Copycat Chick fil A Mac and Cheese

Last Updated on January 25, 2023 by Corinne Schmitt

This Copycat Chick fil a Mac and Cheese is creamy, cheesy and oh so delicious! It is easy to make too making it perfect for busy weeknights or special occasions. 

If you love Instant Pot Pepper Jack Mac and Cheese then this is the recipe for you. There’s no need to hit the drive thru when you are craving this cheesy goodness, with this recipe you can whip it up at anytime when the mood strikes.

Creamy Mac and Cheese

Cheese sometimes gets a bad reputation, but did you know that it’s filled with nutrients such as calcium, protein and phosphorus? Not to mention it’s delicious! So, you can feel good feeding this classic comfort food to your family. 

Why I Love This Recipe

This cheesy pasta dish is a delectable, decadent comfort food dish that will have your mouth watering!

• Easy to make
• Always a hit at parties
• Perfect for picky eaters
• Fills the house with a delicious aroma

If you love cheesy baked pasta recipes, give this Easy Lasagna Casserole a try next time you want something tasty.

Ingredients

You only need a few simple ingredients to help you make this easy recipe. All of these ingredients are commonly found in your pantry, which can help you avoid a trip to the grocery store. 

Pasta – I am a traditionalist when it comes to making mac and cheese, so I always use elbow macaroni pasta. 

Dairy – You will need whole milk and heavy whipping cream to make this creamy and cheesy pasta recipe. 

Cheese – I like to use a mixture of cheddar cheese and parmesan cheese to make this simple recipe.

Seasoning – To make this mac and cheese you will need garlic powder, salt and black pepper.  

Substitutions

Pasta – If you’d like to make this recipe gluten free, you can opt for a gluten free pasta and it will turn out just as delicious. 

Cheese – You could use other cheeses but I find that cheddar and parmesan work the best. 

Variations / Options / Add-Ins

This recipe is great for those who like to customize their meals. Here are some of my favorite variations:

Protein: Add cooked chicken or bacon to add a little protein in this creamy baked recipe. 

Spice: Add diced jalapeños or hot sauce for a spicy kick to this classic comfort food recipe. 

Flavor: Increase the flavor by sprinkling with Italian herbs such as oregano, basil or rosemary. 

Veggies: Add some vegetables such as diced tomatoes or steamed broccoli to add a nutritious boost of vitamins and minerals. 

Equipment Needed / Helpful Tools

You only need a few kitchen tools to help you make this simple recipe. Gather all of these tools and get ready to enjoy this hearty dish. 

• casserole dish – You will need a 9×13 baking dish. I prefer to use a glass or ceramic baking dish for this recipe. 
• saucepans – You will need medium sized pot and a large pot like a dutch oven.

How to Make Copycat Chick Fil A Mac and Cheese

Making this mac and cheese is so simple. Just follow the directions below and you will have a hearty meal or side dish in no time at all. 

Step 1: Preheat the oven and grease a casserole dish

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Step 2: Cook the noodles  

Cook the macaroni until the noodles are al dente. 

Step 3: Melt the butter

In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. 

Step 4: Make a roux

Sprinkle the flour into the saucepan with the butter, and stir to combine well. Saute for 1 minute. 

Step 5: Add the milk to make the sauce

Pour in the milk and heavy cream. 

Step 6: Season the sauce

Add the garlic powder and salt and pepper to taste, in the saucepan. Simmer until the mixture thickens. 

Step 7: Add in the cheese

Mix the cheeses into the sauce, and stir until completely melted and smooth. 

Step 8: Pour the cheese sauce over the cooked pasta

Pour the cheese sauce over the noodles, and stir to combine. 

Step 9: Spread the cheese mixture into the casserole dish

Spread the mixture into a 9×13 baking dish. 

Step 10: Bake and broil until golden brown

Bake for 20 minutes, turn the heat to low broil, and put in the broiler for another 5 minutes until browned on top.

Serving Suggestions

While this creamy mac and cheese is delicious, you can also serve it with these air fryer chicken tenders or herb roasted pork loin.

Pro Tips

Here are a few of my favorite tips to make sure that your mac and cheese turns out perfectly every time that you make it. 

• Make sure that you cook your pasta to al dente according to the package directions. Each brand of pasta has a different cook time, so it’s important to check the timing to avoid overcooked pasta.
• Be sure to drain the classic macaroni noodles well to avoid adding extra water to your mac and cheese recipe.
• For a recipe like this one, I like to use freshly shredded cheese instead of the pre-shredded cheese because it melts better. 
•  If you find that the cheese sauce is too thick after adding in all of the ingredients, add a little more milk to thin it out. 
• I’ve found that sharp cheddar cheese gives the best flavor, but you can use different kinds of cheese if you prefer. 
• If you don’t want a crispy top layer, you can skip the broiling step.
• Unsalted butter really works best in this recipe, but you can use salted butter in a pinch. 

FAQs

Do you have questions about this recipe? Here are the answers to the most commonly asked questions for this recipe.

More Copycat Recipes

If you like Chick Fil A, give these recipes a try:

• Copycat Chick Fil A Sauce
• Air Fryer Copycat Chick Fil A Chicken Sandwiches
• Air Fryer Copycat Chick Fil A Chicken Nuggets

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