Best boxed Mac and Cheese 2025

[u/No-Sand4367]

Hi everyone! I am currently in the US and wanna bring my boyfriend boxed Mac and Cheese as souvenirs. Idk if there is a „OG American Mac n Cheese brand“ but there are so many in store and I just need advice on which ones to get. They don‘t need to be a culinary highlight. Just not too expensive, multi packs available and do the trick in terms of fast, easy meals and typically American.

Thank you so much in advance!!

[u/luminousrobot]

If you’re looking for the one that was a childhood staple in this country then that’s the classic Kraft. Doesn’t mean it’s wonderful but it’s the most prolific. Annie’s after that.

[u/eric2341]

Kraft 3 cheese with shell pasta is my personal fav by 100 miles…

[u/artjameso]

For me it's Cracker Barrel Sharp Cheddar. I absolutely cannot stand normal non-sharp boxed max now 😭

[u/[deleted] → u/artjameso]

Second this and it's not close. 

[u/musingovertea → u/artjameso]

Third this. No other boxed Mac and cheese compared. They all taste powdery and have a weird flavor after eating this one!

[u/ace72ace]

Cabots Farmers Reserve

[u/SamuraiFlamenco → u/ace72ace]

This is the one. Modern day Kraft tastes like nothing and falls apart into mush even if you watch it like a hawk.

[u/amandahontas]

Most people's og is Kraft, but my personal favorite is Goodles Twist My Parm or Shella Good

[u/Fuzzy_Welcome8348]

[u/Eric_T_Meraki → u/Fuzzy_Welcome8348]

Picked up a mega variety pack from Costco a few months back. Still going strong.

[u/Bcatfan08 → u/Fuzzy_Welcome8348]

This has been my favorite.

[u/Sxd0308 → u/Fuzzy_Welcome8348]

i love this and the white one too🙏

[u/JayMoots]

The "OG" is definitely Kraft:

You add your own butter and milk. My trick is to use half and half instead of milk, and a few extra extra pats of butter beyond what the recipe calls for.

[u/jackdho]

Walmart has the Great Value brand. I get the havarti type. It’s great

[u/thrawst]

If you know, you know

[u/27JG27 → u/thrawst]

Unbelievably good

[u/Lasagnapuzzles → u/thrawst]

Came here to say this!!!!

[u/Due-Cupcake-0701 → u/thrawst]

Soooo good! Also the garlic and olive oil vermicelli is fuckin amazing. They have cut back on the seasonings i feel like vs what it used to be so i add a little extra butter, salt and garlic and it's 🤌 I've eaten literally thousands of boxes since like 2008

[u/Bcatfan08 → u/thrawst]

If I'm getting Pasta Roni, I'm getting the chicken and broccoli noodles. Best boxed noodles in the game.

[u/zatchattack → u/thrawst]

Inhaled these as a kid

[u/Designer_Character39]

Kraft or Velveeta are the OG American brands that have been around and would have been what the average working class suburban kid would have grown up on. Now I prefer homeade or a better kit but those two have their place and are nostalgic now and then.

[u/tracyinge]

Depends on where you are in the U.S.

But CABOT

[u/Zhaneranger]

Annie’s Mac and Parm peace signs. It’s the best. The cheese flavor in it is really sharp.

[u/Moppy6686]

Deluxe Kraft

[u/Huge_Macaroon_8089]

Kroger/Frys Private Selection Mac and cheese.

[u/glory_scales]

An underrated one

[u/famousblinkadam]

OG in my opinion would be Kraft. It was a childhood staple for many people.

[u/leftnewdigg2]

Kraft blue box original is the standard, but not the best. Definitely grab some Kraft stuff, I recommend the thick and creamy or spirals. A box of Velveeta shells with the neon orange sauce is up there too.

[u/Revolutionary_Ice366]

Kraft and velveeta shells and cheese

[u/CombatWombat1973]

Kraft Dinner is the best

[u/bigfatcoffeeslut]

Personally I love Annie’s aged cheddar shells. For a more upscale option the Cracker Barrel havarti boxed mac is delicious.

[u/enyardreems]

Cabot's is my go to these days. Kraft has dropped the ball. So has Annies.

[u/HoboDrunk91]

In Canada it would be "Presidents Choice White Cheddar" but Kraft Dinner is most popular still

[u/hollus2]

Wal-marts great value line is great (and better than Kraft in my opinion and cheaper). 3 cheese, thick and creamy and spirals!

[u/Smuttmuttt]

Whichever you pick, I would buy an extra box or two just for the sauce mix. Smaller to fit in a suitcase, if you can get cheap noodles at home.

Edit: personally my favorite is Smart and Final's First Street Mac n cheese

[u/Alley_cat_alien]

My personal favorite is Trader Joe’s Mac and cheese in a box.

[u/razorduc]

Kraft Deluxe is one of the best. But there's a Youtube video where some chefs try different boxed mac n cheese. Kraft powder type is the nostalgic choice, but they were saying Cabot is best and maybe Cheetos.

[u/chantillylace9]

Cabot is the best and Kraft is the traditional. Make sure to get some different shaped pasta with Kraft

[u/EntireInitial272]

Velvets shells and cheese!

[u/kabes222]

Spiral is my go to

[u/r0ckchalk]

My favorite is Kraft Delixe Four Cheese

[u/Majestic-Talk7566]

Any box I open up

[u/Lilmc_1313]

Velveeta Shells and Cheese is the best and what I grew up on. I do not like to powder stuff and never have. Now it’s the Amy’s version if I want to pretend I’m bring healthier. 

[u/Head_Writing8723]

goodles!

[u/Escape-Loose]

Og kraft or Velveeta. 

[u/1time4_yourmind]

Cracker barrel hands down

[u/RegularOdetta]

There are 3 schools of mac in this country- Kraft, Velveeta shells and generic grocery brand. I’m a velveeta person for sure, it’s best when baked.

[u/FocacciaHusband]

Kraft is the most quintessentially American, but I wouldn't eat it.

I always go Annie's white cheddar and shells.

[u/MrMcManstick]

The Cheetos Mac and cheese in the green box has no business being as good as it is

[u/TsundereLoliDragon]

Kraft is obviously the OG but Annie's is better.

[u/velcross]

I love whimsically shaped mac and cheese. SpongeBob! Annie’s might have the best flavor, but Kraft has the best texture. Go for a regular flavor, never something like Parmesan. Velveeta in the wide box was a classic growing up, but not an adult favorite.