Description
Chick-fil-A Style Mac and Cheese is ultra-creamy, rich, and bubbling with a golden, cheesy crust. This quick bake recreates the iconic fast-food favorite with a simple stovetop roux, two cheeses, and a parmesan finish, then finishes in the oven for a perfectly crisp top. It’s comforting and family-friendly—ideal for weeknights or potlucks and delivers bold, nostalgic flavor in every bite. Made with elbow pasta swirled in a velvety cheese sauce using butter, flour, milk, cream, and Parmesan. Ready in about 30 minutes and serves four.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz elbow macaroni
- 3 tbsp butter
- 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup Monterey Jack or Colby Jack, shredded
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp paprika (optional)
Topping:
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar
- 1/4 cup Parmesan
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a small baking dish.
- Cook elbow macaroni according to package instructions; drain and set aside.
- In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook 1 minute.
- Slowly whisk in milk and heavy cream until smooth. Cook 3–5 minutes until thickened.
- Stir in cheddar, Monterey Jack, Parmesan, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Mix until melted and creamy.
- Add cooked macaroni to the sauce and stir to coat.
- Pour into the baking dish and top with extra cheddar and Parmesan.
- Bake 15–18 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbly.
- Let cool 5 minutes before serving for the creamiest texture.
Notes
- Use a mix of cheeses for depth and melt; feel free to swap in Gruyere or mozzarella for a different melt.
- For a lighter version, use part-skim milk and reduce butter by 1 tablespoon.
- Make ahead: assemble without baking, refrigerate up to 24 hours, then bake.
- Leftovers keep in the fridge for up to 3 days; reheat gently on the stovetop or in a 350°F oven.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 3–5 minutes (stovetop) + 15–18 minutes baking
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop + Oven Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (about 210 g)
- Calories: 900 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 60 g
- Saturated Fat: 38 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 90 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 210 mg
Keywords: Chick-fil-A style mac and cheese, baked macaroni and cheese, creamy mac and cheese, cheese sauce, comfort food, quick weeknight dinner, cheesy side dish