Chick-Fil-A Creamy Mac Cheese (Printable Version)

Creamy baked mac and cheese featuring cheddar, parmesan, and romano cheeses with tender elbow pasta.

# Ingredients Required:

→ Pasta

01 - 450 grams elbow pasta

→ Cheese Blend

02 - 120 grams shredded yellow cheddar cheese
03 - 120 grams shredded white cheddar cheese
04 - 8 slices processed American cheese
05 - 50 grams grated parmesan cheese
06 - 50 grams grated romano cheese
07 - 60 grams shredded yellow cheddar cheese (for topping)
08 - 60 grams shredded white cheddar cheese (for topping)

→ Sauce Base

09 - 57 grams salted butter
10 - 30 grams all-purpose flour
11 - 590 milliliters whole milk
12 - 5 grams kosher salt
13 - 1 gram black pepper

# Guide to Cooking:

01 - Preheat oven to 175°C (350°F). Grease a 23x33 cm baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.
02 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil over high heat. Add elbow pasta and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Drain using a colander without rinsing.
03 - In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Whisk in flour and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly to form a roux.
04 - Gradually whisk in milk, salt, and black pepper. Continue cooking while stirring frequently for about 5 minutes until sauce thickens.
05 - Add shredded yellow cheddar, white cheddar, American cheese slices, parmesan, and romano cheeses to the sauce. Stir continuously until fully melted and smooth.
06 - Gently fold the cooked elbow pasta into the cheese sauce until evenly coated. Transfer mixture to the prepared baking dish and evenly top with remaining shredded cheddar cheeses.
07 - Bake uncovered for 15-20 minutes or until the surface is bubbly and golden. Optionally, broil for a few minutes to achieve a crispy top.

# Extra Suggestions:

01 - Cooking pasta to al dente ensures it retains texture after baking.
02 - Broiling after baking adds a crunchy, golden crust.