Pantry · Product label guide
Mac & cheese: compare ingredients, then choose.
Updated
Compare pasta and cheese sauces, including dairy-free recipes.
The short answer
Our picks for mac & cheese
Top of the shelfJovial Organic Gluten-Free White Cheddar Mac & Cheese, Annie's Organic Shells & White Cheddar Mac & Cheese, and Jovial Organic Truffle Mac & Cheese each score 100/100. 7 products tie at 100; these 3 have the shortest labels. Use Compare by in the table to separate the rest.
Also strongAnnie's Organic Grass-Fed Shells & Real Aged Cheddar Mac & Cheese (100), Annie's Organic Shells & Real Aged Cheddar Mac & Cheese (100), and Annie's Organic Grass-Fed Classic Cheddar Mac & Cheese (100).
Clear noSignature Select Baked Macaroni & Cheese (lists seed oils, carrageenan and artificial preservatives), 365 by Whole Foods Market Macaroni & Cheese (lists seed oils and banned-abroad additives), Cracker Barrel Sharp Cheddar Macaroni & Cheese Dinner (lists seed oils), plus 20 more with a listed group. We also can’t vouch for the 12 products without a verified current label; treat them as “not yet”.
Ranked from 47 of 59 products with current labels. Every product is in the table below; a score reflects labels and claims, not nutrition, allergies or safety.
Compare the recorded labels
Find the ingredients that matter to you.
“No …” columns: None found on the label · Listed on the label · Unknown. Diet fit: Fits · Doesn’t fit · Unknown (rules; not medical advice). Claims: verified · not established. Default: most check marks first; not a health score.
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| 100 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · organic | Find where to buy ↗Product details → | 5 | ||||||||
Recorded ingredients Organic Pasta (organic wheat flour), Organic Whey, Organic Cultured Cream, Organic Nonfat Milk, Salt, Organic Butter (organic pasteurized cream, salt), Organic Dried Cheddar Cheese (organic cultured pasteurized milk, salt, non-animal enzymes), Organic Corn Starch, Organic Annatto Extract (for color), Citric Acid, Lactic Acid, Sodium Phosphate, Silicon Dioxide (for anticaking). Label checked 2026-10-16 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Sourcing claim evidence ↗ · reviewed 2026-10-16 Producer claims Organic The exact source catalog title states: “Organic Classic Cheddar Mac & Cheese”. Source catalog claims are shown separately from ingredient checks. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed 2026-10-16 | ||||||||||
| 100 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · organic | Find where to buy ↗Product details → | 6 | ||||||||
Recorded ingredients Organic Pasta (organic wheat flour, organic whole grain wheat flour), Organic Dried Cheddar Cheese (organic cultured pasteurized milk, salt, non-animal enzymes), Organic Whey, Organic Nonfat Milk, Organic Butter (organic pasteurized cream, salt), Salt, Sodium Phosphate, Organic Annatto Extract (for color), Silicon Dioxide (for anticaking). Label checked 2026-10-16 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Sourcing claim evidence ↗ · reviewed 2026-10-16 Producer claims Organic · Grass-fed The exact source catalog title states: “Organic Grass Fed Classic Cheddar Mac & Cheese”. Source catalog claims are shown separately from ingredient checks. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed 2026-10-16 | ||||||||||
| 100 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · organic | Find where to buy ↗Product details → | 6 | ||||||||
Recorded ingredients Organic Pasta (organic wheat flour, organic whole grain wheat flour), Organic Dried Cheddar Cheese (organic cultured pasteurized milk, salt, non-animal enzymes), Organic Whey, Salt, Sodium Phosphate, Organic Annatto Extract (for color), Silicon Dioxide (for anticaking). Label checked 2026-10-16 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Sourcing claim evidence ↗ · reviewed 2026-10-16 Producer claims Organic · Grass-fed The exact source catalog title states: “Organic Grass Fed Shells & Real Aged Cheddar Mac & Cheese”. Source catalog claims are shown separately from ingredient checks. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed 2026-10-16 | ||||||||||
| 100 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · organic | Find where to buy ↗Product details → | 5 | ||||||||
Recorded ingredients Organic Pasta (organic wheat flour), Organic Dried Cheddar Cheese (organic cultured pasteurized milk, salt, non-animal enzymes), Organic Whey, Salt, Sodium Phosphate, Organic Annatto Extract (for color), Silicon Dioxide (for anticaking). Label checked 2026-10-16 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Sourcing claim evidence ↗ · reviewed 2026-10-16 Producer claims Organic The exact source catalog title states: “Organic Shells & Real Aged Cheddar Mac & Cheese”. Source catalog claims are shown separately from ingredient checks. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed 2026-10-16 | ||||||||||
| 100 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · organic | Find where to buy ↗Product details → | 5 | ||||||||
Recorded ingredients Organic Pasta (organic wheat flour), Organic Dried Cheddar Cheese (organic cultured pasteurized milk, salt, non-animal enzymes), Organic Whey, Salt, Sodium Phosphate, Silicon Dioxide (for anticaking). Label checked 2026-10-16 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Sourcing claim evidence ↗ · reviewed 2026-10-16 Producer claims Organic The exact source catalog title states: “Organic Shells & White Cheddar Mac & Cheese”. Source catalog claims are shown separately from ingredient checks. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed 2026-10-16 | ||||||||||
| 100 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · organic | Find where to buy ↗Product details → | 5 | ||||||||
Recorded ingredients Organic brown rice pasta (Organic brown rice flour, water), Organic Cheese Blend: Organic Cheddar Cheese (organic milk, salt, cheese cultures, and enzymes), Organic buttermilk, salt, disodium phosphate. Label checked 2026-10-16 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Sourcing claim evidence ↗ · reviewed 2026-10-16 Producer claims Organic The exact source catalog title states: “Organic Gluten Free White Cheddar Mac & Cheese”. Source catalog claims are shown separately from ingredient checks. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed 2026-10-16 | ||||||||||
| 100 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · organic | Find where to buy ↗Product details → | 5 | ||||||||
Recorded ingredients Organic Brown Rice Pasta (Organic brown rice flour, water), Organic Cheese Blend: Organic American Parmesan Cheese (Organic Milk, Cultures, Salt, and Enzymes), Organic Cheddar Cheese (Organic Milk Cultures, Salt, and Enzymes), Salt, Disodium Phosphate, Organic Truffle. Label checked 2026-10-16 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Sourcing claim evidence ↗ · reviewed 2026-10-16 Producer claims Organic The exact source catalog title states: “Organic Truffle Mac & Cheese”. Source catalog claims are shown separately from ingredient checks. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed 2026-10-16 | ||||||||||
| 92 / 1008 of 9 groups clear · organic | Product details → | 4 | ||||||||
Recorded ingredients ORGANIC WHEAT FLOUR, ORGANIC WHEY, ORGANIC MALTODEXTRIN, SALT, ORGANIC CORN STARCH, ORGANIC CHEDDAR CHEESE (ORGANIC PASTEURIZED MILK, CHEESE CULTURES, SALT, ENZYMES); CONTAINS 2% OR LESS OF: NATURAL FLAVORS, ORGANIC NON-FAT DRY MILK, ORGANIC SUNFLOWER OIL, LACTIC ACID POWDER (LACTIC ACID, CALCIUM LACTATE), SILICON DIOXIDE TO REDUCE CAKING, ORGANIC ANNATTO EXTRACT (COLOR), SODIUM PHOSPHATE. Label checked 2026-10-18 · US Source: USDA FoodData Central ↗ · FDC ID 2434592 · data date 2022-12-22 · release 2026-04-30. Brand-submitted label record, public domain (CC0). Sourcing claim evidence ↗ · reviewed 2026-10-18 | ||||||||||
| 71 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim | Product details → | 4 | ||||||||
Recorded ingredients RICE PASTA SHELLS (RICE FLOUR), WHITE CHEDDAR CHEESE (PASTEURIZED MILK, BACTERIAL CULTURE, SALT, NON-ANIMAL MICROBIAL ENZYMES), WHEY, BUTTER, SKIM MILK, SALT, SODIUM PHOSPHATE, Label checked 2026-10-16 · US Source: USDA FoodData Central ↗ · FDC ID 2212770 · data date 2022-01-06 · release 2026-04-30. Brand-submitted label record, public domain (CC0). | ||||||||||
| 71 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim | Product details → | 4 | ||||||||
Recorded ingredients ORGANIC PASTA (ORGANIC WHEAT FLOUR), WHEY, CULTURED CREAM, NONFAT MILK, SALT, BUTTER (PASTEURIZED CREAM, SALT), DRIED CHEDDAR CHEESE (CULTURED PASTEURIZED MILK, SALT, NON-ANIMAL ENZYMES), CORN STARCH, CITRIC ACID, ANNATTO EXTRACT (FOR COLOR), LACTIC ACID, SUNFLOWER LECITHIN, SODIUM PHOSPHATE, SILICON DIOXIDE (FOR ANTICAKING). Label checked 2026-10-16 · US Source: USDA FoodData Central ↗ · FDC ID 2674267 · data date 2023-11-16 · release 2026-04-30. Brand-submitted label record, public domain (CC0). | ||||||||||
| 71 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim | Find where to buy ↗Product details → | 4 | ||||||||
Producer claims Sourcing claim not reviewed The catalog establishes this product’s name and photograph. Sourcing claims and a complete ingredient label may still need review. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed | ||||||||||
| 71 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim | Find where to buy ↗Product details → | 4 | ||||||||
Producer claims Sourcing claim not reviewed The catalog establishes this product’s name and photograph. Sourcing claims and a complete ingredient label may still need review. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed | ||||||||||
| 71 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim | Find where to buy ↗Product details → | 4 | ||||||||
Producer claims Sourcing claim not reviewed The catalog establishes this product’s name and photograph. Sourcing claims and a complete ingredient label may still need review. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed | ||||||||||
| 71 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim | Product details → | 4 | ||||||||
Recorded ingredients CHICKPEA PASTA: CHICKPEAS, TAPIOCA, PEA PROTEIN, XANTHAN GUM CHEESE: CHEDDAR CHEESE (CULTURED PASTEURIZED MILK, SALT, ENZYMES), NONFAT DRY MILK, DRY BUTTERMILK, BUTTER (CREAM, SALT), SALT, CULTURED WHOLE MILK, DISODIUM PHOSPHATE, ANNATTO AND PAPRIKA EXTRACT (COLOR), LACTIC ACID, SILICON DIOXIDE (ANTICAKING). Label checked 2026-10-16 · US Source: USDA FoodData Central ↗ · FDC ID 2669989 · data date 2023-11-16 · release 2026-04-30. Brand-submitted label record, public domain (CC0). | ||||||||||
| 71 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim | Product details → | 4 | ||||||||
Recorded ingredients CHICKPEA PASTA: CHICKPEAS, TAPIOCA, XANTHAN GUM, CHEESE: CHEDDAR CHEESE (CULTURED PASTEURIZED MILK, SALT, ENZYMES), BUTTERMILK, SALT, DISODIUM PHOSPHATE, LACTIC ACID Label checked 2026-10-16 · US Source: USDA FoodData Central ↗ · FDC ID 2607353 · data date 2023-07-13 · release 2026-04-30. Brand-submitted label record, public domain (CC0). | ||||||||||
| 71 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim | Find where to buy ↗Product details → | 4 | ||||||||
Recorded ingredients Chickpea Pasta (Chickpeas, Pea Starch, Tapioca, Xanthan Gum), Cheddar Cheese (Pasteurized Milk, Salt, Cultures, Enzymes), Buttermilk, Tapioca Starch, Cornstarch, 2% or less of Butter (Cream, Salt, Annatto Extract), Natural Flavor, Salt, Nonfat Milk, Potassium Chloride, Sunflower Lecithin, Monoglycerides, Sodium Phosphate, Xanthan Gum, Lactic Acid, Paprika Extract (Color). Label checked 2026-10-11 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Producer claims Sourcing claim not reviewed The catalog establishes this product’s name and photograph. Sourcing claims and a complete ingredient label may still need review. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed | ||||||||||
| 71 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim | Find where to buy ↗Product details → | 4 | ||||||||
Recorded ingredients Rice Pasta (white rice, brown rice), Maltodextrin (corn, potato), Sea Salt, Corn Starch, Tapioca Starch, Yeast Extract, Natural Flavor, Pea Flour, Annatto And Paprika Extracts (color), Sunflower Lecithin, Torula Yeast, Citric Acid, Spice. Label checked 2026-10-17 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Producer claims Sourcing claim not reviewed The catalog establishes this product’s name and photograph. Sourcing claims and a complete ingredient label may still need review. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed | ||||||||||
| 71 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim | Find where to buy ↗Product details → | 4 | ||||||||
Recorded ingredients Rice Pasta (white rice, brown rice), Maltodextrin (corn, potato), Sea Salt, Corn Starch, Yeast Extract, Natural Flavor, Annatto And Paprika Extracts (color), Sunflower Lecithin, Torula Yeast, Spice. Label checked 2026-10-17 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Producer claims Sourcing claim not reviewed The catalog establishes this product’s name and photograph. Sourcing claims and a complete ingredient label may still need review. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed | ||||||||||
| 71 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim | Find where to buy ↗Product details → | 4 | ||||||||
Recorded ingredients RICE PASTA (WHITE RICE, BROWN RICE), MALTODEXTRIN (CORN, POTATO), SEA SALT, CORN STARCH, TAPIOCA STARCH, SPICES, YEAST EXTRACT, NATURAL FLAVOR, ANNATTO AND PAPRIKA EXTRACTS (COLOR), ONION POWDER, SUNFLOWER LECITHIN, GARLIC POWDER, TORULA YEAST, CITRIC ACID. Label checked 2026-10-17 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Producer claims Sourcing claim not reviewed The catalog establishes this product’s name and photograph. Sourcing claims and a complete ingredient label may still need review. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed | ||||||||||
| 71 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim | Find where to buy ↗Product details → | 4 | ||||||||
Recorded ingredients Rice Pasta (white rice, brown rice), Tapioca Maltodextrin, Sea Salt, Corn Starch, Yeast Extract, Pea Flour, Natural Flavor, Lactic Acid, Calcium Lactate, Annatto Extract (color). Label checked 2026-10-17 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Producer claims Sourcing claim not reviewed The catalog establishes this product’s name and photograph. Sourcing claims and a complete ingredient label may still need review. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed | ||||||||||
How the clean score works
No setup needed, and strict: a full 100 needs every additive group clear and a verified organic claim (animal foods also need a verified grass-fed or pasture-raised claim; wild seafood and salt, which have no USDA organic standard, are scored without the organic points, and plant-based milks, cheeses and proteins without the feeding claim). Points: the nine additive groups (seed oils, artificial dyes, MSG, artificial sweeteners, carrageenan, artificial preservatives, hydrogenated oils, corn syrups, banned-abroad additives) share 60 points equally — not found earns a group’s full share, “may contain” earns half, listed earns 0; a verified organic claim is worth 25; a verified grass-fed or pasture-raised claim is worth 15 and counts only for animal foods. No claim, or an expired or unverified claim, earns nothing, so products without those claims cannot reach 100. Unverified or expired ingredient labels receive no score. Equal scores are equal. Ties are ordered by brand. Unknown and stale evidence never passes “Only show matches.” Producer claims and prices do not affect this score. This is not a nutrition, allergy, or safety rating.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Buying links do not influence ingredient results. “Buy on Amazon” opens a reviewed product listing; “Find where to buy” opens the maker’s page. Confirm the package, seller, stock, and current price before checkout. Price observations expire after 30 days.
The full guide · Pantry
Choosing mac & cheese: what to check before you buy
Compare boxed mixes, ready-made trays and dairy-free versions within the style you plan to prepare. Check the pasta, sauce ingredients and anything you must supply, such as butter or milk.
Use the as-prepared nutrition information when available and check portions per box. A dry powder comparison can miss the ingredients you add at home; include those when considering sodium, protein and allergens.
What the labels on this shelf show
We track 59 products from 19 brands on the mac & cheese shelf. 47 have a complete, current ingredient label on record (80%), which is what lets us score them. The other 12 stay unscored until the maker publishes a full label; a missing label is “not yet”, never a pass.
Of the 47 scored labels, 24 (51%) list none of the nine additive groups we check. The group that appears most is seed oils, listed on 22 labels, followed by carrageenan on 2. 8 scored products carry a verified organic claim, which adds points. Scores here run from 47 to 100, and the typical label lists 7 ingredients.
What to compare
- Meal format
- Compare boxed mixes, ready-made trays or dairy-free versions within the style you will prepare.
- As-prepared nutrition
- Include the milk, butter or other ingredients you add at home.
- Portions per package
- Check how much the box makes and how much you plan to eat.
- Pasta and sauce
- Read both components for the flour blend, cheese or dairy-free base and allergens.
The best picks, in detail
These are the highest-scoring mac & cheese products on current labels. 7 products tie at 100, so we put the shortest ingredient lists first; Always match the exact flavor and package before you buy.
Jovial Organic Gluten-Free White Cheddar Mac & Cheese 100/100
Why it ranks here: no tracked additive group on the label, a verified organic claim. Label: “Organic brown rice pasta (Organic brown rice flour, water), Organic Cheese Blend: Organic Cheddar Cheese (organic milk, salt, cheese cultures, and enzymes), Organic buttermilk, salt, disodium phosphate.”
Find where to buy ↗Maker’s label sourceAnnie's Organic Shells & White Cheddar Mac & Cheese 100/100
Why it ranks here: no tracked additive group on the label, a verified organic claim. Label: “Organic Pasta (organic wheat flour), Organic Dried Cheddar Cheese (organic cultured pasteurized milk, salt, non-animal enzymes), Organic Whey, Salt, Sodium Phosphate, Silicon Dioxide (for anticaking).”
Find where to buy ↗Maker’s label sourceJovial Organic Truffle Mac & Cheese 100/100
Why it ranks here: no tracked additive group on the label, a verified organic claim. Label: “Organic Brown Rice Pasta (Organic brown rice flour, water), Organic Cheese Blend: Organic American Parmesan Cheese (Organic Milk, Cultures, Salt, and Enzymes), Organic Cheddar Cheese (Organic Milk Cultures, Salt, and Enzymes), Salt, Disodium Phosphate…”
Find where to buy ↗Maker’s label sourceAnnie's Organic Grass-Fed Shells & Real Aged Cheddar Mac & Cheese 100/100
Why it ranks here: no tracked additive group on the label, a verified organic claim, a verified grass-fed or pasture-raised claim. Label: “Organic Pasta (organic wheat flour, organic whole grain wheat flour), Organic Dried Cheddar Cheese (organic cultured pasteurized milk, salt, non-animal enzymes), Organic Whey, Salt, Sodium Phosphate, Organic Annatto Extract (for color), Silicon Dioxide…”
Find where to buy ↗Maker’s label sourceAnnie's Organic Shells & Real Aged Cheddar Mac & Cheese 100/100
Why it ranks here: no tracked additive group on the label, a verified organic claim. Label: “Organic Pasta (organic wheat flour), Organic Dried Cheddar Cheese (organic cultured pasteurized milk, salt, non-animal enzymes), Organic Whey, Salt, Sodium Phosphate, Organic Annatto Extract (for color), Silicon Dioxide (for anticaking).”
Find where to buy ↗Maker’s label sourceAnnie's Organic Grass-Fed Classic Cheddar Mac & Cheese 100/100
Why it ranks here: no tracked additive group on the label, a verified organic claim, a verified grass-fed or pasture-raised claim. Label: “Organic Pasta (organic wheat flour, organic whole grain wheat flour), Organic Dried Cheddar Cheese (organic cultured pasteurized milk, salt, non-animal enzymes), Organic Whey, Organic Nonfat Milk, Organic Butter (organic pasteurized cream, salt), Salt…”
Find where to buy ↗Maker’s label source
What to skip, and why
These scored products list at least one group on their current label. That is the clearest reason to pass if you are avoiding those ingredients.
- Signature Select Baked Macaroni & Cheese lists seed oils, carrageenan and artificial preservatives (47/100)
- 365 by Whole Foods Market Macaroni & Cheese lists seed oils and banned-abroad additives (55/100)
- Cracker Barrel Sharp Cheddar Macaroni & Cheese Dinner lists seed oils (63/100)
The 12 products without a verified label are a separate “not yet”: we have no recorded ingredient list to check, so we cannot say they are clean or flagged.
Your preferences, explained
The clean score is strict and needs no setup: nine additive groups not found in a current ingredient statement, plus a verified organic claim (and a grass-fed or pasture-raised claim for animal foods), are needed for 100; a possible match earns half and a missing claim earns nothing. Missing or expired evidence stays unknown. It does not assess nutrition, allergies, contaminants, or safety.
References
- Color additives: questions and answers for consumers U.S. Food and Drug Administration
- Food dyes Center for Science in the Public Interest
- Sodium in your diet U.S. Food and Drug Administration
- Dairy Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
An ingredient check is not a nutrition, contaminant, allergy or safety assessment. How we verify labels →