My Favorite Boxed Mac and Cheese Just Got an Upgrade That Makes It 100x Better (I’m Stocking Up!)

Although I’ve reviewed my fair share of expensive products for The Kitchn, I must admit that some of my favorite items to test are good ol’ groceries. Really, almost anything that simplifies at-home cooking is a must-try for me, be it jarred pasta sauce, noodles that remain al dente no matter how long you boil them, or a seasoning blend that makes for perfect cacio e pepe. Are you seeing a pattern here? Pasta is my go-to homemade meal, and in case you were wondering, yes, I consider mac and cheese to be pasta. For the past few months, I’ve especially loved Goodles, whose boxed Mac is packed with plant nutrients and 14 grams of protein per serving. As a vegetarian who eats too many carbs, I appreciate that Goodles helps me get a decent amount of fiber and protein with each box. 

I was already a fan of the brand’s macaroni, which comes with powdered cheese, but I’m even more hyped about its all-new “deluxe” mac, which has squeezable cheese. It just launched today in two flavors, and it’s creamier and tastier than ever.

The brand’s all-new deluxe mac has all of the better-for-you ingredients that Goodles’ regular boxed mac and cheese has, but, in my opinion, its flavor and texture are more pronounced because of the squeezy cheese. Both the Ched Over Heels and Shell We Dance flavors have 16 grams of protein, 7 grams of fiber, and 21 nutrients from plants. What’s more, they’re completely free of artificial flavors and preservatives and have a low glycemic index. Whereas the former is your classic cheddar cheese mac, the latter has a mild aged cheddar flavor that I personally prefer. I also appreciate that I can just squeeze out the cheese instead of having to mix a powdered version with water after boiling the shells. Although the new deluxe mac doesn’t come in as many flavors as the regular mac, I have a feeling it’ll become popular enough to elicit more launches.

I was already a devoted Goodles customer before trying the deluxe mac, often stopping by the Target by my office after work to pick up a box for an easy dinner. But I like the squeezy cheese way more than the powdered cheese. It eliminates that one extra step of having to add water, and it’s much creamier and bolder in taste. Both flavors are quite versatile; I like chopping up an avocado and some cherry tomatoes and adding them to my bowl of macaroni. I’m especially fond of Shell We Dance’s sharp aged cheddar flavor, and I like that it goes well with Parmesan sprinkled on top. Whereas other boxed mac and cheese products can make me feel sluggish and hungry again an hour after eating them, Goodles’ mac actually feels like a substantial meal. It’s also incredibly easy to make — just boil the noodles for eight minutes, squeeze the cheese over them, and you’ve made lunch in between Zoom calls.

Now that the deluxe mac is available for sale on Goodles’ website, I highly recommend snagging a pack or two to cover your lunches for the next couple of weeks. It’s easy, quick, tasty, and relatively nutritious as far as boxed meals go. What more could you want?

Buy: Goodles Deluxe Mac, Pack of 8, $35.50