I Tried the New Limited-Edition Kraft Mac & Cheese Before It Hit Stores — Now I’m Petitioning to Make It Permanent

Kraft’s original macaroni and cheese was one of my first childhood meal fixations. Those tubular-shaped noodles coated in that unmistakable highlighter-orange cheese sauce? I could’ve eaten it every single day growing up (years later, the brand still holds up; it won The Kitchn’s very recent boxed mac and cheese taste test!).

While the brand continues to maintain a firm grip in the boxed mac space, that hasn’t kept the geniuses at Kraft from innovating. Hot Honey and Garlic Parmesan are the latest in a line of fun new flavors. I got my hands on a box of the spicier of the two. Here’s my full review. 

Move over Jalapeño and Ranch. A new duo of flavors is coming to shelves this fall. Interestingly, they have two different release dates: Hot Honey Mac & Cheese will be sold exclusively at Target starting September 28, while garlic fans will have to wait a few weeks longer to get their hands on a box of Garlic Parmesan. It hits stores October 20. 

Each box will retail for around $2. Like many of the new flavor drops, these will only be available for a limited time. Expect to see them on shelves through Spring 2026. 

Similar to with the classic, I boiled the pasta, added a splash of milk, a bit of butter (or margarine), and the powdery cheese packet. Once everything was mixed together, I could see little specks of red (from peppers, I assume), but other than that it still retained its iconic bright orange cheesy coloring. I went in with my fork and took a bite … 

So much to like! I first tasted the nostalgic sharp cheddar flavor. Then my tastebuds were hit with a slight kick of spice followed by a sweetness that mellowed the heat. There’s a kick, but I wouldn’t categorize this as burn-your-mouth spicy. If you find yourself adding a little hot sauce to your mac, this is one to try. 

Are you excited to try Kraft’s new mac and cheese flavors? Tell us about it in the comments below.