Trader Joe’s shoppers, rejoice! Trader Joe’s mac and cheese in a box is back on shelves. According to my research, it’s only been absent from stores since the end of 2023, but if you eat enough mac and cheese, eight months can feel like a dang eternity. I’m not sure why it went away to begin with (Trader Joe’s can be like that), but in my imagination it’s because they gave up on competing with Kraft Mac & Cheese, the forever-icon of the boxed mac and cheese realm. I’m a fan myself. Growing up, I ate so much Kraft Mac & Cheese that I’d conservatively estimate it makes up at least 30% of my body at this point. But I take my job as a professional food taste tester seriously, so I promise to judge this Trader Joe’s mac and cheese on its own merits.
When you open the box, Trader Joe’s mac and cheese it looks how you’d expect it to look. You get small, straight macaroni noodles and a pouch of cheese dust. I cooked the noodles for seven minutes (the box suggests seven to nine minutes) because I like a little chew. The cheese powder is surprisingly dull. I am a Kraft fanboy after all, so I expecting that unnatural, DayGlo orange right off the bat. But don’t worry—the color becomes more vibrant when you mix the powder with milk and butter. But how does it taste? Let’s talk about that.
Pros: The flavor Trader Joe’s mac and cheese is uniquely its own. It has a deeper note of cheddar but a mild flavor overall, especially if you’re accustomed o the punchiness Kraft’s cheese powder. Really, this mac and cheese tastes pretty different. The sauce is lighter, brighter, and looser than I’m used to, and that’s even with twice the amount of butter than I usually use with Kraft. Still, Trader Joe’s does a good job of capturing what a box of mac and cheese should be: an easy meal that’s warm and nostalgic and can save you $30 on ordering from Uber Eats when you don’t feel like actually cooking-cooking. It’ll be even more satisfying if you zsush it up with some mix-ins, like frozen broccoli or ground beef.
Cons: Listen. I really did try to overcome my Kraft bias, but to put it plainly, I wouldn’t go out of my way for this boxed mac and cheese. Trader Joe’s does a great job at taking a product that you’re familiar with and making their own version, and this is no exception. But if you’re not already shopping at Trader Joe’s, should you go to Trader Joe’s to buy this instead of buying Kraft or another fave from your usual grocery store? Nah. But if you’re a Trader Joe’s shopper and don’t want to have to stop at a different grocery store for this pantry staple, you definitely won’t be bummed if you buy this. It’s hot. It’s nostalgic. And it’s only 99 cents a box. It has more pros than cons, is what I’m saying.
Vinz Karl is a freelance contributor to Sporked and self-proclaimed Guy Fieri superfan. He believes in breakfast supremacy and is on a never-ending mission to try every flavor of Oreo out there. Originally from the Midwest, Vinz now resides in Los Angeles, where you can find him going on hikes, checking out new restaurants, and preparing for his eventual casting on CBS's Survivor.
Thoughts? Questions? Complete disagreement? Leave a comment!
Thoughts? Questions? Complete disagreement? Leave a comment!