Copycat Popeyes Mac and Cheese Recipe

The mac and cheese at Popeyes is iconic – and for good reason. While most fast food restaurants treat mac and cheese as an afterthought, Popeyes version stands out with its perfect combination of creamy sauce and thick, melted cheese crust. It’s the rare side dish worth making a special trip for, combining the best elements of both stovetop and baked mac and cheese in one incredible dish.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ This copycat version captures Popeyes signature creamy texture and rich cheese crust.

The Right Balance of Cheeses

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Extra sharp cheddar is the star of this copycat recipe. You’ll need to use an entire pound cheddar – half for the creamy sauce and half for that iconic melted crust. I used Kroger Extra Sharp Cheddar (buy from Kroger on Instacart), but Tillamook Extra Sharp White Cheddar and Cabot Seriously Sharp (buy from Aldi on Instacart) are also excellent options. The sharp, tangy flavor of cheddar provides that classic Popeyes taste that we’re trying to recreate.

Cream cheese (buy from your favorite store on Instacart) plays a crucial supporting role. It adds richness to the sauce, and most importantly, helps create that thick, cheesy crust that makes Popeyes mac and cheese so special. When combined with cheddar and spread across the top, it creates the perfect melty layer that sets this recipe apart.

A note about grating: for best results, always use freshly grated cheese in your recipes. Pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that prevent proper melting and can make your sauce grainy. Taking those extra few minutes to grate your cheese by hand will ensure your crust turns out perfectly smooth and melty. If you’re killing your arm, this is my favorite rotary cheese grater.

Adding Depth of Flavor

While most of this dish’s flavor comes from the cheeses, Better Than Bouillon chicken base (buy from Target on Instacart) adds a rich, savory depth to the sauce. This ingredient might seem unexpected in mac and cheese, but it’s key to developing that distinct Popeyes taste. Think of it as a secret weapon that enhances all the other flavors while adding its own subtle richness to the dish.​​

Tips for Success

Creating the Perfect Crust

The signature Popeyes-style crust requires a special technique. Combine softened cream cheese with shredded cheddar until it’s spreadable, then layer it across your mac and cheese. Top with additional cheddar for that iconic melted cheese layer.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Temperature Matters

Let your cream cheese come to room temperature for easier spreading. This will help you achieve an even layer without disturbing the mac and cheese underneath.

Since all ingredients are already cooked, the baking step is just about creating that perfect crust. For mac and cheese straight from the stovetop, a few minutes under the broiler will create that signature melted cheese layer. If you’ve made it ahead and refrigerated, bake at 350°F for 20-25 minutes to heat through and achieve the perfect crust.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Making it Ahead

You can prepare most of this recipe in advance, perfect for entertaining or busy weeknights. Make the mac and cheese base and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready to serve, let it come to room temperature for about 30 minutes, then add the cheese crust layer. Since the base will be cold, you’ll need to bake it at 350°F for 20-25 minutes instead of using the broiler method. This allows everything to heat through evenly while creating that perfect melted crust.

Pro tip: If you’re making it ahead, cook your pasta just shy of al dente. It will absorb more liquid as it sits and continue cooking when you reheat it, so slightly underdone pasta will give you the perfect texture in your final dish.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Storage and Reheating

Store leftover mac and cheese in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, cover with foil and warm in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes until heated through. You can also microwave individual portions for 1-2 minutes, stirring at 30-second intervals, though this method won’t maintain the crispy cheese crust as well as oven reheating.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Add a Fork

While this copycat Popeyes mac and cheese takes a bit more time than your average recipe, the results are absolutely worth it. That perfectly creamy base topped with a melted cheese crust rivals (and maybe even surpasses) the original. Whether you make it ahead or prepare it all at once, this recipe delivers restaurant-quality results that will have everyone coming back for seconds.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Copycat Popeyes Mac and Cheese Recipe

All the creamy, cheesy goodness of Popeyes mac and cheese, recreated at home. This copycat recipe features a silky smooth cheese sauce topped with a signature melted cheese crust that rivals the original. The secret is a combination of extra sharp cheddar and cream cheese, creating that perfect balance of flavor and texture that made Popeyes mac and cheese famous.

5 from 1 vote

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Servings 6 servings

Calories 830 kcal

Equipment

• Large Pot
• Medium Saucepan
• 9×13 Baking Dish
• Cheese Grater
• Whisk
• Measuring Cups and Spoons

Ingredients

  

• 1/4 cup salt
• 16 oz Elbow Pasta or other medium sized pasta
• 3 tbsp Butter
• 3 tbsp Flour
• 3 cups Whole Milk
• 1 tbsp Better Than Bouillon chicken flavor
• 1 tsp Salt
• 1 tsp Cracked Black Pepper
• 16 oz Extra Sharp Cheddar Grated Fresh
• 8 oz Cream Cheese

Instructions

 

• Turn on your broiler
• Grate cheddar
• Boil water with 1/4 cup salt and cook pasta according to package directions

Prepare the Sauce

• Pre heat your milk in the microwave for 45 seconds – just enough to take the chill out of it. It should be warm, but not hot.
• Melt butter in a sauce pan over medium heat and let it heat until it becomes foamy.
• Mix in flour. Cook it for a minute while stirring constantly
• Slowly add warmed milk to the butter mixture 1/4 cup at a time. Whisk it continually to avoid lumps in the sauce. Season generously with salt and fresh cracked pepper and stir in Better Than Bouillon.
• Once all of the milk is added, cook for a few minutes while whisking it. Do not let it boil. You will feel the sauce start to thicken. It’s ready for cheese when you rub a small amount between your fingers and it feels silky.
• Add 1/2 of the grated cheddar and whisk the cheese mixture until the cheese is combined in the sauce.
• Stir the pasta and cheese sauce together.

Assemble Your Mac and Cheese

• Spread the mac and cheese into an oven safe dish.
• Combine 8 oz cream cheese with 4 oz of the grated cheddar. This should be about half of your remaining cheddar.
• Spread cream cheese cheddar mixture across the top of the pasta. If it’s difficult to spread, wait a few seconds the heat from the pasta should soften the mixture enough to make it spreadable.
• Sprinkle remaining grated cheddar across the top of your dish.
• Pop your mac and cheese on the top rack of the oven for 3 minutes or until the cheese topping melts and begins to brown. Don’t take your eye off of it.
• Remove from oven and allow the dish to rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Keyword baked, cheddar, comfort food, copycat, cream cheese, side dish