Aldi’s Mac Express Cheese Club is a total Kraft copycat
Many people turn to instant mac and cheese because of how easy and quick it is to prepare. While there are other ingredients you can add to make boxed macaroni and cheese taste better, technically you just need to add water. The most famous mac and cheese cups sold by Kraft are even more convenient because you can microwave and eat the mac and cheese directly from the container it comes in. Unsurprisingly, this option tends to be more expensive than boxed products. Although prices can vary by location, at Target, for example, a pack of four costs around $5 or $6. Luckily, if you’re looking for a cheaper alternative, Aldi sells one for just over $4.
The German grocery chain’s product is called Express Mac and is sold under the Cheese Club brand, which is one of Aldi’s private brands. Just like the Kraft version, the Express Mac is made by filling the cup with water, microwaving it, then adding powdered cheese. Both products come in packs of four and each cup weighs approximately 2 ounces.
Read more: 10 Frozen Foods You Should Always Buy at Aldi
What customers are saying about Aldi’s Mac Express
If you like Kraft mac and cheese cups, there’s a good chance you’ll enjoy Aldi’s version, too. Customers seem to praise its quality and say it’s hard to tell it apart from the brand. In a YouTube video, a content creator pointed out that the only notable difference is that the Express Mac contains smaller macaroni, but he also speculated that the two products could both be made by Kraft due to their similarity. The Aldi Reviewer blog had equally positive comments, complimenting the price and flavor.
According to customers, the only potential downside to the Aldi Express Mac is its nutritional value. The product appears to be highly processed and high in sodium, 470 milligrams per serving. However, that’s to be expected from an instant mac and cheese product, and it’s not far off from Kraft Mac & Cheese, which contains 490 milligrams of sodium per serving.
Is Aldi macaroni and cheese the same as Kraft?
Kraft is widely believed to be the brand behind Aldi’s Parmesan, so it wouldn’t be a stretch to assume it could also be responsible for the mac and cheese. However, just by reading the labels you can determine that this is not the case, even though they are similar. The main difference is that Aldi’s is “made with real cheese” (cheddar, according to the ingredient list on the back), while Kraft’s is made with “cheese sauce mix” and cheese cultures. Kraft’s, however, is free of artificial colors, preservatives and colorants, while Aldi’s is only free of artificial colors.
Although the label doesn’t explicitly state who makes Aldi’s Express Mac, it’s unlikely it’s Kraft. In 2016, the product was recalled, during which the supplier was disclosed. Fourth Street Barbecue Inc. was named as the company behind the product, which also contained powdered milk from Valley Milk Products LLC. It’s certainly possible that suppliers have changed since 2016, but regardless, it’s safe to say that Aldi’s Express Mac and Kraft Mac and Cheese Cups are probably not the same product.
Read the original article on Daily Meal.
