# Stouffers Sides Broccoli Cheddar Pasta Bake > 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:** 24 oz - **Human page:** https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/stouffers-stouffers-sides-broccoli-cheddar-pasta-bake-24-oz - **Slug:** `stouffers-stouffers-sides-broccoli-cheddar-pasta-bake-24-oz` ## NOVA classification **NOVA 4** - Ultra-processed foods Contains multiple industrial ingredients and additives (modified food starch, mono- and diglycerides, disodium phosphate, natural flavors) and is a ready-to-heat frozen prepared meal, which fits the NOVA ultraprocessed category. ## Review Find Stouffer’s Broccoli Cheddar Pasta Bake in the frozen meals aisle, usually stacked with other Stouffer’s sides and family-style frozen entrées, often near frozen vegetables and microwaveable dinners. It reads like a shortcut to a comforting home-cooked side: rotini pasta and broccoli in a creamy cheddar sauce finished with a golden breadcrumb topping. Shoppers reach for it on busy weeknights, during back-to-school grocery runs, or when they need an easy accompaniment for a casual dinner — it’s the kind of item tossed into carts for “quick but familiar” meals. Stouffer’s trades on a legacy of American comfort-food convenience, positioned toward families, time-pressed parents, college students, and anyone who values ready-to-heat classics; marketing leans into nostalgia and reliability rather than culinary novelty. The label leans on “real cheddar” and visible ingredient names like broccoli and pasta to create a wholesome halo, but there’s no organic certification and it also lists “natural flavors” and common processed stabilizers. Packaging is typical of frozen prepared sides — a single-use frozen tray in cardboard sleeve with oven and microwave instructions and photos of bubbling cheese and broccoli. Sensory expectations: creamy, slightly dense cheddar sauce coating tender rotini, soft broccoli florets, and a crunchy breadcrumb topping for contrast; texture is soft and saucy with intermittent crispiness. Rituals around use are simple — heat, let rest, scoop onto plates or serve alongside roasted proteins — and the nutrition snapshot (270 kcal, 740 mg sodium) reminds shoppers this is a convenient, flavorful option rather than a low-sodium or minimally processed choice. In plain terms, it’s a frozen prepared meal made with both recognizable foods and industrial ingredients for stability and texture. ## Diet flags - Vegetarian ## Nutrition - **Serving size:** 1.0 cup - **Servings per container:** 3 - **Calories:** 270 - **Total fat:** 13g (17% DV) - **Saturated fat:** 6g (30% DV) - **Cholesterol:** 30mg (10% DV) - **Sodium:** 740mg (32% DV) - **Total carbs:** 26g (9% DV) - **Dietary fiber:** 3g (11% DV) - **Total sugars:** 5g - **Protein:** 12g ## Ingredients SKIM MILK, BROCCOLI, COOKED PASTA (WATER, SEMOLINA WHEAT FLOUR, WHEAT GLUTEN), WATER, CHEDDAR CHEESE (MILK, CHEESE CULTURES, SALT, ENZYMES, ANNATTO COLOR), CHEDDAR CLUB CHEESE (CHEDDAR CHEESE [CULTURED MILK, SALT, ENZYMES], WATER, SALT, ANNATTO COLOR), BREADCRUMBS (WHEAT FLOUR, SUGAR, YEAST, SOYBEAN OIL, SALT), MODIFIED FOOD STARCH, 2% OR LESS OF SOYBEAN OIL, PARMESAN CHEESE (MILK, CHEESE CULTURES, SALT, ENZYMES), BUTTER (CREAM, SALT), SALT, CHEDDAR CHEESE (CULTURED MILK, SALT, ENZYMES), MONO- AND DIGLYCERIDES, LACTIC ACID, CALCIUM LACTATE, DISODIUM PHOSPHATE, NATURAL FLAVORS. ## Flagged ingredients - **SOYBEAN OIL** (seed-oil): Seed oil high in omega-6 fatty acids - **MONO- AND DIGLYCERIDES** (emulsifier): Processed emulsifier - **ANNATTO COLOR** (additive): Artificial coloring ## Context tags - **Occasions:** back-to-school, weeknight-dinner, movie-night - **Vibes:** convenient, comforting, nostalgic ## FAQ ### Is the Broccoli Cheddar Pasta Bake healthy? The Broccoli Cheddar Pasta Bake can be a convenient option for a quick meal, especially with its decent protein content of 12g per serving. However, it does contain 740mg of sodium, which is quite a bit, so if you're watching your salt intake, you might want to enjoy it in moderation. Think of it as a comfort food that's fine to indulge in occasionally rather than a daily staple. ### Is the Broccoli Cheddar Pasta Bake vegan? Nope, this dish isn’t vegan. It contains several dairy ingredients, including cheddar cheese and butter, which means it’s definitely not suitable for a plant-based diet. If you're looking for a vegan alternative, you might want to explore options made with cashew or almond cheese instead. ### Is the Broccoli Cheddar Pasta Bake gluten-free? Unfortunately, this pasta bake is not gluten-free. The cooked pasta in the dish is made from semolina wheat flour, which contains gluten. If you're avoiding gluten, you'll need to seek out gluten-free pasta bakes or make your own at home. ### Does the Broccoli Cheddar Pasta Bake contain seed oils? Yes, it does contain soybean oil, which is a type of seed oil. Seed oils can be a bit controversial, but in moderation, they can be part of a balanced diet. They help with texture and moisture in processed foods, so it's not necessarily a dealbreaker unless you're avoiding them for specific dietary reasons. ### Does the Broccoli Cheddar Pasta Bake contain artificial sweeteners? Nope, this dish does not contain artificial sweeteners. It's always nice to see a product that keeps things simple in that regard, relying instead on the natural flavors of cheese and broccoli to deliver taste without the need for sweeteners. ### Is the Broccoli Cheddar Pasta Bake high in sugar? Not at all! This pasta bake has only 5g of total sugars per serving, which is pretty low. So if you’re looking for a savory snack or side without a sugar rush, this dish fits the bill. ### What are healthier alternatives to the Broccoli Cheddar Pasta Bake? If you're looking for a healthier alternative, consider making a homemade version using whole grain pasta, fresh broccoli, and a lighter cheese sauce. You could also try roasting broccoli with a sprinkle of olive oil and serving it alongside whole grains for a more nutrient-dense option without the processing. ### Can kids eat the Broccoli Cheddar Pasta Bake? Absolutely! The Broccoli Cheddar Pasta Bake is generally kid-friendly with its cheesy goodness and pasta. Just keep an eye on portion sizes, especially with the sodium content, and pair it with a side of fruit or veggies to round out the meal. ### Is the Broccoli Cheddar Pasta Bake good for weight loss? While the Broccoli Cheddar Pasta Bake can fit into a weight loss plan if enjoyed in moderation, it’s not the lightest option out there due to its calorie and sodium content. If you're looking for a filling yet lower-calorie alternative, consider loading up on veggies and lean proteins instead. ### Is the Broccoli Cheddar Pasta Bake ultra-processed? Yes, this dish falls into the ultra-processed category, mainly due to the presence of modified food starch and other additives. However, that doesn’t mean it’s 'bad'—it’s just a reflection of our busy lives and the convenience that comes with frozen meals. Enjoy it as a quick fix when you need it! ## Related products - [Friendlys Fruit Swirls Ice Cream & Sherbet, Orange Crme](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/friendlys-friendlys-fruit-swirls-ice-cream-sherbet-orange-crme-48-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/friendlys-friendlys-fruit-swirls-ice-cream-sherbet-orange-crme-48-oz - [Deep Indian Kitchen Spinach Paneer, Mild Spice 9 oz](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/deep-indian-kitchen-spinach-paneer-mild-spice-9-oz-9-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/deep-indian-kitchen-spinach-paneer-mild-spice-9-oz-9-oz - [Amy's Bowls Organic Asian Dumplings](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/amys-kitchen-bowls-organic-asian-dumplings-850-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/amys-kitchen-bowls-organic-asian-dumplings-850-oz - [Greenfield Bacon, Egg, Cheddar Cheese on English Muffin](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/greenfield-natural-meat-co-bacon-egg-cheddar-cheese-on-english-muffin-1630-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/greenfield-natural-meat-co-bacon-egg-cheddar-cheese-on-english-muffin-1630-oz - [Wild Mike's Pizza Happy Hour, 9inch Pepperoni Pizza](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/wild-mikes-pizza-happy-hour-9inch-pepperoni-pizza-1619-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/wild-mikes-pizza-happy-hour-9inch-pepperoni-pizza-1619-oz - [Greenfield Sausage Egg & Cheese on a Croissant](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/greenfield-natural-meat-co-sausage-egg-cheese-on-a-croissant-1520-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/greenfield-natural-meat-co-sausage-egg-cheese-on-a-croissant-1520-oz - [Friendly's Cherry Fudge Ice Cream Bars](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/friendlys-cherry-fudge-ice-cream-bars-10-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/friendlys-cherry-fudge-ice-cream-bars-10-oz - [P.F. 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