Patrick Oconnell
Macaroni and cheese is a staple side dish that appeals to all generations and can be found on most menus. It can be bought inexpensively and prepared easily, making it a popular choice for many. While there are many brands that sell macaroni and cheese, such as Target, Walmart, Kraft, and Annie's, one may wonder if Aldi carries this beloved dish. Aldi's product selection varies by location, but it does offer macaroni and cheese at certain stores. In this paragraph, we will explore Aldi's macaroni and cheese options and how they compare to other brands.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Taste | Mild, sweetish flavour, not especially cheesy |
| Appearance | Strange pink cast to the cheese packet mix, but it produced a medium yellow/orange colour when cooked |
| Calories | 390 per serving prepared |
| Price | 29 cents on sale, 33 cents regular price |
| Preparation | Requires less preparation than other brands, as it only needs to be boiled and the premade cheese sauce added |
| Gluten | Gluten-free |
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What You'll Learn
Aldi's Cheese Club Mac and Cheese
Mac and cheese is a beloved dish for many, and it's no surprise that Aldi offers its own take on this classic comfort food. Aldi's Cheese Club Mac and Cheese is a popular choice for those looking for an alternative to the iconic Kraft brand. While it may not be available at every Aldi location, it has gained quite a fan base, with some even preferring it over its competitors.
So, what sets Aldi's Cheese Club apart? Well, for starters, it's said to have a mild, slightly sweet flavour that's not overly cheesy. This unique flavour profile might be attributed to the strange pink hue of the cheese packet mix, which surprisingly turns into a medium yellow-orange shade when combined with the other ingredients. While some might find the sweetness a bit unexpected, it's not unpleasant and offers a nice change from the traditional mac and cheese taste.
In terms of preparation, Aldi's Cheese Club is convenient and straightforward. Like most mac and cheese products, it requires additional ingredients like butter, milk, and margarine. However, what makes Aldi's version stand out is that it's gluten-free, and preparing it is a breeze. Unlike other brands, you only need to boil the pasta and add the premade cheese sauce packet—no need to worry about measuring out butter or milk proportions. This simplicity makes it an excellent option for those with dietary restrictions or anyone looking for a quick and easy meal.
When it comes to appearance, Aldi's Cheese Club Mac and Cheese delivers. The final product has a beautiful, shiny appeal that looks just like the perfect bowl of mac and cheese should. The colour is a medium to a light yellow shade, depending on how long you cook it and the ingredients you use. While the taste may not be as cheesy as some might prefer, visually, it certainly hits the mark.
While Aldi's Cheese Club Mac and Cheese may not be everyone's cup of tea, it's an excellent option for those seeking variety in their mac and cheese choices. With a unique flavour, convenient preparation, and a visually appealing final product, it's no wonder that it's gained a following. So, if you're an adventurous eater or simply want to switch up your mac and cheese routine, Aldi's Cheese Club is worth considering.
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Aldi's mac and cheese vs Kraft's
Aldi's Cheese Club Express Mac is often considered a copycat of Kraft's Mac and Cheese. While both products require additional ingredients, such as milk and butter, there are some differences in taste, appearance, and nutritional value.
In terms of taste, some people find Aldi's mac and cheese sharper and cheesier, while others prefer the buttery and creamy flavour of Kraft's product. Kraft's Mac and Cheese is also said to have the "perfect creaminess" and a more distinct taste. Aldi's product, on the other hand, is noted to have a more appealing shine to it, characteristic of the premade cheese sauce that comes with it.
When it comes to appearance, Aldi's Express Mac has been noted to have smaller macaroni than Kraft's. However, this difference in size does not seem to detract from the overall appeal of the product.
Nutritionally, Aldi's mac and cheese is made with real cheese, specifically cheddar, according to the ingredients list. In contrast, Kraft's product is made with a cheese sauce mix and cheese cultures. Kraft's Mac and Cheese is free of artificial colours, preservatives, and dyes, while Aldi's is free of artificial colours but contains 470 milligrams of sodium per serving, only slightly less than Kraft's 490 milligrams.
The most significant difference between the two products is the price. Aldi's mac and cheese is significantly more affordable, costing around 29 cents on sale, compared to Kraft's $1.00 sale price.
Overall, while Aldi's mac and cheese may be a close imitation of Kraft's iconic product, it offers a slightly different taste and appearance at a more budget-friendly price point.
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Aldi's gluten-free mac and cheese
Aldi carries gluten-free mac and cheese, which is also the most expensive box of mac and cheese they offer. It requires minimal preparation, as you only need to boil the pasta and add the premade cheese sauce. While it may not meet everyone's taste expectations, it does have a beautiful appeal and shine.
However, it appears that the availability of this product can be inconsistent. A former Aldi employee commented that the store randomly stops selling certain items but often brings them back around holidays and special awareness months, such as Celiac Awareness Month in May.
Some customers have expressed concern about the product being discontinued, as they have not seen it in their local Aldi stores for a while. It is possible that the availability of gluten-free mac and cheese varies by region or that it is temporarily out of stock.
If you are specifically looking for Aldi's gluten-free mac and cheese, it may be worth checking with your local Aldi store or keeping an eye out for it around specific holidays and awareness months.
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Aldi's mac and cheese taste test
Aldi's mac and cheese has been described as a failure by some, with one taste tester noting that it had a strange pink cast to it and didn't meet their expectations for taste. However, others have praised Aldi's Cheese Club mac and cheese, saying it has a sharper taste than Kraft's iconic product. Some have even called it their new favorite.
In a taste test of five mac and cheese store packs, including Aldi, Walmart, Kraft, Annie's, and Target, Aldi's product was the most expensive. However, it stood out as it was gluten-free and required the least amount of preparation. While the cheese sauce gave the dish a beautiful shine, it lost points on taste.
Another taste test compared Aldi's Cheese Club with Kraft's iconic mac and cheese. The Aldi product was described as having a mild, sweetish flavor that's not especially cheesy with a strange pink cast to the cheese packet mix. However, the final product had a medium yellow/orange color. In comparison, the Kraft product had a glowing yellow/orange cheese packet mix and a lighter yellow color when cooked. The flavor was also mild with a slight cheesy taste. Both products were deemed to be fine, with minor differences in color and taste.
A third taste test, this time including a nine and a thirteen-year-old, also put Aldi's mac and cheese to the test. Unfortunately, the results are not yet known.
Overall, Aldi's mac and cheese has received mixed reviews, with some praising its convenience and sharp taste, while others have been disappointed by its strange color and underwhelming flavor.
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Aldi's mac and cheese price
Aldi does carry mac and cheese, and it comes in two varieties: a box of powdered cheese, and a packet of premade cheese sauce. The product selection varies across Aldi locations, and in one instance, the mac and cheese available was gluten-free.
The price of the box of powdered cheese is unknown, but it is likely to be cheaper than the Kraft version, which usually costs around $1 per box. The packet of premade cheese sauce, on the other hand, is noted to be the most expensive option among the five brands included in a taste test. However, it is also noted that you get more in ounces, and it requires the least amount of preparation.
In terms of taste, the box variety has received mixed reviews. Some customers have praised Aldi's mac and cheese, claiming that it tastes just like the Velveeta brand at half the price, and even preferring it over Kraft. Others have stated that it is too sweet and that the imitation Kraft mac and cheese is a rare miss for Aldi.
The premade cheese sauce variety, meanwhile, has been described as disappointing and failing to meet expectations. However, it is important to note that the taste test only considered one Aldi location, and the product selection may vary across stores.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Aldi carries macaroni and cheese.
Aldi's mac and cheese options include the Cheese Club and Simply Nature varieties. The Cheese Club variety has a mild, sweetish flavor, while the Simply Nature range offers organic shells and white cheddar.
Aldi's mac and cheese has been compared to Kraft's iconic mac and cheese. Some people prefer Aldi's Cheese Club for its sharper taste, while others find it too sweet. Aldi's mac and cheese has also been praised for being gluten-free and requiring less preparation than other brands.
Apart from Aldi and Kraft, other popular options for mac and cheese include Target's Market Pantry, Walmart's Great Value, Annie's, and Velveeta.
