Annie's New Mac & Cheeses: A Taste Test of Grilled Cheese and Dill Pickle Flavors

Annie's has launched two intriguing new flavors of their popular mac and cheese: Grilled Cheese and Dill Pickle. Known for their higher-end take on boxed mac, Annie's aims to cater to evolving food trends with these offerings.

In an effort to see how these flavors stack up against their namesakes, I prepared both at the same time, following the cooking instructions closely. The Grilled Cheese variety called for a slightly shorter cooking time and required butter to enhance its flavor, while adding butter to the Dill Pickle was optional. I opted to include butter in both for optimal richness.

Upon tasting, I found that the Dill Pickle flavor delivered an overwhelming punch of dill that overshadowed any creamy or savory notes. Despite its strong flavor profile, it failed to replicate the tanginess of an actual pickle, leaving me wanting more depth. The texture left something to be desired as well, with the pasta turning out mushy and the sauce gritty.

Conversely, the Grilled Cheese flavor, while still not living up to expectations, offered a smoother sauce and better pasta texture. However, it lacked the distinct buttery and bready notes associated with a traditional grilled cheese sandwich. Instead, it tasted like a standard boxed mac and cheese, which, while enjoyable, didn’t provide the unique experience I was hoping for.

Overall, neither flavor left a lasting impression. They may appeal to die-hard fans of dill or those loyal to the Annie's brand, but I couldn't recommend them wholeheartedly. For those curious, the Dill Pickle mac is available online for around $3.49 at Target and $3.69 on Amazon, while the Grilled Cheese flavor is also available at Target, with wider distribution expected soon.

Source: www.tastingtable.com