Macaroni and cheese could easily be considered America’s favorite comfort food. When prepared properly, this dish is indulgent, decadent, and incredibly satisfying. In my opinion, having a box of frozen mac and cheese on hand is always a smart move for those moments when you need a quick and delicious meal.
I recently set out to test nine different frozen mac and cheese brands to find out which one offers the best flavor and creaminess that will satisfy your cravings time and time again.
What Makes Great Frozen Mac and Cheese:
To make great frozen mac and cheese, you need delicious pasta and a rich, creamy cheese sauce. While it may be challenging to achieve perfectly al dente pasta from a frozen meal, it’s important that the pasta is not stale, hard, or rubbery. The cheese sauce should be smooth, without any curdling, and have a bold Cheddar flavor.
How I Conducted the Test:
To ensure that all options were tasted at the same temperature, I followed the recommended oven temperatures for cooking. I cooked three brands at one temperature in the oven and the remaining three in the microwave. Each mac and cheese dish was stirred well before tasting, and I sampled each one multiple times.
Here are the rankings:
9. Whole Foods 365 Mac and Cheese:
Unfortunately, the Whole Foods 365 brand mac and cheese did not offer an enjoyable experience. The preparation process was cumbersome, and the flavor was lacking. Overall, this dish was a letdown and ended up being discarded.
8. Lean Cuisine Comfort Cravings Macaroni and Cheese:
While Lean Cuisine’s mac and cheese falls under its “Comfort Cravings” line, it did not deliver on the promise of satisfying a mac and cheese craving. The dish lacked flavor and richness, leaving it unfulfilling.
7. Tillamook Classic Cheddar Mac and Cheese:
Tillamook’s mac and cheese included crushed pretzels, which seemed like an unnecessary addition. The pretzel pieces were too large and affected the overall dish’s aroma and taste.
Please let me know if you would like more information or assistance with anything else.
The pasta dish in question has an unusual twist – instead of the usual cheesy and comforting flavors, it opts for a unique blend of tangy and salty, reminiscent of pretzels. However, the pretzel chunks within the pasta lead to clumps that are both soggy and hard due to being frozen and then heated. The overall experience is described as quite odd.
Moving past the pretzel issue, the elbow pasta used is notably large with a chewy texture. Unfortunately, the dish tends to taste dry overall, with the cheese sauce lacking a distinct cheese flavor, which is seen as a missed opportunity given the reputation of the brand, Tillamook.
Several frozen mac and cheese brands are then reviewed, with Amy’s, despite being a well-known brand, falling short with a salty taste and a texture that feels separated and grainy. In comparison, Kraft’s frozen mac and cheese lacks flavor depth, although its creaminess might be passable for some. The Great Value brand from Walmart is likened to Stouffer’s but with a less favorable taste, though it manages to offer more flavor than some other options on the list.
Moving up the ranks, Trader Joe’s Joe’s Diner Mac and Cheese impresses with its blend of four cheeses and well-seasoned, tangy flavor profile. Stouffer’s Macaroni and Cheese is recognized for its classic appeal and slightly sweet cheese sauce, while also boasting the reward of crispy edges when cooked correctly. Taking the top spot is Beecher’s “World’s Best” Mac and Cheese, which lives up to its bold claim with a flavorful cheese sauce, unique seasonings, and the use of penne pasta. Beecher’s stands out as a standout choice for its delicious taste and well-balanced flavors, making it a top pick among the frozen mac and cheese options reviewed.
Engaging in a spirited struggle over the last remaining bites, the diners found themselves embroiled in a culinary battle upon reaching the end of their meal. To delve deeper into the details, refer to the source material on ALLRECIPES.
