Chick Fil A Mac and Cheese - CopyKat Recipes (2025)

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Yes, Chick-fil-A has the quintessential comfort food now, you can get creamy mac and cheese as a side option. Their macaroni and cheese has the homemade taste you crave, so put down those waffle fries and try their classic macaroni and cheese recipe. There is no need to go to the drive-thru for this side dish.

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Creamy Mac and Cheese

So often when you enjoy mac and cheese, it is dry, pasty, and flavorless. The fast-food chain Chick-fil-A set a high bar and created a special blend of cheeses and made a creamy cheese sauce that you will love when you take your first bite.

Your taste buds will know that this is one of the best mac and cheese recipes you will ever try.

The CopyKat Analysis of Chick-Fil-A’s Recipe

What is Chick-Fil-A mac and cheese made of? I don’t believe it is made with a dry mix or powder, because the flavor is too good. I believe their special cheddar blend comes in the form of American cheese because of the mouthfeel, but the flavor is not straight-up American cheese, it is more sophisticated.

I think it also helps to account for the indistinct cheeses they mention in their original recipe. Romano and Parmesan can cut through American cheese to give you a better flavor, and a more interesting texture.

I topped my version with Colby Jack cheese. The Monterey Jack melts wonderfully, and it browns up a bit. If you pay much attention, you will notice the restaurant version has the browning as well.

Can’t get to a Chick-fil-A? Make it at home!

Why is it we all crave those chicken sandwiches and waffle fries on a Sunday? I have no idea. They added one of the first permanent side addition in a long time.

This recipe was tested in many select cities at many different local Chick-fil-A restaurants before being shared nationally. What’s the only drawback? You don’t have to be stuck with a small bowl of the new side dish when you may Chick-fil-A’s mac and cheese at home.

With a little bit of work, you can make this homemade mac and cheese pasta and share it with the whole family.

Chick Fil A Mac and Cheese Ingredients

This recipe is very straightforward. In my opinion, this recipe is very close to the Outback Mac and Cheese. My copycat recipe is made with several different kinds of cheese. For you to make this mac n cheese recipe you will need:

  • American cheese – not Velveeta (that’s for Rotel dip) – go to your deli counter at your grocery store, and ask for this cheese. The deli version is rich, creamy, and full of flavor.
  • Parmesan Cheese – just a little adds a touch of nice nutty flavor to the cheese sauce.
  • Romano Cheese – is the perfect compliment to parmesan.
  • Colby-Jack cheese – this is a combination of Monterey Jack cheese and Colby cheese. Use Colby instead of sharp cheddar cheese because it is milder and has a better melt than cheddar.
  • Heavy Cream – this helps give you a rich sauce, and it also helps in reheating. You could use whole milk, but for reheating, heavy cream is really best.
  • Evaporated Milk – this helps with the creaminess of the dish.
  • Macaroni elbow pasta – Use a good brand like Barilla, or De Cecco.
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How to Make Chick Fil A Mac and Cheese

  1. Cook the macaroni noodles according to the package al dente directions.
  2. Preheat the oven to its broil setting.
  3. In a large saucepan, you will make the sauce. Pour the heavy cream into the saucepan, and heat. You will then add American, Romano, and Parmesan cheeses to the pan.
  4. Whisk until all of the cheese has melted.
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  1. Pour the cooked pasta into a 9 x 13-inch baking dish.
  2. Pour the cheese mixture over the macaroni into the baking dish. You can stir to coat the macaroni with the cheese sauce.
  3. Sprinkle shredded Colby Jack cheese on top.
  4. Place the baking dish under the broiler and cook for just long enough that the cheese begins to brown.
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  1. Serve and enjoy!
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Why should you use American cheese in macaroni and cheese?

American cheese has a bad reputation, and it shouldn’t. A good quality American cheese has good flavor and is one of the best melting profiles of any cheese. This sauce is made with heavy cream and American cheese.

You can find American cheese in the deli section of your grocery store. Ask them to cut off a large chunk of it, or you can ask them to slice it. Chunk or sliced, it doesn’t matter, you are going to be melting it!

American cheese melts beautifully, it doesn’t get stringy, and oils do not separate out of the cheese. American cheese is a good base for mac and cheese, you can always add additional cheese for more flavor.

Additional favors of Parmesan and Romano cheeses are added in the cheese sauce to really bring out the flavor. When you combine different kinds of cheeses you are going to get a side of mac and cheese that tastes just like Chick-fil-a’s mac and cheese.

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How to Store Leftover Mac and Cheese

I recommend storing any leftover mac and cheese in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days. You can also freeze mac and cheese leftovers in an airtight container for up to three months.

How to Reheat Copycat Chick Fil A Mac and Cheese

I personally like to reheat this mac and cheese in an oven if I have a lot of it leftover. I place it in an oven-proof dish, place foil over the top, and reheat at 350 degrees until has warmed through.

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Can’t get enough Chick-fil-A? Try these copycat recipes!

  • Avocado Lime Ranch Dressing
  • Chick fil A Chicken Nuggets
  • Chick fil A Chicken Sandwich
  • Chick fil A Sauce
  • Frosted Coffee
  • Frosted Lemonade

What Goes with Mac and Cheese

  • Deep Fried Turkey
  • Honey Baked Ham
  • KFC Fried Chicken
  • Oven Brisket
  • Ritz Cracker Chicken
  • Roast Beef
  • Smoked Whole Chicken

Take a look at more of my easy side dishes and the best copycat restaurant recipes.

Chick Fil A Mac and Cheese

Make creamy mac & cheese just like Chick-fil-A does at home!

4.91 from 144 votes

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Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Chick Fil A Recipes, mac & cheese, mac and cheese

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes minutes

Servings: 12

Calories: 494kcal

Author: Stephanie Manley

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • 16 ounces elbow macaroni pasta
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 1 cup evaporated milk
  • 1 1/4 pounds American cheese
  • 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tablespoon Romano cheese
  • 4 ounces Colby Jack cheese shredded

Instructions

  • Fill a large pot 2/3 full with water. Add the salt and bring to a boil. Add the macaroni and cook until al dente. Drain.

  • In a medium pot, combine the heavy cream, evaporated milk, American cheese, Parmesan cheese, and Romano cheese. Cook over medium heat until the cheese has melted, stirring frequently to prevent scorching.

  • Turn on the broiler. Place the cooked pasta in a 9×13-inch casserole dish, pour the cheese sauce on top, and sprinkle with Colby Jack cheese. Broil until the cheese just begins to brown.

Nutrition

Calories: 494kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 17g | Fat: 34g | Saturated Fat: 20g | Cholesterol: 112mg | Sodium: 1464mg | Potassium: 188mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 1130IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 607mg | Iron: 1mg

Chick Fil A Mac and Cheese - CopyKat Recipes (2025)

FAQs

What is Chick-fil-A mac and cheese made of? ›

A classic macaroni and cheese recipe featuring a special blend of cheeses including Parmesan, Cheddar, and Romano. Baked in-restaurant to form a crispy top layer of baked cheese.

What is Chick-fil-A cheese sauce made out of? ›

Start by making a roux with 2 Tbsp Butter and 2 Tbsp Flour on medium heat. Add 3/4 cup heavy cream and stir until it begins to slightly thicken. Turn heat to low medium and add 4 oz shredded Swiss cheese and stir until melted. Now add 4 oz freshly grated Parmesan and stir until well combined.

What shredded cheese does Chick-fil-A use? ›

According to the restaurant website, the three cheeses currently used in the Chick fil A cheese sauce 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.

Does Chick-fil-A have different mac and cheese sizes? ›

Is Chick-fil-A mac and cheese available in different sizes? Yes, Chick-fil-A now sells a large side of mac n cheese.

Is Chick-fil-A mac and cheese healthy? ›

“Even the small serving contains 9 grams of saturated fat (almost half of your day's allotment if you consume 2,000 calories per day) and almost one third of your daily sodium intake.” But just because it isn't considered a health food, doesn't mean that you can't enjoy it every now and then.

What oil does Chick-fil-A use? ›

Ever since our founder Truett Cathy created the Chick-fil-A® Chicken Sandwich, we've been cooking our hand-breaded chicken exclusively in fully refined, heat-processed peanut oil.

What is actually in Chick-fil-A sauce? ›

Soybean oil, sugar, BBQ sauce (tomato paste, corn syrup, vinegar, natural hickory smoke flavor, caramel color, spices, garlic*, onion*, natural flavor, oleoresin paprika), water, mustard (distilled vinegar, water, mustard seed, salt, turmeric, paprika, spice, garlic*), distilled vinegar, egg yolk, salt, cider vinegar, ...

Is Chick-fil-A sauce made of mayo? ›

While the ingredients in the sauce seem complex and secretive, in reality, the sauce is only a mixture of three different sauces; honey mustard, barbecue sauce and ranch. The game changer is the egg yolk, which makes the sauce sweet and flavorful.

Why is Chick-fil-A changing their fries? ›

A fake news french fry fiasco has sent fans into a frenzy after word that Chick-fil-A is getting rid of its waffle fries made its way to social media. The internet moves fast, especially when fries are involved. The original post that appears to have spawned the waffle fry fraud was shared on TikTok by user @bri.

What brand of hash browns does Chick-fil-A use? ›

Who supplies Chick-fil-A's potatoes for Waffle Potato Fries? For nearly 40 years, Eagle, Idaho-based potato company Lamb Weston has provided Waffle Potato Fries™ and Hash Browns to Chick-fil-A® restaurants.

Is shredded cheddar the same as grated cheddar? ›

Grated cheese is usually done at home with, you guessed it, a grater. It's the same thing as shredded cheese except it requires a bit of elbow grease and it isn't coated in any anti-caking agents. You'll most often see grated cheese called for in recipes, sometimes specifically “freshly grated.”

Does Chick-fil-A use real cheese in their mac and cheese? ›

According to the official list of ingredients, the formula includes several different kinds of cheese including Parmesan, Romano, and award-winning hard cheese from Wisconsin called BellaVitano.

How much is a large bowl of mac and cheese at Chick-fil-A? ›

Wow! I hadn't been at cfa in a couple months and today I noticed the price increase on their Mac & cheese. the large size used to be $6ish bucks but now it's $10!

When did Chick-fil-A add mac and cheese? ›

Chick-fil-A adds macaroni and cheese to the menu | 2019-08-12 | Food Business News.

What are Chick-fil-A made of? ›

Because chicken is at the center of our menu, we serve only real breast meat with no fillers, artificial preservatives, or steroids. Like other chicken in the United States, ours contains no added hormones. We source our chicken from farms in the U.S. in accordance with our Animal Wellbeing Standards.

What are Chick Fil Nuggets made of? ›

Chick-fil-A Nuggets Ingredients: Chicken (boneless, skinless chicken breast meat nuggets, salt, monosodium glutamate, sugar, spices, paprika, enriched bleached flour [with malted barley flour, niacin, iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid], sugar, salt, monosodium glutamate, nonfat milk, leavening [baking ...

Is Chick-fil-A mac and cheese halal? ›

Chick-fil-A uses cheese in their most popular treats, including Mac & Cheese. Most cheeses are non-halal as they contain rennet, an animal enzyme from either pigs or the stomach of cows. You should avoid any diet that shows cheese as one of its ingredients, except proven to be halal.

Is mac and cheese healthy? ›

Eating a bowl of baked Macaroni and Cheese is safe if you consume a small portion. Healthy Mac and Cheese contain high fat that can increase your cholesterol level. Eating more calorie-containing food can lead to weight gain.

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