Copycat Chick-Fil-A Mac And Cheese
Are you a fan of Chick-Fil-A’s mouthwatering mac and cheese but find yourself craving it when you can’t make it to the restaurant?
Well, I’ve got some exciting news for you! You can make the copycat Chick-Fil-A mac and cheese recipe, serve the whole family, and have leftovers. The simple recipe is a great side dish any time.
The Best CopyCat Recipe
Chick-Fil-A mac and cheese is quintessential comfort food. We love the restaurant version, but you can make this recipe from the comfort of your own home with budget-friendly elbow macaroni and a combination of cheeses.
Why Make Copycat Recipes At Home?
Making copycat recipes at home has become more popular in the past few years for several reasons.
You get to enjoy your favorite foods, and you can customize the recipes to suit you. It also helps to save money by making these recipes at home.
Plus, you don’t have to spend the gas to go after the food or stand in line waiting for it to cook.
Although we know this fast food chain rocks at getting people in and out quickly–at least they do where I live.
Ingredients for Copycat Chick-Fil-A Mac and Cheese
For the recipe, you only need a few simple ingredients. If you’re in a big rush, you can buy the pre-cooked macaroni. If you need to get a few items, the local grocery store will have them.
Macaroni
- Elbow macaroni
- Unsalted butter
- Heavy cream
- Shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- Shredded white cheddar cheese
- Grated parmesan cheese (I used the inexpensive grated cheese).
- Grated Romano cheese
- Salt
- Evaporated milk
Topping
- Shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- Shredded white cheddar cheese
Full printable recipe with measurements and instructions listed at the bottom of the post in the recipe card.
Step-By-Step Instructions
- Start by gathering all of your ingredients for the recipe.
- Combine the butter, heavy cream, evaporated milk, cheeses, and salt in a medium or large saucepan. Cook on medium heat until the cheese is melted.
- Add the al dente pasta elbow macaroni noodles to the greased baking dish and pour the melted cheese over the top. Stir to make sure all the noodles are covered.
- Sprinkle the cheeses on top and bake at 350 degrees, uncovered, for 10-20 minutes or until the top is golden brown and crusty.
Tips and Tricks For Perfecting Your Homemade Mac and Cheese
While the recipe itself is straightforward and easy to make, there are a few tips and tricks that can help you perfect your homemade mac and cheese:
- Don’t overcook the pasta: To achieve the perfect al dente texture, cook the pasta just until it’s tender with a slight bite. Overcooking will result in mushy mac and cheese.
- Experiment with different types of cheeses: While the original recipe calls for cheddar, Parmesan, and Romano, you can get creative and try different combinations of cheeses. Gouda, fontina, or even blue cheese can add a delicious twist to your mac and cheese.
- Let the mac and cheese rest before serving: Allowing your mac and cheese to rest for a few minutes after baking will help the sauce thicken slightly, resulting in a creamier texture. This step is worth the wait!
Variations and Additions To Add To Your Mac and Cheese
Once you’ve mastered the basic copycat Chick-Fil-A Mac and Cheese recipe, it’s time to get creative and put your own spin on it. Here are a few ideas:
- Bacon lovers – add some crispy bacon bits for a smoky flavor.
- Veggie delight – For a healthier option, add steamed broccoli, sautéed spinach, or roasted cherry tomatoes to your mac and cheese.
- Spicy kick – If you like things hot, consider adding diced jalapeños or a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes to your mac and cheese. This will give it a spicy kick that pairs perfectly with the creamy cheese sauce.
- Panko breadcrumb topping – this is one of my favorite additions. For added crunch, mix panko breadcrumbs with melted butter and sprinkle on top of your mac and cheese before baking and get a crispy top layer.
Side Dishes With Copycat Chick-Fil-A Mac and Cheese
- Waffle fries in the air fryer from Southern Home Express – these are, of course, one of our favorite items from the Chick-Fil-A menu, but why not make them at home? It’s the perfect side with classic macaroni and cheese.
- Copycat Chick-Fil-A chicken minis from Southern Living are the perfect pairing with mac and cheese. And it’s just like the restaurant recipe.
- Copycat Chick-Fil-A coleslaw is a great side with mac and cheese, cooked pasta, or anything in between.
- Twice-baked potatoes – this is such a delicious recipe and so easy to make. The perfect side dish goes along great with mac and cheese.
Copycat Chick-Fil-A Mac And Cheese
Be sure to get a copy of the recipe card below. The recipe is perfect for a potluck, parties, kid’s meals, or even a holiday side. Trust me, your taste buds will thank you.
Copycat Chick-Fil-A Mac And Cheese
Ingredients
- 16 ounces elbow macaroni cooked al dente
- 1/4 cup of unsalted butter
- 2 cups of heavy cream
- 1 3/4 cups of shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup of shredded white cheddar cheese
- 3 Tablespoons of grated parmesan cheese
- 1 Tablespoon of grated Romano cheese
- 1 Tablespoon of salt
- 1 cup of evaporated milk
Topping
- 1/2 cup of shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup of shredded white cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease a 9 x 13-inch baking dish. 1. Cook macaroni noodles al dente and pour into the baking dish.
- 2. In a saucepan, combine the butter, heavy cream, evaporated milk, cheeses, and salt. Cook until the cheese is melted.
- 3. Once the cheeses melt, pour it over the macaroni noodles and stir to make sure they are all covered.
- 4. Sprinkle the topping cheeses on top and bake at 350 degrees, uncovered, for 10 to 20 minutes or until the top is golden brown and crusty.
