
Kraft Macaroni and Cheese is a nonperishable, packaged macaroni and cheese mix. It is made by Kraft Foods Group and traditionally comes in cardboard boxes with dried macaroni pasta and a packet of processed cheese powder. The pasta used in Kraft Macaroni and Cheese is not the typical elbow macaroni shape, but a thin, slightly curved noodle. Some people have tried to recreate the dish with other types of pasta, such as penne, farfalle, mini penne, rotini, and small shells.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of pasta | Macaroni |
| Shape | Thin, slightly curved noodle |
| Similar shapes | Elbow macaroni, penne, tubettini, farfalle, mini penne, rotini, small shells, bucatini, gemelli |
| Commercially available | La Moderna macaroni from Walmart |
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What You'll Learn
- Kraft Mac and Cheese uses a thin, slightly curved noodle, not elbow macaroni
- Some people suggest using penne, farfalle, mini penne, rotini or small shells as alternatives
- Tubettini is close to the Kraft noodle, but a bit thicker and shorter
- Gemelli is about the same size as the Kraft noodle, but it's not a hollow tube
- Bucatini noodles are similar to the long Kraft noodles

Kraft Mac and Cheese uses a thin, slightly curved noodle, not elbow macaroni
Elbow macaroni is more common in North America, but Kraft Mac and Cheese does not use this type of pasta. Instead, it uses a noodle that is thinner and slightly curved. This type of noodle is sometimes referred to as "straight macaroni".
Some people have tried to recreate the Kraft Mac and Cheese noodle by using other types of pasta. For example, one person suggested using bucatini noodles to make "long Kraft". Another person recommended using gemelli pasta, which is about the same size but is not a hollow tube.
It is also possible to buy Kraft-branded pasta separately from the cheese powder. La Moderna macaroni from Walmart is said to look "about right".
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Some people suggest using penne, farfalle, mini penne, rotini or small shells as alternatives
Kraft Mac and Cheese uses a thin, slightly curved noodle, rather than the elbow macaroni that is more common in North America.
If you want to get creative, you could try using bucatini noodles to make 'long Kraft', or gemelli, which is a similar size but not a hollow tube. Creamette's 'Ready cut spaghetti' is also said to look pretty close to the Kraft noodle.
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Tubettini is close to the Kraft noodle, but a bit thicker and shorter
You could also try using small shells, farfalle (kids love the bow tie shape), mini penne, rotini, or bucatini noodles. Creamette's "Ready cut spaghetti" looks pretty close, as does La Moderna macaroni from Walmart.
If you're looking for something a little more gourmet, you could try making your own noodles or buying a few boxes of Kraft Mac and Cheese and using the noodles from that.
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Gemelli is about the same size as the Kraft noodle, but it's not a hollow tube
Kraft Mac and Cheese is made with a thin, slightly curved noodle. This is different from the elbow macaroni more commonly found in North America.
If you're looking for a pre-made pasta that's similar to the Kraft noodle, La Moderna macaroni from Walmart looks about right. Or, if you want to stick with the classic, you can always buy a few boxes of Kraft Mac and Cheese and use the noodles from that.
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Bucatini noodles are similar to the long Kraft noodles
Bucatini noodles are long and hollow, and can be used to make a similar dish to Kraft Mac and Cheese. They are not easily available separately, so you may have to buy some Kraft Dinner (KD) to get hold of them.
If you want to make a gourmet version of Kraft Mac and Cheese, you could try using other types of pasta. Tubettini is close in shape to the Kraft noodles, but a bit thicker and shorter. Gemelli is about the same size, but it's not a hollow tube. You could also try farfalle (kids love the bow tie shape), mini penne, or rotini.
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Frequently asked questions
Kraft Mac and Cheese contains a thin, slightly curved noodle, rather than the wider, tightly curved elbow macaroni that is more common in North America.
It seems that the pasta used in Kraft Mac and Cheese is not available to buy separately. However, there are similar types of pasta that you can buy, such as straight macaroni, tubettini, or La Moderna macaroni.
Yes, you can make Kraft Mac and Cheese with other types of pasta. Some people recommend using farfalle, mini penne, rotini, or small shells.
Kraft Mac and Cheese is known as Kraft Dinner (or KD) in Canada, and Mac and Cheese in the United Kingdom and internationally.

























