Description
This homemade Chick-fil-A-style mac and cheese recipe brings the restaurant’s creamy, cheesy goodness straight to your kitchen. Featuring a rich blend of cheddar, parmesan, and Romano cheeses, a velvety smooth sauce, and a perfectly golden-baked crust, this copycat recipe is the ultimate comfort food. Whether you’re serving it as a side or the main dish, this mac and cheese is sure to become a family favorite.
Ingredients
Elbow macaroni – 2 cups (uncooked)
Cheddar cheese (sharp) – 1 cup (shredded)
Parmesan cheese – 1/2 cup (grated)
Romano cheese – 1/2 cup (grated)
Heavy cream – 1 cup
Whole milk – 1 cup
Butter – 2 tablespoons
All-purpose flour – 2 tablespoons
Salt – To taste
Black pepper – To taste
Paprika (optional) – A pinch
Instructions
Cooking the Pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil
Add the elbow macaroni and cook until al dente according to the package instructions
Drain the pasta and toss with a little butter to prevent sticking then set aside
Making the Cheese Sauce
Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat
Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 to 2 minutes until golden to create a roux
Gradually pour in the heavy cream and milk whisking constantly to prevent lumps
Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and stir often until thickened
Reduce heat and gradually stir in the cheddar cheese followed by parmesan and Romano until melted and smooth
Season with salt black pepper and a pinch of paprika
Baking the Mac and Cheese
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C)
Combine the cooked pasta with the cheese sauce in a baking dish making sure every piece is coated
Top with additional shredded cheddar cheese for a golden crust
Bake for 15 to 20 minutes until bubbly and golden on top
For an extra crispy crust broil for 1 to 2 minutes at the end watching carefully to avoid burning
Notes
For the best results use freshly grated cheese instead of pre-shredded varieties which contain anti-caking agents that affect melting
To add extra flavor consider mixing in crispy bacon caramelized onions or a dash of hot sauce
For a lighter version substitute half-and-half or evaporated milk for heavy cream and use whole-grain pasta
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: Chick-fil-A mac and cheese, copycat mac and cheese, homemade mac and cheese, baked mac and cheese, comfort food