Copycat Arby’s Mac and Cheese
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Arby’s Mac and Cheese may be off the menu, but you can still enjoy it at home with this easy copycat recipe! Combine tender elbow noodles with a thick and creamy white cheddar sauce for an easy side dish, or load up your bowl with bacon, crispy chicken pieces, and a drizzle of Parmesan ranch. Simple and delish!
Arby’s Mac and Cheese
If there’s one thing I can always count on to satisfy my comfort food cravings, it’s a bowl of macaroni and cheese!
You’ll notice I’ve been working my way through all kinds of copycat recipes, from fast food favorites to homestyle restaurant offerings — and next up on the list is Arbys mac and cheese!
The sauce is loaded with sharp, white cheddar flavor and just enough kick from cayenne and white pepper to make things interesting.
Don’t worry, though… it isn’t spicy. But I won’t stop you if you want to tip those spice jars a little more!
Enjoy as a simple side dish to roast beef sliders, or add all the toppings to make a homemade version of Arby’s loaded mac and cheese — it’s delicious either way!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Elbow Noodles – A classic choice, though cavatappi or penne noodles work just as well.
Pay close attention to the weight on the package — this recipe calls for 12 ounces instead of a full pound of pasta! - Butter & Flour – Together, these form a roux which helps thicken the cheese sauce.
Cook the mixture until browned and bubbly and stir constantly to prevent it from burning. - Milk & Cream – Instead of using equal amounts, I opted for a little more milk than cream. The sauce still thickens up really nicely thanks to the roux and all the cheese!
For a richer dish, feel free to use a little more heavy cream or replace both with just over 2 cups of half-and-half. - Cheese – Nothing fancy here! Just loads of white cheddar which has a nutty, pungent flavor and melts like a dream.
- Seasonings – This is where the magic happens!
Spice this Arby’s macaroni and cheese recipe with onion powder, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper for a savory flavor with a little kick.
Salt the dish to taste (white cheddar is already quite salty) and add a little more heat with white pepper, which will disappear into the sauce better than flecks of black pepper.
Tips and Tricks to Make Perfect Arby’s Loaded Mac and Cheese
- Bring ingredients to room temperature if possible.
One of the best things about this Arby’s macaroni and cheese recipe is how quickly it comes together, but if you have some extra time on your hands, take advantage of it!
Measure out the milk and cream and let them warm on the counter for 30-45 minutes. Shred the cheese while you’re at it too.
You’ll get the smoothest results when you don’t have drastic temperature changes, and the cream sauce will heat faster if the ingredients aren’t cold to start.
- Take the time to build the sauce.
Don’t rush the process — at best you’ll save a couple of minutes, but the results won’t be nearly as delicious.
Melt the butter evenly over medium heat, then whisk in the flour until it forms a paste.
Wait until the mixture turns a light golden brown and smells a little nutty before slowly whisking in the milk and cream.
This enhances the nuttiness of the cheese and prevents lumps from forming.
Add the seasonings once the sauce has thickened, then stir in the cheese by the handful.
Give it a quick taste and add more seasonings as needed before adding the cooked noodles.
- Have any toppings ready to go.
This dish is best served right away while hot, so cook and chop your toppings while waiting for the pasta water to come to a boil.
You should be able to make the sauce while the noodles are cooking so everything can be assembled and served at once!
Prep Ahead
- Shred cheese
- Cook chicken bites and bacon (for topping)
Kitchen Tools You Will Need
- Large Pot and Strainer to cook and drain the pasta.
- Large Saucepan – Choose a heavy-bottomed one so the heat is distributed more evenly and doesn’t burn the sauce.
- Heat-Resistant Spoon – Perfect for cooking, stirring, and serving.
- Cheese Grater – Fresh cheese makes this recipe even better! Skip the bagged shreds and buy a block to grate yourself.
Serving Suggestions
While delicious on its own, you’ll need to add crispy chicken bites, bacon, and Parmesan ranch sauce to make true Arby’s loaded mac and cheese.
Your air fryer will come in handy here — toss in your favorite frozen chicken bites, tenders, or nuggets, then follow with the bacon.
Or, bake the chicken as directed on one sheet pan while you cook the bacon on another!
I also like to add chopped chives or green onions to homemade Arby’s mac and cheese for a pop of color and freshness.
Serve with a green salad or your favorite veggies for a complete meal.
Storing and Reheating Arbys Mac and Cheese
Once cooled, transfer leftovers to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
It’s best to reheat Arbys mac and cheese on the stovetop over low heat, stirring frequently so it warms evenly. Add a splash of milk to make it nice and creamy again.
Arby’s Macaroni and Cheese Recipe FAQ
Currently, yes. The beloved side dish is no longer available at the fast food restaurant, but this copycat recipe saves the day!
But you can make a whole pot of Arby’s mac and cheese at home with a handful of simple ingredients whenever the craving strikes.
Start by making a bechamel, which is a fancy name for white sauce. Combine flour and butter to make a roux, then slowly whisk in milk and cream until you get a thickened, creamy sauce.
This is the base for any great cheese sauce! All you need to do is melt in the shredded cheese a little at a time, stirring constantly to prevent lumps. And keep the heat low for best results.
This menu item featured white cheddar mac and cheese topped with crispy chicken, bacon, and parmesan ranch sauce.
While it’s no longer available, you can easily recreate Arby’s mac and cheese at home or try a different flavor combination!
Swap the crispy chicken for pulled pork or shredded buffalo chicken and consider a different sauce — maybe a smoked provolone sauce for another layer of cheesy flavor!
Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.
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Other Easy Copycat Mac and Cheese Recipes
Copycat Arby’s Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
Mac and Cheese:
- 12 ounces uncooked elbow noodles
- 2 tablespoon butter
- 2 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon white pepper
- 2 cups shredded white cheddar cheese
Toppings:
- 8 ounces frozen fried chicken bites, cooked to package instructions
- 6 slices cooked and chopped bacon
- 1/2 cup store-bought parmesan ranch sauce
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the elbow noodles and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the noodles and set them aside.
- In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the flour and stir continuously for about 1 minute to form a roux.
- Gradually whisk in the milk and heavy cream, making sure there are no lumps. Continue to whisk until the mixture thickens, approximately 5 minutes.
- Add the onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and white pepper to the sauce. Stir well to combine the flavors.
- Slowly add the shredded white cheddar cheese to the sauce, stirring constantly until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Add the cooked elbow noodles to the cheese sauce, stirring gently to coat the noodles evenly with the sauce.
- Transfer the mac and cheese to a serving dish or individual plates and top with the chopped bacon, fried chicken bites, and drizzle on the parmesan ranch sauce.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
Donna’s Notes
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.
Originally published January 2025
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