Annie’s White Cheddar Mac And Cheese Nutrition Facts | Quick Label Guide

Annie’s Shells & White Cheddar lists 260 calories, 540 mg sodium, and 9 g protein per dry-mix serving; cooked values shift with milk and butter.

Annie’s White Cheddar Mac Nutrition — Label, Prep, And Tips

Shoppers grab this box for a sharp white cheddar hit with minimal stove time. The label sets your baseline for one 71 g serving of dry mix: 260 calories, 3.5 g fat, 48 g carbs, 3 g fiber, 4 g total sugars, 9 g protein, and 540 mg sodium. These figures reflect the mix before you add milk or butter, so the bowl on the table will land higher or lower based on how you cook it.

Once cooked, a standard cup trends near 310 calories with 12–13 g protein and roughly 870 mg sodium. That shift comes from the sauce ratio and any butter you stir in. Portions matter too: a deep bowl can double the energy even with the same recipe.

What The Numbers Mean On The Panel

Calories represent energy for the labeled serving. Carbs and fat drive most of that count. Protein supports fullness. Sodium sits at 540 mg on the dry mix, which is roughly a quarter of a 2,300 mg day. If you’re aiming lower, use lighter prep and keep an eye on portion size.

Per-Serving Nutrition At A Glance

This table lines up the label with a common prepared cup so you can gauge what ends up in the bowl.

Nutrient	As Packaged (71 g)	Prepared Cup (189 g)
Calories	260	~310
Total Fat	3.5 g	~9.4 g
Saturated Fat	2 g	~3.1 g
Carbohydrates	48 g	~43.7 g
Fiber	3 g	~2.3 g
Total Sugars	4 g	~3 g
Protein	9 g	~12.6 g
Sodium	540 mg	~870 mg
Calcium	90 mg	~161 mg
Iron	0.8 mg	~2.2 mg
Potassium	260 mg	~151 mg

Brand panels can update over time, and pans vary. Treat cooked figures as estimates for a cup made with milk per the box method. If you swap butter for olive oil, or add veg or meat, your numbers move.

How Portion Size And Prep Change The Bowl

Cooking choices drive the range. A light cup made with milk only tends to sit near 300 calories. Stirring in a tablespoon of butter nudges the sauce richer and adds about 100 calories. Extra shredded cheese bumps fat and sodium. Stir-ins like broccoli raise fiber and add volume for a similar energy hit.

Simple Ways To Keep Calories In Check

• Measure the dry mix so you start with one label serving.
• Use lower-fat milk and skip butter for a leaner cup.
• Add steamed broccoli or peas to boost volume and fiber.
• Top with grilled chicken or white beans for added protein.
• Serve in a smaller bowl to match the label amount.

Sodium Sense Without Fuss

The cheese packet supplies most of the salt. If you want a gentler sodium day, keep the portion to a measured cup and pass on extra cheese. Pair your bowl with lower-sodium sides during the rest of the day.

Ingredient List: What’s Inside The Box

The pasta is organic wheat. The cheese packet uses dried cheddar made from cultured pasteurized milk, plus salt and non-animal enzymes. It also includes whey, a small amount of salt, corn starch, sodium phosphate for melt, lactic acid, and anticaking silicon dioxide. The short list lines up with the sharp white cheddar taste people expect from this style.

Allergens And Kitchen Checks

This product contains wheat and milk. If you cook for someone with dairy or gluten needs, set a clean pot and strainer aside and read the box each time you buy, since manufacturers can refresh labels.

How This Compares To A Generic Prepared Cup

A prepared cup from a standard box mix trends near 310 calories with about 12–13 g protein and around 870 mg sodium. That aligns with a typical sauce ratio. The dry-mix label skews lower on fat and sugars because it excludes the liquid and optional butter. For the brand’s up-to-date panel, the product page lists serving size and nutrients in detail.

Why The Cup You Serve Can Vary

Small choices change the math. Butter adds energy quickly. Extra cheese lifts sodium and fat. Nonfat milk trims fat with a similar protein count. Veg offers bulk for minimal calories. Protein add-ins raise fullness for a modest bump in energy.

Prep Scenarios: From Lean To Indulgent

Use this builder to match your target for the night—cozy and rich, or quick and light. Each line assumes roughly one cup in the bowl.

Scenario	Calories (per cup)	Notes
Milk Only	~300–320	No butter; sharp flavor stands out
Milk + 1 Tbsp Butter	~400–420	Silkier sauce; classic feel
Milk + 2 Tbsp Butter	~500–520	Rich and cozy
Milk + Extra Cheese	~460–520	Salty, creamier bite
Milk + Broccoli	~320–340	More volume, more fiber
Milk + Chicken	~360–420	More protein per serving

Label Savvy: Daily Values And Sodium Targets

Many plans aim for less than 2,300 mg sodium per day. With that frame, one prepared cup can reach a third of the day’s limit. If mac is the main dish, keep sides fresh and low in salt. For the current federal guidance on limits and why it matters, the FDA’s page on sodium in your diet offers a clear overview.

Storage, Leftovers, And Reheat

Cooked pasta firms up in the fridge. Stir in a splash of milk during reheat to loosen the sauce. Keep leftovers chilled and finish them within three days for the best texture. Freezing is fine if you don’t mind a softer bite later.

Smart Swaps And Add-Ins That Work

Want more protein without piling on cheese? Fold in chicken, tuna, or white beans. Want more fiber? Add broccoli florets or peas. Craving crunch? Toast breadcrumbs in a pan and sprinkle a spoonful over the top. These swaps keep the sharp cheddar vibe while nudging calories or sodium in a direction that fits your day.

When You Want A Bigger Meal

Build a bowl with half pasta and half roasted veg, then add a lean topping. The plate looks full, the sauce spreads farther, and you get a wider mix of nutrients for a similar calorie range.

Sources And How We Built The Estimates

Label values in this guide come from the brand’s current U.S. panel for Shells & White Cheddar (serving size 71 g dry mix; calories 260; sodium 540 mg; protein 9 g; plus listed vitamins and minerals). Cooked cup estimates reflect a standard database entry for a box mix prepared per directions. Your pan can land a bit above or below based on milk fat level, butter, and portion size.

If you track your intake closely, check the box you have in hand and weigh portions for better accuracy. For broader nutrient context, a prepared cup entry from MyFoodData covers calories, macros, and key minerals. Both sources open in new tabs and come from recognized authorities.