The Ultimate Chick Fil A Mac and Cheese Recipe (A Perfect Copycat)

Do you ever yearn for the exceptionally rich and cheesy macaroni and cheese from Chick-fil-A, wishing it was possible to recreate it in your own kitchen? That satisfying bowl of perfectly cooked pasta, enveloped in a smooth, multi-cheese sauce, is the epitome of comfort food. It’s not just a side dish; it’s pure warmth and joy. Well, your wish is our command! We’ve unlocked the secret to the perfect Chick Fil A Mac and Cheese Recipe, allowing you to capture that signature creamy texture and complex flavour you love, right in your own home.

Leave the takeaways behind. We’re here to show you how to create what we believe is the best homemade mac and cheese you’ll ever have. This recipe is wonderfully straightforward, calls for easy-to-find ingredients, and yields a deliciously cheesy, baked dish that will have everyone demanding another helping. Let’s begin!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Authentic Flavour: We’ve carefully experimented with various cheese combinations to produce a genuine copycat chick fil a mac. The blend of sharp, mild, and salty cheeses beautifully replicates the original taste.
• Incredibly Creamy: Our technique guarantees a velvety smooth cheese sauce every time, completely free of any graininess. This is the key to its luxurious consistency.
• Simple, Everyday Ingredients: You won’t need to search for any obscure components. Everything required for this culinary masterpiece is available at your local grocery shop.
• A Guaranteed Family Favourite: This dish embodies the essence of comfort food. It’s a definite success with the whole family, pleasing everyone from the fussiest eaters to the most discerning palates.
• Perfectly Baked Finish: Unlike a standard stovetop version, this recipe is finished in the oven. This creates a lovely golden-brown crust and makes sure every mouthful is perfectly hot and melted.

Ingredients

• 450g elbow macaroni
• 100g unsalted butter
• 60g plain flour
• 700ml full-fat milk, warmed
• 120ml double cream
• 225g sharp white Cheddar cheese, freshly grated
• 225g medium yellow Cheddar cheese, freshly grated
• 115g Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
• 115g Romano cheese, freshly grated
• 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon paprika (optional, for colour)

The true magic of this recipe is found in its specific blend of cheeses. To achieve the most authentic flavour, we strongly suggest using the cheeses we’ve listed. Grating your own cheese from a solid block is absolutely essential for achieving the creamiest possible sauce!

• 450g elbow macaroni
• 100g unsalted butter
• 60g plain flour
• 700ml full-fat milk, warmed
• 120ml double cream
• 225g sharp white Cheddar cheese, freshly grated
• 225g medium yellow Cheddar cheese, freshly grated
• 115g Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
• 115g Romano cheese, freshly grated
• 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon paprika (optional, for colour)

Step-by-Step Instructions: Crafting the Perfect Chick-fil-A Mac and Cheese

Follow these stages closely to achieve macaroni and cheese excellence. The process is broken down into three key parts: cooking the pasta, making the sublime cheese sauce, and finally, baking it all together.

1. Preparing the Pasta

1. Boil the Water: Get a large pot of generously salted water to a vigorous, rolling boil. Salting the water is the initial step to flavouring the pasta from within.
2. Cook the Macaroni: Tip in the elbow macaroni and cook as per the packet instructions, ensuring it is ‘al dente’. This is vital, as the pasta will cook further in the oven. We suggest cooking it for 1-2 minutes less than the packet recommends.
3. Drain and Set Aside: When cooked, drain the pasta thoroughly in a colander. It’s important not to rinse it! The starch remaining on the pasta’s surface helps the cheese sauce adhere beautifully. Set it to one side while you make the sauce.

2. Creating the Ultimate Creamy Cheese Sauce Recipe

This is where the real enchantment begins. The foundation of any superb mac and cheese is a traditional béchamel, which we’ll enrich with a glorious mix of cheeses.

1. Make the Roux: In a large, heavy-based saucepan or Dutch oven, melt the butter over a medium heat. Once it has completely melted and is gently bubbling, whisk in the plain flour. Continue to cook, stirring constantly with a whisk, for about two minutes. This step eliminates the raw flour taste and is crucial for a thick, stable sauce.
2. Add the Dairy: Steadily pour in the warm milk, whisking continuously. Adding the milk gradually and ensuring it’s warm helps to prevent any lumps from forming. Keep whisking until the mixture is smooth, then stir in the double cream.
3. Thicken the Sauce: Continue cooking the sauce over a medium heat, stirring frequently, until it has thickened sufficiently to coat the back of a spoon. This will take around 5–7 minutes. Do not allow it to boil.
4. Melt the Cheeses: Take the saucepan off the heat. This is a crucial step to ensure the sauce doesn’t become grainy or split. Now, add the grated sharp Cheddar, medium Cheddar, Parmesan, and Romano. Stir gently until all the cheese has melted completely and the sauce is beautifully smooth and velvety.
5. Season to Perfection: Mix in the salt, black pepper, and optional paprika. Have a taste of the sauce and adjust the seasoning if you feel it’s needed. Bear in mind the cheese is already quite salty, so be cautious not to add too much salt.

3. Assembling and Baking Your Masterpiece

Now it’s time to combine everything to create the definitive baked macaroni and cheese.

1. Preheat Your Oven: Get your oven preheating to 180°C (160°C Fan / Gas Mark 4).
2. Combine Pasta and Sauce: Pour the sumptuous cheese sauce over the cooked macaroni in your large pot. Stir gently until every piece of pasta is lavishly coated.
3. Transfer to a Baking Dish: Spoon the mixture into a 2.5-litre baking dish (or one of a similar capacity) and smooth it into an even layer. For an extra-cheesy crust, you can sprinkle a little more grated Cheddar or Parmesan over the top.
4. Bake Until Bubbly: Pop the dish into the preheated oven and bake for 15–20 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the sauce is bubbling up at the sides and the top is a light golden brown.
5. Rest and Serve: Carefully remove the mac and cheese from the oven and allow it to rest for 5–10 minutes. This gives the sauce a moment to set, making it even creamier. Serve it piping hot and wait for the compliments to roll in!

Tips for Achieving the Best Homemade Mac and Cheese

To make sure your dish is as close to the original as possible, bear these tips in mind. They are what elevate a good mac and cheese to an unforgettable one.

• Grate Your Own Cheese: We cannot emphasise this enough. Pre-grated cheeses are often coated with anti-caking agents like potato starch, which can stop them from melting properly and lead to a grainy sauce. Buying blocks of cheese and grating them yourself is the single most important secret to a silky-smooth sauce. As highlighted by the U.S. Dairy council, low, gentle heat and freshly grated cheese are key.
• Use Full-Fat Dairy: This is a dish for indulgence, not for dieting! Full-fat milk and double cream deliver the richness and stability essential for a truly decadent sauce.
• Don’t Overcook the Pasta: Soggy pasta can spoil the texture of the entire dish. Cooking it al dente ensures it retains the perfect bite, even after it has been baked in the oven.
• Be Patient with the Sauce: Allow yourself plenty of time when preparing the cheese sauce. Whisk the roux without stopping, pour in the milk gradually, and always melt the cheese away from the direct heat. This patience is rewarded with a flawless consistency.

What to Serve with Your Southern Style Mac and Cheese

This rich and creamy creation is a star in its own right, but it also complements a wide range of main courses. As a quintessential example of southern style mac and cheese, it’s a perfect accompaniment to fried chicken, pulled pork, or barbecued ribs. For a more balanced meal, we enjoy serving it with something fresh and crisp. A simple Classic House Salad with Red Wine Vinaigrette provides a lovely contrast to the richness. It also pairs wonderfully with grilled sausages or a simple roast chicken.

And if you’re a devoted fan of cheesy pasta dishes, why not give our superb Creamy Garlic Penne Pasta a try on another occasion?

FAQ

Your New Favourite Comfort Food Awaits

And there you have it—our complete guide to recreating the legendary Chick-fil-A mac and cheese in your own kitchen. This recipe is more than a list of instructions; it’s an invitation to create warm, wonderful memories around the dinner table. With its deep flavour, incredibly creamy consistency, and satisfying cheesy topping, this dish is sure to become a cherished favourite in your home.

So, what are you waiting for? Collect your ingredients, don your favourite apron, and prepare to wow everyone with your cooking prowess. We are certain that you will love this recipe as much as we do. When you try it, please leave a comment below to let us know how you got on. We always enjoy hearing from you!

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Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 35 mins
Serves: 8

Ingredients

• 450g elbow macaroni
• 100g unsalted butter
• 60g plain flour
• 700ml full-fat milk, warmed
• 120ml double cream
• 225g sharp white Cheddar cheese, freshly grated
• 225g medium yellow Cheddar cheese, freshly grated
• 115g Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
• 115g Romano cheese, freshly grated
• 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon paprika (optional, for colour)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 180°C (160°C Fan). Cook the elbow macaroni to al dente according to package instructions. Drain well and set aside.
2. To make the sauce, melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Gradually whisk in the warm milk and double cream until smooth.
3. Continue to cook, stirring frequently, for 5-7 minutes until the sauce has thickened. Remove from the heat.
4. Add the grated Cheddar, Parmesan, and Romano cheeses to the sauce. Stir until completely melted and velvety smooth. Season with salt, pepper, and optional paprika.
5. Combine the cheese sauce with the cooked macaroni, ensuring all the pasta is coated. Transfer the mixture to a 2.5-litre baking dish.
6. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the sauce is bubbling. Let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Nutrition (per serving):
784 kcal,
52 g,
34 g,
47 g