Is Goodles Real Cheese? Separating Fact from Marketing

October 28, 2025 •

3 min read

Goodles boasts 14g of protein and 6g of fiber per serving in its most popular flavors, and yes, the answer to "is Goodles real cheese?" is that many of its products contain a proprietary blend of real dairy cheese. However, the ingredient story is more nuanced, with both real cheese and plant-based options available.

Quick Summary

Goodles uses a blend of real dairy cheese in most flavors, combined with a nutrient-dense pasta base made with chickpea and wheat protein. The brand also offers dedicated dairy-free mac and cheese options, which rely on plant-based alternatives.

Key Points

Yes, real dairy cheese is used: The answer to "is Goodles real cheese?" is yes, for their dairy-based flavors, which feature a blend of real cultured milk, whey, and butter.
Vegan options are dairy-free: Goodles also offers vegan varieties, such as "Vegan is Believin'," which use a cashew-based sauce instead of dairy cheese.
Superior nutritional content: Goodles differentiates itself with a higher protein and fiber content than many competing boxed brands, achieved by using chickpea protein and other plant nutrients.
No artificial ingredients: The dairy-based recipes use real cheese and natural colors and flavors, with no artificial preservatives.
Enhanced flavor and texture: The combination of real cheese and a fortified noodle results in a more robust flavor and firmer, chewier pasta texture compared to traditional options.
Transparent ingredients: Goodles makes its ingredients and sourcing transparent, working with a dairy partner in the Midwest for its cheese blends.

Goodles: The Ingredients Behind the Cheesiness

Goodles markets itself as a "gooder" mac and cheese, aiming to deliver a comfort food experience with added nutritional benefits. For most of its dairy-based products, the cheesiness comes from a blend of real dairy ingredients, not just an anonymous powder. The specific cheese blend varies by flavor but generally includes cultured milk, whey, and buttermilk. For example, the Shella Good flavor features a blend of aged white cheddar, while the Cheddy Mac uses a creamy cheddar.

Unlike the simple packets of artificial cheese powder found in some traditional brands, Goodles utilizes real cheese along with other components like butter, salt, and various natural flavorings and colors (like annatto and paprika) to create its sauce. This combination results in a brighter, more complex flavor profile that has been noted by taste testers.

The Noodle and Nutrient Boost

In addition to the cheese, a significant part of the Goodles story is its noodle. The pasta is made with a blend of wheat flour, chickpea protein, and wheat protein, which contributes to the higher protein and fiber content. This nutrient boost is further enhanced by incorporating extracts from a variety of plants, such as broccoli, spinach, kale, and pumpkin. The company's focus on nutrient density is what sets it apart in the crowded boxed mac and cheese market.

How Goodles Stacks Up Against Traditional Brands

When comparing Goodles to traditional boxed mac and cheese brands, the differences become clear. A major point of distinction is the ingredient quality. While many classic brands use a processed cheese powder, Goodles relies on real cheese and avoids artificial flavors and preservatives in its dairy options. This shift affects not only the taste but also the nutritional profile, offering a more wholesome product.

Here's a list of key ingredients in a standard Goodles dairy flavor:

Pasta: Wheat flour, chickpea protein, wheat protein, and plant nutrient extracts.
Cheese Blend: Cultured milk, whey, buttermilk, and enzymes.
Other Ingredients: Natural flavors, butter, salt, and coloring from natural sources like paprika and annatto.

The Vegan Exception: Goodles' Dairy-Free Options

While most of its core flavors use real dairy cheese, Goodles is inclusive of vegan consumers with its dedicated dairy-free product line. The "Vegan is Believin'" flavor, for example, is designed for those who want a cheesy mac without any animal products. Instead of real dairy, this product features a plant-based white cheddar sauce that uses cashew nut milk to achieve its creamy texture and flavor. This means that while some Goodles products contain real cheese, not all of them do, and it's important for consumers to check the specific product packaging.

Goodles vs. Traditional Boxed Mac: A Comparison


Feature	Goodles (Dairy Versions)	Traditional Boxed Mac & Cheese (e.g., Kraft)
Ingredient Quality	Uses a blend of real, cultured dairy cheese and butter; no artificial flavors or preservatives.	Uses a cheese sauce mix, often with artificial colors and flavors.
Protein per Serving	Higher, typically around 14g or more.	Lower, often less than 10g.
Fiber per Serving	Higher, often 6g or more, with prebiotics for gut health.	Very low, often only 1-2g.
Sourced Nutrients	Contains 21 nutrients from a mix of organic vegetables and plants.	Generally lacks added nutrients; relies on fortified flour.
Texture	Firmer, chewier noodles due to chickpea and wheat protein.	Softer, standard durum wheat macaroni.
Flavor Profile	Brighter, more complex cheese flavor with natural tang.	Simpler, consistent, and recognizable flavor from processed powder.

Conclusion: Goodles Offers Real Cheese with a Healthier Twist

So, is Goodles real cheese? For its dairy-based mac and cheese products, the answer is a resounding yes. The company uses real dairy cheese blends, which contributes to a more authentic and higher-quality flavor than many competitors. Furthermore, it distinguishes itself with higher protein, more fiber, and added nutrients from plants. However, consumers should be aware of the vegan options, which use cashew milk, ensuring that Goodles caters to a broad range of dietary needs. For those seeking a boxed mac and cheese with a focus on real ingredients and enhanced nutrition, Goodles offers a compelling and delicious alternative.

Learn more about their mission and product range on their official website: Goodles.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, most of the standard Goodles mac and cheese flavors, such as Cheddy Mac and Shella Good, contain dairy in the form of real cheese, cultured milk, and whey. However, Goodles also offers dedicated vegan, dairy-free options.

No, not all Goodles products are made with real dairy cheese. While their classic flavors use real cheese blends, their vegan lines, like "Vegan is Believin'," are explicitly dairy-free and use a plant-based cheese sauce made with cashew milk.

Goodles' cheese sauce is made with real dairy cheese, butter, and natural flavorings, resulting in a brighter, more complex taste. Kraft's cheese sauce is typically a processed powder with artificial colors, giving it a more uniform but less complex flavor.

Goodles' higher protein content comes from both the noodles, which are fortified with chickpea and wheat protein, and the real dairy ingredients in the cheese blends.

Goodles is often considered a healthier alternative because it contains significantly more protein and fiber, uses real cheese and natural ingredients in its dairy varieties, and adds plant-based nutrients.

Goodles noodles are distinct because they are made with a blend of wheat flour, chickpea protein, and wheat protein. This combination increases the protein and fiber content and results in a firmer, chewier texture than traditional pasta.

Yes, Goodles offers gluten-free options. It's always best to check the product packaging for specific dietary information, as not all flavors are gluten-free, and some may still contain dairy.