Few things are as comforting as warm, creamy macaroni and cheese. A bowl of the stuff can
be an instant mood elevator after a long day, and while there are plenty of frozen options
on the market, not all are equal. Here's how they stack up, from worst to best.
As soon as the Lean Cuisine Macaroni & Cheese comes out of the microwave,
it smells like the classic box of stovetop Velveeta mac and cheese,
which was a nostalgic plus. But unfortunately, all of that anticipation will be wiped out after
the first bite. The texture is thick and creamy, but the flavor tastes a little bit
like plastic it was cooked in or — for some reason — canned asparagus. It's just weird,
and gross, and pretty off-putting. Cheddar cheese is listed in the ingredients — while asparagus is
not — so it's unclear just what the source of that unappealing flavor is, but it's completely weird.
It's understandable that you might be looking for a mac and cheese
that doesn't completely break your calorie budget for the day. With the Lean Cuisine,
it's convenient that the one 10-ounce package is considered a full serving,
and only sets you back 300 calories. It's also got 14 grams of protein, which is a plus.
But ultimately, other brands can provide you with similar dietary numbers, without that weird taste.
"My macaroni and cheese!"
"It was gonna be disgusting, I did you a favor."
While microwaving the Banquet Mac & Cheese,
it'll quickly become clear that the cheese sauce is incredibly watery.
After a quick stir, well, in the olden days, it used to taste like a still-thin,
still-watery version of boxed stovetop Kraft mac and cheese. Bad news: It hasn't improved.
After looking at the ingredients list,
it's no surprise water is the first ingredient listed for the cheese sauce.
The ingredient list also includes a handful of other heavily processed ingredients that
other brands don't rely on, which in the end, doesn't really seem to help the cause much.
What makes it to the table is edible, but there's a chance it might remind you of airline food.
It's also worth considering the fact that it has a whopping 1,160 milligrams of sodium,
which is considered about 50% of your daily value of salt. While mac and cheese
isn't inherently the healthiest option, that's still a pretty large dose of salt to swallow.
"Someone's got the cheese fix again."
Smart Ones, previously associated with Weight Watchers, is another option for those looking for
a lighter comfort food option. This mac and cheese claims to have a blend of three cheeses that they
seemed to think would add a little bit of variety to the dish. While the cheese flavor is nice,
the sauce can be a little too watery, and the noodles a little too thick and chewy.
With a few little tweaks, this could be a really incredible mac and cheese — especially
if you add something to it — but for now, it's really just the best of the "diet" options.
It wasn't that long ago that organic, gluten-free frozen food was hard to come by.
Those days are long gone, as Amy's can be found in almost every grocery store,
and many convenience stores. The selection of Amy's frozen macaroni and cheeses is large,
but let's talk about the classic macaroni and cheese made with organic pasta.
At first bite, it's clear that the sauce is thick and creamy, and the pasta has a
nice texture to it. It's cheesy — but not overly cheesy — which might be due to the use of white
cheddar in the sauce. But there was something slightly off about the flavor of the mac,
and it's noticeably different from traditional mac and cheese sauce recipes. It's not better,
or worse, it's just different… So it really boils down to a matter of taste with this one.
As far as the ingredient list goes, it's about as clean as it gets with most of the same ingredients
you'd use at home to make a pot of mac and cheese. The 9-ounce package has 450 calories,
18 grams of protein, and is a perfectly filling entrée for one.
No, American cheese is not considered gourmet cheese.
But the thing is, it's a delicious addition to macaroni and cheese, providing that same
gooey and creamy texture that you love when using it in a grilled cheese sandwich. You don't need
the majority of your cheese sauce to be made with American cheese, but you might be surprised how
much it can contribute to a batch of homemade cheddar mac. Hormel Macaroni and Cheese is
one of the few brands that advertise their use of American cheese in the mix, and it totally works.
The mac and cheese is creamy and cheesy, with a bolder flavor than some other varieties.
That may be partially due to the higher sodium content in this pasta,
but it works on the taste buds and hits all the flavor, texture, and tender pasta notes you're
looking for without breaking the mold. It's perfectly comforting and comes in a package
large enough to serve three people as a side dish comfortably — and comfort is what it's about.
"Macaroni and cheese? Hey, you know what I like! I grew up on macaroni and cheese!"
Marie Callender's has been around since 1948, founded as a bakery specializing
in pies. In the 70+ years since then, the brand has been a staple in the frozen dinners market.
Famous for the large selection of frozen pot pies they produce, comfort food is clearly
the name of the game here. The Creamy Vermont White Cheddar Mac and Cheese is one of the most
popular mac and cheese products they offer, and for good reason. The sharpness of the aged white
cheddar is made into a perfectly luscious sauce that thickly coats the long shell-style pasta.
It's not orange like other macs, but you won't miss the food coloring in this dish.
Marie Callender's macaroni and cheese comes in a 13-ounce package,
which is large enough for two or three people to share as sides,
or one larger-sized entree for one. The calorie count is higher than some of the previous dishes,
and it's also worth noting that this also comes with an almost outrageous
1,650 milligrams of sodium. If you're watching your sodium, this might not be for you.
Stouffer's macaroni and cheese is one of the most recognizable frozen mac and cheese brands.
It's easy to find in nearly every grocery and convenience store and comes in sizes fit for one,
a small family, or for a family reunion. So what makes it so popular? It may be the bold
orangey coloring, but the cheese sauce itself tastes like it's been packed with cheddar.
The sauce is thick enough to coat the pasta with every spoonful,
but not so thick that it glues the noodles together. And every Stouffer's mac and
cheese pro knows that if you leave it in the microwave for another 30 seconds, you might just
achieve the coveted "grilled cheese"-like crust around the sides of the container.
Unfortunately, the noodles can be a little soft. It's less of an issue if you're baking the mac and
cheese, but honestly, very few people are going to spend 45 or so minutes waiting on the oven.
The 12-ounce package suited for one serving runs you 500 calories and 1,200 milligrams of sodium,
but that won't deter some diehard fans. Ultimately, you can rest assured that
you're going to get the same reliable cheesy flavor with every box of Stouffer's macaroni
and cheese that you buy, which is probably one of the most comforting things about it.
It was bold of Blake's to try to make a microwaveable mac and cheese, finished with a
breadcrumb topping to resemble a baked macaroni and cheese. Sometimes, taking a risk pays off.
It wasn't too dry or thick like breadcrumb toppings can sometimes be straight out of
the oven, and it had a perfectly creamy white cheddar cheese sauce. Additionally,
there are no strange ingredients in this dish, made almost entirely with organic ingredients.
One 8-ounce package of Blake's Farmhouse Mac & Cheese will only cost you 300 calories,
which means you might not want to bother with one of the less-than-great,
so-called "diet-friendly" choices when you can have something so fulfilling for
almost the same nutritional value, and all of the comfort that comes with it.
While not as well-known as some of the other brands, Devour is a newcomer that's making a
splash when it comes to frozen mac and cheese. You're not going to find your mom's macaroni and
cheese in their lineup, and instead, Devour offers a handful of mac and cheese options for those
looking for something a little different. Buffalo chicken mac and cheese is studded with blue cheese
and buffalo chicken pieces, and their Chicken Cordon Bleu mac and cheese is made with a Swiss
and provolone cheese sauce that's got both ham and grilled chicken pieces folded into the mix.
So much more than a simple mac, Devour aims to present you with an entire meal in one package.
For the time being, there are no vegetarian or gluten-free options, as even the Sharp Cheddar
mac and cheese comes with bacon bits sprinkled into it. Nutritionally speaking, most of these
meals come with a higher calorie count than other options, but should be seen as a complete meal,
not just a side dish. And that's a good thing: You're going to want that next bite.
Going into the microwave, the mix might look a little dry, and there aren't any
special descriptions on the packaging other than a nice picture and a casual mention of
"Three Cheeses Sauce" in small print that set it apart from the competition. But this
mac and cheese from Whole Foods is pleasantly surprising. Not only is it a real cheese sauce,
but the seasonings are unlike anything the other brands are doing. It's the sort of
thing that you'd be perfectly happy to buy and serve friends — old and new — as a side.
While the package states that the three kinds of cheese used are organic cheddar cheese,
organic mozzarella, and organic aged hard cheese,
it's unclear what kind of aged hard cheese is used exactly. But that's okay. Overall, one 9-ounce
package of the 365 Brand organic macaroni and cheese packs a comforting gourmet punch that is
completely enjoyable because, cheese, after all, just goes perfectly with some things.
"But no matter what you think of Neuberg's Bleu Cheese cooler,
there's one thing everyone can agree on: Neuberg's uses only the finest ingredients."
Bob Evans macaroni and cheese is technically a refrigerated dish, not a frozen one.
But it's prepared exactly the same way that all of the others are in the microwave,
so it counts: especially considering that it comes out exceptionally thick and creamy,
with perfectly cooked noodles that make sharing difficult. The classic cheddar macaroni and
cheese is jam-packed with flavor, and while it might not taste like 100% real cheese, it's got
the ultimate cheddar sauce mac and cheese taste that's next to impossible to duplicate at home.
Even the most staunch Stouffer's lover may be converted with a taste of Bob Evans.
As far as calories go, a single-serving container of this mac and cheese clocks in at 220 calories,
and while the serving size is also a bit smaller than most of the other packages at 6 ounces,
you're getting a better-tasting mac than most of the other options.
Bonus? You're not obligated to share with anyone else unless you really want to.
It's no secret that Trader Joe's has developed a devoted cult-like following for their private
label frozen and prepared foods, and judging only by their mac and cheese, there's a good reason for
that. Stacked in the freezer case, you might find at least three different types of macaroni and
cheese but let's talk about the "Joe's Diner" mac 'n cheese, since it presented itself as the most
comforting classic option. Made with four kinds of cheese, this dish is positively overflowing with
cheese. Granted, it looks a little odd straight out of the microwave with the cheeses all melted
and clumped in the middle of the cooked pasta, but a minute or two of stirring brings it all
together into an authentic cheesy dish that true cheese lovers won't be able to resist.
The genuinely authentic cheesy nature of this dish also lends itself to any additions you'd like to
make to it. It would be perfect for folding in some broccoli, scallions, bacon pieces,
grilled chicken, or how about turning plain old mac and cheese into lobster mac and cheese?
This mac tastes so homemade that you might never make it from scratch again. Believe the hype.
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