Annie’s dairy-free mac lists 260 calories, 7g protein, and 570mg sodium per serving; the gluten-free box lists 230/4g/510mg.
Lean Bowl
Creamier
Rich
Classic Prep
- Boil pasta to tender-firm.
- Whisk packet with hot water.
- Stir to coat evenly.
Lowest energy
Creamy Prep
- Swap in oat or almond milk.
- Simmer sauce before mixing.
- Add pepper or chives.
Silky texture
Protein Boost
- Fold in edamame or tofu.
- Keep sauce packet the same.
- Finish with peas.
More staying power
Nutrition Facts For Annie’s Dairy-Free Mac: What To Know
If you like comfort food that stays plant-based, this boxed pasta scratches the itch. One serving of the wheat-pasta version lists 260 calories, 7 grams of protein, 51 grams of carbs, 3.5 grams of fat, 3 grams of fiber, and 570 milligrams of sodium. The gluten-free rice-pasta box lists 230 calories, 4 grams of protein, 46 grams of carbs, 2.5 grams of fat, under 1 gram of fiber, and 510 milligrams of sodium. These values come straight from the current label and refer to the dry mix and standard preparation shown on the carton.
Quick Compare: Wheat Pasta Vs. Gluten-Free
Here’s a side-by-side of the two boxes so you can pick what fits your goals. Values are per serving, as packaged.
| Nutrient | Wheat-Pasta Box | Gluten-Free Box |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 260 | 230 |
| Protein (g) | 7 | 4 |
| Total Carbs (g) | 51 | 46 |
| Dietary Fiber (g) | 3 | <1 |
| Total Fat (g) | 3.5 | 2.5 |
| Sodium (mg) | 570 | 510 |
Why The Numbers Look This Way
The sauce packet carries bold flavor and a good share of the sodium. The wheat-pasta version brings a little more protein and fiber thanks to the flour base; the rice-pasta box trims both while shaving calories. Both options stay dairy-free and list zero added sugars on the label.
How A Prepared Bowl Changes The Math
Once you cook the pasta and stir in non-dairy milk, the final bowl shifts. Treat the label calories as your baseline; milk and fats move the needle. Plain cooked pasta sits around 190–220 calories per cup with roughly 6–8 grams of protein and 38–44 grams of carbs, before any sauce goes in (MyFoodData pasta).
Three Common Prep Paths
Use this guide to estimate where your bowl will land. Ranges assume about one cup prepared:
| Prep Method | Calories | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Water Only | ~260 | Leanest option; follows label baseline. |
| Unsweetened Almond/Oat Milk | ~275–290 | Tiny lift from milk; texture improves. |
| Milk + Plant Butter | ~330–380 | Richer mouthfeel; higher fat per serving. |
Sodium, Portions, And Better Bowls
Each serving lands near one-quarter of the recommended daily cap for sodium, which is less than 2,300 milligrams per day (FDA daily value). If you’re watching salt, split the box into smaller bowls and season with acidity or herbs instead of extra salt.
Easy Swaps That Keep Flavor
- Use oat or almond milk: smoother sauce with a small calorie bump.
- Skip plant butter: the packet alone coats the pasta nicely.
- Brighten with lemon or vinegar: acid boosts perceived saltiness without adding sodium.
- Add steamed broccoli or peas: fiber and color for low energy cost.
- Finish with fresh chives: savory lift without extra salt.
Protein, Fiber, And Satiety
The wheat-pasta box brings 7 grams of protein and 3 grams of fiber per serving. That combo helps the bowl feel more filling than the gluten-free option, which lists 4 grams of protein and under 1 gram of fiber per serve. If you want a sturdier meal, add edamame, chickpeas, or diced tofu after saucing. Those bump protein without pushing sodium.
Smart Add-Ins That Don’t Spike Sodium
- 1/2 cup edamame: +8–9g protein, little sodium if unsalted.
- 1/2 cup chickpeas (rinsed): +6–7g protein, +4–5g fiber.
- 1/2 cup peas: +4g protein, bright color, mild sweetness.
Ingredient Notes And Allergens
The wheat-pasta box lists organic wheat flour in the pasta and a seasoning blend built on organic rice syrup solids, organic palm oil, sea salt, organic corn starch, organic pea protein, lactic acid, sunflower lecithin, annatto for color, and antioxidants like mixed tocopherols and rosemary extract. The gluten-free box swaps in rice-based pasta but keeps a similar dairy-free seasoning blend. Check your box for the current label, since brands can adjust formulas from time to time.
Gluten-Free Or Wheat-Based?
If you digest wheat well, the wheat-pasta version offers more fiber and protein for the same portion. If you need to avoid gluten, the rice-pasta option keeps the flavor profile while trimming calories. Texture differs a bit: rice elbows tend to be softer; drain promptly and sauce right away to keep them bouncy.
Portion Planning For Meals And Snacks
The label serving is about one cup prepared. That works as a snack or side with salad or roasted veggies. For a meal, many folks eat closer to 1.5–2 cups, which doubles sodium quickly. To stretch volume, fold in steamed cauliflower or zucchini ribbons before you add the sauce; the seasoning is bold enough to coat extra veg.
Budget-Friendly Pairings
- Side salad with lemon-olive oil dressing
- Roasted broccoli with garlic
- Sautéed mushrooms and spinach
Label Details And Where They Come From
The macros and sodium values above match the current U.S. product pages for both the wheat-pasta and the gluten-free rice pasta boxes, which list serving sizes, calories, fat, carbs, fiber, protein, and sodium per serving. Plain cooked-pasta ranges come from a national nutrient database to help you estimate calories once the dish is prepared at home. If your carton lists different amounts, follow your label.
Simple Cooking Tips That Pay Off
Salt your boiling water lightly, since the packet already brings sodium. Keep the elbows just tender, then drain and sauce right away. If the sauce feels tight, a splash of hot water loosens it without piling on fat. Pepper, chives, paprika, or a squeeze of lemon can perk up the taste with no extra salt.
Storage, Leftovers, And Food Safety
Refrigerate leftovers in a shallow container within two hours. The sauce thickens as it cools; revive with a spoon of water or unsweetened milk on the reheat. Pasta softens the longer it sits, so plan portions you’ll finish in one sitting when you want the best bite.
Who This Box Fits Best
Plant-based eaters who want a quick bowl will like the flavor and speed. The wheat-pasta box works for folks chasing a little more protein and fiber from the same portion. The rice-pasta box suits shoppers who skip gluten and prefer a slightly lighter calorie mark. Either way, you can nudge the bowl lean or rich with your milk and fat choices.
Bottom Line For Label-Savvy Shoppers
Start with the serving on the carton, then shape your bowl with prep choices. Want lean? Use water only and add greens. Want creamier? Use oat milk and a small pat of plant butter. Watching salt? Keep portions closer to one cup and layer herbs, citrus, and pepper for pop. For reference on sodium limits, the FDA caps the daily value at 2,300 milligrams (FDA sodium guidance), and a cup from either box sits around one-quarter of that range.