Get All Access for $5/mo

Mac Without Cheese? Kraft's Newest Product Is Going Vegan Kraft is releasing a plant-based version of its iconic Mac & Cheese called "NotMac&Cheese."

By Sam Silverman

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Kraft is offering a new version of its iconic Mac & Cheese, but it's missing a key ingredient.

The company is releasing its first-ever vegan alternative to the iconic boxed pasta dish.

The new product, called "Kraft NotMac&Cheese," uses a dairy-free substitute — a vegan cheese made from fava bean protein and coconut oil powder, the company told CNN — instead of Kraft's notable yellow cheese.

The company told CNN it has a "similar taste, look and feel to dairy-based mac and cheese" and was made in partnership with the plant-based food company, TheNotCompany.

RELATED: Florida Woman Sues Kraft for $5 Million Over Prep Time for Velveeta Shells and Cheese

Courtesy of Kraft Heinz Company | The box of the new NotMac&Cheese.

Kraft NotMac&Cheese comes in original and white cheddar flavors, according to a company press release.

The product costs $3.49 per box and is set to roll out in stores nationwide starting now through early 2024.

Plant-based product sales grew to $8 billion in 2022, which is up by 44.5% from three years prior, according to the Plant-Based Foods Association.

RELATED: Kraft Heinz Is Rolling Out a Make-Your-Own-Sauce Machine With Over 200 Possible Flavors

However, the industry struggles with repeat buyers, Numerator data shows, as less than 30% of plant-based mac & cheese buyers make repeat purchases due to texture and taste.

"Those who tried animal product alternatives once or twice but did not continue said taste was the biggest reason. This was highest for the dairy milk alternatives," said Vice President of Total Wellness at NIQ, Sherry Frey, told CNN.

There's no word yet on if the new vegan option will live up to the real deal.

Sam Silverman

Content Strategy Editor

Sam Silverman is a content strategy editor at Entrepreneur Media. She specializes in search engine optimization (SEO), and her work can be found in The US Sun, Nicki Swift, In Touch Weekly, Life & Style and Health. She writes for our news team with a focus on investigating scandals. Her coverage and expertise span from business news, entrepreneurship, technology, and true crime, to the latest in entertainment and TV news. Sam is a graduate of Lehigh University and currently resides in NYC. 

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Science & Technology

5 Rule-Bending AI Hacks to Make Your Mornings More Productive and Profitable

By 2025, AI will transform productivity by streamlining workflows and cutting costs. Major companies like Microsoft, Google, and OpenAI are leading the way, advancing AI into "Phase 3," where tools act as digital assistants. Discover 5 AI hacks to boost efficiency and redefine your daily routine.

Side Hustle

'Hustling Every Day': These Friends Started a Side Hustle With $2,500 Each — It 'Snowballed' to Over $500,000 and Became a Multimillion-Dollar Brand

Paris Emily Nicholson and Saskia Teje Jenkins had a 2020 brainstorm session that led to a lucrative business.

Marketing

5 Critical Mistakes to Avoid When Giving a Presentation

Are you tired of enduring dull presentations? Over the years, I have compiled a list of common presentation mistakes and how to avoid them. Here are my top five tips.

Science & Technology

5 Automation Strategies Every Small Business Should Follow

It's time we make IT automation work for us: streamline processes, boost efficiency and drive growth with the right tools and strategy.

Business Ideas

63 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2024

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2024.