Macaroni and cheese, box mix with cheese sauce, unprepared
Whole food · Meals, Entrees, and Side Dishes
Photo: Wikipedia
This is the dry, uncooked pasta and powdered cheese mix from a classic box, a staple of American pantries. The elbow macaroni is a firm, pale yellow semolina pasta, while the cheese powder is a bright orange, salty, and intensely savory blend. Nutritionally, it's a calorie-dense, carb-heavy base that provides quick energy but requires preparation to become the creamy dish we know.
💚 Why it's loved
People love it for its nostalgic, salty, and umami-rich cheese flavor that's uniquely comforting and kid-friendly. Its extreme versatility makes it a beloved canvas for countless home-cooked variations, from adding tuna to mixing in broccoli.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The powdered cheese sauce is typically high in sodium and contains processed ingredients like sodium phosphate and artificial colors, which some may wish to avoid. It's also a common source of refined carbohydrates and can cause blood-sugar spikes. To counteract this, pair a portion with a side of steamed vegetables or a lean protein like grilled chicken to add fiber and slow digestion.
Key benefits
- Provides a quick, shelf-stable source of calories and carbohydrates
- A familiar, comforting base for adding vegetables or protein
- Highly affordable and accessible for budget-conscious meals
- Simple to prepare with just water and butter or milk
- Offers a consistent, predictable taste and texture
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The iconic blue box was introduced by Kraft in 1937, but the product was so popular during the Great Depression that it sold out within its first two weeks on shelves.
Full nutrition (scales with serving)
| Water | 26.9 g |
| Energy | 334 kcal |
| Energy | 1396 kj |
| Protein | 12.7 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 10.7 g |
| Ash | 3.1 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 46.7 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 1.8 g |
| Total Sugars | 6.4 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 145 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 2.1 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 34.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 391 mg |
| Potassium, K | 197 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 766 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 1.3 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.16 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.47 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 37.0 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.60 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.53 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.37 mg |
| Niacin | 4.0 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.11 mg |
| Folate, total | 134 ug |
| Folic acid | 119 ug |
| Folate, food | 14.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 217 ug |
| Choline, total | 24.7 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.39 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 6.0 ug |
| Retinol | 5.0 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 14.0 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 3.0 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 42.0 iu |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 19.0 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 1.5 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3), International Units | 0.00 iu |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 5.8 ug |
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 1.2 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.02 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.05 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 0.70 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.27 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 6.1 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.03 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 5.9 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.12 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 3.0 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 2.1 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.86 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 3.0 mg |
| Tryptophan | 0.15 g |
| Threonine | 0.40 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.47 g |
| Leucine | 0.86 g |
| Lysine | 0.42 g |
| Methionine | 0.16 g |
| Cystine | 0.17 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.52 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.29 g |
| Valine | 0.54 g |
| Arginine | 0.38 g |
| Histidine | 0.25 g |
| Alanine | 0.35 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.59 g |
| Glutamic acid | 3.2 g |
| Glycine | 0.31 g |
| Proline | 1.2 g |
| Serine | 0.52 g |
| Hydroxyproline | 0.00 g |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
FAQ
What is the cheese powder actually made of?
It's primarily whey, milkfat, milk protein concentrate, and salt, with added color (like annatto and paprika extract) and emulsifying salts (like sodium phosphate) to create a smooth sauce when mixed with liquid.
Can I make this without the cheese packet?
Absolutely. Cook the pasta as directed, then toss it with butter, a splash of pasta water, and freshly grated sharp cheddar or Parmesan for a more natural cheese sauce.
How can I make it healthier?
Use only half the cheese powder to cut sodium, stir in pureed butternut squash or cauliflower for creaminess, and mix in a can of drained tuna or beans for added protein and fiber.