Kraft NotCo Plant Based Mac & Cheese – Gentle Dairy-Free Comfort for Lactose Intolerant Wellness Routines, 6 oz Pantry Box
Kraft NotCo Plant Based Mac & Cheese – Gentle Dairy-Free Comfort for Lactose Intolerant Wellness Routines, 6 oz Pantry Box
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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
Will this dairy-free mac actually comfort me when I am craving the real thing on a hard day?
Yes. Kraft NotCo Plant Based Mac & Cheese uses NotCo's AI-developed recipe (Chef Giuseppe) to replicate the creamy, cheesy taste of classic mac, so it satisfies the comfort-food craving without dairy, lactose, or compromise.
Is it gentle on my stomach if I have a newly developed dairy allergy?
Yes. The formula is fully plant-based and contains no dairy or lactose, making it suitable for adults with recently developed dairy allergies. It is also free from artificial dyes and tends to be less salty than other vegan mac options.
Does the powder contain any ingredients that would disrupt a clean or whole-food eating routine?
No artificial dyes are used, and the recipe relies on a straightforward plant-based formula. You control what goes in by choosing your add-ins, such as Earth Balance vegan butter and plain unsweetened soy milk.
Can I make it without plant milk if I want to keep the ingredient list even simpler?
Yes. Many wellness-focused cooks swap in 1/4 cup of starchy pasta water instead of plant milk for a clean, creamy finish with one less ingredient to buy.
Will the familiar orange cheddar color and creamy texture hold up even when I am tired and not cooking carefully?
Yes. Even though the dry powder looks pale, it mixes into a lovely orange cheddar color, and the texture can be adjusted to your preference, sticky or soupy, by simply tweaking the liquid you add.
Is this a good way to wind down with a warm, soothing bowl after a long day?
Absolutely. It is ready in 7 to 8 minutes on the stovetop, so you can settle into a quiet, warm bowl of comfort food as part of your evening wind-down ritual without a lot of effort.
Can a long-time vegan like me (about 9 years) actually enjoy this as a nostalgic treat?
Yes. Long-time vegans report that the recipe closely replicates the nostalgic mac and cheese taste they grew up with, making it a satisfying occasional comfort food rather than a sacrifice.
Does it pair nicely with calming add-ins like nutritional yeast and black pepper?
Yes. Many wellness-focused eaters stir in extra nutritional yeast and cracked black pepper to deepen the savory, umami profile while keeping the meal plant-based and dairy-free.
Is this a mindful option for Meatless Monday that still feels indulgent?
Yes. It is a fully plant-based comfort classic, lower in environmental footprint than dairy mac, and feels indulgent enough to keep Meatless Monday something the whole household looks forward to.
How does it compare to other vegan mac and cheese options on the market?
Kraft NotCo is widely noted as being less salty than most vegan mac alternatives, more affordable (often around $2 less per box on Amazon than at the grocery store), and it uses the same familiar Kraft noodles as the original.
Will it actually feel like comfort food, or will I feel like I am eating a substitute?
Most customers, including long-time vegans and even non-vegan family members, report that it delivers on the nostalgic creamy, cheesy comfort they remember, with the 12-year-old testers in particular not being able to tell it apart from regular Kraft mac.
I am worried about added sugars or sweeteners in plant milks affecting the taste. Is there a safe pick?
Use plain unsweetened soy milk (West Life brand is a popular choice) and Earth Balance vegan butter. This combination avoids any sweetness in the final dish and keeps the flavor savory and balanced.
Is the packaging recyclable or aligned with a low-waste pantry?
The box is a compact 7.2 x 3.5 x 1.34 inch cardboard carton designed to fit cleanly into an organized pantry, and the dry format produces very little in-pantry waste compared to refrigerated alternatives.
I am transitioning my family flexitarian-style. Will this feel like a real meal and not a 'health food'?
Yes. It is intentionally built to taste like classic comfort food, not a compromise, so flexitarian eaters and committed meat-eaters alike tend to enjoy it as a satisfying main or side dish.
Can I dress it up with toppings to make a more nourishing bowl?
Absolutely. Warming Gardein crumbles in the microwave and stirring them in adds protein, while kimchi and hot sauce on top bring crunch, heat, and gut-friendly fermented flavor to the bowl.
I do not want a 'weird aftertaste' from plant cheese. Does this one taste clean?
Customers consistently note that Kraft NotCo tastes closer to the original Kraft mac than most vegan competitors, with a clean savory profile and no off-putting aftertaste, especially when prepared with unsweetened plant milk and vegan butter.
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.
