My Honest Goodles Review

As a macaroni and cheese enthusiast, I have to cope with two challenges in life: I live on a small income, and I'm not much of a cook. This puts me in a position where I'm on the lookout for boxed mac and cheese that's warm and gooey but not too expensive. I can tolerate store-brand pasta once in a while, but cheddar-flavored dust just doesn't compare to noodles drenched in a melty, cheesy sauce.

When I discovered Goodles at Walmart, I thought that I'd finally found a compromise. Their boxed pasta is fairly affordable and easy to make, but the website promises an "unbelievably delicious" experience with a variety of unique ingredients, such as green chiles and cream cheese. I grabbed one of each product on the shelf, then took them home with a resolve to try one every night.

In the end, I had some surprises and a few disappointments. Some products didn't live up to the hype, while others seemed like a near-perfect take on boxed macaroni and cheese. Ready to go in depth? Follow along on this honest, non-sponsored Goodles review, and you might just add a few items to your shopping list.

What is Goodles?

Based in California, Goodles sells boxed macaroni and cheese loaded with fiber, protein and nutrients sourced from clean ingredients. Thanks to its efforts, Goodles is the first boxed mac and cheese brand to win the Clean Label Project Purity Award. The brand's selection includes pasta with powdered cheese and pasta with liquid sauce, as well as microwavable cups.

Shella Good: Aged White Cheddar and Shells

Shella Good comes in two varieties: boxed pasta with powdered cheese and microwavable cups. I opted for a microwavable cup because it's easier to prepare. The label claimed that the white powder inside the cup would prevent overflows, but it was no match for my microwave: when I opened the door, I saw that hot water had gushed out.

Once prepared, I had a cup of small, chewy noodles coated in a thin, watery sauce. The sauce was definitely the standout, with the tangy, mildly acidic cheddar adding dimension to the dish. Aside from that, this wasn't much different from Kraft mac and cheese. It's good for a quick meal, but it didn't live up to the "unbelievably delicious" label.

Cheddy Mac: Creamy Cheddar and Macaroni

Cheddy Mac also comes in boxed and microwavable varieties. I chose the microwavable version--and, predictably, I experienced another overflow. The label instructed me to replace the lid afterward and wait for the cheese to melt. After waiting a couple of minutes, I lifted the lid to find a cup of cylindrical noodles covered in a thin, vibrantly orange sauce.

The cheddar flavor was a little deeper and more intense than what you'd get with a generic brand, but otherwise, this was a typical serving of noodles and powdered cheese. Still, some people genuinely enjoy that sharp, salty tang. If you're looking for a twist on Kraft pasta, you'll probably appreciate this one; otherwise, I'd skip it.

Dreamy Creamy: Mild Cheddar Mac With Loads of Cream Cheese

Dreamy Creamy was the first boxed variety that I tried. If you've made boxed mac and cheese before, you know the drill: boil the pasta, add the cheese powder and stir it up. I think I added too much water, so the sauce came out fairly runny, but powder-based sauces are usually thin anyway.

On the first bite, I immediately tasted the cream cheese, which gave the cheddar a smooth, rich tanginess. While the texture was pretty average, the cream cheese definitely elevated this dish. The shells were also the perfect pairing, creating small cups for the savory sauce. Dreamy Creamy turned out to be a great way to liven up your evening meal routine--and, honestly, cream cheese should be a mac and cheese staple.

Smokey Dokey: Gooey Gouda Mac With a Touch of Smoke Flavor

Smokey Dokey also comes exclusively in a box. I love smoked Gouda, so I was looking forward to this one, but the powder had a distinctly artificial aroma that left me with some doubts about its quality. The intensity also implied that the recipe had more than a "touch" of smoke flavor--and, sure enough, the smokiness drowned out the cheese.

The flavor wasn't horrible, but Gouda has such a pleasantly woodsy taste that I wish the sauce had given it room to breathe. Plus, since the powder wasn't enough to cover the pasta, I ended up with a bowl of mildly flavored noodles. I think Smokey Dokey would've been a good candidate for the liquid sauce collection, but this recipe didn't do much for me.

Twist My Parm: Asagio and Parmesan With Spirals

Twist My Parm is boxed mac and cheese with spiral pasta instead of shells. I'm not a huge fan of spiral pasta or hard cheeses, so I didn't have high hopes for this one, but I gave it a shot anyway. I boiled the noodles and added the powdered cheese, which had a white hue.

Despite my reservations, I ended up enjoying this dish. The cheese blend was sharp, tangy and creamy, and the noodles' larger surface area made it easier to taste the sauce. The textured noodles also paired well with the salty Italian cheeses. Twist My Parm doesn't reinvent boxed pasta, but it offers a few tweaks that enhance your meal.

Queso Tell Me More: Tex Mex-style Cheddar Sauce Over Shells

Queso Tell Me More offers an exciting upgrade: liquid sauce instead of powder. It was a little pricier than the regular options, but I couldn't resist the allure of melty sauce. At home, I boiled the pasta, squeezed the sauce into the bowl and mixed it up, coating the noodles with creamy white cheddar.

As promised, this sauce tasted exactly like queso mixed with salsa. The green chiles added a touch of heat, but this dish wasn't spicy. Instead, it tasted like the queso you'd get at a Mexican restaurant--and it was warm, hearty and filling to boot. Queso Tell Me More is exactly what boxed mac and cheese should be, and I could see myself buying this product again.

Ched Over Heels: Creamy Mild Cheddar Sauce Over Shells

Ched Over Heels includes pasta shells and liquid cheddar sauce in a foil packet. I boiled the noodles, added the cheddar and sat down to eat. The sauce's bright orange hue reminded me of nacho cheese, so I figured I was in for a satisfying experience.

Ultimately, Ched Over Heels was exactly what it sounded like. Gooey, mildly tangy cheddar blanketed the noodles, adding a Velveeta-like flavor that you'll either love or hate. The result was a basic dish without any frills, and it's a decent option for anyone who wants a quick, no-fuss meal. Plus, you're getting nutrients extracted from pumpkin, kale, spinach, sweet potatoes and other essentials.

Shell We Dance: Aged White Cheddar Sauce Over Shells

Shell We Dance treats you to the classic combination of pasta shells and liquid white cheddar sauce. The aged white cheddar wasn't quite as intense as Shella Good's version, but it had a hint of fermentation that gave it some character. Plus, the gooey texture is always a bonus.

Evidently, I'd saved the best for last. This dish was fairly basic, but something about the pasta shells and savory white cheddar created a delicious, creamy dish that didn't need anything else. It was as close to homemade as Goodles gets, and you could probably bring this to a potluck or holiday dinner. If you're new to Goodles, I'd try this one first before moving on to the more eclectic products.

Overall Verdict

Despite the marketing, many Goodles products don't taste significantly better than store brands. The pasta with liquid cheese is your best bet, but a few of the powdered versions offer a decent twist on this pantry staple. You'll also get lots of nutrients sourced from seeds, fruits and vegetables. Each box serves one or two people, so it's ideal for small households.

Have you tried Goodles before? What did you think? If not, which pasta brand is your favorite? Let me know in the comments.