Real Simple tastes boxed mac and cheese

by Nicole Weston, Posted Mar 5th 2006 @ 2:14PM

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.

Filed Under: Magazines, Lists, Ingredients
Tags: annie's natural, back to nature, boxed macaroni and cheese, cheese, cheese food, comfort food, dinner, grains, kids food, kraft, mac and cheese, MacAndCheese, macaroni and cheese, natural, organic, organic cheese, organice cheese, pasta, real cheese, whole foods

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Reader comments (Page 1 of 12)

3-05-2006 @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.
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3-08-2006 @2:32PM karen said... i love it
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3-08-2006 @2:48PM Lemo Nade said... the Cooks at American kitchen rated Annies as the worst and overpriced pls dont pretend to make up for their inferior product with a phony report
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3-08-2006 @2:49PM Lemo Nade said... the Cooks at American kitchen rated Annies as the worst and overpriced pls dont pretend to make up for their inferior product with a phony report
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3-08-2006 @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
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3-08-2006 @3:09PM Barbaralee said... Anne's has been a staple in my house since 1989. It is the best.
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3-08-2006 @3:13PM Jheree said... Anything high in carbs will make you sleepy, the cheese is an extra full of lactose.
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3-08-2006 @3:15PM Connie said... I have tried all the "good-for-you" brands; I even make an incredible home-made version of mac&cheese, but somehow, my three kids LOVE that dreadful blue box of Kraft Mac 'n' Cheese. They even can tell when I try a version other than the original.
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3-08-2006 @3:21PM Debi said... My kids always liked the blue box but when I started getting Annies, they think it is great. All moms out there ought to try it, I was very surprised, a mac & cheese that had wholesome ingredients and didn't cost alot that my kids love!!!
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3-08-2006 @3:23PM diane said... Actually, 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
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3-08-2006 @3:27PM Joe Wells said... Blue 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!!
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3-08-2006 @3:29PM alicia said... I 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!
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3-08-2006 @3:35PM Addie said... crunchy means you need to cook them longer gummy noodles means you cooked them too long.
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3-08-2006 @3:36PM Ron said... The 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.
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3-08-2006 @3:38PM Jamie said... There aren't any grocery stores or commissaries that carry the Annie's or Whole Kids brands. Where are you supposed to find this stuff?
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3-08-2006 @3:38PM Jamie said... There aren't any grocery stores in our area or commissaries that carry the Annie's or Whole Kids brands. Where are you supposed to find this stuff?
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3-08-2006 @3:39PM Tina said... I agree with cooking the powdered cheese sauce seperately with milk & butter - it definitely helps. I also add a little salsa - it gives it a kick.
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3-08-2006 @3:40PM Gil Aldridge said... The grandkids love the "Blue Box" stuff but nothing - NOTHING - beats my wifes homemade.
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3-08-2006 @3:41PM Randy said... I love the blue box. I never put all of the milk and butter it calls for though; it makes the cheese to thin.
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3-08-2006 @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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