Macaroni or noodles with cheese, microwaveable, unprepared
Whole food · Meals, Entrees, and Side Dishes
Photo: Wikipedia
This is the iconic, shelf-stable box of dried pasta with a powdered cheese packet, a staple of quick meals and childhood kitchens. The pasta cooks into a soft, tender bite, while the sauce becomes a creamy, salty, and distinctly orange coating with a mild, savory flavor. Nutritionally, it's a high-energy, carbohydrate-dense food, providing a quick source of calories and a modest amount of protein.
Calorie split: 12% protein · 73% carbs · 15% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love it for its nostalgic, comforting simplicity and the reliable, savory cheese flavor that defines a quick, satisfying meal. Its versatility allows it to be a standalone snack, a side dish, or a base for more elaborate creations.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The powdered sauce can be high in sodium and contains processed ingredients, while the refined pasta may cause rapid blood-sugar spikes. To counteract this, pair it with a source of protein (like canned tuna or leftover chicken) and fiber (like steamed broccoli or peas) to slow digestion and increase satiety.
Key benefits
- Extremely convenient and fast to prepare, often in under 5 minutes.
- Long shelf life makes it a reliable pantry staple.
- Provides a quick source of energy from carbohydrates.
- Affordable and widely available, making it a budget-friendly meal.
- A familiar comfort food that can be easily customized with added ingredients.
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The first boxed macaroni and cheese was introduced by Kraft in 1937 during the Great Depression, as it could serve four people for 19 cents.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 8.1 g |
| Energy | 388 kcal |
| Energy | 1623 kj |
| Protein | 11.5 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 6.6 g |
| Ash | 3.1 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 70.8 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 1.6 g |
| Total Sugars | 8.2 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 328 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 2.4 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 49.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 328 mg |
| Potassium, K | 348 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 902 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 1.2 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.19 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 47.5 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.00 mg |
| Thiamin | 1.0 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.63 mg |
| Niacin | 3.9 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.14 mg |
| Folate, total | 204 ug |
| Folic acid | 187 ug |
| Folate, food | 17.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 334 ug |
| Choline, total | 36.0 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.77 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 99.0 ug |
| Retinol | 98.0 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 5.0 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 336 iu |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 15.0 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.13 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) | 0.20 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 2.8 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.40 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 1.9 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.53 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 1.6 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 1.6 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 2.0 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 2.0 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.00 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 |
| Fatty acids, total trans | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 8.0 mg |
FAQ
How can I make it taste less processed?
Use real butter and milk instead of water for the sauce, and stir in freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese along with the packet to boost flavor and texture.
Is the pasta gluten-free?
No, standard boxed macaroni and cheese is made with wheat pasta and contains gluten. Gluten-free versions use corn, rice, or legume-based pasta.
Why is the cheese sauce powder orange?
The bright orange color typically comes from food dyes like annatto, paprika extract, or artificial colors, added to mimic the appearance of cheddar cheese.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 3.88 kcal/g · 12% calories from protein · 1.6 g fiber · 8.2 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 2.59 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.