This Copycat Chick Fil A Mac and Cheese is the perfect side dish for any chicken sandwich. It is creamy, cheesy, and full of flavor! If you love making copycat recipes at home, then you are going to love this one!
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Why you'll love this recipe
- This Copycat-Chick-Fil-A mac and cheese is creamy, cheesy, and full of flavor
- It is the perfect side dish for any meal you make at home.
- It is easy to make and can be on the table fast.
Ingredients
- elbow macaroni - use classic macaroni for the best mac and cheese.
- unsalted butter
- all-purpose flour
- salt
- ground paprika
- whole milk
- egg yolk
- American cheese
- extra-sharp cheddar cheese, freshly grated, divided
- Italian blended cheese, shredded
Equipment
- Large Pot, 8 quart
- 9x13 inch casserole dish
- Whisk
- Measuring Spoons and Cups
- Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls
Instructions
This is an overview of the recipe. The full instructions are below in the recipe card.
Make the pasta
- Over medium-high heat, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the macaroni noodles and boil for 20 minutes, no that is not a typo, cook this pasta for 20 minutes. Drain the macaroni and set aside.
Cheese Sauce
- In a large pot over medium heat melt the butter. Whisk in the flour, salt, and paprika, stirring constantly, for about 1 minute.
- Add the milk a little at a time, whisking it in completely before adding more. Once all the milk has been added, whisk for 1-2 minutes until the sauce is thick.
- In a small mixing bowl add the egg yolk. Add a spoonful of the hot milk mixture to the egg yolk and immediately whisk together.
- Add the egg yolk mixture to the pot of the milk mixture and whisk the mixture together. (This prevents the eggs from scrambling)Turn the heat down to low and begin to add the cheese. Tear the American cheese into pieces and add to the pot. Add in half of the cheddar cheese and all of the Italian blend cheese. Stir to combine and melt all the cheese.
- When the cheese is all melted and smooth add in the cooked noodles. Stir gently until everything is combined.
- Place the macaroni and cheese in a 9" x13" casserole dish.
- Top the macaroni and cheese with the remaining cheddar cheese.
- Turn the broiler to high and place the casserole under the broiler until just browned. Do not take your eyes off of it or it will burn. Once the cheese is browned remove the casserole from the oven.
Storage
Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator in a covered airtight container for up to 3 days.
Reheat in a 350°F oven until warmed through.
You can also freeze the leftovers in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and then bake in a 350°F oven until heated through.
Expert Tips
Expert Tip: For best results, cook the pasta for 20 minutes. This may seem like a long time, but it is important to cook the pasta for the full 20 minutes.
- Make sure to use good quality American cheese for great flavor.
- It's important to temper the egg so that it doesn't cook when you add it to the hot milk mixture, so make sure to not skip that step.
- Spray your dish well with no-stick cooking spray for easy clean-up.
- Chick-fil-A combines parmesan cheese and romano cheese for their cheese sauce. An Italian special blend of cheeses that contains those two cheese varieties works very well for a true copycat recipe.
- Any cheese combinations that blend well are also fine to use for variations.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can use any type of small pasta for this recipe. I like to use elbow macaroni, but you could also use shells or even mini penne.
I like to use a combination of American cheese, cheddar cheese, and Italian blend cheese. This gives the macaroni and cheese a lot of flavors.
No, you don't have to use the broiler, but I think it helps to brown the top and give it a crispy top layer.
Variations
- Protein: Add cooked chicken or crumbled bacon.
- Spice: Add diced jalapenos or hot sauce to the cheese sauce.
- Crispy Topping: If you want a crispy top, sprinkle bread crumbs on top before broiling.
- The one variation I do not suggest is using anything other than whole milk for the creamiest cheese sauce.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve this creamy mac and cheese recipe with this homemade Air Fryer Copycat Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich recipe. it will taste just like your favorite fast food chain meal.
- These Spicy Fries still pair perfectly with this copycat meal at home.
- Did you know that Chick-fil-A had a delicious lemon pie on their menu? If you are like me and have been missing this sweet treat, now you can make it at home with this Lemon Blender Pie recipe.
Similar recipes
- Love this recipe? Try our Three Cheese Mac and Cheese Recipe.
- If you are like me and love all things Chick-fil-A, then you are going to love these recipes. We've got some great copycat recipes for you.
- Next time, try our Copycat Chick-fil-A Chicken Nuggets. They are perfectly seasoned and super easy to make.
- Now, with this Chick-fil-A sauce recipe, you can make the tasty sauce at home.
- Do you love copycat chicken recipes? If so, look no further than this Copycat Costco Chicken Bake recipe. It's the perfect quick snack or meal.
- Try all of our best copycat recipes here.
I love any comments or questions, please feel free to leave them below.
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Thank you for your continued support. I am forever grateful.
Eileen xo
If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need.
If you love this recipe please give it 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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Chick fil A Macaroni and Cheese recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
Instructions
- Over medium-high heat, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the macaroni noodles and boil for 20 minutes, no that is not a typo, cook this pasta for 20 minutes. Drain the macaroni and set aside.
- In a large pot over medium heat melt the butter.
- Whisk in the flour, salt, and paprika, stirring constantly, for about 1 minute.
- Add the milk a little at a time, whisking it in completely before adding more. Once all the milk has been added, whisk for 1-2 minutes until the sauce is thick.
- In a small mixing bowl add the egg yolk. Add a spoonful of the hot milk mixture to the egg yolk and immediately whisk together. Add the egg yolk mixture to the pot of the milk mixture and whisk the mixture together. (This prevents the eggs from scrambling)
- Turn the heat down to low and begin to add the cheese. Tear the American cheese into pieces and add to the pot.
- Add in half of the cheddar cheese and all of the Italian blend cheese. Stir to combine and melt all the cheese.
- When the cheese is all melted and smooth add in the cooked noodles. Stir gently until everything is combined.
- Place the macaroni and cheese in a 9" x13" casserole dish.
- Top the macaroni and cheese with the remaining cheddar cheese.
- Turn the broiler to high and place the casserole under the broiler until just browned. Do not take your eyes off of it or it will burn. Once the cheese is browned remove the casserole from the oven.
- Serve.
Carl Schmidt
Wow - I was skeptical but my kids wanted this Mac and cheese. So delicious and easy to make. The family wants it now all the time
Eileen Murphy Kelly
So glad you enjoyed the mac and cheese. My kids love it as well. We make this one often.