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An easy, fun copycat, this Chick-fil-A Mac and Cheese Recipe is super easy, oh so tasty and taste just like what you would get from the restaurant.
I’m a sucker for Chick-fil-A, if I’m going to get fast food, that is the spot that we hit up the most. But I also love to recreate some of my restaurant favorites and this Chick-fil-A Mac and Cheese Recipe is one of them.
We have been making this recreation for the longest time, and after many trials and errors, we had gotten the perfect flavor and texture that aligns with the restaurant.
Now, this is our go-to Mac and Cheese Recipe whenever that craving calls. Plus making your own copycat recipes saves money and drive time, how can you go wrong with that!?
Honestly, when it comes to this recipe you just can’t go wrong. It has readily available ingredients and it is super quick to make, I love quick and easy and I don’t know anyone who doesn’t!
If you love a good comforting recipe that tastes like one of your favorite restaurants, then you need to make my Chick-fil-A Mac and Cheese Recipe.
Some of my other favorite Mac and Cheese recipes that we have on our site include: Baked Macaroni and Cheese with Cornbread Crust, Chili Cheese Dog Mac and Cheese and Classic Baked Macaroni and Cheese.
WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS:
- Ready in about 30 minutes!
- Easily available ingredients.
- Makes a nice large batch to feed the whole family.
INGREDIENTS NEEDED (FULL RECIPE BELOW):
Elbow macaroni
Butter
All-purpose flour
Salt
Paprika
Whole milk
Egg yolk
American cheese
Extra sharp cheddar cheese
Italian blend cheese
HOW TO MAKE A CHICK-FIL-A MAC AND CHEESE RECIPE:
- 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.
- Meanwhile, make the cheese sauce. In a large pot over medium heat melt your butter. Whisk in the flour, salt and paprika, stirring constantly.
- To that add your 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 bowl place your 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 in.
- Turn the heat down to low and begin to add your cheese.Tear the american cheese into pieces and add to the pot. Add in half of the cheddar and all of the italian blend.
- Stir to combine and melt the cheeses.
- When the cheese is all melted and smooth add in the noodles.Stir gently until everything is combined.
- Place the macaroni and cheese in a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Top the macaroni and cheese with the other half of the cheddar cheese.
- Place under the broiler of your oven until just browned. Do not take your eyes off of it or it will burn!
- Once the cheese is browned remove from the oven and serve!
DO I REALLY HAVE TO COOK THE PASTA FOR 20 MINUTES?
You must cook the noodles for 20 minutes! I know it goes against everything you’ve ever been taught about cooking pasta, but cooking the pasta this long prevents the noodles from absorbing too much cheese sauce and making the dish dry. It helps the recipe stay nice and creamy.
WHAT IS THE BEST CHEESE TO USE?
We use a variety of cheese in this recipe, including American, extra sharp cheddar, and an Italian blend. Chick-fil-A uses parmesan and Romano, so that is why we use the Italian blend.
You can use another cheese blend if you like, but we like this mixture as it really gives it the flavor that comes closest to what we are looking for.
DO I HAVE TO USE WHOLE MILK?
Yes, do not switch this for any other milk. Since whole milk is slightly thicker than your other milks it helps produce that creamy texture that we want for this recipe.
HOW TO STORE:
This can be stored in the dish covered with plastic wrap or in an airtight container in the refrigerator where it will keep for up to 3 days.
This can also be frozen, place plastic wrap and then foil over the baking dish and place in the freezer where it will keep for up to 3 months.
To defrost, remove to the refrigerator overnight, to reheat you can either place covered in the oven until heated through or portion out and microwave it until heated through.
TIPS AND TRICKS:
- This makes a nice large batch, you can halve this if you’d like.
- Make sure you use whole milk, do not substitute it.
- Freshly shredding your cheese from the block is best.
- This can be frozen, see above on how to do that.
- Try not to switch up the cheese as this is a good flavor.
- Yes you really need to cook your pasta for 20 minutes, see above on why.
Love a good takeout meal but don’t want to waste the time or money? Then you absolutely have to make my Chick-fil-A Mac and Cheese Recipe, filling, tasty, and everyone loves it.
If you like this recipe you might also like:
- Chick-fil-A Grilled Chicken Club
- Pizza Hut Cheese Sticks
- Southwest Egg Rolls
If you’ve tried this CHICK-FIL-A MAC AND CHEESE RECIPE let me know in the comments how it turned out! You can follow me over on PINTEREST, INSTAGRAM OR FACEBOOK to find some more of our mouthwatering recipes!
Rate this Recipe
Chick-fil-A Mac and Cheese Recipe
4.93 from 248 votes
Created by Dana at ThisSillyGirlsKitchen.com
Course Main Course, Side Dish
Servings 8
An easy, fun copycat, this Chick-fil-A Mac and Cheese Recipe is super easy, oh so tasty and taste just like what you would get from the restaurant.
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 30 minutes mins
Total Time 45 minutes mins
Ingredients
- 1 pound elbow macaroni
- ¼ cup butter
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon ground paprika
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 egg yolk
- 8 slices American cheese
- 16 ounces freshly grated extra sharp cheddar cheese divided
- 1 cup italian blend cheese shredded
Instructions
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.
1 pound elbow macaroni
Drain the macaroni and set aside.
Meanwhile, make the cheese sauce. In a large pot over medium heat melt your butter. Whisk in the flour, salt and paprika, stirring constantly.
¼ cup butter, ¼ cup all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon salt, ⅛ teaspoon ground paprika
To that add your milk a little at a time, whisking it in completely before adding more.
2 cups whole milk
Once all the milk has been added, whisk for 1-2 minutes until the sauce is thick.
In a small bowl place your egg yolk. Add a spoonful of the hot milk mixture to the egg yolk and immediately whisk together.
1 egg yolk
Add the egg yolk mixture to the pot of the milk mixture and whisk in.
Turn the heat down to low and begin to add your cheese.Tear the american cheese into pieces and add to the pot. Add in half of the cheddar and all of the italian blend.
8 slices American cheese, 16 ounces freshly grated extra sharp cheddar cheese, 1 cup italian blend cheese
Stir to combine and melt the cheeses.
When the cheese is all melted and smooth add in the noodles.Stir gently until everything is combined.
Place the macaroni and cheese in a 9x13-inch baking dish.
Top the macaroni and cheese with the other half of the cheddar cheese.
Place under the broiler of your oven until just browned. Do not take your eyes off of it or it will burn!
Once the cheese is browned remove from the oven and serve!
Video
Notes
- This makes a nice large batch, you can halve this if you'd like.
- Make sure you use whole milk, do not substitute it.
- Freshly shredding your cheese from the block is best.
- This can be frozen, see above on how to do that.
- Try not to switch up the cheese as this is a good flavor.
- Yes you really need to cook your pasta for 20 minutes, see above on why.
Nutrition
Calories: 674kcal | Carbohydrates: 51g | Protein: 31g | Fat: 39g | Saturated Fat: 20g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 0.5g | Cholesterol: 127mg | Sodium: 1112mg | Potassium: 298mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 1091IU | Calcium: 741mg | Iron: 1mg
Nutritional Disclaimer
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