Chick-fil-A Mac and Cheese is a baked side made with elbow macaroni and a blend of cheeses, including Parmesan, Cheddar, and Romano. It is finished in the restaurant with a browned layer of cheese on top.
The current menu lists Small, Medium, and Large sizes. A Small has 270 calories, while a Medium contains 450 calories and 20 grams of protein. Prices can vary by restaurant.
Chick-fil-A Mac and Cheese Price & Calories
Chick-fil-A Mac and Cheese is available in three sizes. The prices below are based on the menu information provided and may differ at your local restaurant.
| Size | Price* | Calories | Protein |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small | $3.35 | 270 | 12g |
| Medium | $4.09 | 450 | 20g |
| Large | $7.99 | 840 | 38g |
*Prices and availability can vary by location. Chick-fil-A recommends checking the menu for your selected restaurant for the current price.
The Medium is the standard serving listed in Chick-fil-A’s nutrition information, while Small and Large portions provide different amounts of calories and nutrients.
Chick-fil-A Mac and Cheese Recipe
A homemade copycat version can get close to the creamy, cheesy texture by using elbow macaroni, whole milk, butter, a little flour, and several cheeses. The important part is making a smooth cheese sauce and finishing the dish under the broiler so the top becomes lightly browned.
This recipe makes about 8 servings.
Ingredients
- 1 pound elbow macaroni
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon paprika
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 egg yolk
- 8 slices American cheese
- 16 ounces freshly shredded sharp Cheddar, divided
- 1 cup shredded Italian cheese blend
How to Make It
- Cook the macaroni: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the elbow macaroni until tender. Drain well and set it aside.
- Start the sauce: Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour, salt, and paprika until the mixture is smooth.
- Add the milk: Slowly pour in the whole milk while whisking. Continue stirring until the sauce thickens.
- Temper the egg: Put the egg yolk in a small bowl. Add a little of the hot sauce while whisking constantly. This gently warms the yolk before it goes into the saucepan.
- Build the cheese sauce: Return the egg mixture to the saucepan. Reduce the heat and add the American cheese, half of the Cheddar, and the Italian cheese blend. Stir until everything melts into a smooth sauce.
- Combine: Add the drained macaroni and gently mix until the pasta is evenly coated.
- Bake: Transfer the mixture to a baking dish and spread it evenly. Cover the top with the remaining Cheddar.
- Brown the top: Place the dish under a hot broiler for a short time until the cheese melts and develops a lightly browned crust. Watch it closely because the topping can brown quickly.
- Serve: Let it sit for a few minutes before serving so the cheese sauce can settle.
Freshly shredded cheese usually melts more smoothly than pre-shredded cheese. Keeping the heat moderate while making the sauce also helps prevent the cheese from becoming grainy.
This is a copycat-style homemade recipe, not Chick-fil-A’s official recipe.
Chick-fil-A Mac and Cheese Sizes
The side comes in Small, Medium, and Large sizes. The Small contains 270 calories and 12g of protein, while the Medium contains 450 calories and 20g of protein. The Large provides 840 calories and 38g of protein.
The Small works well when you want Mac and Cheese as a lighter side. The Medium gives you a larger portion, while the Large is better suited to sharing or a more substantial side.
Chick-fil-A Mac and Cheese Nutrition
The nutrition changes significantly with the serving size. The Medium serving contains 450 calories, 29g of total fat, 16g of saturated fat, 28g of carbohydrates, and 20g of protein.
| Nutrition | Small | Medium | Large |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calories | 270 | 450 | 840 |
| Total Fat | 17g | 29g | — |
| Saturated Fat | 10g | 16g | — |
| Trans Fat | 0g | 0g | — |
| Cholesterol | 40mg | 70mg | — |
| Sodium | 710mg | 1,190mg | — |
| Total Carbohydrates | 17g | 28g | — |
| Dietary Fiber | 2g | 3g | — |
| Sugars | 2g | 3g | — |
| Protein | 12g | 20g | 38g |
The Medium serving is also listed with 1,190mg of sodium, so the full meal can become much higher in sodium when paired with other sides, sauces, or entrees.
Chick-fil-A notes that nutrition and ingredient information can vary because of location, product changes, and customizations.
Chick-fil-A Mac and Cheese Protein
A Small serving provides 12g of protein, the Medium provides 20g, and the Large provides 38g.
Most of the protein comes from the cheese and pasta. The exact amount depends on the serving size, so checking the nutrition information is useful when planning the rest of your meal.
What Is in Chick-fil-A Mac and Cheese?
Chick-fil-A describes its Mac and Cheese as macaroni covered with a special cheese blend that includes Parmesan, Cheddar, and Romano. The dish is baked in the restaurant to create its signature browned cheese layer.
The official ingredient list is more detailed and includes cooked elbow macaroni, cheese spread, margarine, Cheddar, Parmesan, Asiago, Romano, milk ingredients, egg yolk, wheat flour, soybean ingredients, and other ingredients used for flavor, texture, and stability.
The menu lists milk, egg, soy, and wheat as allergens. Chick-fil-A advises customers to check the ingredient information for their specific restaurant because ingredients can vary.
Is Chick-fil-A Mac and Cheese Healthy?
Mac and Cheese can fit into a balanced meal, but it is a rich side rather than a low-calorie option. A Medium serving contains 450 calories, 29g of fat, 16g of saturated fat, and 1,190mg of sodium.
The Small portion has 270 calories, making it a lower-calorie choice when you want the side without the larger serving.
The total nutrition of your meal will also depend on the entree, drink, sauces, and other sides you choose.
Why Is Chick-fil-A Mac and Cheese So Creamy?
The texture comes from the combination of cooked elbow macaroni, a rich cheese mixture, and the baked cheese topping. Chick-fil-A’s restaurant version uses a processed cheese spread along with several cheeses and other ingredients that help maintain its consistency.
For a homemade version, using whole milk and freshly shredded cheese helps create a smooth sauce. American cheese can also help the sauce stay creamy because of its melting properties.
Chick-fil-A Mac and Cheese vs. Other Sides
Mac and Cheese is one of the richer side choices on the Chick-fil-A menu. The current sides menu also includes options such as Waffle Potato Fries, Fruit Cup, Side Salad, Chicken Noodle Soup, and Kale Crunch Side.
Choosing between them mainly depends on what you want from the meal. Mac and Cheese provides a creamy, cheese-based side with 20g of protein in the Medium serving, while lighter sides such as fruit provide a different nutrition profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Chick-fil-A put in their Mac and Cheese?
Chick-fil-A uses elbow macaroni and a cheese blend that includes Parmesan, Cheddar, and Romano. Its full ingredient list also includes cheese spread, margarine, milk ingredients, egg, wheat, soy, and other ingredients used for flavor and texture.
Does Chick-fil-A still serve Mac and Cheese?
Yes. Mac and Cheese is currently listed as a Chick-fil-A side, with Small, Medium, and Large options.
How is Chick-fil-A Mac and Cheese so good?
Its flavor comes from the combination of several cheeses and the baked cheese layer on top. Chick-fil-A uses Parmesan, Cheddar, and Romano among its featured cheeses.
What brand of Mac and Cheese does Chick-fil-A use?
Chick-fil-A does not present its Mac and Cheese as a packaged retail brand. It describes the dish as its own recipe featuring a special cheese blend and provides a detailed ingredient list for the menu item.
Is Chick-fil-A Mac and Cheese unhealthy?
It is a calorie-dense and high-sodium side, especially in the Medium and Large sizes. A Medium contains 450 calories and 1,190mg of sodium. Whether it fits your diet depends on your overall meal and individual nutrition needs.
How is Chick-fil-A Mac n Cheese made?
The restaurant version uses cooked elbow macaroni, a cheese-based mixture, and a baking process that creates the browned cheese layer on top. Chick-fil-A’s exact commercial preparation and formulation are not the same as a homemade copycat recipe.
Final Takeaway
Chick-fil-A Mac and Cheese is a baked macaroni side made with a blend of cheeses, including Cheddar, Parmesan, and Romano. A Medium serving contains 450 calories and 20g of protein, while the Small and Large provide 270 and 840 calories respectively.
For a homemade version, elbow macaroni, whole milk, American cheese, sharp Cheddar, and an Italian cheese blend create a creamy base that can be finished under the broiler for a browned top.
