Tasty Chick Fil A Mac and Cheese Recipe
This Tasty Chick Fil A Mac and Cheese recipe is a rich, creamy homemade version featuring tender elbow macaroni enveloped in a luscious cheese sauce made from a blend of Italian cheese, sharp cheddar, and American cheese. Finished under the broiler, it boasts a golden, bubbly crust that’s perfect for a comforting meal or side dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
For the Pasta:
- 1 lb elbow macaroni
For the Cheese Sauce:
- 1 cup shredded Italian blend cheese
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 8 oz extra sharp cheddar cheese, grated (freshly grated for best melt)
- 1/8 tsp paprika
- 8 slices American cheese, torn
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter (preferably Kerrygold)
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 tsp salt
For the Topping:
- 8 oz extra sharp cheddar cheese, grated (remaining half)
Instructions
- Cook the Macaroni: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook for 20 minutes until very tender, longer than usual. Drain the macaroni well and set aside.
- Make the Roux: While pasta cooks, melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add flour, salt, and paprika and whisk constantly to form a smooth roux. Cook about 1 minute, careful not to brown.
- Prepare the Cheese Sauce Base: Gradually add milk to the roux a little at a time, whisking continuously to avoid lumps. After all milk is added, whisk for 1-2 minutes over medium heat until sauce thickens. In a small bowl, temper the egg yolk by whisking it with a spoonful of hot sauce, then slowly add it back to the pot, whisking thoroughly.
- Melt the Cheeses into the Sauce: Reduce heat to low. Add torn American cheese, half the grated cheddar, and all shredded Italian blend cheese gradually, stirring constantly until fully melted and sauce is creamy.
- Combine Macaroni and Cheese Sauce: Add drained macaroni to the cheese sauce. Stir gently until noodles are fully coated with the creamy sauce.
- Assemble and Broil the Macaroni and Cheese: Transfer macaroni and cheese to a 9×13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle remaining grated cheddar cheese evenly over the top. Place under oven broiler and broil until cheese topping is browned and bubbly, watching carefully to prevent burning. Rotate dish as needed for even browning.
- Serve the Macaroni and Cheese: Remove from oven once topping is golden. Let cool slightly, then serve hot for a super creamy, indulgent mac and cheese experience.
Notes
- The macaroni cooks longer than usual to achieve a very tender texture.
- Tempering the egg yolk is essential for a silky smooth cheese sauce without scrambling.
- Using freshly grated cheese improves melting quality and flavor.
- Watch the broiler closely to avoid burning the cheese topping.
- For a richer sauce, Kerrygold unsalted butter is preferred but any unsalted butter works.
Keywords: Chick Fil A mac and cheese, homemade mac and cheese, creamy mac and cheese, baked mac and cheese, sharp cheddar mac and cheese
Find it online: https://cookwithlea.com/tasty-chick-fil-a-mac-and-cheese-recipe/
