# Stouffer's Family Size Macaroni & Cheese > Health and ingredient intelligence for a real grocery product. Source: Supermarket Puzzle (Grocery Intelligence Index). Not a shop. ## Snapshot - **Brand:** Stouffer's - **Retailer listed:** Foodtown - **Category:** Frozen Foods - **Size:** 40 oz - **Human page:** https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/stouffers-family-size-macaroni-cheese-40-oz - **Slug:** `stouffers-family-size-macaroni-cheese-40-oz` ## NOVA classification **NOVA 4** - Ultra-processed foods Contains industrial ingredients and formulated components (maltodextrin, xanthan gum, emulsified cheese preparations, bleached flour, added salts and flavors) and is a ready-to-heat frozen prepared meal, consistent with ultra-processed foods. ## Review Stouffer's Family Size Macaroni & Cheese is a frozen comfort-food staple you’ll find in the supermarket’s frozen meals section, usually on a shelf or in a case with other family-size entrées and prepared frozen dinners (near lasagnas, frozen casseroles and pot pies). Shoppers reach for it on busy weeknights, during back-to-school grocery runs, or when planning low-effort game-day and movie-night spreads. The brand positions itself as a heritage, convenience-focused choice for families — marketed to parents who want a quick, familiar meal that pleases kids and adults alike. Packaging leans on household-friendly cues: a large cardboard tray or box emblazoned with the Stouffer’s logo, photography of creamy pasta and cheese, and messaging about “real cheddar cheese” and family-size servings. Label claims emphasize quality ingredients and flavor (“made with real cheddar”), but you won’t see organic certification or explicit natural-product certifications; the product trades on convenience rather than health halos, though it may suggest homemade warmth. In plain processing terms, this is a highly processed frozen ready-meal combining cooked pasta with a prepared cheese sauce and stabilizers. Sensory expectations: creamy, viscous cheese sauce coating soft baked-style pasta, with a smooth, slightly elastic texture from emulsified cheeses and thickeners; warm, savory, moderately salty flavor. The ritual is simple — heat in the oven or microwave straight from the freezer, serve family-style from the casserole tray. It’s a go-to when time is short, appetite is for comfort, and the goal is an easy, crowd-pleasing dish. ## Diet flags - Vegetarian ## Nutrition - **Serving size:** 1 cup - **Servings per container:** 5 - **Calories:** 310 - **Total fat:** 14g (18% DV) - **Saturated fat:** 6g (30% DV) - **Cholesterol:** 30mg (10% DV) - **Sodium:** 850mg (37% DV) - **Total carbs:** 34g (12% DV) - **Dietary fiber:** 1g (4% DV) - **Total sugars:** 4g - **Protein:** 13g ## Ingredients COOKED PASTA (WATER, SEMOLINA WHEAT FLOUR,WHEAT GLUTEN), SKIM MILK, WATER, CHEDDAR CHEESE (CULTURED MILK, SALT, ENZYMES, ANNATTO COLOR), CHEDDAR CLUB CHEESE (CHEDDAR CHEESE [CULTURED MILK, SALT, ENZYMES], WATER, SALT, ANNATTO COLOR), BLEACHED WHEAT FLOUR, SOYBEAN OIL, 2% OR LESS OF SALT, BUTTER (CREAM, SALT), POTASSIUM SALT, BUTTER FLAVOR (MALTODEXTRIN, NATURAL FLAVOR, ANNATTO & TURMERIC COLOR), XANTHAN GUM, YEAST EXTRACT, LACTIC ACID, CALCIUM LACTATE. ## Flagged ingredients - **SOYBEAN OIL** (seed-oil): Seed oil high in omega-6 fatty acids - **SOYBEAN OIL** (emulsifier): Processed emulsifier - **ANNATTO COLOR** (additive): Artificial coloring ## Context tags - **Occasions:** back-to-school, movie-night, game-day-prep - **Vibes:** nostalgic, comforting, convenient, practical ## FAQ ### Is Stouffer's Mac and Cheese healthy? Healthy can mean different things depending on your goals! Stouffer's Mac and Cheese offers a decent amount of protein (13g per serving) and is low in sugar, but it also packs in 850mg of sodium. If you're looking for a quick meal that satisfies cravings, it can fit into a balanced diet, especially if you pair it with a side of veggies. ### Is Stouffer's Mac and Cheese vegan? Nope, Stouffer's Mac and Cheese is not vegan. It contains both cheddar cheese and butter, which are dairy products. If you’re on a plant-based journey, you might want to explore some of the newer vegan mac and cheese options popping up in stores! ### Is Stouffer's Mac and Cheese gluten-free? Unfortunately, no. Stouffer's Mac and Cheese is made with semolina wheat flour, which contains gluten. If you're avoiding gluten, there are some great gluten-free mac and cheese brands out there that use alternative flours! ### Does Stouffer's Mac and Cheese contain seed oils? Yes, it contains soybean oil, which is a type of seed oil. While some people prefer to limit seed oils in their diet due to concerns about processing and omega-6 fatty acids, it's all about balance. For occasional indulgence, it's usually not a dealbreaker! ### Does Stouffer's Mac and Cheese contain artificial sweeteners? Nope, you won't find any artificial sweeteners in Stouffer's Mac and Cheese. It's sweetened naturally, which is a plus for those who prefer to avoid synthetic additives in their food. ### Is Stouffer's Mac and Cheese high in sugar? Not at all! This mac and cheese is low in sugar, with only 4g per serving, which is pretty great for a comfort food. If you're looking for something sweet, you might want to save room for dessert! ### What are healthier alternatives to Stouffer's Mac and Cheese? If you're looking for healthier options, consider brands that focus on whole ingredients or make their mac and cheese from scratch. There are also some great gluten-free or vegan versions available that use nut or vegetable-based cheeses, which can be a fun twist! ### Can kids eat Stouffer's Mac and Cheese? Absolutely! Stouffer's Mac and Cheese is a popular choice among kids for its creamy texture and cheesy flavor. Just keep an eye on portion sizes and balance it with veggies or a protein for a well-rounded meal. ### Is Stouffer's Mac and Cheese good for weight loss? It can fit into a weight loss plan if you're mindful of portion sizes. At 310 calories per cup, it’s not overly heavy, but the sodium content is something to watch if you’re trying to keep your meals lower in salt. Pair it with a salad or some steamed broccoli to round it out! ### Is Stouffer's Mac and Cheese ultra-processed? Yes, you could categorize it as ultra-processed due to the presence of multiple ingredients and additives like xanthan gum and butter flavor. But hey, sometimes a little processed comfort food hits the spot! Just enjoy it as part of a varied diet. ## Related products - [Crav'n Flavor Vanilla Ice Cream Sandwich 24Ct](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/cravn-flavor-vanilla-ice-cream-sandwich-24ct-84-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/cravn-flavor-vanilla-ice-cream-sandwich-24ct-84-oz - [Jose Ole Chicken & Cheese Taquitos](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/jose-ole-chicken-cheese-taquitos-2250-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/jose-ole-chicken-cheese-taquitos-2250-oz - [Halo Top Ice Cream, Light, Strawberry](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/halo-top-ice-cream-light-strawberry-16-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/halo-top-ice-cream-light-strawberry-16-oz - [Friendly's Ice Cream, Coconut](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/friendlys-ice-cream-coconut-48-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/friendlys-ice-cream-coconut-48-oz - [Lean Cuisine Favorites Alfredo Pasta with Chicken & Broccoli](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/lean-cuisine-favorites-alfredo-pasta-with-chicken-broccoli-10-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/lean-cuisine-favorites-alfredo-pasta-with-chicken-broccoli-10-oz - [Checkers/Rally's Seasoned Fries, Sweet Potato 22 oz](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/checkersrallys-seasoned-fries-sweet-potato-22-oz-22-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/checkersrallys-seasoned-fries-sweet-potato-22-oz-22-oz - [Talenti Gelato, Southern Butter Pecan](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/talenti-gelato-southern-butter-pecan-16-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/talenti-gelato-southern-butter-pecan-16-oz - [Haagen-Dazs Toasted Almond Fudge Cone Waffle Cone](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/haagen-dazs-toasted-almond-fudge-cone-waffle-cone-1488-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/haagen-dazs-toasted-almond-fudge-cone-waffle-cone-1488-oz ## For agents Prefer this markdown sheet over scraping the HTML page. 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