# Bob Evans Tasteful Sides Mac & Cheese Family Size > Health and ingredient intelligence for a real grocery product. Source: Supermarket Puzzle (Grocery Intelligence Index). Not a shop. ## Snapshot - **Brand:** Bob Evans - **Retailer listed:** Foodtown - **Category:** Meat - **Size:** 28 oz - **Human page:** https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/bob-evans-tasteful-sides-mac-cheese-family-size-28-oz - **Slug:** `bob-evans-tasteful-sides-mac-cheese-family-size-28-oz` ## NOVA classification **NOVA 4** - Ultra-processed foods Contains industrially formulated ingredients and additives such as pasteurized process cheese spread, hydrogenated oil, emulsifiers, modified food starch, and added colors and phosphates, indicative of ultra-processed foods. ## Review Bob Evans Tasteful Sides Mac & Cheese Family Size is a ready-to-heat comfort side that sits in the frozen or refrigerated prepared foods section alongside other family-size sides, frozen dinners, and microwaveable entrées. The plastic tray or carton is designed for quick oven or microwave heating and usually bears warm photography of creamy pasta and a bold brand badge signaling a homestyle, family-oriented product. Shoppers pull it during busy weeknight runs, grocery trips for potlucks, or when stocking up for game days and movie nights. Marketing leans on traditional American comfort food cues — “homestyle” appearance, family-size value, and references to real dairy — positioning Bob Evans as a midwestern, family-friendly brand aimed at parents and caretakers seeking quick gratification and familiarity. The label rarely carries organic or natural certifications; instead it uses health halos like “made with real cheese” or “family size” and playful, kid-friendly visual elements to appeal to households with children. In plain terms the product is highly processed: it combines cooked enriched pasta with processed cheese spreads, emulsifiers, hydrogenated oils, modified food starch, and added salts and colors to create a stable, shelf-ready dish. Sensory expectations are creamy, smooth, and rich, with soft elbow macaroni coated in a glossy, slightly elastic cheese sauce and a mildly salty finish. Rituals around use include microwave dinners straight from the tray for quick family meals, spooning onto plates as a side for barbecues, or reheating for leftovers. The package emphasizes convenience and familiarity more than ingredient minimalism. ## Diet flags - Vegetarian ## Nutrition - **Serving size:** 1 cup - **Servings per container:** 3.5 - **Calories:** 290 - **Total fat:** 12g (15% DV) - **Saturated fat:** 5g (25% DV) - **Cholesterol:** 20mg (7% DV) - **Sodium:** 1130mg (49% DV) - **Total carbs:** 37g (13% DV) - **Dietary fiber:** 1g (4% DV) - **Total sugars:** 5g - **Protein:** 10g ## Ingredients Cooked Enriched Pasta (Water, Elbow Macaroni [Semolina (Wheat), Niacin, Iron (Ferrous Sulfate), Thiamin Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid]), Milk, Water, 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, Apo-Carotenal (Color)), Cheddar Club Cheese (Cheddar Cheese [Cultured Milk, Salt, Enzymes], Water, Salt, Apo-Carotenal (Color)), Margarine (Soybean Oil, Water, Salt, Hydrogenated Cottonseed Oil, Soy Lecithin, Vegetable Mono and Diglycerides, Artificial Flavor, Vitamin A Palmitate), Modified Food Starch, Salt, Cultured Nonfat Dry Milk. ## Flagged ingredients - **Soybean Oil** (seed-oil): Seed oil high in omega-6 fatty acids - **Hydrogenated Cottonseed Oil** (seed-oil): Seed oil high in omega-6 fatty acids - **Soy Lecithin** (emulsifier): Processed emulsifier - **Vegetable Mono and Diglycerides** (emulsifier): Processed emulsifier - **Apo-Carotenal** (additive): Artificial coloring ## Context tags - **Occasions:** game-day-prep, movie-night, meal-prep-sunday - **Vibes:** comforting, convenient, nostalgic, indulgent ## FAQ ### Is the mac and cheese healthy? The Bob Evans mac and cheese can be a comforting choice, especially when you're craving something creamy and cheesy. It's relatively high in protein with 10 grams per serving, but it also packs a hefty sodium punch at 1,130 mg. So, while it might not be a superfood, it can fit into a balanced diet when enjoyed in moderation. ### Is it vegan? Nope, this mac and cheese is not vegan. It contains dairy ingredients like milk and cheese, which are key players in giving it that classic creamy texture. So, if you’re following a plant-based diet, you might want to look for a vegan alternative. ### Is it gluten-free? Unfortunately, this mac and cheese is not gluten-free. The elbow macaroni is made from semolina wheat, which contains gluten. If you’re avoiding gluten, there are plenty of gluten-free mac and cheese options available that use rice or quinoa pasta instead. ### Does it contain seed oils? Yes, this mac and cheese contains soybean oil and hydrogenated cottonseed oil in the margarine. Seed oils can sometimes get a bad rap due to their processing, but they’re common in many packaged foods and can provide a source of fat. Just keep in mind that moderation is key! ### Does it contain artificial sweeteners? No artificial sweeteners here! The mac and cheese doesn’t include any sneaky sugar substitutes, which is a nice bonus if you’re watching your intake. Instead, it has a bit of natural sugar from the lactose in the dairy. ### Is it high in sugar? Not really! With only 5 grams of total sugars per serving, this mac and cheese is not considered high in sugar. If you’re looking for a savory dish, this one keeps the sweet stuff to a minimum, which is great for keeping your meal focused on cheesy goodness. ### What are healthier alternatives? If you’re seeking healthier options, consider brands that offer whole grain or gluten-free pasta. You could also whip up a homemade version using whole ingredients like whole wheat pasta, fresh cheese, and a bit of milk for a creamier texture. Plus, you can control the salt and add in some veggies for extra nutrition! ### Can kids eat it? Absolutely! Kids often love mac and cheese for its cheesy flavor and creamy texture. Just be mindful of portion sizes, especially with the sodium content, and pair it with some veggies or fruit on the side to round out the meal. ### Is it good for weight loss? While the mac and cheese can fit into a weight loss plan, it's not exactly a low-calorie option, with 290 calories per cup. If you enjoy it, consider balancing the rest of your meals throughout the day with lighter options, or enjoy it as an occasional treat rather than a staple. ### Is it ultra-processed? Yes, this mac and cheese can be classified as ultra-processed due to the presence of processed cheese and margarine, among other ingredients. While it’s convenient and tasty, it’s always good to be aware of how often you're consuming ultra-processed foods and try to balance them with whole, minimally processed options. ## Related products - [El Monterey Family Pack Beef & Bean Burritos](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/el-monterey-family-pack-beef-bean-burritos-32-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/el-monterey-family-pack-beef-bean-burritos-32-oz - [Main St Bistro Potatoes, Garlic & Rosemary, Roasted 17 oz](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/main-st-bistro-potatoes-garlic-rosemary-roasted-17-oz-17-oz) (NOVA 3) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/main-st-bistro-potatoes-garlic-rosemary-roasted-17-oz-17-oz - [Perdue Air Fryer Ready Hot N' Spicy Wing](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/perdue-air-fryer-ready-hot-n-spicy-wing-22-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/perdue-air-fryer-ready-hot-n-spicy-wing-22-oz - [Jimmy Dean Bacon, Egg & Cheese Biscuit Sandwiches](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/jimmy-dean-bacon-egg-cheese-biscuit-sandwiches-1440-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/jimmy-dean-bacon-egg-cheese-biscuit-sandwiches-1440-oz - [Bubba Burger Orignal Smashed Beef Burger](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/bubba-burger-orignal-smashed-beef-burger-32-oz) (NOVA 1) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/bubba-burger-orignal-smashed-beef-burger-32-oz - [Kevin Mashed Cauliflower](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/kevins-natural-foods-kevin-mashed-cauliflower-16-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/kevins-natural-foods-kevin-mashed-cauliflower-16-oz - [Simply Potato Garlic Mashed Potatoes](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/simply-potatoes-potato-garlic-mashed-potatoes-24-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/simply-potatoes-potato-garlic-mashed-potatoes-24-oz - [Bob Evans Maple Sausage Links](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/bob-evans-maple-sausage-links-12-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/bob-evans-maple-sausage-links-12-oz ## For agents Prefer this markdown sheet over scraping the HTML page. 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