# Bob Evans Tasteful Sides Macaroni & Cheese > 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:** 20 oz - **Human page:** https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/bob-evans-tasteful-sides-macaroni-cheese-20-oz - **Slug:** `bob-evans-tasteful-sides-macaroni-cheese-20-oz` ## NOVA classification **NOVA 4** - Ultra-processed foods Contains processed cheese spreads, margarine with hydrogenated oils, emulsifiers, modified food starch and other additives typical of ultraprocessed foods, indicating a NOVA level 4 classification. ## Review Bob Evans Tasteful Sides Macaroni & Cheese is a ready-to-heat comfort side dish positioned as a convenient, homestyle option for busy American shoppers. You'd typically find it in the refrigerated prepared foods section or in a chilled display near other heat-and-serve sides — think refrigerated mashed potatoes, stuffing, pot pies and microwaveable family meals. Shoppers reach for it on hectic weeknights, for potlucks, game-day spreads, or as an easy addition to a Sunday family dinner. The Bob Evans brand leans on rural, family-oriented imagery and nostalgia, appealing to adults who want the feel of home-cooked food with minimal effort; marketing targets value-conscious parents and caretakers seeking familiar comfort foods. The label aesthetic is straightforward and comforting rather than trendy — warm colors and product photography, with no organic certification; packaging may imply "homestyle" or "made with real cheese" cues but generally does not carry health-food claims. Sensory-wise the product delivers creamy, smooth mac and cheese with tender elbow pasta and a glossy, slightly elastic cheese sauce from processed cheese components; textures range from saucy and rich to slightly gelatinous where stabilizers act. It comes in a plastic tub or thermal tray meant for microwave/oven reheating, encouraging a short, routinized ritual of heat-and-serve convenience after a long day. From a processing perspective, this is a highly processed convenience product combining dairy, processed cheese spreads, emulsifiers, modified starches and vegetable oils to deliver consistent taste and shelf stability. It reads as a familiar, pragmatic indulgence in American grocery culture. ## Diet flags - Vegetarian ## Nutrition - **Serving size:** 1.0 cup - **Servings per container:** 2.5 - **Calories:** 300 - **Total fat:** 12g (15% DV) - **Saturated fat:** 5g (25% DV) - **Cholesterol:** 25mg (8% DV) - **Sodium:** 1190mg (52% DV) - **Total carbs:** 36g (13% DV) - **Dietary fiber:** 1g (4% DV) - **Total sugars:** 5g - **Protein:** 11g ## 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:** weekend-brunch, game-day-prep, movie-night - **Vibes:** comforting, convenient, nostalgic, practical ## FAQ ### Is Bob Evans macaroni and cheese healthy? Well, that depends on what you're comparing it to! With 300 calories per serving and 11 grams of protein, it can be a filling option. However, it's also high in sodium (1190mg), so if you're watching your salt intake, you might want to enjoy it in moderation. ### Is it vegan? Nope, Bob Evans macaroni and cheese is not vegan. It contains milk and cheese, which are dairy products, so it’s definitely off the menu for anyone following a plant-based diet. ### Is it gluten-free? Unfortunately, this cheesy delight is not gluten-free. The elbow macaroni is made from semolina wheat, so if you’re avoiding gluten, you might want to seek out a gluten-free mac and cheese alternative. ### Does it contain seed oils? Yes, it does contain seed oils, specifically soybean oil and hydrogenated cottonseed oil. These oils are often used in processed foods for texture and stability, but if you're trying to limit seed oils, this might be something to consider. ### Does it contain artificial sweeteners? Nope, you won't find any artificial sweeteners in Bob Evans macaroni and cheese. So, if you're trying to avoid those, you're in the clear with this one! ### Is it high in sugar? Not at all! The macaroni and cheese has only 5 grams of total sugars per serving, which is pretty low. Plus, there's no added sugar, so it’s not a dessert masquerading as a side dish. ### What are healthier alternatives? If you're looking for healthier alternatives, consider making a homemade mac and cheese with whole grain pasta and real cheese. You could also try a veggie-packed version using cauliflower or butternut squash for creaminess without the extra calories. ### Can kids eat it? Absolutely! This macaroni and cheese is a kid-friendly option that most little ones love. Just keep an eye on portion sizes, especially if you’re mindful of sodium intake. ### Is it good for weight loss? While it can fit into a balanced diet, Bob Evans macaroni and cheese isn't necessarily a weight-loss champion. It's relatively high in calories and sodium, so if you're trying to shed some pounds, you might want to pair it with a side of veggies or a salad to balance things out. ### Is it ultra-processed? Yes, this mac and cheese falls into the ultra-processed category. It contains ingredients like modified food starch and pasteurized process cheese spread, which are common in many convenience foods. That said, it's all about balance—enjoying it occasionally can be part of a varied diet! ## Related products - [Hillshire Polska Kielbasa Rope Sausage](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/hillshire-farm-polska-kielbasa-rope-sausage-14-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/hillshire-farm-polska-kielbasa-rope-sausage-14-oz - [Bob Evans Original Pork Sausage Patties](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/bob-evans-original-pork-sausage-patties-12-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/bob-evans-original-pork-sausage-patties-12-oz - [Bob Evans Mashed Potatoes, Garlic](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/bob-evans-mashed-potatoes-garlic-24-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/bob-evans-mashed-potatoes-garlic-24-oz - [Hatfield Maple Ham Steak](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/hatfield-maple-ham-steak-8-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/hatfield-maple-ham-steak-8-oz - [Hatfield Dry Rubbed Tuscan Herb Pork Tenderloin 18.4 oz](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/hatfield-dry-rubbed-tuscan-herb-pork-tenderloin-184-oz-1840-oz) (NOVA 3) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/hatfield-dry-rubbed-tuscan-herb-pork-tenderloin-184-oz-1840-oz - [Premio Sweet/Mild Italian Sausage Patties](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/premio-sweetmild-italian-sausage-patties-16-oz) (NOVA 3) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/premio-sweetmild-italian-sausage-patties-16-oz - [Perdue Fully Cooked Breaded Original Chciken Cutlets](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/perdue-fully-cooked-breaded-original-chciken-cutlets-12-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/perdue-fully-cooked-breaded-original-chciken-cutlets-12-oz - [Perdue Short Cuts Grilled](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/perdue-short-cuts-grilled-8-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/perdue-short-cuts-grilled-8-oz ## For agents Prefer this markdown sheet over scraping the HTML page. 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