There's a right way and a wrong way to eat your boxed mac and cheese. Be prepared to pick a side!
Most of the time, we’re focused on enjoying our food, and not caught up in the technicalities of how to eat them. Take Oreos, for example. Whether you twist, dunk or simply just pop an entire cookie in your mouth, each technique ends in the same way. But according to the company, there’s actually a correct way to eat an Oreo among all the methods out there. Who knew!
It seems that boxed mac and cheese has rules, to. If you’ve ever wondered how to eat mac and cheese, there’s apparently a right way and a wrong way.
If you haven’t put much thought into this debate, be prepared to pick a side. The normal way to eat boxed macaroni is with a fork, right? Or is it a spoon? We think it’s mostly up to personal preference, but there are a few points to consider.
A spoon might be easier for small children, giving them more control over their scoops than a fork. But at the same time, soup is eaten with a spoon, not pastas Then there’s the argument about cheese sauce—if your mac is soaked in extra cheddar sauce, then maybe a spoon makes the most sense. If you don’t care for the extra liquid, then what’s the problem with using a fork?
We won’t make the decision for you, but luckily one of the big brands in the mac and cheese game stepped in to settle this culinary controversy.
There Is a Right Way, According to Annie’s
Annie’s, the food brand behind popular organic goodies like Cheddar Bunnies crackers and of course, the Shells & White Cheddar mac and cheese, put the debate to rest. Back in 2018, the brand sent out a survey to 5,000 U.S. adults and asked them how they ate macaroni and cheese—with a fork or a spoon?
The results overwhelmingly pointed to forks as the correct utensil for mac and cheese, with only 28% of adults saying they preferred to use a spoon. 71% of the survey respondents identified forks as their go-to—and 1% said they used something else, oddly enough—so Annie’s made some branding changes. The heaping spoonful of mac and cheese that illustrated the product’s box was replaced with a fork after the survey responses came in. They take consumer feedback seriously!
This is a great way to make America's most popular comfort food. The dish turns out cheesy, rich and creamy. —Jennifer Babcock, Chicopee, Massachusetts
Skillet Mac & CheeseThis creamy mac and cheese is so simple it’s almost too easy! Kids always go for the rich cheese flavor, but I’ve never met an adult who didn’t love it just as much.
—Ann Bowers, Rockport, Texas
Mom's Macaroni and CheeseThe wonderful homemade goodness of this creamy Velveeta mac and cheese makes it a staple side dish in my mother's kitchen and in mine as well. It has tender noodles and a crowd-pleasing golden crumb topping. —Maria Costello, Monroe, North Carolina
Spicy Chicken and Bacon MacI've been working to perfect a creamy, spicy mac and cheese for years. After adding smoky bacon, chicken, jalapenos and spicy cheese, this is the ultimate! I use rotisserie chicken and precooked bacon when I'm pressed for time. —Sarah Gilbert, Aloha, Oregon
Easy Slow-Cooker Mac & CheeseMy sons always say I'm the best mom in the world when I make this creamy mac-and-cheese perfection. Does it get any better than that? —Heidi Fleek, Hamburg, Pennsylvania
Best Ever Mac & CheeseTo make this amazing mac, I make a sauce loaded with three different cheeses to toss with the noodles. When baked, it's gooey goodness with a crunchy topping that...don't get me started! —Beth Jacobson, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Veggie Macaroni & CheeseThis creamy mac and cheese definitely doesn't come from a box! Fresh veggies add crunch and color and will leave everyone asking for seconds. —Marsha Morril, Harrisburg, Oregon. Looking for a dairy-free recipe? Learn how to make vegan mac and cheese.
Chicken Ranch Mac & CheesePrep once and feed the family twice when you double this chicken mac and cheese and freeze half of it. I created it for the people I love most, using ingredients they love most. —Angela Spengler, Tampa, Florida
Makeover Slow-Cooked Mac 'n' CheeseThis recipe is a clear example of comfort food at its finest; it's rich, hearty and extra cheesy. And because it's made in the slow cooker, it's also extremely easy. —Shelby Molina, Whitewater, Wisconsin
Sure, it may look like your usual Kraft Mac and Cheese, but this TikTok mac and cheese hack has changed the way we prep our mac forever.
Broccoli Mac & Cheese BakeMy husband made a version of this casserole for me on our first date. Over the 11 years we’ve been married, we’ve made
several changes to the
ingredients and now it’s even better than the original. —Lisa DeMarsh, Mount Solon, Virginia
Hannah is a writer and content creator based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with a passion for all things food, health, community and lifestyle. She is a journalism graduate from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and a previous dining and drink contributor for Madison Magazine.
We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer) as we strive to provide site experiences for browsers that support new web standards and security practices.
Updated: Nov. 28, 2022
