Is Goodles Mac and Cheese Better Than Kraft? I Ate My Way Through 7 Boxes To Find Out

The boxed mac and cheese world hasn’t always been the most competitive market, so if you’ve settled on Kraft for most of your life, no shame there. But Goodles — a mac and cheese and pasta company that counts Gal Gadot as a founding partner — has recently kicked the saloon doors open, and it’s talking a big game. The noodles boast 21 nutrients, alongside 14 grams of protein and 7 grams of fiber. It’s still pasta and cheese, so while it’s not healthy, it’s definitely healthier. You’ll pay around $3 for a box of Goodles, so I had to know: Is it worth it? Here are seven Goodles mac and cheese flavors, ranked.

Samples were provided by Goodles. Prices and availability are subject to change.

Related: We Tried 10 Kinds of Store-Brand Mac and Cheese and the Winner Is...

$2.99 at Target

Shop Now

You can dress mac and cheese up however you want, but at the end of the day, the classics hit hardest. White cheddar is a time-tested, age-old gem. Shells are the best possible shape, thanks to the many cavernous crevices they contain. So much space for cheese sauce to get lost in. Mmmmmm.

Related: 21 Fun Facts You Didn't Know About Mac and Cheese

$13.57 for a four-pack at Goodles

Shop Now

I absolutely love Hatch chilies. There was simply no way this was ever going to be something I didn’t love. I wouldn’t complain if Goodles turned the heat up a bit, but this is subtle enough not to blow your entire mouth out. I want this with fried chicken. Right now.

Related: The Spiciest Foods Around the World

$3.99 at Target

Shop Now

I suppose I should disclose the following: I didn’t eat this, shall we say, entirely vegan. Like Kraft, Goodles require a little bit of milk, and obviously for a vegan option, you’re gonna want to use vegan milk. I didn’t. I like this very much; it’s got a nice, well-rounded, classic taste. This could, of course, change depending on the type of non-dairy milk you use, but I have no notes for this “cheese” packet. Terrific work here.

For more great taste tests, please sign up for our free newsletters.

$2.99 at Target

Shop Now

I have a soft spot for cacio e pepe. I know it’s overly trendy. I know it’s not the best pasta in the world. But I like it, and therefore I like this. I’d turn the pepper meter up a little higher though, and these little tiny tubes are not my favorite shape for pasta.

$2.99 at Target

Shop Now

I didn’t expect to like this very much (I don’t really dance with parmesan), but I was quite into it. Nice balance. Love the spirals. With enough for at least two servings for less than four bucks, I’d absolutely buy this again.

$2.99 at Target

Shop Now

It takes a lot for me to love a cheddar cheese sauce of this consistency, but I’m on board here with Goodles. It’s light, not too intense, and the noodles are of unquestionably higher quality than Kraft. This cheddar is the closest you’ll find to a typical Mac. Why so low on the list, then? It’s just my own thing; I generally prefer white cheeses to yellow.

$16.29 for a four-pack at Goodles

Shop Now

Almost all of the pieces are in place here, but there’s something about the cheese that feels off. The box says it’s made with cheddar, but I can’t help but taste parmesan (the ingredients confirmed my suspicions). With truffle, I would hope for a more mozzarella-style cheese. That said, truffle flavors are always the good stuff, and I’ve already told you how I feel about shells. (The SparkNotes: I love them.)