Chick-Fil-A’s mac and cheese is a popular menu item that many people enjoy as a side or entree. For those watching their calorie intake, it’s important to know how many calories are in the large size mac and cheese from Chick-Fil-A. This article will provide a detailed breakdown of the nutrition facts, ingredients, and calories for a large Chick-Fil-A mac and cheese.
Nutrition Facts for Chick-Fil-A Large Mac and Cheese
According to Chick-Fil-A’s website, the nutrition facts for a large mac and cheese are as follows:
| Serving Size | 1 package (283g) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 710 |
| Total Fat | 36g |
| Saturated Fat | 20g |
| Cholesterol | 125mg |
| Sodium | 930mg |
| Total Carbs | 62g |
| Dietary Fiber | 3g |
| Total Sugars | 9g |
| Protein | 30g |
So a large Chick-Fil-A mac and cheese contains a total of 710 calories per serving. It also contains high amounts of fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium.
Ingredients in Chick-Fil-A Large Mac and Cheese
What makes up all those calories in Chick-Fil-A’s indulgent mac and cheese? Here is the full list of ingredients:
– Macaroni noodles
– Cheese sauce (milk, cream, cheddar cheese [pasteurized milk, cheese culture, salt, enzymes], American cheese [milk, cheese culture, salt, enzymes], Romano cheese [part-skim cow’s milk, cheese culture, salt, enzymes], cream cheese [pasteurized milk and cream, cheese culture, salt, stabilizers], water, butter [cream, salt], sodium phosphate, salt, paprika)
– Bread crumb topping (bleached enriched wheat flour [wheat flour, niacin, iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid], skim milk, salt, yeast, soybean oil, spices, onion powder, garlic powder, romano cheese [part-skim cow’s milk, cheese cultures, salt, enzymes], parmesan cheese [pasteurized part-skim milk, cheese cultures, salt, enzymes], corn syrup solids, natural flavor, sugar, parsley)
The main sources of calories come from the full-fat dairy ingredients like macaroni, cheese sauce, milk, cream, and butter. The breadcrumb topping adds additional calories from the enriched wheat flour and small amounts of sugar and oils.
Macaroni Noodles
The macaroni noodles provide a source of complex carbohydrates and a small amount of protein. For the 283g large size, the macaroni contributes approximately 200 calories.
Cheese Sauce
The cheese sauce is made with a variety of full-fat dairy products that are high in saturated fat and calories. Just one serving provides 450-500 calories from the milk, cream, cheddar cheese, American cheese, Romano cheese, cream cheese, and butter. All of these dairy components are very energy dense.
Breadcrumb Topping
While the breadcrumb topping is lower in calories than the cheese sauce, it still contributes 50-60 calories per serving from the enriched wheat flour, milk, oils, and small amounts of sugar.
So in summary, the high calorie count in the large mac and cheese comes from the generous amounts of pasta and energy-dense full-fat dairy ingredients used to make the rich, creamy cheese sauce.
How Does Chick-Fil-A’s Mac and Cheese Compare to Other Fast Food Chains?
Chick-Fil-A’s mac and cheese is on the higher end for calorie count compared to similar menu items from other fast food chains. Here’s how it compares:
| Restaurant | Menu Item | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| Chick-Fil-A | Large Mac & Cheese | 710 |
| McDonald’s | Large Mac & Cheese | 600 |
| Wendy’s | Large Mac & Cheese | 530 |
| Burger King | Large Mac & Cheese | 500 |
| KFC | Large Mac & Cheese | 400 |
As you can see, the large size mac and cheese from Chick-Fil-A provides over 100 more calories than comparable options from McDonald’s, Wendy’s, Burger King, and KFC. Chick-Fil-A’s version likely has more full-fat dairy, pasta, and higher fat content overall leading to the higher calorie count.
Tips for Making Chick-Fil-A Mac Healthier
While Chick-Fil-A’s mac and cheese is an indulgent, higher calorie menu option, there are some simple tweaks you can make to reduce the calories when ordering it:
Order the Small Size
The small mac and cheese at Chick-Fil-A contains 350 calories instead of 710 calories, so simply opting for the smaller portion is an easy way to slash calories and fat in half.
Skip the Breadcrumb Topping
Ask for your mac and cheese to be prepared without the breadcrumb topping to trim about 50-60 calories.
Replace the Side
Rather than getting the mac and cheese as your side, opt for a healthier side item like their apple slices (45 calories), kale crunch side salad (140 calories), or Greek yogurt parfait (140 calories) to save calories.
Split It or Take Home Leftovers
Split the large size mac and cheese with a friend or take home leftovers to stretch one serving into two meals. This cuts the calories in half for each meal.
Balance with Other Low Calorie Items
Order it with lower calorie menu items such as nuggets or a grilled chicken sandwich to offset the higher calorie mac and cheese.
Watch Portion Sizes for Rest of Day
If you really love the mac and cheese, balance it out by watching portion sizes for the rest of your meals and snacks that day. Cut back on high calorie additions like snacks, desserts, condiments, etc.
Healthier Mac and Cheese Alternatives
If you’re looking for some healthier mac and cheese options when eating at Chick-Fil-A or cooking at home, consider these alternatives:
Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
Make mac and cheese with cauliflower florets instead of pasta to increase nutrients and reduce carbs and calories. Still use reduced-fat cheese for creaminess.
Mac and Cheese with Added Veggies
Mix in extra vegetables like broccoli, tomatoes, spinach, or roasted peppers to add nutrients and volume while reducing calories.
Turkey or Chicken Mac and Cheese
Cook mac and cheese using ground turkey or shredded chicken breast instead of full-fat cheeses for a protein boost.
Low-Fat or Fat-Free Cheese
Use reduced-fat, part-skim, or fat-free cheese products to trim saturated fat and calories compared to full-fat cheeses.
Whole Wheat or Vegetable Noodle Mac and Cheese
Swap out white pasta for fiber-rich whole wheat or veggie noodles like zucchini, sweet potato, or butternut squash noodles.
Healthy Add-Ins Like Greens, Beans, or Veggies
In addition to lighter noodles and cheeses, pack in extra nutrition with healthy add-ins like kale, spinach, broccoli, black beans, edamame, or roasted vegetables.
Conclusion
Chick-Fil-A’s large sized mac and cheese contains a hearty 710 calories per serving. This high calorie count is attributed to the large portion size and the high amounts of full-fat dairy ingredients like cheese, cream and butter used to create the rich taste and texture.
While it makes for an indulgent treat, there are many ways to tweak the order, make substitutions, or balance your diet to make it a healthier option when watching your calorie intake. Being mindful of portion sizes, making smart swaps, and balancing your other food choices can help you still enjoy the comfort of mac and cheese without overdoing it on calories.
