Kraft NotCo Plant Based Mac & Cheese – Clean Label Single Serve Mac for Uncluttered Pantry Storage, 6 oz Box
Kraft NotCo Plant Based Mac & Cheese – Clean Label Single Serve Mac for Uncluttered Pantry Storage, 6 oz Box
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Why you'll love it
- Trusted Kraft brand heritage combined with NotCo's innovative plant-based formula reduces risk of trying a dairy-free mac
- AI-developed recipe via Chef Giuseppe replicates the familiar creamy, cheesy taste without dairy
- Suitable for people with lactose intolerance, dairy allergies, or those following vegan/flexitarian diets
- Fast 7-8 minute stovetop preparation makes it practical for busy schedules
- Variety of flavors and sizes lets households match the box to their appetite or recipe need
- Lower environmental footprint than traditional dairy-based mac and cheese appeals to eco-conscious shoppers
- powder looks pale/white but mixes into a lovely orange cheddar color
- less salty than other vegan mac options
- same noodles as the original Kraft
- nostalgic taste that returns childhood memories
- affordable compared to typical vegan alternatives (not 6x the price)
- cheaper on Amazon than at the grocery store (~$2 less per box)
- easy and fast to prepare like the original
- convenience food safe for severe dairy allergies
- even non-vegan/dairy-eating family members enjoy it
- no artificial dyes
- 12-year-old couldn't tell the difference from regular Kraft
Perfect for
- Quick weeknight plant-based dinner for dairy-free households
- Meatless Monday main dish the whole family will eat
- Comfort food alternative for vegans missing classic mac and cheese
- Lactose-free lunch option for office or school
- Easy side dish for potlucks and casual gatherings
- pairing with kimchi and hot sauce for extra flavor
- preparing with pasta water instead of plant milk (1/4 cup swap)
- adding Gardein crumbles warmed in the microwave as a protein topping
- adding black pepper and nutritional yeast
- adding lots of vegan butter and smoked paprika
- preparing to custom texture (sticky vs. soupy)
- serving as both a side dish and a standalone meal
- using plain unsweetened soy milk (West Life brand) and Earth Balance to avoid sweetness
Product Information
One 6 oz box of Kraft NotCo Original Flavor Plant Based Mac & Cheese Our warm, cheesy macaroni that fills your belly and feeds your soul is now plant-based Introducing Kraft NotMac&Cheese, Kraft Mac & Cheese’s first ever plant-based option in the US NotCo uses patented AI tech, Chef Giuseppe, to create delicious plant-based products To prepare, boil 6 cups of water, stir in macaroni, cook 7-8 minutes, drain the water, then add 4 tbsp plant-based butter, 1/4 cup unsweetened original plant-based milk and sauce mix; mix well
Package Dimensions : 7.2 x 3.5 x 1.34 inches; 6 ounces UPC : 990016700110 Manufacturer : Kraft Heinz Units : 6.0 Ounce Best Sellers Rank: #3,882 in Grocery & Gourmet Food
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the box actually have a clean, restrained look I am willing to keep on my shelf?
Yes. The 7.2 x 3.5 x 1.34 inch box is compact and uniform with other Kraft products, so it stores cleanly in a streamlined pantry without visual clutter.
Is the ingredient list short enough to fit a minimalist kitchen philosophy?
The formula is free from artificial dyes and is built on a straightforward plant-based recipe. Combined with two simple add-ins (plant butter and plant milk, or pasta water), the overall ingredient footprint stays lean.
Can I make it with fewer dishes and tools than a typical recipe?
Yes. You only need one pot, a stove, and a spoon. There is no blender, no separate sauce pan, and no extra gadgets required, which suits a minimalist cooking setup.
Does it come in a single uniform size, or do I have to choose from many SKUs?
It comes in two clear sizes (6 oz single-serve and 8.2 oz) and two flavor options (Original and White Cheddar plant-based), which keeps the decision simple without an overwhelming product wall.
Will the orange cheddar color look natural in a neutral-toned kitchen?
Yes. Even though the dry powder looks pale white, the finished dish mixes into a clean, lovely orange cheddar color that looks intentional and appetizing on a neutral plate.
Can I keep just one or two boxes in rotation without overbuying?
Yes. The 6 oz single-serve box is designed for portion-controlled meals, so you can stock exactly what you will actually eat without bulky leftovers crowding the fridge.
How does it compare to other vegan mac brands that come in bright, busy packaging?
Kraft NotCo uses the same restrained Kraft branding you already have on your shelf, which blends in better with a minimalist pantry than the louder, more colorful packaging of many vegan competitors.
Is there a way to make it even more stripped-down, like just noodles and sauce?
Yes. You can skip the plant milk and use 1/4 cup of pasta water for a minimalist, fewer-ingredient version, and finish with cracked black pepper and nutritional yeast for a clean, savory result.
Does it store well long-term in a small, organized pantry?
Yes. The dry mix is shelf-stable and the compact box fits cleanly in a shallow pantry bin, lazy Susan, or stackable shelf without taking up much room.
Will the flavor feel 'busy' or overloaded with seasonings?
No. Customers consistently describe it as less salty than other vegan mac options, with a clean, familiar flavor that lets the add-ins you choose speak for themselves.
Is it easy to dispose of the packaging without a lot of waste?
The single cardboard box is the only packaging, with no inner plastic pouches in many cases, which keeps post-meal cleanup minimal and waste low.
Can I serve it in the same dish it was cooked in to reduce dish count?
Yes. Since it is made in a single pot, you can portion it directly from the cooking pot, which is a true one-pot meal and ideal for minimalist cooking routines.
Does the White Cheddar flavor feel as intentional as the Original, or is it a throwaway option?
The White Cheddar plant-based variety is well-liked on its own merits and is a thoughtful second option if you want variety, not a filler SKU, so it works well in a curated, intentional pantry.
How does it compare to making mac and cheese from scratch in a minimalist kitchen?
It replicates the creamy, cheesy result of a from-scratch sauce in about 8 minutes, with one pot and two add-ins, which fits a minimalist philosophy of doing more with less without sacrificing taste.
Will it feel like too much 'processed food' for a clean-eating minimalist?
It is a pragmatic processed shortcut, but the formula avoids artificial dyes and uses the same familiar Kraft noodles. Many minimalists keep one or two boxes as a low-effort backup without compromising their overall standards.
Can I customize the texture without complicating the recipe?
Yes. You control the final texture by adjusting your liquid, sticky with less plant milk, soupy with more, so customization is built into the simple two-step method without any extra steps.
How do I prepare Kraft NotCo Plant Based Mac & Cheese on the stovetop?
Boil the noodles in water for about 7 to 8 minutes until tender, drain, then return them to the pot and stir in the cheese powder along with plant butter and plain unsweetened plant milk (or 1/4 cup of pasta water as a milk-free swap). Stir until creamy and serve.
Can I use any plant milk, or does it have to be a specific brand?
Any unsweetened plant milk works. For best results, many customers prefer plain unsweetened soy milk (West Life is a popular pick) because it does not add sweetness. Sweetened or flavored plant milks can make the finished dish taste dessert-like.
How do I adjust the texture to be creamier or thicker?
Add a little more plant milk for a soupier, saucier bowl, or reduce the liquid and add a little more vegan butter for a stickier, thicker mac. Stirring in a splash of pasta water at the end is a common trick to loosen the sauce without diluting flavor.
Is Kraft NotCo Plant Based Mac & Cheese safe for people with dairy allergies?
Yes. The formula is fully plant-based and contains no dairy or lactose, making it suitable for people with lactose intolerance and dairy allergies, including those with newly developed allergies. Always check the current package label if you are managing a severe allergy.
Does it contain any common allergens like nuts or soy?
It is dairy-free, but the recipe and the plant milks or butters you add may contain soy, and Kraft facilities may process other allergens. Review the ingredient label on the current box if you or someone in your household has additional allergies beyond dairy.
What is included in the box and what do I need to buy separately?
Each box contains the dry pasta and the plant-based cheese-style powder. You need to supply your own plant butter (such as Earth Balance), plant milk (such as plain unsweetened soy milk), and water for boiling. A pot and a stove are the only tools required.
Is Kraft NotCo Mac & Cheese healthier than regular Kraft mac and cheese?
It is fully plant-based, contains no artificial dyes, and uses NotCo's AI-developed recipe to deliver a familiar cheesy taste without dairy. It also has a lower environmental footprint than traditional dairy-based mac, though it is still a boxed convenience food and best enjoyed as part of a balanced diet.
Does it taste the same as original Kraft mac and cheese?
Most customers, including 12-year-old testers and long-time vegans, report that the taste is very close to original Kraft mac, with a familiar creamy, cheesy, slightly nostalgic profile. The dry powder looks pale but mixes into a lovely orange cheddar color in the finished dish.
What is the difference between plant-based mac and cheese and regular mac and cheese?
Regular mac and cheese is made with dairy milk, butter, and cheese. Plant-based mac and cheese, like Kraft NotCo, replaces those dairy ingredients with plant-based alternatives (plant milk, vegan butter) and uses a NotCo-developed formula to replicate the cheesy taste without any actual dairy.
