Chick Fil A Mac and Cheese
Chick-fil-A Mac and Cheese is a copycat recipe made from scratch. Made with real cheese, this homemade side dish or main meal is perfect for holidays and get-togethers.
Equipment
- medium saute pan
- medium sauce pan
- 1 9x13 baking dish you can also use a 9x9 baking dish, the casserole will be thicker.
Ingredients
- 16 ounce elbow pasta
- 2 tablespoons butter
- ⅛ cup flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- ½ cup heavy whipping cream
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ cup sharp cheddar
- ½ cup grated romano cheese
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- ½ cup Colby jack cheese
Instructions
- Cook elbow pasta according to package directions.Drain and set aside. Reserve ½ cup pasta water just in case you need to thin cheese sauce.16 ounce elbow pasta
- Preheat the oven to 350* F
- While the noodles cook: In a medium saute pan, on medium heat, melt the butter. Once melted add the all-purpose flour and mix together.2 tablespoons butter, ⅛ cup flour
- Slowly pour in the whole milk, continually stirring. Then add the heavy whipping cream. Stir on medium heat until it starts to thicken, about 5 minutes. Stir in the salt.2 cups whole milk, ½ cup heavy whipping cream, ½ teaspoon salt
- When the sauce begins to thicken, add in the sharp cheddar, parmesan, and Romano. Mix until a smooth mixture is formed. If the sauce is too thick for coating noodles add in pasta water 1 tablespoon at a time. See photos above for a great visual on these steps.1 ½ cup sharp cheddar, ½ cup grated romano cheese, ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- Add the cooked elbow pasta into the cheese sauce and mix until completely coated. Transfer the noodles into a 9x13 baking dish. Sprinkle the top with Colby jack cheese. Add more if desired.½ cup Colby jack cheese
- Place in the oven and cook for 5 minutes. Change the bake setting to broil and broil on high for an additional 3-5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and starting to brown. If your oven runs hot, make sure to check after 1 or 2 minutes so you don't burn the cheese.
- Serve hot as a side dish or make it a meal!
Notes
- Make ahead and freeze for up to 2 months. Make sure to skip the baking step before freezing. When ready to serve, thaw and bake until heated through and cheese on the top melts and begins to brown.
- If serving later assemble with colby jack cheese on top and place in the refrigerator before cooking in the oven. When ready to serve, cook in the oven at 350* F for 5 minutes and then broil for 3-5 minutes as directed.
- Instead of Romano cheese you can use 1 cup of parmesan cheese. The Romano cheese gives the copycat recipe that similar taste.
- Reheat in the microwave or oven until heated all the way through.
- If the roux becomes thicker then you would like, thin down with extra pasta water reserve.
- Make this dish spicy by adding in red pepper flakes.
- Add bacon crumbles to the noodle and cheese mixture.
- Serve with grilled or breaded chicken on the side for extra protein.
Nutrition
Serving: 1cupCalories: 499kcalCarbohydrates: 49gProtein: 21gFat: 24gSaturated Fat: 14gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 73mgSodium: 571mgPotassium: 279mgFiber: 2gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 779IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 426mgIron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was in the comments below
Tag us on Instagram!We love seeing people make our recipes. Mention @simplyscrumptiouseats_
