# Stouffer's Simple Dishes Macaroni And Cheese In 100% Real Cheddar Cheese Sauce > 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:** 12 oz - **Human page:** https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/stouffers-simple-dishes-macaroni-and-cheese-in-100-real-cheddar-cheese-sauce-12-oz - **Slug:** `stouffers-simple-dishes-macaroni-and-cheese-in-100-real-cheddar-cheese-sauce-12-oz` ## NOVA classification **NOVA 4** - Ultra-processed foods This frozen microwavable meal contains processed cheeses, emulsifiers, thickeners, flavorings, and other industrial ingredients typical of ultra-processed foods, indicating a NOVA 4 classification. ## Review Stouffer's Simple Dishes Macaroni And Cheese in 100% Real Cheddar Cheese Sauce is a single-serve frozen entrée you’ll spot in the frozen meals aisle alongside other microwaveable comfort foods — think frozen dinners, pot pies, and family mac & cheese trays. Packaged for quick convenience in a branded box with a microwavable tray, it appeals to shoppers hunting for fast weeknight solutions, college students stocking dorm freezers, or parents grabbing an easy side for busy evenings. The brand leans on Stouffer’s heritage as a legacy comfort-food maker, positioning this product as familiar, reliable, and slightly elevated with the “100% real cheddar” claim and the Simple Dishes sub-brand that suggests fewer or recognizable ingredients. Label characteristics include a prominent real-cheese callout and homey imagery; there are no organic or non-GMO badges and marketing skews toward practicality rather than health positioning. In plain terms, this is a processed frozen meal: cooked pasta coated in a manufactured cheddar sauce with stabilizers, flavors, and preservatives to ensure shelf stability and consistent texture. Sensory notes: warm, creamy cheddar sauce coating soft, tender elbows; a slightly buttery, savory flavor with a smooth, saucy mouthfeel and subtle chew from semolina pasta. Rituals around it are pragmatic — microwave for a few minutes, let rest, then eat directly from the tray or plate it for a quick family meal. It fits into American grocery culture as an easy, comforting staple for moments when convenience and familiar flavor trump scratch cooking. ## Diet flags - Vegetarian ## Nutrition - **Serving size:** 12.0 oz - **Servings per container:** 1 - **Calories:** 480 - **Total fat:** 21g (27% DV) - **Saturated fat:** 9g (45% DV) - **Trans fat:** 0.5g - **Cholesterol:** 40mg (13% DV) - **Sodium:** 1280mg (56% DV) - **Total carbs:** 51g (19% DV) - **Dietary fiber:** 2g (7% DV) - **Total sugars:** 5g - **Protein:** 21g ## Ingredients COOKED MACARONI (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 CHLORIDE, 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 - **ANNATTO COLOR** (additive): Artificial coloring ## Context tags - **Occasions:** weeknight-dinner, back-to-school, movie-night - **Vibes:** comforting, convenient, nostalgic ## FAQ ### Is Stouffer's Macaroni and Cheese healthy? Ah, the age-old question of health! Stouffer's Macaroni and Cheese can be a comforting choice, especially when you’re craving something cheesy. With 21g of protein per serving, it’s decent in that department, but it does pack a punch with 480 calories and 1280mg of sodium, so it might not be the best everyday option if you're watching your salt intake. ### Is Stouffer's Macaroni and Cheese vegan? Not at all! This cheesy delight is loaded with dairy products, including cheddar cheese and skim milk, making it a no-go for anyone following a vegan diet. So, if you’re plant-based, you might want to explore some of the tasty vegan mac and cheese options out there instead! ### Is Stouffer's Macaroni and Cheese gluten-free? Nope, this dish contains semolina wheat flour and bleached wheat flour in the macaroni, which means it’s definitely not gluten-free. If you have gluten sensitivities, you might want to check out some gluten-free pasta options or brands that cater specifically to that dietary need. ### Does it contain seed oils? Yes, it does contain soybean oil, which is a common seed oil. While some folks are wary of seed oils due to their high omega-6 fatty acid content, it's all about balance. In moderation, they can be part of a varied diet, but if you're looking to avoid them, you might want to steer clear. ### Does it contain artificial sweeteners? Nope, you can relax on this front! Stouffer's Macaroni and Cheese does not contain any artificial sweeteners, so you won’t find any sneaky sugars lurking in the ingredient list. Just good old-fashioned cheese and pasta goodness here! ### Is it high in sugar? Not really! With only 5g of total sugars per serving, it’s pretty low in that department, especially compared to many other processed foods. So, if you’re worried about sugar, this mac and cheese is a pretty safe bet. ### What are healthier alternatives? If you're looking for a healthier twist on mac and cheese, consider brands that offer whole grain pasta or veggie-based versions. You could also whip up a homemade version using whole wheat pasta, nutritional yeast for that cheesy flavor, and a variety of veggies to boost the nutrition factor! ### Can kids eat Stouffer's Macaroni and Cheese? Absolutely! Kids generally love mac and cheese, and this one is no exception with its creamy cheddar sauce. Just keep in mind the sodium content if you're serving it regularly; balance it out with some fresh veggies or a side salad to round out the meal! ### Is it good for weight loss? While Stouffer's Macaroni and Cheese can be a satisfying meal, it’s not exactly a weight-loss champion with its calorie and sodium content. If you’re on a weight loss journey, consider enjoying it occasionally while focusing on whole, nutrient-dense foods most of the time. ### Is Stouffer's Macaroni and Cheese ultra-processed? You could say it falls into that realm! With multiple ingredients and additives like xanthan gum and butter flavor, it’s definitely more processed than a homemade mac and cheese. But hey, sometimes life calls for convenience, and that’s okay! ## Related products - [Haagen-Dazs Ice Cream, Vanilla Bean](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/haagen-dazs-ice-cream-vanilla-bean-14-oz) (NOVA 3) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/haagen-dazs-ice-cream-vanilla-bean-14-oz - [Green Giant Chopped Spinach](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/green-giant-chopped-spinach-8-oz) (NOVA 3) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/green-giant-chopped-spinach-8-oz - [Banquet Brown 'N Serve, Maple Links](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/banquet-brown-n-serve-maple-links-640-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/banquet-brown-n-serve-maple-links-640-oz - [Haagen-Dazs Ice Cream, Vanilla](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/haagen-dazs-ice-cream-vanilla-14-oz) (NOVA 3) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/haagen-dazs-ice-cream-vanilla-14-oz - [Eggo Frozen Pancakes, Chocolatey Chip 14.8 oz](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/eggo-frozen-pancakes-chocolatey-chip-148-oz-1480-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/eggo-frozen-pancakes-chocolatey-chip-148-oz-1480-oz - [Jones All Natural Golden Brown Maple Port Sausage Links](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/jones-dairy-farm-all-natural-golden-brown-maple-port-sausage-links-7-oz) (NOVA 3) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/jones-dairy-farm-all-natural-golden-brown-maple-port-sausage-links-7-oz - [Eggo Frozen Pancakes, Frozen Breakfast, Breakfast Food, Buttermilk, 14.8oz Box, 12 Pancakes ](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/eggo-frozen-pancakes-frozen-breakfast-breakfast-food-buttermilk-148oz-box-12-pancakes-1480-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/eggo-frozen-pancakes-frozen-breakfast-breakfast-food-buttermilk-148oz-box-12-pancakes-1480-oz - [Tree Tavern Pizza, Cheese](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/tree-tavern-pizza-cheese-16-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/tree-tavern-pizza-cheese-16-oz ## For agents Prefer this markdown sheet over scraping the HTML page. 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