What set this macaroni apart from the crowd was really its perfect ratio of cheese sauce to noodles. That’s right, your standard box of Kraft is really the best boxed mac and cheese out there! Costing less than a dollar a box, we’re not complaining! In the end, the classic macaroni and cheese brand took the crown. The large, ridged macaroni noodles were just right for holding onto the cheesy sauce.ĭue to its more authentic flavors, we thought that this brand would be a good homemade substitute-especially if you dressed it up with some bacon, onions or even crispy breadcrumbs on top. However, what we loved most about Cracker Barrel were the noodles. The flavor was also more distinctively cheddar rather than just being some sort of generic cheese flavor. The sauce was paler and less artificial-looking (not that bright orange we associate with classic boxed mac). When it came to taste, we definitely agreed that this macaroni was just a bit more refined than the other brands we tested. The black box made this brand seem more sophisticated like this mac and cheese was designed for grown-ups. Peeking at the package post-sampling, this brand sets itself apart from the others with its box. Best Almost Homemade: Cracker BarrelĬracker Barrel Sharp Cheddar Macaroni and Cheese was a standout in our test. While we tasted seven different brands, only two really stood out to us macaroni fanatics. No one wants to dive into a bowl that looks unappetizingly neon or pale. Appearance: We eat with our eyes, so appearance is crucial.Maybe some would be better at holding more cheese sauce, maybe others would be too small. Our testers had to consider the size of the noodles, the texture and any other qualities. Noodle shape and texture: While elbows are the classic shape in this dish, there’s still some variation to be had.Artificial-tasting, bland or gritty sauces need not apply! The gang of testers and myself wanted a cheese sauce that was smooth and cheesy. Cheese sauce: We’re serious about cheese here ( Taste of Home HQ is in Wisconsin).What We Looked for in the Best Boxed Mac and Cheeseīecause we wanted this blind test to be as scientific as possible (while still being deliciously cheesy), we kept a few criteria in mind as we enjoyed our elbows and cheese: So along with a panel of macaroni and cheese experts, I put these brands to the test: Annie’s, Back to Nature, Cracker Barrel, Horizon, Kraft, Kraft Deluxe and ShurFine. Was there really a better option out there? Now, I have my go-to brand (the one in the blue box), but I was curious how all these other box macs stacked up. That’s when I turn to a regular, old box of mac and cheese to satisfy my craving for comfort food fast And making that best mac and cheese from scratch? Well, that’s an art. If you’re like me, though, you don’t always have the time to whip up a macaroni masterpiece. Ooey, gooey, creamy and cheesy, there’s no other comfort food quite like macaroni and cheese.
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