Most Processed Mac & Cheese Brands
Boxed mac and cheese contains powdered cheese (a heavily processed derivative of real cheese), artificial colors (Yellow 5, Yellow 6), and multiple emulsifiers. The cheese powder alone typically contains 10+ sub-ingredients. Even "white cheddar" versions add modified food starch and sodium phosphate.
Mac & Cheese at a Glance
15 Most Processed Mac & Cheese Brands
Brands ranked by highest average processing score across all their products in this category.
| Rank | Brand | Products | Scores | Ultra | Minimal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wise company | 18 | 17.4 5.1 | 18 | 0 |
| 2 | Cheetos | 73 | 16.9 5.0 | 73 | 0 |
| 3 | Hamburger helper | 21 | 16.8 6.1 | 21 | 0 |
| 4 | Smart sense | 5 | 16.6 6.4 | 5 | 0 |
| 5 | Betty crocker | 26 | 15.6 6.2 | 26 | 0 |
| 6 | Zatarains | 22 | 15.4 4.1 | 21 | 0 |
| 7 | Penny smart | 5 | 15.2 6.0 | 5 | 0 |
| 8 | Value corner | 5 | 15.0 5.0 | 5 | 0 |
| 9 | Hormel | 32 | 14.5 3.8 | 32 | 0 |
| 10 | Baja | 6 | 14.3 4.0 | 6 | 0 |
| 11 | Rite aid | 5 | 14.3 7.0 | 5 | 0 |
| 12 | La prieta | 13 | 13.9 4.5 | 13 | 0 |
| 13 | Bear creek | 6 | 13.9 4.3 | 6 | 0 |
| 14 | Price first | 13 | 13.8 6.4 | 13 | 0 |
| 15 | Old el paso | 16 | 13.6 4.5 | 14 | 0 |
Closest Look: Top 5 Most Processed
Least Processed Mac & Cheese Products
Individual products with the lowest processing scores.
Most Processed Mac & Cheese Products
Individual products with the highest processing scores.
What to Look for on the Label
- 1Real cheese should be identifiable as an ingredient, not "cheese culture product"
- 2Artificial colors Yellow 5 and Yellow 6 are in most mainstream mac and cheese
- 3Sodium phosphate and sodium tripolyphosphate are melting salts for processed cheese
- 4Simpler versions list pasta + real cheese sauce with under 10 total ingredients
Least Processed Mac & Cheese Brands
For comparison — brands with the lowest average processing scores.
| Rank | Brand | Products | Scores | Ultra | Minimal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Three sisters nixtamal | 8 | 2.0 8.5 | 0 | 8 |
| 2 | Safeway | 5 | 2.0 6.0 | 0 | 5 |
| 3 | Tita | 8 | 2.3 5.1 | 0 | 5 |
| 4 | La providencia | 16 | 2.9 6.8 | 0 | 3 |
| 5 | Folios | 14 | 2.9 3.1 | 0 | 3 |
| 6 | Garden of eatin | 13 | 3.0 7.2 | 0 | 7 |
| 7 | Diana | 6 | 3.0 4.7 | 0 | 0 |
| 8 | Tortillaland | 8 | 3.0 5.5 | 0 | 0 |
| 9 | Sanos | 6 | 3.0 5.0 | 0 | 0 |
| 10 | La primera | 7 | 3.0 9.0 | 0 | 0 |
| 11 | Jarlsberg | 6 | 3.0 3.3 | 0 | 0 |
| 12 | El arriero | 6 | 3.0 7.0 | 0 | 0 |
| 13 | Tajin | 7 | 3.0 3.0 | 0 | 0 |
| 14 | Positively plantain | 5 | 3.0 4.0 | 0 | 0 |
| 15 | El paraiso | 11 | 3.0 6.3 | 0 | 0 |
How We Score Products
Every product is evaluated using two independent scores. The Processing Score (lower is better) measures the degree of industrial processing based on ingredient analysis, including the presence of artificial additives, preservatives, and highly modified ingredients. The Nutrition Score (higher is better) rates overall nutritional quality, rewarding protein and fiber while penalizing excess sodium, added sugars, and saturated fat.
Products are assigned to one of four processing levels: Minimal (score ≤ 2.5), Processed (2.6 – 5.0), Highly Processed (5.1 – 8.0), and Ultra-Processed (above 8.0). Brand averages are calculated across all products in the category to produce the rankings shown here.
Based on analysis of 1.98 million products in the USDA FoodData Central database. For a deeper look at the methodology, see our Processing Score guide and Two-Score System explanation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is in cheese powder?
Typical cheese powder: whey, milkfat, milk protein concentrate, salt, sodium tripolyphosphate, citric acid, lactic acid, sodium phosphate, calcium phosphate, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, enzymes, and cheese cultures.
Are shapes mac and cheese more processed?
Shaped pasta (characters, shells) often uses more additives in both the pasta and cheese powder compared to simple elbow macaroni versions.
Why does mac and cheese have artificial colors?
Yellow 5 and Yellow 6 create the bright orange color consumers associate with mac and cheese. Some brands have removed these dyes under consumer pressure, using turmeric or annatto instead.
Related Food Guides
Learn more about how individual foods are classified.
Disclaimer: All tools and data visualizations are provided for educational and informational purposes only. They are not intended as health, medical, or dietary advice. Product formulations change frequently — always check the actual label for current ingredients and nutrition facts before making purchasing decisions. Consult healthcare professionals for personalized dietary guidance.