Best Homemade Arby’s Mac and Cheese (Copycat Recipe!)
Arby’s Mac and Cheese may be off the menu, but you can still enjoy it at home with this easy copycat recipe!
Ingredients
Mac and Cheese:
- 12 ounces uncooked elbow noodles
- 2 tablespoon butter
- 2 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon white pepper
- 2 cups shredded white cheddar cheese
Toppings:
- 8 ounces frozen fried chicken bites cooked to package instructions
- 6 slices cooked and chopped bacon
- 1/2 cup store-bought parmesan ranch sauce
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the elbow noodles and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the noodles and set them aside.
- In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the flour and stir continuously for about 1 minute to form a roux.
- Gradually whisk in the milk and heavy cream, making sure there are no lumps. Continue to whisk until the mixture thickens, approximately 5 minutes.
- Add the onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and white pepper to the sauce. Stir well to combine the flavors.
- Slowly add the shredded white cheddar cheese to the sauce, stirring constantly until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Add the cooked elbow noodles to the cheese sauce, stirring gently to coat the noodles evenly with the sauce.
- Transfer the mac and cheese to a serving dish or individual plates and top with the chopped bacon, fried chicken bites, and drizzle on the parmesan ranch sauce.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a saucepan over low heat, adding a splash of milk to restore creaminess.
Adjust the cayenne pepper to your taste preference. For a milder version, reduce the cayenne or omit it entirely. You can also add a pinch of smoked paprika for a different flavor.
Garnish with freshly chopped chives or green onions for a pop of color and additional flavor.
If you don’t have elbow macaroni, you can use penne or cavatappi pasta instead.
Nutrition
Serving: 1 | Calories: 693cal | Carbohydrates: 50g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 43g | Saturated Fat: 22g | Cholesterol: 122mg | Sodium: 669mg | Sugar: 5g | Fiber: 2g | Calcium: 380mg | Iron: 1mg