Chick Fil A Mac and Cheese
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
This copycat Chick Fil A Mac and Cheese is everything you crave… ultra creamy pasta with a velvety cheese sauce, topped with a golden, gooey blanket of melted cheddar. It’s indulgent, cozy, and just like the one you scoop up at the drive-thru, only hotter, cheesier, and straight from your oven. And since we’ve tested more than 40 mac and cheese recipes on our site (including 16 restaurant copycats), you better believe this version has been perfected down to the last gooey bite!!
WHY YOU’LL LOVE CHICK FIL A MAC & CHEESE
- Drive-Thru Favorite, Made Better: Creamy, cheesy, golden-topped mac without leaving home.
- Authentic Flavor: We nailed it with the dry milk + cheese blend.
- Family Favorite: Munchkin-approved and crowd-tested.
- Comfort Food Upgrade: Softer-than-al-dente pasta, just like the original.
- Authority Tested: One of over 40 mac and cheese recipes we’ve perfected (16 restaurant copycats!).
Table of Contents
Chick Fil A Mac and Cheese
Munchkin has loved mac and cheese as long as I can remember… it’s her comfort food love language.
We’ve tried it everywhere, and when we got our hands on Chick-Fil-A’s, it instantly became a family favorite. You know it’s good when I’m practically arm-wrestling her for the last cheesy bite!
And here’s the thing: after making dozens of mac and cheese recipes, I can confidently say this one deserves a permanent spot on your comfort food menu.
A dreamy combination of Parmesan, Romano, two types of cheddar, and a few slices of American makes a Chick Fil A mac & cheese sauce that tastes just like the original.
Then, a quick broil at the very end gives it that crispy, golden top over a fork-twirling masterpiece that’s bubbly, buttery, and oh so cozy!
INGREDIENT NOTES
- Elbow Macaroni: The mac and cheese at Chick Fil A is made with very tender pasta, so don’t be shy about cooking it past al dente.
- Dry Milk Powder: This is the key to mimicking the flavor of the original sauce. Don’t skip it!
- Cheese: American cheese gives smooth meltability, while the sharp cheddar, white cheddar, parmesan, and Romano layer in that rich, tangy, restaurant flavor.
- Paprika + Turmeric: These give both a subtle warmth and the golden color ChickFilA mac and cheese is known for. Feel free to leave them out if you prefer.
VARIATIONS
Spicy Twist: Add a pinch of cayenne or a dash of hot sauce for heat lovers.
Family Style: Instead of individual dishes, bake this mac n cheese Chick Fil A copycat all in one casserole dish for easier serving.
Extra Creamy: Stir in 2 ounces of cream cheese along with the other cheeses for an even silkier sauce.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS
- Add a Sandwich: Whether you like it crispy or spicy, I’ve got copycat recipes for chicken sandwiches too!
- Max Comfort Food: Toss some waffle fries in the air fryer while you’re at the stovetop so everything comes out hot and crisp at the same time!
- Small Indulgences: Make a Cobb or Market salad your main dish, enjoying a small ramekin of Chick Fil A mac and cheese as a luscious side.
- Full Spread: Sometimes I’ll make a whole chicken or smoked tri tip so there are plenty of leftovers for the week.
MAC AND CHEESE CHICK FIL A FAQ
Absolutely! I recommend using room temperature milk, as cold milk can create lumps in the sauce. Just measure out 8 ounces of milk, then set it on your counter 20 minutes or so before you get started.
For the closest Chick Fil A mac and cheese copycat, then yes. But if you just want a yummy stovetop version made with what you have on hand? No!
American cheese, Romano or parmesan, white cheddar cheese… just about anything with flavor and great melt will work great.
Return mac and cheese to a saucepan on the stove and warm gently over low heat. A splash of milk helps loosen the sauce and makes it easier to stir.
Over the years, I’ve tested more mac and cheese recipes than I can count. Actually… scratch that, I can count them.
There are more than 40 mac and cheese variations on The Slow Roasted Italian, including 16 restaurant copycat recipes.
That means I’ve studied how every cheese blend, pasta shape, and cooking method changes the texture, creaminess, and melt factor.
The trick to nailing this Chick-Fil-A version is the dry milk powder combined with American cheese.
The milk powder adds richness without heaviness, and the American cheese ensures that glossy, emulsified melt you can’t get from sharp cheeses alone.
Broiling at the end recreates that signature bubbly cheddar crust that makes the mac n cheese at Chick Fil A so irresistible.
DONNA’S PRO TIPS
- Cook past al dente: Chick-Fil-A’s pasta is softer than traditional mac and cheese… and it’s intentional. Cook those noodles until very tender.
- Shred your own cheese: Pre-shredded cheese has anti-caking agents that prevent smooth melting. Freshly grated is worth it.
- Watch the broiler: It goes from bubbly perfection to burnt in seconds. Don’t walk away!
- Make it big-batch: Double the recipe and bake ChickFilA mac and cheese in a 9×13-inch dish if you’re feeding a crowd.
TOOLS NEEDED
- Medium Pot: For boiling the pasta
- Large Pot: To make the cheese sauce.
- Mixing Bowl: For mixing the powdered milk with water.
- Whisk: Key for a smooth, silky cheese sauce.
- Wooden Spoon or Spatula: For stirring it all together and spooning into ramekins.
- Oven-Safe Ramekins: To broil individual portions. Or add it all to an 8×8-inch baking dish.
Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.
Don’t miss a thing! Follow us on
Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram
🍔 Copycat Creations Vol 1
Craving your favorite restaurant meals at home? This exclusive ebook has the boldest, most requested copycat recipes — from fast food faves to sit-down classics.
👉 Buy your copy now and start cooking the meals you love!
Chick Fil A Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
- 8 ounces uncooked elbow macaroni
- 1 tablespoon kosher 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
- 2 ounces extra sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (about 1/2 cup)
- 2 ounces extra sharp white cheddar cheese, shredded (about 1/2 cup)
- 1 ounce parmesan cheese, grated (about 1/4 cup)
- 1/2 ounce Romano cheese, grated (about 2 tablespoons)
- 1/8 teaspoon paprika
- 1/8 teaspoon ground turmeric
- Garnish: shredded cheddar and shredded white cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a medium pot of water to a boil. Add macaroni and salt. Cook according to package directions, then continue to cook for an additional 9–10 minutes, until the noodles are very tender and nearly doubled in size (just like the Chick-fil-A version). Drain well and set aside.
- Mix the Milk Base: In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 cup water and the dry milk powder until smooth. Set aside.
- Make the Roux: In a large pot, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1–2 minutes until lightly golden and bubbling.
- Build the Sauce: Gradually whisk in the milk mixture until smooth. Continue whisking until it simmers and begins to thicken, about 3 minutes. Reduce heat to low.
- Melt in the Cheeses: Add American cheese and stir until fully melted and smooth. Slowly add cheddar cheeses, parmesan, and Romano, stirring after each addition until the sauce is creamy and lump-free. Stir in paprika and turmeric for that signature golden color. Remove from heat.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Stir the drained macaroni into the cheese sauce until every noodle is coated.
- Broil for the Signature Finish: Preheat the oven to broil (500°F). Divide mac and cheese into 4 oven-safe individual dishes (or pour into one 8×8-inch baking dish). Top with a generous sprinkle of shredded cheddar and white cheddar. Broil for 4–5 minutes, or until the cheese topping is bubbly and golden brown.
- Serve: Carefully remove from the oven and serve immediately.
Donna’s Notes
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.
Originally published April 2021, updated and republished October 2025
Disclosure: Posts may contain affiliate links. If you purchase a product through an affiliate link your price will remain the same and The Slow Roasted Italian will automatically receive a small commission. Thank you for supporting us, it helps us keep creating new recipes.
Welcome!
We’re Donna and Chad, the dream team behind The Slow Roasted Italian. Our focus is on taking complicated OUT of the kitchen. Life is busy enough, making meals should be fast and easy, to help make your life as simple as possible. Read More >>
Sounds wonderful. I’d like to make, but would like some sort of crumb topping. Would panko and butter work? Any other suggestions?
Hi Carol,
Yes panko and breadcrumbs will work, we also add some fresh grated parmesan cheese. Hope this helps!
TSRI Team Member,
Holli
We save the broken potato chip crumbs left in the bottom of the bag and use them for our Mac n cheese topping 🙂
This is by far better than any of the mac and cheese i’ve had from chick fil a, and cheaper too! This is amazing, and makes me wonder how I haven’t been making homemade mac and cheese my whole life.
Why do you over cook the pasta?
over cooking the pasta actually help keep the pasta from absorbing too much of the cheese sauce when you are broiling it in the oven..
Can you substitute anything for the milk powder?
I was wondering if I could use just regular milk instead of the powdered milk.
Hi !
Can a bake this in one large dish ?
If I want to make a large portion for a gathering, can I skip the last step of broiling if I don’t put the cheese on top after taking it off the stove top?
this recipe is amazing! So easy to make and tastes just like Chick Fil A’s Mac and Cheese. Donna and Chad are geniuses!
Hi Nathan!
We’re so glad you enjoyed!
TSRI Team Member,
Devlyn
donna’s recipes are always a hit in my house, and this Chick Fil A Mac and Cheese is no exception! I added a pinch of garlic powder for some extra flavor, and it turned out amazing.
HI Taylor!
We’re so glad you enjoyed!!
TSRI Team Member,
Devlyn
Wow, I can’t believe how close this is to the restaurant version. So creamy and delicious!
Hi Caleb!
We’re so glad you enjoyed the recipe!!
TSRI Team Member,
Devlyn