The Perfect Chick Fil A Mac and Cheese Recipe: A Homemade Favourite

We know that feeling all too well—the craving for that rich, creamy, and perfectly baked macaroni and cheese from Chick-fil-A. It’s a side dish that so often steals the show, and we were determined to bring that same magic into our own homes. After plenty of delicious research, we’re thrilled to say we’ve perfected it! This guide is our gift to you, a way to enjoy this beloved classic whenever you fancy.

Think of this as more than just a set of instructions; it’s your passport to recreating a cherished treat without ever leaving the house. Our Chick Fil A Mac and Cheese Recipe is designed to be completely straightforward, delivering that unmistakable taste with minimal fuss. The best mac and cheese you’ve ever tasted is just a short bake away. Let’s get started!

Why You’ll Adore This Recipe

• Authentic Restaurant Flavour: We have carefully selected and balanced our cheese blend to capture the signature Chick-fil-A taste. It delivers a complex, deeply satisfying flavour that makes for a truly convincing copycat chick fil a mac.
• Wonderfully Creamy Texture: Our method guarantees a luxurious, silky cheese sauce that lovingly coats every single piece of macaroni. You won’t find any graininess here, just pure, velvety perfection.
• Simple, Everyday Ingredients: There’s no need for a special shopping trip. This recipe uses common ingredients you likely already have in your pantry and fridge to achieve something truly remarkable.
• A Golden, Baked Finish: We believe the magic is in the bake. A short time in the oven gives this dish its iconic golden-brown, bubbly topping, which adds a delightful textural contrast to the creamy pasta below.
• Guaranteed to Please Everyone: Whether you serve it at a family dinner, take it along to a gathering, or simply enjoy it as a comforting main meal, this mac and cheese is destined to be a firm favourite with all ages.

Ingredients

• 450g elbow macaroni
• 115g unsalted butter
• 60g all-purpose flour
• 700ml whole milk, warmed
• 240ml double cream
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon paprika
• 225g sharp white cheddar cheese, freshly grated
• 225g mild or medium yellow cheddar cheese, freshly grated
• 115g Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
• 115g Romano cheese, freshly grated
• 60g extra sharp cheddar cheese, for topping

Step-by-Step Instructions: Crafting the Perfect Copycat Mac and Cheese

Bringing this cheesy masterpiece to life is a very rewarding process. We’ve laid out the entire journey in simple, clear stages to guide you from start to finish. If you follow these steps, a truly magnificent mac and cheese will be your reward.

1. Prepare the Pasta

First, we need to cook our pasta. Bring a large pot of salted water to a vigorous boil. Add your elbow macaroni and cook it according to the packet instructions, but make sure it is ‘al dente’. This means it should still have a slight firmness, which is important as it will cook a little more in the oven. Once ready, drain the pasta thoroughly and set it aside for later.

2. Create the Creamy Cheese Sauce Recipe

Now, let’s move on to the heart of the dish—the glorious sauce. In a large, heavy-based saucepan or Dutch oven, melt the butter over a medium heat. When it has melted completely and is gently bubbling, whisk in the flour. Continue to whisk for about a minute. This process creates a ‘roux’, which is fundamental for thickening our sauce and cooking away any raw flour taste.

Bit by bit, pour in the warmed milk, whisking constantly to ensure no lumps form. Once the milk is fully incorporated and the mixture is smooth, stir in the double cream. Allow the sauce to come to a gentle simmer, stirring as you go, and let it thicken for a couple of minutes. It’s ready when it beautifully coats the back of a spoon.

3. Melt in the Cheeses

Reduce the heat to low. It’s time for the best part! Add the freshly grated white cheddar, yellow cheddar, Parmesan, and Romano cheeses into the sauce. Stir gently and continuously until all the cheese has melted and the sauce is perfectly smooth and velvety. Keeping the heat low is key to preventing the sauce from splitting. Finally, mix in the salt, pepper, and paprika. Have a little taste and add more seasoning if you feel it needs it.

4. Combine and Prepare for Baking

Pour the wonderfully rich cheese sauce over your cooked macaroni. Gently fold everything together until every noodle is generously cloaked in cheesy goodness. Next, transfer the mixture into a 2.5-litre (or 9×13 inch) baking dish and spread it into an even layer. For that classic finish, sprinkle the last 60g of extra sharp cheddar cheese all over the top. This is what creates that irresistible golden crust.

5. Bake to Perfection

Preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C Fan/Gas Mark 4). Pop the baking dish into the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes. You’re looking for a beautifully golden-brown top with bubbling edges. This final stage is what elevates it to a truly exceptional baked macaroni and cheese. Once baked, let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This brief pause allows the sauce to set slightly, ensuring it’s perfectly creamy.

Our Top Tips for the Best Homemade Mac and Cheese

To help you achieve absolute mac and cheese perfection, we’ve compiled a few of our most trusted tips. These little details can make a world of difference and will set you on the path to success every single time.

Always Shred Your Own Cheese

We cannot stress this enough! Pre-packaged shredded cheeses contain anti-caking agents, such as potato starch, which stop the strands from sticking together. Unfortunately, these agents can give your sauce a slightly gritty texture and hinder a smooth melt. Grating your own cheese from a block takes just a few moments and results in a far superior, creamier sauce.

The Secret to a Smooth Sauce is Low Heat

When it’s time to add the cheese to your white sauce (or ‘béchamel’), ensure the hob is on a very low heat, or even turn it off completely. High temperatures can cause the proteins in the cheese to tighten and separate, leading to a grainy or oily sauce. Letting the residual warmth of the sauce melt the cheese slowly is the secret to the silkiest finish.

Mastering the Cheese Blend

The unique combination of cheeses is what defines this recipe’s signature flavour. Chick-fil-A is known for using a “special blend of cheeses including Cheddar, Parmesan, and Romano.” Our recipe stays true to this, creating that rich, nutty, and tangy profile so characteristic of a fantastic southern style mac and cheese. We encourage you to use a good quality sharp cheddar to really make the flavour pop.

What to Serve With Your Mac and Cheese

While this dish is certainly a star on its own, it also makes a wonderful team player. For a classic, comforting meal, we love to serve it alongside fried chicken, BBQ pulled pork, or grilled sausages. If you’re looking for a lighter partner, a simple Classic House Salad with Red Wine Vinaigrette cuts through the richness beautifully. It’s also a superb addition to a pasta night, sitting perfectly next to other favourites like a Creamy Garlic Penne Pasta.

FAQ

Conclusion: Your Go-To Comfort Food

And there we have it—our complete guide to recreating one of the nation’s most adored comfort foods from scratch. This copycat Chick-fil-A Mac and Cheese recipe truly delivers. It’s exceptionally creamy, brimming with a complex cheese flavour, and crowned with that glorious golden crust. It’s a wonderful reminder that you can achieve restaurant-quality results in your very own kitchen.

So, why not give it a go? It’s time to gather your ingredients, pop on an apron, and treat yourself and your family to this spectacular dish. We have a feeling it will quickly become a household favourite.

Did you try our Chick-fil-A Mac and Cheese Recipe? We would absolutely love to hear how you got on! Please leave a comment and a rating below to share your thoughts with our community. Happy cooking!

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Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 20 mins
Serves: 8

Ingredients

• 450g elbow macaroni
• 115g unsalted butter
• 60g all-purpose flour
• 700ml whole milk, warmed
• 240ml double cream
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 tsp paprika
• 225g sharp white cheddar, grated
• 225g mild yellow cheddar, grated
• 115g Parmesan cheese, grated
• 115g Romano cheese, grated
• 60g extra sharp cheddar cheese, for topping

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 180°C (160°C Fan). Cook 450g elbow macaroni in a large pot of salted water until al dente, then drain well.
2. In a large saucepan, melt 115g butter over medium heat. Whisk in 60g flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, to create a roux.
3. Gradually whisk in 700ml warm milk until smooth. Stir in 240ml double cream, bring to a gentle simmer, and let the sauce thicken.
4. Reduce heat to low. Add the 225g white cheddar, 225g yellow cheddar, 115g Parmesan, and 115g Romano cheeses. Stir until fully melted and smooth. Season with salt, pepper, and paprika.
5. Combine the cheese sauce with the cooked macaroni. Transfer to a 9×13 inch baking dish, sprinkle the 60g extra sharp cheddar on top, and bake for 15-20 minutes until golden and bubbly. Let rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 889, Carbs: 52 g, Protein: 36 g, Fat: 58 g