Annie’s Protein Mac And Cheese Nutrition Facts | Quick Guide

One serving of Annie’s Super! Mac Protein Shells & White Cheddar packs 15 g protein, about 280 calories, and 6 g fiber.

What You Get In Annie’s Super Protein Mac

Shoppers reach for the high-protein Annie’s box for a fuller bowl without a long ingredient list. The label promises protein, fiber, and the familiar shells texture. Below is a clear snapshot of the core numbers from the box panel so you can compare at a glance.

Nutrition Line Per Serving (As Packaged) Notes
Calories 280 kcal Per 2.6 oz dry mix
Protein 15 g Whey and cheese boost
Total Carbohydrate 49 g Organic wheat shells
Dietary Fiber 6 g Higher than classic boxes
Total Fat ~4–6 g Low for a cheese dish
Saturated Fat ~2 g Keep butter in check
Sodium ~660 mg Roughly 29% DV

Those figures reflect the dry mix label. Once you stir in milk or butter, the numbers change. The protein statement still lands in the mid-teens per serving, while calories rise with any dairy or oil you add in the pan.

Protein Mac Calories, Protein, And Salt — The Trade-Offs

Compared with standard boxed shells, the Super line leans toward more fiber and protein while keeping fat fairly low. That mix suits quick weeknights, post-workout plates, and kid bowls where staying power matters. The only area to watch is sodium, since cheese sauce packets carry a firm dose.

Use the %DV on the panel to judge salt and fat. The FDA pegs sodium at 2,300 mg per day for adults, and 20% DV on a label counts as high. A single serving here sits under that, yet two hearty bowls can cross the line fast. Percent Daily Value helps you compare brands quickly.

Close Variant: Protein Mac And Cheese Label — What Matters Most

Labels pack a lot into small print. Here is how to read this one in seconds and make the bowl fit your day.

Serving Size And Yield

The panel lists a serving of dry mix that cooks up to about a cup. Boxes usually contain roughly two and a half servings, so sharing or planning leftovers helps you stay on target.

Protein Line

Fifteen grams per serving lands above classic boxes and close to a small chicken thigh. That bump comes from the cheese blend and added dairy proteins. Pair with a side of veggies for more volume without pushing sodium.

Carbs And Fiber

Wheat shells give you nearly fifty grams of carbs per serving and six grams of fiber, which helps with fullness. If you want steadier blood sugar, portion the bowl, add protein on the side, and keep the sauce silky with low-fat milk.

Fat And Saturated Fat

The base mix is modest in fat. Butter on the stovetop changes that fast, so measure the pat. If you like a richer finish, split butter across two portions or stir in a spoon of Greek yogurt for cream without much saturated fat.

Sodium

Cheese mixes carry salt to balance tang and shelf stability. If you are tracking blood pressure, hold back a tablespoon of sauce or add more pasta water to stretch flavor. Herbs like chives, pepper, or paprika perk up a bowl without extra sodium.

How To Prep For Your Goal

Use one of these quick paths to steer the numbers where you want them.

Keep Protein High With Lean Add-Ins

  • Stir in drained tuna, rotisserie chicken breast, or white beans.
  • Finish with two tablespoons of grated Parmesan for extra protein and bite.
  • Swap half the milk for plain skyr or Greek yogurt off the heat.

Trim Calories While Saving Creaminess

  • Use low-fat milk and skip butter; whisk in sauce over gentle heat.
  • Add steamed broccoli or peas to stretch portions.
  • Season with mustard powder or garlic powder for punch.

Mind The Salt

  • Make the sauce with water plus a splash of milk if you prefer a lighter bowl.
  • Skip salting the pasta water; the packet has enough.
  • Divide the box into three bowls to keep the sodium closer to a third of daily limits. See the FDA chart of Daily Values for context.

How It Compares To Regular Boxed Shells

The extra protein and fiber stand out against many pantry classics. That said, calories per serving are in the same ballpark once prepared. What changes most is the macro split and how filling the bowl feels. To benchmark against a generic cup of prepared mac, see the nutrient profile kept by MyFoodData.

Box Type Protein Per Serving Fiber Per Serving
Super Protein Shells ~15 g ~6 g
Classic Shells & White Cheddar ~10 g ~2–3 g
Kraft-Style Box ~8–12 g ~1–2 g

If you often eat more than one serving, consider pairing the bowl with a large salad or roasted veggies. You will add volume, keep the cheese flavor front and center, and slow the urge for a second heaping scoop.

Ingredient Notes That Explain The Numbers

Organic Wheat Pasta

Organic shells deliver the bulk of the carbs and a share of the protein. Cooking just to al dente helps texture and keeps the sauce clingy without extra butter.

Cheese Blend

Real cheese supplies calcium and flavor. It also adds sodium and some saturated fat, which is why measuring butter makes a difference when you want to keep the numbers steady.

Added Dairy Proteins

To boost protein without heavy cream, the Super line leans on whey and milk solids. That’s how you reach the mid-teens per serving with a familiar sauce profile.

Label-Reading Tips You Can Use Today

Scan The %DV First

Once you spot the %DV for sodium and saturated fat, you can gauge how the bowl fits into your day. Under 5% is low; 20% or more is high. This product’s sodium sits under one third of the day per serving, so portion control keeps you on track.

Check Serving Counts

Most boxes list about two and a half servings. If you split the pot into three bowls before serving, you’ll naturally line up closer to the labeled nutrition.

Weigh Dry Pasta If You Track

Kitchen scales remove the guesswork. Weigh the dry shells that equal one serving of mix so your cooked bowl lands where you expect.

Smart Pairings And Easy Swaps

Veggies That Like Cheddar

Broccoli, peas, spinach, zucchini, and roasted cauliflower fold right into the pot. They add fiber and water content that turns one serving into a bigger, more satisfying plate.

Protein Boosters That Don’t Fight The Sauce

Shredded chicken breast, turkey sausage, white beans, edamame, or canned salmon hold texture and keep the flavor classic. Pick one and keep portions tidy.

Flavor Moves With Zero Salt

Black pepper, smoked paprika, Dijon, lemon zest, or hot sauce perk up a bowl instantly. Taste first; the packet is already seasoned.

Frequently Raised Questions, Answered Fast

Is The Protein Count The Same After Cooking?

Yes—the gram figure refers to the serving made from that amount of dry mix. Add milk or butter and protein barely changes; calories and fat move more.

Can Kids Eat The Super Protein Version?

Sure. The texture and taste are familiar. Serve smaller bowls for toddlers and match the portion to appetite for older kids.

What If I’m Watching Blood Pressure?

Keep portions to one serving, skip salted pasta water, and build in produce. Those steps keep sodium reasonable without giving up the cheese bowl you want.