When I visit Chick Fil A, I always get the mac and cheese. Loaded with Cheddar, Parmesan, and Romano cheeses, it’s so creamy, tangy, and flavorful! This Chick Fil A mac and cheese recipe is so spot-on, I think it would win a blind taste test! I love that I can make my favorite mac and cheese at home in huge quantities for way less money, and my kids can’t even tell the difference! Mom win!

a spoon scooping chick fil a mac and cheese from a casserole dish.

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Creamy Mac and Cheese (Chick Fil A Copyccat)

Chick Fil A mac and cheese is unlike any other mac and cheese I’ve ever had. The mixture of cheeses is so unique and flavorful—no wonder it’s so wildly popular! In researching for this recipe, I found that Chick Fil A mac and cheese contains cheddar, Parmesan, and Romano cheeses. I decided to add two types of cheddar, plus American cheese to make it extra creamy. This mac and cheese tastes just like my favorite Chick Fil A side dish!

Recipe Card

Chick Fil A Mac and Cheese Recipe

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Prep: 20 minutes
Cook: 30 minutes
Total: 50 minutes
Servings: 12 bowls
Author: Becky Hardin
a spoon scooping chick fil a mac and cheese from a casserole dish.
This Chick Fil A mac and cheese recipe is so spot-on with its creamy and tangy flavor, I think it would win a blind taste test!
Step-by-step photos can be seen below the recipe card.
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Equipment

  • 9×13 Baking Pan

Ingredients 

  • 16 ounces dry elbow pasta* (1 box)
  • 4 tablespoons salted butter (½ stick)
  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour
  • cups milk
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • cups freshly grated yellow cheddar cheese** divided
  • cups freshly grated white cheddar cheese divided
  • 8 slices American cheese diced
  • ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • ½ cup freshly grated Romano cheese

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray.
  • Bring a large pot of salted water up to a boil. Boil the noodles until they are just shy of al dente, then drain and set aside. It will continue to cook after it is drained and again when it’s mixed with the sauce.
    16 ounces dry elbow pasta*
  • In a medium pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook over medium-low heat for 5 minutes while whisking constantly.
    4 tablespoons salted butter, ¼ cup all-purpose flour
    whisking a roux in a dutch oven with a whisk.
  • Slowly whisk in the milk, salt, and pepper. Cook until the sauce has thickened, about 4-5 minutes. Stir often, and lower the temperature as needed so the dish doesn't burn.
    2½ cups milk, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
    whisking milk into a roux in a dutch oven with a whisk.
  • Gradually add in cheeses so they melt evenly and don't curdle. Stir in 1 cup yellow cheddar, 1 cup white cheddar cheese, and all of the American cheese, Parmesan cheese, and Romano cheese to the sauce slowly. Cook until all of the cheese is melted.
    1½ cups freshly grated yellow cheddar cheese**, 1½ cups freshly grated white cheddar cheese, 8 slices American cheese, ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, ½ cup freshly grated Romano cheese
    stirring creamy cheese sauce with a wooden spoon in a dutch oven.
  • Gently fold in the noodles and transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish.
    chick fil a mac and cheese in a dutch oven with a rubber spatula.
  • Top with the remaining yellow and white cheddar.
    shredded cheese sprinkled over chick fil a mac and cheese in a casserole dish.
  • Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until bubbly.
    overhead view of chick fil a mac and cheese in a casserole dish with a spoon.

Becky’s Tips

*I used elbow macaroni noodles, but any short pasta shape will work.
**I like to use freshly shredded cheeses for the best melt and the creamiest results.
Serving: 1bowlCalories: 415kcalCarbohydrates: 35gProtein: 19gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 13gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 66mgSodium: 787mgPotassium: 218mgFiber: 1gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 669IUCalcium: 500mgIron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you make this? Leave a comment!

How to Make Chick Fil A Mac and Cheese Step by Step

ingredients for chick fil a mac and cheese.

Gather all your ingredients.

whisking a roux in a dutch oven with a whisk.

Boil the Pasta and Make the Roux: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray. Bring a large pot of salted water up to a boil. Boil 16 ounces of elbow macaroni noodles until they are just shy of al dente, then drain and set aside. In a medium pot, melt 4 tablespoons of salted butter over medium heat. Whisk in ¼ cup of all-purpose flour and cook over medium-low heat for 5 minutes while whisking constantly.

whisking milk into a roux in a dutch oven with a whisk.

Thicken the Sauce: Slowly whisk in 2½ cups of milk, 1 teaspoon of kosher salt, and 1 teaspoon of ground black pepper. Cook until the sauce has thickened, about 4-5 minutes. Stir often, and lower the temperature as needed so the dish doesn’t burn.

stirring creamy cheese sauce with a wooden spoon in a dutch oven.

Add the Cheeses: Gradually add in cheeses so they melt evenly and don’t curdle. Stir in 1 cup of grated yellow cheddar cheese, 1 cup of grated white cheddar cheese, 8 slices of cubed American cheese, ½ cup of grated Parmesan cheese, and ½ cup of grated Romano cheese slowly to the sauce. Cook until all of the cheese is melted.

chick fil a mac and cheese in a dutch oven with a rubber spatula.

Fold in the Noodles: Gently fold in the cooked noodles and transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish.

shredded cheese sprinkled over chick fil a mac and cheese in a casserole dish.

Top with Cheese: Top with the remaining ½ cup of grated yellow cheddar and ½ cup of grated white cheddar.

overhead view of chick fil a mac and cheese in a casserole dish with a spoon.

Bake and Serve: Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until bubbly.

How to Store and Reheat

Store Chick Fil A mac and cheese in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating in a pot set over medium-low heat, adding a splash of milk or cream to moisten. You can also warm it in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes.

a spoon holding a scoop of chick fil a mac and cheese above a casserole dish.

Serving Suggestions

I love this Chick Fil A mac and cheese with just about anything; it’s such a versatile side dish! My favorite thing to do for my boys is have Chick Fil A at home night and serve it up with crispy chicken sandwiches or baked chicken nuggets and homemade french fries. And of course, don’t forget the Chick Fil A sauce!

more mac and cheese recipes to try

Meet Becky Hardin

Becky Hardin is a wife and mother living in Saint Louis Missouri. She founded The Cookie Rookie in 2012 as a creative way to share recipes. Now, she is a trusted resource for easy cooking around the world, being featured in Taste of Home, The Kitchn, ABC’s Home and Family, and more. Here at The Cookie Rookie she is the editor in chief of all recipes and continues to enjoy sharing her passion for cooking for busy families. She has since founded two additional food blogs, Easy Chicken Recipes and Easy Dessert Recipes.

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