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Chick-fil-A Mac and Cheese Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 68 reviews

This Chick-fil-A inspired Mac and Cheese recipe is a creamy, cheesy comfort dish made with elbow macaroni, sharp cheddar, and Monterey Jack cheeses, enriched with a smooth roux-based sauce. It can be enjoyed creamy or baked to create a golden, bubbly, crispy top, offering a perfect balance of rich flavors and smooth texture.

Ingredients

Scale

Macaroni

  • 1 cup elbow macaroni

Cheese Sauce

  • 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Cook Macaroni: Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the elbow macaroni until al dente. Drain the pasta thoroughly and set it aside while you prepare the cheese sauce.
  2. Make Roux: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Stir in the all-purpose flour and cook for about 2 minutes until the mixture turns a light golden color; this creates the roux that will thicken your sauce.
  3. Add Milk: Gradually whisk in the whole milk to the roux. Continue stirring constantly until the mixture thickens, which should take around 5 to 7 minutes. Ensure the sauce is smooth and creamy.
  4. Add Cheese and Season: Remove the saucepan from heat. Add the shredded sharp cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses to the thickened sauce, stirring until the cheeses are fully melted and the sauce is smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  5. Combine Pasta and Cheese Sauce: Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce, stirring gently to coat all the pasta evenly with the cheesy sauce.
  6. Optional Baking Step: For a crispy, golden top, transfer the macaroni and cheese mixture to a greased baking dish. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 20 minutes or until bubbly and golden on top. Serve warm.

Notes

  • Use freshly shredded cheese for better melting and flavor compared to pre-shredded cheese.
  • For a thicker sauce, let the roux cook a little longer before adding milk, but be careful not to burn it.
  • To customize, you can add a pinch of smoked paprika or a dash of hot sauce to the cheese sauce for extra flavor.
  • If baking, use a greased casserole or baking dish to prevent sticking and improve crust formation.
  • This recipe can be doubled easily to serve larger groups.

Keywords: Chick-fil-A Mac and Cheese, creamy mac and cheese, baked mac and cheese, cheddar macaroni, comfort food, cheesy pasta

Find it online: https://dinewithdylan.com/chick-fil-a-mac-and-cheese-recipe/