Popular Boxed Mac And Cheese Brands, Ranked

12. Cheetos

The Cheetos mac was the only brand we ended up discarding instead of finishing or saving for later. It certainly lives up to its promise of a bold and cheesy flavor, tasting just like a bag of Cheetos, but both adult and kid testers found it overwhelming after just a few bites. We opted for the classic cheese version, which is Cheetos' closest alternative to regular cheddar. It also features some unique flavors, like cheesy jalapeño and flamin' hot, which we likely wouldn't purchase even if they were heavily discounted. On a positive note, we appreciated the spiral noodles, as they clung to the sauce well with each bite. However, we wished the sauce was a bit milder and had a more authentic cheese taste.

At first glance, this mac is vibrant, even more so than other bright orange cheese powder-based varieties. It contains a long list of unrecognizable ingredients, including artificial flavors and colors. While other brands also use processed components, this one was among the few that truly tasted artificial. If you're a die-hard Cheetos fan, this mac might be for you. For the rest of us, it’s probably one to pass on.

11. Banza

If you're looking for a gluten-free choice, Banza offers shells and cheese made with chickpea flour. This brand features elbow macaroni and shells in both cheddar and white cheddar varieties. Notably, it is one of the few brands that provides a vegan option with a cheese sauce crafted from parsnips and potatoes. Banza's mac and cheese comes in a fine powder form for both the regular and vegan versions, along with a deluxe sauce option.

We wanted to enjoy this mac and cheese due to its higher protein content from the chickpea pasta, but the distinct flavor was hard to overlook. The chickpea taste was so pronounced that it overshadowed the cheese sauce. If you decide to give it a try, we suggest enhancing your mac and cheese with bold flavors like barbecue chicken, vegetables, or even tender brisket. On its own, Banza mac and cheese didn't leave us eager to try it again.

Additionally, Banza is significantly pricier than other options, retailing for over $3.30 for a 5.5-ounce box. Not only is it costly, but the portion size is smaller than most alternatives, meaning we would likely need to purchase two boxes for our family of four.

10. Pastabilities

For children who enjoy playful shapes, Pastabilities mac and cheese is worth a look. It features organic options shaped like dinosaurs and princesses, along with a unique vegan under-the-sea variety. We sampled the princess version, which was a favorite with our youngest taste tester. While the shape mainly enhanced the visual appeal, each noodle held together well, allowing us to recognize them even after reheating leftovers the next day. The noodles offered a surprisingly pleasant texture in the center, which is often rare in smaller novelty-shaped pasta.

Pastabilities retails for just under $6 for a 9-ounce container. It provides multiple servings, but it is pricier compared to other character-themed mac and cheese from different brands. If you're primarily interested in the shape, you might want to opt for a more affordable option. However, if you’re looking for organic or vegan ingredients along with fun shapes for kids, this product fits the bill.

In terms of flavor, this particular batch was somewhat underwhelming and lacked the robust cheese taste found in some other brands we’ve tried. It also required significant mixing to fully blend the cheese powder with the added milk and butter. If we decide to try this brand again, we would increase the amount of butter and allow it to melt completely before incorporating the cheese.

9. Cabot

Cabot produces wonderfully creamy and sharp cheese, so we anticipated a bit more flavor from this box. While the taste was pleasant, it didn't quite match the intensity of other Cabot cheeses we've enjoyed. We chose the classic yellow cheddar for a fair comparison with other traditional brands like Kraft and Annie's. However, the Seriously Sharp and bacon cheddar varieties also piqued our interest, suggesting that different flavors might offer a bolder taste. The recipe calls for 3 tablespoons of milk, which resulted in a rather runny sauce; next time, we would replace some of the milk with additional butter. Incorporating an egg yolk can also help thicken a thin sauce, making it creamier.

The pasta shells are on the smaller side, but they had a nice texture and held a good amount of cheese sauce. Overall, the Cabot mac and cheese we tried was enjoyable but not particularly remarkable, especially when compared to other standard shells and cheese options. The box contains 6.25 ounces, which is slightly less than what other brands offer. Priced around $2, it is also double the cost of the most budget-friendly choices on our list. If we're spending more on mac and cheese, we expect something special, whether it's a robust flavor, unique shape, or larger serving size. Unfortunately, Cabot doesn't provide any of these features to justify the higher price.

8. Velveeta

Velveeta shells and cheese is a timeless favorite in the realm of boxed mac and cheese. Known for its rich creaminess when melted, Velveeta was first introduced in 1918, with the iconic shells and cheese variety debuting in 1978. This option features a pourable Velveeta cheese sauce that is poured directly over the cooked pasta shells. While Velveeta has primarily stuck to its classic cheese flavor, it has introduced a few variations, including pizza-flavored mac and a 2% milk cheese sauce.

The shells are notably larger than those from other brands we've sampled, resembling tiny bowls that hold a generous amount of cheesy goodness. The sauce is among the creamiest we've tasted, which aligns with Velveeta's legacy. However, the flavor is milder, leaning more towards creaminess than boldness. This aspect slightly affected its ranking for us, as several other brands have achieved a more balanced combination of texture and flavor.

7. Cracker Barrel

If you enjoy a distinctly sharp flavor, the Cracker Barrel mac and cheese is definitely worth a try. It features a ready-made cheese sauce that you can simply pour over your cooked pasta, eliminating the need to mix cheese powder with butter and milk, which also minimizes the number of extra ingredients. All you need to do is add water to boil your pasta, and you can savor a rich, creamy bowl of mac and cheese. The noodles are larger than those of other brands we tested, allowing them to hold more cheese inside. Additionally, their ridged exterior helps them cling to even more sauce.

Cracker Barrel's Vermont sharp white cheddar offers a robust sharp flavor, which is what we anticipated from this dish. While it was enjoyable, the sharp white cheddar taste wasn't as intense as we had hoped. However, it still delivered more flavor than many other brands, so we acknowledge that our expectations may have been a bit high. This box retails for around $4 for a 14-ounce container, which is budget-friendly but not particularly noteworthy. Considering you don’t need to add milk or butter, it becomes more attractive if you prefer to avoid the hassle of gathering extra ingredients. This was our top choice among the options with cheese sauce due to its creamier texture and sharper flavor.

6. Whole Foods Market 365

If you're looking for classic favorites made with healthier ingredients, consider the Whole Foods store brand, 365. Priced at approximately $1.25, it’s an excellent option for maintaining a budget while shopping at a grocery chain known for its high prices and healthy selections. The 365 classic macaroni and cheese offers a taste and texture similar to Kraft, but without synthetic food dyes. Instead, it uses paprika and annatto for coloring, resulting in a more natural appearance and flavor. The noodles cook up nicely, ensuring that every bite is coated in sauce.

365 also offers an organic version available in both the standard 6-ounce size and a 12-ounce family size. While there are no flavor variations, making it less diverse in taste, if you're after classic mac and cheese without the worry of questionable ingredients, or if you've already spent most of your budget at Whole Foods, 365 is a solid option.

5. Trader Joe's

We categorize Trader Joe's macaroni and cheese alongside Whole Foods' 365 brand. It delivers the classic flavors we adore, is free from artificial food dyes and flavorings, and is exclusively available at Trader Joe's. Additionally, it offers slightly better value than 365, priced at under $1 for a 7.25-ounce box. The preparation instructions suggest using 4 tablespoons of butter, which felt excessive. After cooking, we found a significant amount of cheese sauce remained at the bottom of the pot. Next time, we plan to reduce the butter to 2 or 3 tablespoons and expect the taste to be just as satisfying.

Trader Joe's mac and cheese relies solely on annatto and paprika for its orange hue, which isn't as bright as that of popular brands like Kraft. However, we appreciate this, as it indicates the use of natural coloring ingredients. Our young taste testers were too engrossed in enjoying the dish to notice that the color wasn't as vibrant as they're accustomed to.

4. Kraft

The Kraft blue box has long been regarded as the benchmark for boxed mac and cheese. First introduced in 1937, just before World War II, Kraft was among the pioneers in offering this type of meal. Back then, it was priced at a mere 19 cents, and it has remained relatively affordable compared to other quick dinner options. You can typically find Kraft for around $1 per box, which usually provides enough for two to four hearty servings, depending on your hunger level.

Kraft undoubtedly boasts the most effective marketing team, with collaborations featuring Paw Patrol, Super Mario Bros., and Spongebob. Since this dish is a favorite among children, the fun shapes add extra allure for younger audiences.

In our home, Kraft has been the go-to choice for an economical meal that caters to picky eaters, thanks to its classic taste. The noodles are slightly thin yet hollow, allowing them to capture the sauce beautifully. Each box yields a generous amount, but the family-size option, which is double the standard size, is ideal if you want leftovers for lunch the next day. Overall, Kraft scores highly for both flavor and texture, but it earns an even higher ranking in our household due to its playful shapes that delight kids.

3. Signature Select

Safeway's store brand mac and cheese offers a comparable taste to Kraft but at an even more affordable price point. A 7.25-ounce box of the classic mac and cheese is priced around 80 cents, while the deluxe version with cheese sauce is approximately $2.80. Signature Select stands out as one of the most economical options and would take the top position if value were the sole consideration. Aside from its attractive price, there isn't much that distinguishes this mac and cheese from other brands. If you find yourself at Safeway and are contemplating Kraft mac and cheese, you'll appreciate the slight savings by choosing Signature Select instead. However, it's not a brand we would suggest going out of your way to seek.

In a blind taste test, we found it difficult to differentiate between Signature Select and Kraft. The noodles were similarly sized and shaped, and the cheese sauce, made from cheese powder, butter, and milk, was nearly identical. However, Signature Select offers noticeably fewer varieties than other brands and lacks any novelty character options. It is available in shells, spirals, or classic macaroni noodles, but only the classic shape comes in white cheddar.

2. Annie's

Annie's mac and cheese attracts younger diners with its fun character shapes, while its absence of artificial flavors and colors makes it a favorite among adults in our household. The color, derived from annatto extract from the Bixa orellana plant, may not be as bright as some competitors, but it compensates with a robust cheese flavor. Additionally, it contains a generous amount of cheese powder that blends smoothly when preparing the sauce.

Annie's suggests a cooking time of 12 to 14 minutes for the pasta, which is slightly longer than many other brands. While this may not be a significant concern, those seeking a quicker option will find plenty of alternatives that require less time. Thankfully, even with the extended cooking duration, the noodles remained firm, which is especially important if you opt for one of their character shapes, as we did.

The only reason we hesitate to include Annie's in our regular grocery shopping is its higher price compared to other brands, attributed to its premium organic ingredients. Annie's is also one of the few brands offering multiple varieties that use grass-fed dairy for their cheese powder. When we spot it on sale, we eagerly stock up on this delicious mac and cheese.

1. Goodles

We were unfamiliar with Goodles until we gave it a try, but now we can confidently say it's the only brand we’d actively seek out and pay a premium for. We opted for the classic Cheddy Mac, which resonated with our younger taste testers and stood up well against staples like Kraft and Velveeta. However, Goodles surpasses these leading brands in terms of rich flavor and sturdy noodles. Discovering that it contains more protein and fiber, is free from artificial flavors and colors, and still tastes fantastic quickly elevated it to the top of our list.

Goodles mac and cheese also features some distinctive flavors that appealed to the adults. We sampled the truffle mac, aptly named Here Comes Truffle, and it was bursting with flavor thanks to the addition of black truffles. The bacon and cheddar shells, parmesan twists, and smoked gouda mac and cheese also caught our interest, although we didn’t try them during this tasting. Based on our experience with Goodles so far, we would gladly add any of these options to our shopping cart.

Methodology

We were lucky to have a number of young taste testers try out various macaroni and cheese dishes. Their feedback was evident through clean plates, requests for seconds, and some bowls left unfinished. The primary factors for excellent mac and cheese were taste and texture, but we also explored flavor variations that could enhance the dish or provide a fresh twist. The character-shaped pasta elicited the most excitement during preparation, yet some of our top picks were simply those that delivered the best flavor.

We also took into account budget and ease of preparation, as these are significant factors when we opt for mac and cheese while watching our expenses or preparing dinner on a hectic weeknight. A few options were crafted without artificial flavors or colors and included added protein, which appealed more to the health-conscious adult testers than to the kids. While these options tended to be slightly more expensive, in some instances, their exceptional taste made the extra cost or even a special trip to find that brand worthwhile for us.