But which are the absolute cleanest? After scrutinizing countless labels, we’ve settled on 5 boxed mac and cheeses that make clean comfort food a delicious reality—no matter your dietary restrictions. Check them out, then try one of these 10 ways to dress up boxed mac & cheese. Horizon Organic Macaroni & Mild Cheddar Cheese For that classic mac and cheese taste without the crap, this pick from Horizon wins our clean seal of approval. It’s made with all organic ingredients, and packs 10 g of protein per serving to help balance out that carb-rich pasta and keep you full. (Can’t get enough cheese? Here are the 8 cleanest cheesy snacks for cheese lovers.) Annie’s Organic Grass Fed Classic Mild Cheddar Macaroni & Cheese If you already seek out grass-fed meat, why not do the same with your mac and cheese? Annie’s has the first one on the market that goes a step beyond organic and uses cheese sourced from 100% grass-fed cows—something you can feel good about for your health and conscience. This may just be the ultimate clean mac and cheese for people with no dairy or gluten intolerances. MORE: 7 Supereasy (And Fast!) One-Pot Pasta Recipes Ancient Harvest’s Gluten-Free Supergrain Mild Cheddar Mac & Cheese So, you broke up with gluten and have been mourning the loss of your favorite creamy comfort food ever since. That stops now. Dry your eyes and whip up a box of these gluten-free, cheese-drenched noodles from Ancient Harvest, made with a blend of organic quinoa and corn flours. Annie’s Organic Gluten-Free Vegan Elbows & Creamy Sauce You shouldn’t be left out of the mac and cheese party just because you’re vegan—and now you don’t have to be when you grab a box of these organic elbows (or shells) from Annie’s. Instead of cheese, it achieves its creamy texture, delicious taste, and spot-on color with organic sweet potato and pumpkin. Bonus: Rice pasta makes it gluten-free, too. Hodgson Mill Whole Wheat Macaroni & Cheese Dinner If only whole wheat macaroni will do, this one from Hodgson Mill is your best bet. In fact, it’s pretty much the only widely available option the market—so good thing it tastes awesome. Thanks to its extra dose of fiber, along with 11 g of protein per serving, it keeps you extra full, too.
