Copycat Chick-fil-A Mac and Cheese
Make restaurant-quality Chick-fil-A Mac and Cheese at home with this copycat recipe featuring creamy cheese sauce and gut-friendly options.
Ingredients
- 1 pound elbow pasta
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 0.5 cup Gruyere cheese, shredded
- 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 ounces American cheese, sliced
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
- 0.25 teaspoon garlic powder
- 0.25 teaspoon onion powder
- 0.125 teaspoon paprika
- 0.125 teaspoon white pepper
- 2 tablespoons panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon melted butter for topping
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 9-by-13-inch baking dish.
- 2
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the elbow pasta until al dente, about 8 minutes, then drain well and set aside.
- 3
In a large saucepan, melt 4 tablespoons of butter over medium heat, then whisk in the flour to create a roux and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly until it turns light golden.
- 4
Gradually add the whole milk while whisking continuously to avoid lumps, and continue cooking until the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 5-7 minutes.
- 5
Remove the saucepan from heat and add the sharp cheddar, Gruyere, Parmesan, and American cheese, stirring until completely melted and smooth.
- 6
Season the cheese sauce with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and white pepper, then taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
- 7
Add the cooked pasta to the cheese sauce and fold gently until all pasta is evenly coated.
- 8
Transfer the mac and cheese mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread it into an even layer.
- 9
In a small bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs with 1 tablespoon of melted butter, then sprinkle this mixture evenly over the top of the mac and cheese.
- 10
Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until the top is golden brown and the sauce is bubbling around the edges.
- 11
Remove from the oven and let rest for 2 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to set slightly.
Variations & Substitutions
| Ingredient | Substitute | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| whole milk | half whole milk and half unsweetened almond milk or oat milk | Reduces saturated fat and calories while maintaining creaminess and improving gut health with plant-based options |
| all-purpose flour | whole wheat flour or chickpea flour | Increases dietary fiber and protein content for better digestive health and blood sugar stability |
| butter | ghee or grass-fed butter | Provides better fat profile with higher butyric acid content which supports gut health and is easier to digest |
| American cheese and half the cheddar | aged white cheddar and smoked gouda | Reduces sodium content from processed cheese while increasing probiotic potential from aged cheeses that support gut flora |
| panko breadcrumb topping | gluten-free panko mixed with crushed almonds and nutritional yeast | Adds prebiotics and additional nutrients while reducing simple carbohydrates and improving mineral content |
| salt to taste | sea salt and a pinch of Himalayan pink salt | Provides trace minerals and reduces reliance on refined table salt for better electrolyte balance |
Recommended Equipment
Tools that make this recipe easier
Nutrition Information
Per serving (serves 4)
| Calories | 540 |
| Total Fat | 24g |
| Saturated Fat | 14g |
| Cholesterol | 72mg |
| Sodium | 620mg |
| Carbohydrates | 58g |
| Fiber | 4g |
| Sugar | 3g |
| Protein | 26g |
This recipe was extracted from the original video source using AI. Nutritional information is estimated and may vary. Not a substitute for professional dietary advice. As an Amazon Associate, AlmostChefs earns from qualifying purchases. Product links are affiliate links — they cost you nothing extra but help support the site. Read full disclaimer
