Kraft NotCo Plant Based Mac & Cheese – 8 Minute Stovetop Lunch for Busy Office Workers and Remote Home Days, 6 oz Box
Kraft NotCo Plant Based Mac & Cheese – 8 Minute Stovetop Lunch for Busy Office Workers and Remote Home Days, 6 oz Box
Couldn't load pickup availability
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
How fast can I actually get this on the table between meetings or study sessions?
Kraft NotCo Plant Based Mac & Cheese is ready in 7 to 8 minutes on the stovetop, which fits comfortably into a 15-minute lunch break or a study interval between classes.
Does it require any special equipment beyond a stovetop and a pot?
No. You only need a pot, a stove, water for boiling the noodles, plus plant butter and plant milk (or pasta water) for the finish. It is well suited to dorm kitchenettes, shared apartments, and small office break rooms.
Can I meal prep multiple boxes for the week in advance?
The dry mix is shelf-stable and stores easily in a pantry, so you can keep several boxes on hand and cook one fresh in under 10 minutes whenever you need a fast meal, which is often more efficient than batch-cooking a refrigerated alternative.
Is it a good source of fuel for long study or work-from-home days?
Yes. It is a familiar, filling comfort-food meal that delivers carbs for focus and can be boosted with protein add-ins like warmed Gardein crumbles, making it a practical fuel option for long days.
Can I add protein quickly without breaking my workflow?
Yes. Gardein crumbles heat in the microwave in about a minute and can be stirred in at the end, giving you a heartier meal without adding meaningful prep time.
Does it work as a desk-friendly lunch that does not require reheating in a noisy office microwave?
It tastes best warm, but many users pack it in an insulated lunchbox to eat at their desk. Since the noodles are the same as classic Kraft, the texture holds up well in a thermos for several hours.
Is it cheaper to keep a steady Amazon subscription than to grab a box at the campus store?
Customers report that Amazon is often about $2 less per box than the grocery store, and a multi-pack or subscription can make the per-meal cost even more efficient for regular weeknight use.
How does this compare to grabbing a vegan mac at a fast-casual restaurant for lunch?
A single 6 oz box is significantly cheaper than most fast-casual vegan mac options, takes about the same amount of time, and lets you control the add-ins (plant butter, plant milk, toppings) to match your taste and macros.
I have a tiny kitchenette. Will the box fit in my limited cabinet space?
Yes. The compact 7.2 x 3.5 x 1.34 inch box is designed to store easily in small pantries, dorm shelves, and apartment cabinets without taking up valuable real estate.
Can I keep the box on my desk or in a drawer as a backup meal?
The dry box is shelf-stable and compact enough to stash in a desk drawer, snack cabinet, or shared apartment pantry as a reliable backup when you do not have time to leave for food.
Will it distract my coworkers with a strong food smell in a shared office?
It has a mild, familiar cheesy aroma similar to traditional mac, so it is generally well tolerated in office and shared kitchen settings.
Is the cooking process simple enough that I can follow it after an all-nighter?
Yes. The process is essentially the same as making classic Kraft mac: boil noodles, drain, stir in the powder, plant butter, and plant milk. Most college students and young adults can make it successfully on minimal sleep.
Can I use pasta water instead of buying plant milk for a cheaper, simpler routine?
Yes. Swapping 1/4 cup of starchy pasta water for plant milk is a popular shortcut that keeps the ingredient list short and the cost low, while still producing a creamy result.
Does it pair well with other quick pantry items for a complete meal?
Yes. Kimchi and hot sauce on top, plus warmed Gardein crumbles stirred in, are easy add-ins that turn the box into a balanced, fast meal using only pantry and fridge staples.
What if I do not have vegan butter on hand. Can I still make a good bowl?
You can finish the dish with plant milk and a small amount of pasta water for a lighter, still-creamy result, then stir in extra nutritional yeast and black pepper for savory depth.
Is it actually affordable compared to other vegan convenience foods?
Yes. Customers specifically call it out as affordable compared to typical vegan alternatives, which can run up to 6x the price, and the Amazon price is often $2 less per box than grocery store pricing.
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.
