Macaroni & Sharp Cheddar Cheese
Processing Score
19.5Ultra-Processed
02.55.08.010+
Nutrition Score
3/10Fair
The processing score reflects 71 ingredients, including hydrogenated oil, artificial flavoring, preservatives, plus 4 more we flag. No nutrient exceeds our high thresholds. It also contains trans fat.
Nutrition Highlights
Good Protein Source
Data Updated
Oct 18, 2026
UPC
717854105323
We may earn a commission from Amazon purchases.
Nutrition Facts
Serving size241 g
Amount per serving
Calories
350
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 16g
21%
Saturated Fat 8g
40%
Trans Fat 0.5g
Cholesterol 35mg
12%
Sodium 680mg
30%
Total Carbohydrate 39g
14%
Dietary Fiber 2g
7%
Total Sugars 2g
Protein 14g
Calcium 200mg
15%
Iron 1.8mg
10%
* 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
16 listed · 8 flagged for reviewCOOKED ENRICHED PASTA (WATER, 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]), CHEDDAR CHEESE (CULTURED PASTEURIZED MILK, SALT, ENZYMES, ANNATTO [COLOR]), LESS THAN 2% OF MARGARINE (LIQUID AND HYDROGENATED SOYBEAN OIL, WATER, SALT, VEGETABLE MONO AND DIGLYCERIDES, SOY LECITHIN, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR, BHA & BHT ADDED TO PROTECT FLAVOR, VITAMIN A PALMITATE AND VITAMIN D3 ADDED), MODIFIED FOOD STARCH, CANOLA OIL, SALT, CHEESE FLAVOR (CHEDDAR CHEESE [PASTEURIZED MILK, CULTURES, SALT, ENZYMES], WATER, YEAST EXTRACT, NATURAL FLAVORS, DISODIUM PHOSPHATE, XANTHAN GUM), YEAST EXTRACT, SEASONING (HYDROLYZED CORN GLUTEN, AUTOLYZED YEAST EXTRACT, PARTIALLY HYDROGENATED COTTONSEED AND SOY OILS), MUSTARD FLOUR, XANTHAN GUM, 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 & Sharp Cheddar Cheese scores Ultra-Processed. That classification is shaped by ingredients commonly associated with ultra-processed foods:
- Modified Starches (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 & Sharp Cheddar Cheese'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 Pasta (Water, Semolina [Enriched With Niacin, Ferrous Sulfate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid]).
Natural sources but industrial application.
- Vegetable OilsProcessing indicator
In this product: Less Than 2% Of Margarine (Liquid And Hydrogenated Soybean Oil, Water, Salt, 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.
- 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.
This product is part of our wider analysis. It features in our Colby Jack vs Cheddar Cheese and American Cheese vs Cheddar comparisons.
Ketzal for iPhone
Avoiding Milk, Wheat Or Soy?
This product lists milk, wheat and soy in its ingredients. Ketzal, our iPhone app, tracks these and other allergens and ingredients on your Avoid List. Download Ketzal to set up your own Avoid List and get an alert when a product you scan contains something on it.
Get Ketzal
Less Processed Alternatives
Same category, with lower Processing Scores.
Beef Patties
Meal Mart
1.02.5
Less processed (Minimally Processed)
Boneless Skinless Chicken Tenderloins
Perdue
1.06.5
Less processed (Minimally Processed), higher nutrition score
Chana Masala Chickpeas and Brown Rice with Herbed Vegetables in a Masala Spiced Tomato Sauce, Chana Masala
1.06.0
Less processed (Minimally Processed), higher nutrition score
Chana Masala Chickpeas and Brown Rice with Herbed Vegetables in a Masala Spiced Tomato Sauce Simply Steamers, Chana Masala
Healthy Choice
1.06.0
Less processed (Minimally Processed), higher nutrition score
Similar Products
Same category, at a similar Processing level.
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.
Something wrong on this page? Let me know. If it's a product, you can also submit photos of its label using our mobile app, Ketzal.