Chick Fil A Mac and Cheese

Chick Fil A Mac and Cheese is deliciously creamy and easy to recreate at home. Enjoy it for dinner or a tasty addition to any comfort food meal.

 

We like to recreate our favorite restaurant meals at home, especially now that the cost of eating out has become so expensive. When you’ve got several people to feed, those dollars can add up quickly.

 

 

So, I ordered a container and set out to compare recipes, ingredients, and flavors. 

 

While it’s not an exact match of the Chick Fil A® sides, I think this copycat mac and cheese is just as delicious as the real thing.

If you’re a fan of the restaurant, I have other Chick Fil A recipes that you can easily make at home, and for a lot less money! 

 

Start with my recipes for their spicy chicken sandwich and the original Chick Fil A sauce. By the way, the sauce tastes amazing drizzled on the mac n cheese!

Chick Fil A Mac and Cheese

A dreamy combination of Parmesan, Romano, two types of cheddar, and a few slices of American are in the sauce that coats every bite of tender macaroni.

Although the restaurant bakes the Chick Fil A sides in house, our version is a stovetop mac and cheese. To give the dish that baked goodness, at the very end, it will go under your oven broiler. That crispy, golden top makes it taste even better!

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

• Pasta - The macaroni noodles in the restaurant version are larger than traditional size, but not quite as big as the “large” elbows found at the store. Whatever you can find will work just fine. You could even use a different type of small noodle, like cavatelli pasta or rotini if you’d like
  
  
• Cheese - One of the three varieties in the original version of Chick fil A mac and cheese was BellaVitano. It’s an award-winning, aged cow’s milk cheese made by the Sartori company.
  
  According to the restaurant website, the three cheeses currently used in the are Romano, cheddar and parmesan.
  
  
• Spices - Paprika and turmeric add subtle flavor, but they are mainly for color. Feel free to leave them out if you prefer.

Chick Fil A Recipe Tips

1. Shred your own cheese for the best results.
   
   Pre-shredded bags are convenient, but they contain anti-caking agents that give the shreds a waxy texture. They also prevent them from melting down very well.
   
   
2. Adjust the cooking temp.
   
   If the sauce seems to be taking a while to come together, you can turn the temp up to medium-low until everything is fully melted. Be sure to stir often, and watch it closely so it doesn’t burn.
   
   
3. Tip for easy broiling:
   
   Place the individual dishes on a baking sheet so it’s easier to get them in and out of the oven. Start checking around the 3 minute mark since the tops can burn easily.

Kitchen Tools You Will Need

• Pot and strainer for the pasta 
• Large skillet or heavy bottomed pot - The wide surface area will help the sauce cook evenly and the capacity should be large enough to stir in the macaroni.
• Box grater - Freshly grated cheese melts down so much better and creates a smoother sauce.
• Oven-safe bowls or ramekins for broiling at the end.

Chick Fil A Mac and Cheese FAQ

Can I use regular milk instead of dry milk powder?

Absolutely! I recommend using room temperature milk, as cold milk can create lumps in the sauce.

Just measure out 8 ounces of milk and set it on your counter 20 minutes or so before you get started on the recipe.

How many calories are in Chick Fil A mac?

According to the nutrition information on their website, a small size order has 260 calories, 17 grams of fat and 17 carbs.

Enjoying it in moderation is probably a good idea. Comfort food like this is usually not very low calorie. ;)

Enjoy!

Enjoy!

With love from our simple kitchen to yours. 

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Yield: 4

Author: Donna Elick

Chick Fil A Mac and Cheese

Chick Fil A Mac n Cheese is deliciously creamy and easy to recreate at home. Enjoy it for dinner or a tasty addition to any comfort food meal.

Prep time: 15 MinCook time: 25 MinTotal time: 40 Min

Ingredients

• 8 ounces elbow macaroni noodles
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup water
• 1/4 cup nonfat dry milk powder
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
• 4 slices American cheese, chopped or torn
• 1/2 cup extra sharp cheddar, freshly grated
• 1/2 cup extra sharp white cheddar, freshly grated
• 1/4 cup Parmesan, freshly grated
• 2 tablespoons Romano, freshly grated
• 1 dash paprika
• 1 dash turmeric

Garnish

• shredded cheddar and white cheddar cheese

Instructions

1. Boil water in a medium pot and cook macaroni noodles with salt according to package directions, continuing to cook for an additional 9-10 minutes or until noodles have doubled in size. Drain the water.
2. In a mixing bowl combine water and dry milk powder. Set aside.
3. In a large pot, add unsalted butter and melt over medium heat until melted. Whisk in flour to create a roux. Gradually add in the milk powder mixture, whisking to combine. Continue to cook until it simmers. Then, turn the heat to low.
4. Slowly add in american cheese, stirring to combine until completely smooth. Slowly add in cheddar cheeses, parmesan, and romano. Stirring to combine. Continue to cook and stir often until smooth. Stir in paprika and turmeric. Remove from heat and allow to thicken.
5. Preheat the oven to broil at 500°F.
6. Stir the macaroni noodles into the cheese sauce. Divide the pasta mixture into 4 oven-safe individual dishes. Top each one with shredded cheddar and white cheddar cheeses.
7. Broil for 5 minutes, or until the cheese on top has browned. Remove from the oven and serve. Enjoy!

https://www.theslowroasteditalian.com/2021/04/chick-fil-mac-n-cheese.html

Recipe developed by Donna Elick The Slow Roasted Italian
Copyright ©2021 The Slow Roasted Italian – All rights reserved.

Originally published April 2021, updated and republished February 2022

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