Homemade vs. Frozen

Daiya, Amy’s, Pamela’s and Annie’s gluten and dairy free macaroni and cheese are made with brown rice pasta and vegan cheese, also referred to and spelled as cheeze. A big difference is that Amy’s mac and cheese is frozen while Daiya, Pamela’s and Annie’s come in a box with noodles that need to be boiled and then mixed with the cheeze in the pouch. As a result, they feel and taste more homemade, thick and gooey, like traditional mac and cheese.

Amy’s Rice Mac and Cheeze, Gluten and Dairy Free

I usually like Amy’s Kitchen frozen meals, but I do not recommend this mac and cheese. Because it is frozen, it does not taste homemade like the other three. Also, it is starchy, and the pasta is very sticky.

Annie’s Organic Vegan Mac, Gluten Free

Annie’s, Daiya and Pamela’s, come with pasta that has to be boiled. However, a difference is that Daiya has a cheeze sauce pouch, while Annie’s and Pamela’s contain a cheeze powder that has to be mixed with non-dairy milk and 2 tbsp. of butter, if desired.  I used soy milk although rice milk would have worked well too since it is like skim milk and does not significantly change the flavor of food (Milk Does a Body Good?). Also, I added 2 tbsp. of Earth Balance vegan butter (https://liveglutenanddairyfree.com/i-cant-believe-its-vegan-butter/). Like Amy’s, the noodles were very sticky even after boiling.

Pamela’s Vegan Mac, Gluten Free

Pamela and Annie’s are very similar products. However, the tiny macaroni noodles were hard, even after boiling. And out of the four brands, Pamela’s had the least cheesy flavor.

Daiya Deluxe Cheezy Mac

Without a doubt, Daiya’s pasta texture is the best, being tender and fluffy. Whereas Daiya has a mild cheddar taste, Annie’s is like sharp cheddar. Both are good, it really depends on how strong you like the taste of cheddar cheese.

Conclusion

Finally,  we can all enjoy a popular comfort food, mac and cheese, even if we have gluten and dairy sensitivities/allergies. Daiya and Annie’s have alternatives that look and taste like the real thing,  made with rice pasta and dairy free cheeze. We can once again enjoy this hearty meal for Sunday dinner and create new memories.

Fun Food Fact

In any given twelve-week period, approximately one-third of the population of the United States will eat macaroni and cheese at least once.  (http://mymacaroniandcheese.info/15-fun-facts-about-macaroni-and-cheese)

Did You Know?

July 14 marks National Mac & Cheese Day

Quotes

 “One of the things I love about New York is that it’s one of the only places where you could have an entire restaurant dedicated to macaroni and cheese.” – Savannah Guthrie

 “I am not one to turn down macaroni and cheese, even late at night. I love Italian food. I love pasta… A refrigerator full of water and Gatorade? Honey, that’s just not gonna happen.” – Queen Latifah