The Best Boxed Mac and Cheese, According to Our Taste Test

Boxed mac and cheese wears many hats: It’s a nostalgic comfort food, a late-night snack, and, when all else fails, the ultimate pantry hero. For many of us, it was also the first thing we learned to cook solo.

When it comes to choosing your cheese-filled cardboard box, brand loyalty runs deep (just ask anyone who has been in a Kraft versus Annie’s debate), but which ones actually live up to their hype? To determine which mac and cheese brands truly deserve a spot in your pantry, we tried eight different options side by side.

Mac and cheese selection

Generally, there are two types of boxed mac and cheese found in stores: classic and deluxe. Classic versions typically include a packet of powdered cheese made from dehydrated cheese, whey proteins, and flavor enhancers. The cooking instructions include add-ins like milk for a creamier texture and butter to boost richness and flavor.

Deluxe versions, on the other hand, often include a ready-to-use liquid cheese sauce that’s stirred directly into the cooked noodles. They’re usually richer and slightly more expensive than classic boxed mac and cheese. 

For this test, we selected popular boxes of both classic and deluxe varieties that are nationally available. Before tasting, we asked our editors which flavor of mac and cheese they would be most likely to grab at the store, and the consensus was clear: good old-fashioned original, a.k.a. yellow cheddar. This helped us narrow the field and exclude other cheese varieties such as white cheddar. We also did not taste any mac and cheeses with additional flavors like truffle or jalapeño. However, we included one gluten-free brand due to its recent popularity.

How we tested 

All of our taste tests are conducted with tasters unaware of the chosen brands. Our editors cooked eight brands of boxed mac and cheese according to package directions, then sampled them side by side. Tasters were encouraged to try the samples in a randomized order, and cleansed their palates with sparkling water in between each sample. They were asked to rate each one based on overall flavor and texture.

For flavor, we looked for a pronounced, well-rounded cheesiness that balanced creamy mellowness with pops of sharp cheddar tang. Subtle notes like nuttiness or umami were welcome, but we decided they shouldn’t overpower the classic flavor of mac and cheese.

Texture was equally crucial for this taste test. The cheese sauce needed to be smooth, glossy, and cling beautifully to the pasta without being watery or gloppy. We wanted noodles with a slight bite that could sustain pockets of cheese sauce. In the end, we were looking for a boxed mac and cheese that tasted like a classic but still was high-quality.

Best overall: Annie’s Shells & Real Aged Cheddar Macaroni & Cheese

Annie’s classic mac and cheese hit all the right notes. The rich, well-balanced cheese sauce had umami and hints of nutty complexity that made it stand out among the rest. But most importantly, it tasted like real cheese, with a pronounced, unmistakable cheddary sharpness. 

Multiple editors also noted the pleasant bite of the al dente shells, and how well they captured generous pools of the creamy sauce despite their small size. “A great standard for boxed mac and cheese,” said one editor. We’re not saying it’s the only box worth buying, but we think it’s the one you’ll keep coming back to. 

Best classic: Kraft Original Mac & Cheese Macaroni and Cheese Dinner

Even in a masked test, a few of our editors recognized this mac and cheese right away. Since Kraft introduced its boxed mac and cheese in 1937 (priced at just 19 cents at the time), it has stood as a beacon of budget-friendly, shelf-stable convenience. “I could tell this was Kraft the moment I tasted it — and it’s still one of the better cheese flavors of the bunch,” said one editor. 

Did it taste a bit artificial? Absolutely. But our brains are hardwired for that specific, comforting flavor that reminds many of us of childhood. Though not as sharp as Annie’s, the cheese flavor was still present. The sauce was silky and coated the noodles well. Our only gripe: The pasta texture was a little too soft for some of our tasters. Still, it remains an overall crowdpleaser.

Best deluxe: Great Value Deluxe Macaroni & Cheese Original Cheddar

We never quite know what to expect from a grocery store’s private-label brand, but Walmart’s Great Value impressed us. This mac and cheese had a well-balanced saltiness that complemented the milder cheese flavor. Visually, it was also one of the most appealing, thanks to the substantial size of the elbow noodles. The pasta’s ridges gave the sauce something to grip, making each bite extra flavorful. 

Most surprising: Cracker Barrel Macaroni & Cheese Dinner Sharp Cheddar

Yes, the homey restaurant and gift shop chain does, in fact, have its own mac and cheese — and yes, it is worth trying. The cheddar flavor wasn’t the boldest of the bunch, but it was mellow with toasty, nutty notes reminiscent of white cheddar. The sauce was creamy, slightly gooey, and clung nicely to the larger noodles. We could easily see this mac and cheese baked in a casserole or dressed up with toppings like bacon or broccoli. 

The full list of contenders, ranked from highest to lowest

1. Annie’s Shells & Real Aged Cheddar Macaroni & Cheese
2. Kraft Original Mac & Cheese Macaroni and Cheese Dinner 
3. Great Value Deluxe Macaroni & Cheese Original Cheddar
4. Cracker Barrel Macaroni & Cheese Dinner Sharp Cheddar                         
5. Cheetos Mac ’n Cheese Bold & Cheesy
6. Goodles Cheddy Mac Creamy Cheddar and Macaroni 
7. Velveeta Shells & Cheese Original Shell Pasta & Cheese Sauce Meal
8. Good & Gather Organic Elbow & Cheddar Macaroni Cheese