Earth Balance has come out with a new product that tastes similar to Kraft's non-vegan macaroni and cheese. While it's not gourmet, those who miss the bowl of soft noodles and buttery-cheesy flavor of their youth will enjoy this product. There's also a vegan white cheddar version that I have yet to try -- it's the blue box peaking out from under the orange box in the picture.
(Find me on Instagram at @stay_at_home_vegan)
If you are going to compare this vegan mac and cheese to Kraft's Macaroni and Cheese, Earth Balance's product produces the same texture and mouth feel. You feel the tender, melt-in-your-mouth noodles that are oozing with a buttery, cheesy sauce from their middles, as well as from all around them.
Your mind will instantly tell you that this isn't Kraft's mac and cheese because the flavor is slightly different, but then your mind starts telling you: "Yum, this is good, keep shoveling this in your mouth!"
It's been a while since I've had Kraft's Mac and Cheese, but this vegan version tastes pretty darn close to what I can remember, especially if you can let the cooked mac and cheese sit for 3 to 5 minutes (I noticed a stronger "cheese/cheddar" flavor after the product sat for a while as opposed to when I first took a bite and it tasted more like the vegan buttery spread).
Allow the mac and cheese to sit for a few minutes so the "cheesy/cheddar" flavor can develop.
When people make their own homemade mac and cheese, it usually never tastes anything like Kraft's Mac and Cheese. This product kind of markets itself to be a vegan version of Kraft's, and I think it does an excellent job. I don't eat much vegan mac and cheese in general but this was tasty, filling, and a nice treat.
If you're a new vegan or someone who misses flavors from your youth, definitely give this product a try. Home cooks who love to cook from scratch and/or use more fresh fruits and veggies in their recipes may only like to try this once. This isn't a gourmet product, but it also doesn't make any claims to be fancy.
You should be able to find this product at Whole Foods starting this month. I bought this product at Rabbit Food Grocery ($3.25 per box; rabbitfoodgrocery.com). It's also available at veganstore.com and foodfightgrocery.com.
I added a little Phoney Baloney Coconut Bacon for punches of salty goodness and a little crunch.
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