The Southern Fast Food Chain That Makes The Absolute Best Mac And Cheese

There's nothing like a steaming bowl of mac and cheese when you're feeling down or want some comfort food. It's rich, creamy, cheesy, and has the perfect hot, gooey consistency to warm your soul.

While you can always try your hand at a homemade mac and cheese recipe, if it's a quick comfort meal you're after, there are a few fast food chains that can serve you up a bowl in a matter of minutes. And, after Daily Meal tasted 17 different fast food mac and cheeses, it's safe to say that the best option to satisfy your cravings is Popeyes Homestyle Mac & Cheese.

The cheese sauce at Popeyes has a strong cheddar flavor but also allows the more subtle notes of the cheese to shine. It's not just the flavor that makes this dish a winner; the texture is another area where this mac and cheese stands out. The noodles have perfect balance of being firm and chewy, meaning they hold up well to the cheesy sauce without falling apart.

A big reason that Popeyes Homestyle Mac & Cheese is the best fast food chain option is its choice of simple ingredients which help the flavors really stand out. This dish is made with macaroni noodles and topped in a tasty sauce crafted from butter, cream, and cheddar cheese. While it's a straightforward sauce, with all the salty and sharp flavors you'd expect from a classic cheddar cheese sauce, you'll pick up on nutty notes as well as a tanginess.

Now, while the sauce adds gooeyness to the dish, Popeyes' mac and cheese really shines thanks to the way it's finished. The fast food chain sprinkles the dish with shredded cheddar and bakes it in the oven. This adds a boost of flavor but also a crunchy crust to the top of the dish that gives you a satisfying contrast of textures.

Next time you're craving mac and cheese, or you want to jump on the Tik Tok girl dinner trend, head over to Popeyes. The mac and cheese is sure to meet all your food cravings.