Because so many parents cannot resist the convenience of boxed macaroni and cheese when it comes to feeding
their kids, there will probably always be a market for it. Some of the options are just not appetizing, with clumps of
cheez-powder and either crunchy or gummy noodles. But because it is a marketable product, not to mention a popular
comfort food, more companies are releasing tastier versions of boxed mac and cheese and Real Simple sat down to taste a few in this month's
issue. Their top three versions were Whole Kids
Organic White Cheddar Cheese , Annie's Homegrown Creamy Deluxe Shells & Real Aged Wisconsin
Cheddar and Back to Nature Crazy
Bugs. Tasters liked the "authentic cheese flavor" of the Whole Kids brand. Annie's brand came
with a packet of cheese sauce instead of a powder. The Crazy Bugs pasta is shaped like bugs (it doesn't include real
bugs) and has a slightly sweet cheese. The magazine had kids taste the contenders, as well as adults, to get their
feedback and all the kids loved these versions of macaroni and cheese. All three of the taste test winners are
available at stores like Whole Foods, but may be available in your local grocery store, too.Real Simple tastes boxed mac and cheese
Because so many parents cannot resist the convenience of boxed macaroni and cheese when it comes to feeding
their kids, there will probably always be a market for it. Some of the options are just not appetizing, with clumps of
cheez-powder and either crunchy or gummy noodles. But because it is a marketable product, not to mention a popular
comfort food, more companies are releasing tastier versions of boxed mac and cheese and Real Simple sat down to taste a few in this month's
issue. Their top three versions were Whole Kids
Organic White Cheddar Cheese , Annie's Homegrown Creamy Deluxe Shells & Real Aged Wisconsin
Cheddar and Back to Nature Crazy
Bugs. Tasters liked the "authentic cheese flavor" of the Whole Kids brand. Annie's brand came
with a packet of cheese sauce instead of a powder. The Crazy Bugs pasta is shaped like bugs (it doesn't include real
bugs) and has a slightly sweet cheese. The magazine had kids taste the contenders, as well as adults, to get their
feedback and all the kids loved these versions of macaroni and cheese. All three of the taste test winners are
available at stores like Whole Foods, but may be available in your local grocery store, too.Comments [228]
Related Headlines
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 12)
13-05-2006 @ 3:32PM
Mrs. Bickerson said...
We've made a switch to the whole wheat versions. Annie's has a box of whole wheat shells and cheese that it very good and a little bit better for you than the regular flour pasta.
53-08-2006 @ 3:02PM
lily finch said...
RE: Mac & Cheese.
I recall a doctor on TV once confirming my suspicion that a tummy full of mac & cheese (specifically) will put you to sleep, but i wasn't paying enough attention to remember his explaination of "WHY". It was very specific to mac & cheese.
Does anyone know why? emails okay.
~lily~ lilysinbox@aol.com
63-08-2006 @ 3:09PM
Barbaralee said...
Anne's has been a staple in my house since 1989. It is the best.
10Actually, my family has always hated the cheese sauce version of mac and cheese. IF you follow the the 1/4 butter/ 1/4 c milk recipe for the powder cheese, and cook it until it is thick, then apply it to mac, it tastes fairly ok. The cheaper the brand, and as long as it uses real cheddar in the powder, it seems to be ok. Land O lakes makes one that is excellent for boxed mac and cheese
11Blue box, red box, green box - there will never be macaroni and cheese as good as what mama made. I don't have the recipe but it had macaroni, a generous helping of grated cheese and an egg. My wife has come close a couple of times with a recipe from my sister but it just ain't the same!!
12I have a personal sensitivity to MSG, which Kraft Mac and Cheese contains...we all *love* the Annie's deluxe, it is easy and doesn't require any measuring of added ingredients, so if you are out of milk or butter, the kids can still enjoy a wonderful mac'n cheese! Without any worry of added chemicals!
14The biggest problem I see for new mac n cheese companies is that when someone is raised eating one brand then all others just don't match it. When testing what kids like you get a better comparison. They haven't had a lifetime of getting used to one type then trying to change. I always ate Kraft Blue box. and everytime I try anything else I just don't like it as much. Thus parents will alwasy eat what they like and the kids will have to eat it to and eventually they get used to that brand and teh blue box goes on! LOL I will however try the other versions casue I always try new stuff because even though you get used to one brand you also get tired of the same old thing and have to try something new. Maybe eventually you find something different to replace the one your used to or change from one to the other so it isn't always the same thing.
183-08-2006 @ 3:40PM
Gil Aldridge said...
The grandkids love the "Blue Box" stuff but nothing - NOTHING - beats my wifes homemade.
203-08-2006 @ 3:42PM
virgil linebrink said...
You have to try the "fried mac and cheese" any brand will do--simply lightly oil/butter a frying pan and fry the left over m/c until golden brown. You may darken more to your taste.
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