✔ Updated · new copycat recipe with a baked cheesy top and step photos
This copycat Chick-fil-A mac and cheese is baked, creamy and seriously cheesy, with a cheddar, Parmesan and Romano sauce and a melted cheese top. It's my go-to side order at our local Chick-fil-A, and now it's a weeknight regular at home.
How Do You Make Chick-fil-A Mac and Cheese? (Quick Answer)
To make a copycat Chick-fil-A mac and cheese, boil 1 pound of elbow macaroni until just shy of tender, make a butter, flour and milk sauce, then melt in sharp cheddar, Parmesan and Romano off the heat. Stir in the pasta, top with more cheddar and Parmesan and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 20 to 25 minutes, until bubbling and melted on top.
At a glance
The one tip that matters: Shred your own cheese and stir it in off the heat. Pre-shredded bags have anti-caking starch that makes the sauce grainy, and high heat makes cheese split.
Why You'll Love This Mac and Cheese
- That baked cheese top with soft, melty bits and a few golden spots.
- Three cheeses: sharp cheddar for flavor, Parmesan and Romano for that salty, nutty bite.
- Creamy, not dry, because the pasta goes in undercooked and finishes in the sauce.
- Make-ahead friendly: assemble the night before and bake when you need it.
- A crowd-sized batch that feeds 8 as a side.
Ingredient Notes
Exact amounts are in the recipe card below.
- Sharp cheddar: the main flavor and that golden color. Shred it from a block.
- Parmesan and Romano: small amounts add a salty, nutty depth that tastes like the restaurant version.
- Whole milk: makes a rich but not heavy sauce. Skim milk makes it thin.
- Dry mustard and white pepper: you won't taste them on their own, but they make the cheese taste cheesier.
- Elbow macaroni: small tubes hold the sauce inside and out.
Step-by-Step Photos
Here's how it comes together. Exact amounts, times and temperatures are in the recipe card below.
Tips for Success
- Shred your own cheese. Bagged shredded cheese is coated in starch so it won't clump, and that same coating makes the sauce grainy. A block and a box grater fix it.
- Undercook the pasta. It keeps soaking up sauce in the oven. Pull it 2 minutes early and it ends up tender, not mushy.
- Warm the milk first. Cold milk can make the sauce lumpy. A minute or two in the microwave is all it needs.
- Cheese goes in off the heat. My first batch went grainy because I let the sauce bubble after the cheese went in. Now I take the pot off the burner, every time.
- Make it ahead. Assemble, cover and chill for up to 24 hours. Add 10 minutes to the bake since it starts cold.
- Reheat with a splash of milk. Leftovers reheat best covered at 350°F, or in the microwave with a tablespoon of milk, until they reach 165°F.
Copycat Chick-fil-A Mac and Cheese
8
side servings15
minutes35
minutes615
kcal50
minutesA copycat-style baked mac and cheese inspired by Chick-fil-A: tender macaroni in a creamy cheddar, Parmesan and Romano sauce, topped with more cheese and baked until the top is melted and golden in spots. Serves 8 as a side.
Ingredients
- For the Mac and Cheese
1 pound elbow macaroni
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
3 1/2 cups whole milk, warmed
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon white pepper
1/4 teaspoon paprika
3 cups sharp cheddar, freshly shredded (12 oz)
1/2 cup Parmesan, finely grated
1/2 cup Pecorino Romano, finely grated
- For the Top
1 cup sharp cheddar, freshly shredded (4 oz)
2 tablespoons Parmesan, finely grated
Directions
- Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and butter a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Boil the macaroni in well-salted water for 2 minutes less than the package says, so it stays firm. Drain and set aside.
- Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute. Slowly whisk in the warm milk and cook, whisking, for 5 to 6 minutes until it thickens enough to coat a spoon. Whisk in the mustard, salt, white pepper and paprika.
- Take the pot off the heat. Stir in the 3 cups cheddar, the Parmesan and the Romano a handful at a time until smooth. Fold in the drained macaroni.
- Spread into the baking dish, then top with the remaining 1 cup cheddar and 2 tablespoons Parmesan.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until bubbling at the edges and the cheese on top is melted with a few golden spots. Rest 5 minutes before serving.
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Make Ahead, Storing and Reheating
Here's how I handle it for holidays and busy weeks.
| Stage | How | How long |
|---|---|---|
| Assembled, unbaked | Covered in the fridge; add 10 min to the bake | Up to 24 hours |
| Baked leftovers | Airtight in the fridge | 3 to 4 days |
| Freezer | Portions, tightly wrapped | Up to 2 months |
| Reheat | Covered at 350°F or microwave with a splash of milk | Until 165°F |
More Copycat Mac and Cheese and Chick-fil-A Sides
Serve it with my copycat Chick-fil-A nuggets, Chick-fil-A sauce and Chick-fil-A coleslaw for the full meal at home.
Love a mac and cheese copycat? Compare it with my KFC mac and cheese and Panera mac and cheese, and find more in our copycat recipes collection.
Frequently Asked Questions
What cheese is in Chick-fil-A mac and cheese?
Chick-fil-A describes it as a blend of cheeses including Parmesan, cheddar and Romano, baked with more cheese on top. This copycat uses sharp cheddar for the sauce plus Parmesan and Romano for that salty, nutty flavor.
Is Chick-fil-A mac and cheese baked?
Yes, it is a baked-style mac and cheese with a layer of melted cheese on top. Baking for 20 to 25 minutes at 350°F gives you that same soft, cheesy top with a few golden spots.
Can I use pre-shredded cheese?
You can, but the sauce will be a little grainy and less smooth. If you use it, add the cheese slowly off the heat and stir until each handful melts before adding more.
How do I keep baked mac and cheese creamy?
Undercook the pasta, make plenty of sauce and do not overbake. Pull it when the edges bubble. Letting it rest 5 minutes thickens the sauce without drying it out.
How long does leftover mac and cheese last?
Cool it within 2 hours, then keep it covered in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. Reheat with a splash of milk until it is hot all the way through, 165°F.
Is this the official Chick-fil-A recipe?
No. It is a copycat-style recipe inspired by Chick-fil-A mac and cheese, made in my home kitchen. Chick-fil-A does not publish its recipe.
