Kraft offers several formulation options: kosher-certified products, a gluten‑free boxed version made with brown rice and corn pasta, and a plant‑based, lactose‑free option. Availability may vary by product and region.
Most Kraft Mac & Cheese packages include the pasta plus a cheese sauce mix. Cups contain pasta and sauce mix prepared for microwave cooking; boxed varieties include pasta and the powdered cheese mix you combine with milk and margarine or butter when preparing.
Microwavable cups: add water to the fill line and microwave (about 3.5 minutes). Boxed Mac & Cheese: boil the pasta on the stovetop (about 7–12 minutes depending on the box), drain, then mix in milk and margarine or butter with the cheese powder. Cups are quicker and need only water; boxed versions require stovetop cooking and added milk/butter.
Product information indicates that many Kraft Mac & Cheese options do not contain artificial flavors, preservatives, or dyes. The plant‑based option is also noted as containing no artificial dyes. Check the specific product label for ingredient details.
Boxed Mac & Cheese typically requires adding milk and margarine or butter to the cooked and drained pasta along with the cheese mix. Microwavable cups generally require only water to the fill line before microwaving, then stirring in the cheese sauce mix.