Macaroni & Cheese Bake
The processing score reflects 60 ingredients, including hydrogenated oil, artificial flavoring, preservatives, plus 3 more we flag. No nutrient exceeds our high thresholds.
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* The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Ingredients
15 listed · 7 flagged for reviewCOOKED ENRICHED MACARONI PRODUCT (WATER, DURUM SEMOLINA [ENRICHED WITH NIACIN, FERROUS SULFATE, THIAMINE MONONITRATE, RIBOFLAVIN, FOLIC ACID]), WATER, HALF AND HALF (MILK, CREAM), PASTEURIZED PROCESS CHEESE SPREAD (AMERICAN CHEESE [PASTEURIZED MILK, CHEESE CULTURE, SALT, ENZYMES], WATER, WHEY, SODIUM PHOSPHATE, CONTAINS LESS THAN 2% OF MILKFAT, SALT, SODIUM-ALGINATE, LACTIC ACID, APOCAROTENAL [COLOR]), CHEDDAR CLUB CHEESE (CHEDDAR CHEESE [PASTEURIZED MILK, CHEESE CULTURE, SALT, ENZYMES], WATER, SALT, ANNATTO [COLOR]), MARGARINE (LIQUID AND HYDROGENATED SOYBEAN OIL, WATER, SALT, LESS THAN 2% VEGETABLE MONO AND DIGLYCERIDES, SOY LECITHIN, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR, BHA & BHT ADDED TO PROTECT FLAVOR, VITAMIN A PALMITATE AND VITAMIN D3 ADDED), PANKO BREAD CRUMBS (UNBLEACHED WHEAT FLOUR, CANE SUGAR, YEAST, SEA SALT), LESS THAN 2% OF MODIFIED FOOD STARCH, CANOLA OIL, SALT, YEAST EXTRACT, SEASONING (HYDROLYZED CORN GLUTEN, YEAST EXTRACT, PARTIALLY HYDROGENATED COTTONSEED AND SOY OILS), XANTHAN GUM, MUSTARD FLOUR, ANNATTO.
Listed in source order (heaviest first). Select any ingredient to see its category bucket and other products that contain it.
Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?
In our analysis, Macaroni & Cheese Bake scores Ultra-Processed. That classification is shaped by ingredients commonly associated with ultra-processed foods:
- Modified Starches (Less Than 2% Of Modified Food Starch): Chemical modification is a hallmark of UPF.
- Stabilizers & Gums (Xanthan Gum): Industrial stabilizers common in UPF.
Within Frozen Dinners, this product is more processed than about 37% of the 5,358 products we've analyzed.
Processing classification reflects ingredient and additive analysis, not a judgment of any product's safety, quality, or healthfulness.
What These Ingredients Tell Us
We group Macaroni & Cheese Bake's ingredients into ingredient categories and note how each relates to food processing. The notes below describe the category, not this specific product's formulation.
- Natural PreservativesProcessing indicator
In this product: Cooked Enriched Macaroni Product (Water, Durum Semolina [Enriched With Niacin, Ferrous Sulfate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid]).
Natural sources but industrial application.
- Vegetable OilsProcessing indicator
In this product: Margarine (Liquid And Hydrogenated Soybean Oil, Water, Salt, Less Than 2% Vegetable Mono And Diglycerides, Soy Lecithin, Natural And Artificial Flavor, Bha & Bht Added To Protect Flavor, Vitamin A Palmitate And Vitamin D3 Added), Canola Oil.
Natural oils are minimally processed, hydrogenated oils indicate UPF.
- Sugars & Natural SweetenersProcessing indicator
In this product: Panko Bread Crumbs (Unbleached Wheat Flour, Cane Sugar, Yeast, Sea Salt).
Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.
- Salt & SodiumProcessing indicator
In this product: Salt.
Basic preservative, but high amounts indicate processing.
- Industrial FermentationProcessing indicator
In this product: Yeast Extract.
Industrial fermentation for additive production.
- Natural ColorsProcessing indicator
In this product: Annatto.
Natural sources but still indicate processing.
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Less Processed Alternatives
Same category, with lower Processing Scores.

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Similar Products
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About our scores and this content
Processing and Nutrition Scores reflect the ingredient lists and nutrient data we observe; they are our analysis, not absolute measures of health. Read the full methodology. This information is provided for general nutrition education and is not medical, health, or dietary advice. Product formulations change often, so check the actual label before purchasing, and consult a registered dietitian or your physician for personal guidance.
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