The refrigerated aisle’s answer to “I need comfort food, but I also need it in under five minutes.”
Confession time: I bought this tub because my weekday dinner brain was doing math, “I want real food.” “But I don’t want to cook.” “But mac and cheese is basically therapy in a bowl.” “But frozen versions sometimes taste like paste.” And then this cheerful container promised me Unexpected Cheddar-level magic with zero effort.
Plot twist: it actually delivers. After finishing most of the tub in one sitting (don’t judge, it’s technically 2.5 servings but let’s be real), I can confidently say this is mac and cheese that respects both your laziness and your taste buds.
Trader Joe’s introduces yet another Mac and Cheese. This time in the fridge section in a clear plastic tub. Let’s see how it stacks up against the several other
The Bottom Line Up Front (For the “Dinner Needs to Happen NOW” Crisis)
Rating: 9/10 – A creamy, cheddar-sharp, no-fuss mac that tastes far better than it has any right to at $4.99.
Best for: weeknight rescues, picky kids who think orange powder mac is gourmet, pairing with BBQ chicken salad for “balance.”
Skip if: you want vegan, gluten-free, or low-calorie. This tub is fully committed to dairy excess.
Real talk: The portion is “family style,” but sometimes you just need mac and cheese therapy for one.
Quick Dietary Detective Work
❌ NOT vegan (but the creamy in the name probably gave that away)
❌ NOT gluten free (pasta = pipette rigate, a.k.a. “fancy elbows”)
❌ NOT kosher (no certification spotted)
✅ Vegetarian friendly (all cheese, no sneaky bacon)
⚠ Contains milk, eggs, wheat, he full trifecta of allergens
Busy parent translation: Works for most of the family, not your vegan cousin, and definitely not your gluten-free neighbor. Easy to make when your kids are starving!
The Pasta Situation: Pipette Rigate Deserves a Standing Ovation
Trader Joe’s went smart here: no elbows, no shells, pipette rigate is basically the overachiever of pasta shapes. Every groove clings to cheese sauce like it’s auditioning for a commercial.
- Texture check: Holds its shape without turning rubbery or mushy, even after microwaving.
- Sauce coverage: No sad naked noodles, every bite is coated.
The Sauce Investigation: Creamy Doesn’t Mean “Runny”
Some people online complain this mac is “too runny.” Honestly? They’re forgetting what real homemade mac and cheese looks like before it’s baked under a breadcrumb crust. Creamy is the point here, and it nails it.
The blend of cheeses is outstanding:
- Unexpected Cheddar – sharp, nutty, and smugly fancy
- Parmesan – adds depth and salt
- Mild Cheddar – smooths out the edges for universal appeal
The result? A sauce with an actual bite from the cheddar, not just bland dairy goo. It’s rich, indulgent, and exactly what you want when you cave and eat mac and cheese for dinner.
Nutrition Reality Check (a.k.a. Don’t Pretend This Is Health Food)
- 430 calories per serving (and there are allegedly 2.5 in the tub, emphasis on allegedly)
- 25g fat, 14g saturated (this is dairy indulgence, not salad)
- 19g protein (so hey, gym fuel?)
- 0g added sugars (a small win)
Translation: This is comfort food. Eat it because it’s good, not because it’s “healthy.”
The Convenience Factor: Tub-to-Table in Minutes
Microwave? 5 minutes. Stovetop? Maybe 7 if you’re feeling ambitious. Either way, it’s faster than shredding your own cheese and babysitting a roux.
- Resealable tub (but let’s be honest, you won’t need it)
- Portion size easily feeds 2–3, or 1 hungry adult with no regrets
- Perfect for late-night Netflix dinners or “I forgot to meal plan” emergencies
How to Zhoosh It Up (a.k.a. Mac Hacks)
On its own, this is excellent. But if you’re feeling fancy (or guilty for eating half a tub solo), you can level it up:
- Sprinkle with Trader Joe’s Aglio Olio Seasoning Blend for a garlicky kick
- Bake in a casserole dish with seasoned breadcrumbs and parmesan for instant “homemade” vibes
- Stir in pancetta, bacon, or broccoli to make it feel like an actual meal
- Bonus: A crispy topping transforms this from “weeknight rescue” to “fake homemade”
The Value Proposition: Premium Mac Without Premium Effort
At $4.99 for 20 ounces, this is a fridge staple. It’s creamier than TJ’s frozen mac lineup and feels fresher thanks to the refrigerated base.
- Cheaper than ordering mac at any restaurant
- Bigger portion size than frozen versions
- No freezer-burn flavor lurking in the background
How It Stacks Up Against Other Trader Joe’s Mac & Cheese
TJ’s has built quite the mac empire. If you’re curious how this one compares, here’s the cheat sheet:
| Product | Texture & Pasta | Flavor Profile | Availability | Full Review |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Creamy Mac & Cheese (this one) | Pipette rigate, tender but firm | Rich, sharp cheddar bite with creamy sauce | Everyday | (You are here) |
| Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese | Mezzi rigatoni | Squash-sweet béchamel, Gouda/Parmesan blend, fall spices | Seasonal (Fall) | Read Review |
| Four Cheese Mac & Cheese | Elbow macaroni | Blend of four cheeses, heavier and more indulgent | Frozen aisle | Read Review |
| Reduced Guilt Mac & Cheese | Elbows | Lighter cheese sauce, smaller portion | Frozen aisle | Read Review |
| Hatch Chile Mac & Cheese | Elbows | Spicy kick with roasted chile flavor | Frozen aisle | Read Review |
| Pepperoni Pizza Mac & Cheese Bowl | Elbows | Tomato + pepperoni twist, novelty factor | Frozen aisle | Read Review |
The Convenience Factor: Tub-to-Table in Minutes
Microwave? 5 minutes. Stovetop? Maybe 7 if you’re feeling ambitious. Either way, it’s faster than shredding your own cheese and babysitting a roux.
But here’s the truth: preparation can get a little messy depending on the method you choose.
- Stovetop: My recommended method. Just dump it into a pot and warm gently over medium heat for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. The sauce melts evenly, the pasta stays tender, and cleanup is easy.
- Microwave: Sounds straightforward (remove lid and film, microwave 1.5 minutes, stir, then another 1.5 minutes, rest 2 minutes). But beware, this stuff bubbles like a volcano in cheese-sauce form. Splatter city. Unless you want to be scraping dairy off your microwave walls, place a paper towel or plate underneath the container.
Next time, I’m going stovetop. It just tastes smoother and avoids the cheese-sauce explosion.
Who Should Buy This (And Who Should Keep Walking)
Perfect For:
- Busy parents needing a weeknight dinner win
- Mac and cheese purists who want sharp cheddar flavor
- Anyone who treats mac as a main course and not just a side
Skip If You:
- Follow plant-based or gluten-free diets
- Are counting calories with a calculator in hand
- Believe mac should always be made from scratch
The Final Verdict: Creamy, Cheesy, and Worth It
Trader Joe’s Creamy Mac and Cheese is exactly what the label promises: creamy, cheesy comfort food that doesn’t need excuses. The pasta holds up, the sauce is indulgent without being gloopy, and the cheddar bite keeps it from tasting flat.
Is it the same as bubbling homemade mac fresh from the oven? No. But for a tub you heat in the microwave, it comes shockingly close. And with a little creativity (breadcrumbs, Aglio Olio, pancetta, broccoli), it can go from “lazy dinner” to “fake homemade.”
Final Rating: 9/10 – A reliable, indulgent fridge staple that deserves a permanent spot in your cart.
Bottom line: If you love mac and cheese in any form, this is a must-try. Just don’t expect leftovers.
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