cup shredded romano cheese
  • Salt and Black Pepper (to taste) Extra cheddar cheese for top

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
  2. Bring a large pot water to a boil with salt.
  3. Boil noodles until al dente, drain and set aside (reserve about 1/2 cup of pasta water in case you need to thin up the sauce)
  4. Melt butter in a large sauce pan over medium heat.
  5. Whisk in flour and mix continuously for about 4-5 minutes over low heat.
  6. Slowly pour in the cream and whole milk and stir the whole time until it starts to thicken over low heat.
  7. Mix in the combination of cheeses until the cheese starts to melt and become creamy and season with salt and pepper to taste.
  8. If it becomes too thick, thin the sauce with a little bit of the reserved water.
  9. Mix in the macaroni noodles.
  10. Pour mixture into a large baking dish.
  11. Top with additional shredded cheddar cheese.
  12. Cook for five minutes.
  13. After five minutes, cook on a low broil for two minutes.
  14. Remove from oven and mix together so crispy cheese on top is incorporated throughout the dish
Nutrition Information:

Yield: 12Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 393Total Fat: 28gSaturated Fat: 17gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 83mgSodium: 692mgCarbohydrates: 18gFiber: 1gSugar: 4gProtein: 17g

Please verify this information with your preferred nutrition calculator.

What other sides does Chick-fil-A have?

Chick-fil-A occasionally tries new side item additions to their menu – and they aren’t always permanent. This is the first permanent side addition they have added in quite some time – which is understandable since it’s so pleasing to the taste buds!

Some of the other permanent sides are fruit cups, waffle fries, and side dishes. I was pretty disappointed when they got rid of the superfood salad!

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Katie Clark( Simply Side Dish Creator )

Katie Clark is a mom of three with a passion for creating home-cooked meals every night for her family. She has learned the skill of cooking from the time she was young and comes from a long-line of women who love to cook. Over the years, she has developed this skill to not only help her family but thousands around the world with her popular copycat recipes, jello salads, and twists on traditional favorites. She has a degree in journalism and loves to help others succeed in getting dinner on the table!

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Chick Fil A Mac and Cheese Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Does Chick-fil-A mac and cheese have milk in it? ›

Well, the recipe involves a unique blend of cheddar, Parmesan, Romano, and American cheeses. Of course, there are macaroni noodles involved, as well as butter, salt, sugar, milk, flour, and more. You can find the full ingredient list on Chick-fil-A's website.

Is Chick-fil-A mac and cheese processed? ›

Read more on Chick-fil-A

"The mac and cheese tastes great, but it's very processed, and it's not something that's very special," he said. "You can easily make it at home yourself."

Does Chick-fil-A bake their mac and cheese? ›

A classic macaroni and cheese recipe featuring a special blend of cheeses including Parmesan, Cheddar, and Romano. Baked in-restaurant to form a crispy top layer of baked cheese.

What cheese does Chick-fil-A use? ›

According to the restaurant website, the three cheeses currently used in the Chick fil A cheese sauce are Romano, cheddar, and parmesan. Spices – Paprika and turmeric add subtle flavor, but they are mainly for color.

What is the healthiest thing in Chick-fil-A? ›

9 nutritious Chick-fil-A menu picks
  • Egg White Grill.
  • Chick-n-Minis®
  • Chick-fil-A Market Salad.
  • Grilled Nuggets.
  • Grilled Chicken Sandwich.
  • Cobb Salad.
  • Grilled Chicken Cool Wrap®
  • Greek Yogurt Parfait.
Jun 27, 2023

Is Chick-fil-A mac and cheese dairy free? ›

Is Chick-fil-A mac and cheese vegan? No. The mac and cheese not only includes dairy, but eggs as well. The Chick-fil-A mac and cheese is not vegan.

What is the secret ingredient in Chick-Fil-A chicken? ›

Chick-fil-A's secret to juicy chicken lies in their bringing process. Brining is the process of soaking meat in a solution of salt, sugar, and water. This helps to tenderize the meat and infuse it with flavor. Before cooking it, Chick-fil-A soaks its chicken in a solution of salt, sugar, and milk for up to 24 hours.

Is mac and cheese a junk food? ›

Are mac and cheese healthy, yes or no? Unfortunately, traditional mac and cheese tends to be unhealthy because it contains high amounts of saturated fats and sodium from butter, cheese, and milk. Additionally, it is calorie-dense and not ideal for those trying to lose weight.

What oil does Chick-Fil-A use? ›

Ever since our founder Truett Cathy created the Chick-fil-A® Chicken Sandwich, we've been cooking our hand-breaded chicken exclusively in fully refined, heat-processed peanut oil.

Which is healthier Chick-fil-A mac and cheese or fries? ›

In terms of the least healthy side dish at Chick-fil-A, Wheeler says that this honor goes to the mac and cheese, which has more calories than the fries. “It had 29 grams of fat, 70 milligrams of cholesterol, 1,190 milligrams of sodium, and only three grams of fiber,” Wheeler says.

Does Chick-fil-A bake or fry their fries? ›

Chick-fil-A Waffle Potato Fries. ®

Waffle-cut potatoes cooked in canola oil until crispy outside and tender inside. Sprinkled with Sea Salt.

Is mac and cheese from Chick-fil-A healthy? ›

It's by far the least healthy side dish at Chick-fil-A, outnumbering the waffle fries in both calories and fat. Not surprisingly, experts are uncomfortable about recommending this comfort food.

What's in Panera mac and cheese? ›

Cooked Pasta (Semolina Wheat Flour, Egg Whites, Niacin, Ferrous Sulfate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Pasteurized Process Cheese Spread (Cheddar Cheese [Pasteurized Milk, Cheese Culture, Salt, Enzymes], Water, Whey, Whey Protein Concentrate, Milkfat, Skim Milk, Sodium Citrate, Lactic Acid, Salt), ...

Is Chick-fil-A chicken real or processed? ›

Chick-fil-A sources 100% real, whole, boneless breast of chicken that has never been ground or separated, and that contains no fillers or added steroids or hormones*.

Is Chick-fil-A mac and cheese vegan? ›

However, it is important to note that the Mac and Cheese at Chick-fil-A is not considered vegetarian due to the presence of animal-derived ingredients, such as cheese made from animal rennet.

Is Chick-fil-A made with milk? ›

UPDATE 10/26/22: Chick-fil-A confirmed that the dairy in their grilled nugget and filet products will be removed starting 10/28/2022.

Does Mac & cheese have milk in it? ›

Milk is typically an essential ingredient in any homemade mac and cheese recipe because it (or similar liquids such as heavy cream) forms the backbone of the cheese sauce. This is true for regular dairy milk or any non-dairy milk substitute such as soy milk, rice milk, and coconut milk.

Is Chick-fil-A chicken made with milk? ›

Chicken. Heads Up! All Breaded Chicken at Chick-fil-A contains milk, including the classic Filet, Spicy Filet, Nuggets, Chick-n-Strips, and vegetarian Cauliflower Sandwich (which they are test marketing). The Spicy Grilled Fillet also contains milk.

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