Note: The weblogs show a lot of people visiting/linking this page (I guess it shows up a lot in searches) which is cool. However, for your viewing pleasure, there is an updated version on my main page.

    As a university student living alone with no one else to even try to impress with my cooking skills (whether or not I could actually impress anyone anyway is debatable), I tend to lean (steeply) towards foods that can be prepared in 10 minutes or less, and that require a minimum amount of effort.
    Here's what makes Kraft Dinner the food of choice:
  • Kraft Dinner takes (according to the box) 7 minutes to make. Of course its more than that, since you have to boil water, but unless you use - say - a match, most people can keep that to about five minutes.
  • Kraft Dinner requires getting exactly two items dirty:
    • 1 pot
    • 1 spoon
    Now, if you're making the spaghetti version, you may want to also dirty a fork, since eating spaghetti with a spoon is difficult. Also, this assumes that you don't bother with bowls or plates... you have to eat right out of the pot like a real man... or woman... or trained monkey.
  • Kraft Dinner is a "good source of protien", or at least so says the box.
  • Kraft Dinner is a good source of macaroni.
  • Kraft Dinner is a good source of something that vaguely resembles cheese.
  • Kraft Dinner requires only two outside ingredients:
    • milk
    • butter or margarine
    In a pinch, substitute water for milk, and forget the butter/margarine... it still works, although I recommend at least putting in the butter. Milk and water don't seem to differ much.
  • Kraft Dinner can be made by idiots, although serious burns may result.
  • One box is a healthy single serving, or can be split to feed two if you're lucky enough to have friends.
  • Kraft Dinner is not (to the best of my knowledge) made in slave-labour camps in Mongolia. Nor does it contain (visible) insect parts.
  • Kraft Dinner now comes in a wide array of types and flavours, in addition to non-Kraft variants.

Original Kraft Dinner
As the name suggests, the original Kraft Dinner. Macaroni noodles, and a strangly bright, almost day-glow yellow cheese sauce. Many would argue that the "white cheddar" varieties are an improvement on the taste, but when you have an overwhelming urge to get back to your roots, this is where to go. Comes in a 225g box - the best $/gram value of the Kraft varieties.
Spaghetti & Cheese Kraft Dinner
A variation on the original, this variety combines the common spaghetti noodle with the same day-glow yellow cheese powder. For whatever reason, the noodle change provides some difference in taste from the original, and the sauce ends up with a less bright-yellow colour. Comes in a 200g box, so those of you who are really anal will instead want to pick up the original for the extra 25 grams.
Spaghetti in Tomato Sauce Kraft Dinner
The contents of this box look identical to those of the cheese spaghetti - spaghetti noodles, and a sauce mix pouch. But lo and behold, when the pouch is opened, instead of the typical bright yellow powder, out comes a strangly off-red powder with funny bits in it ("spices", I think they try to pass them off as). Anyway, its a nice change from cheese, but I still prefer the original. Comes in a 200g box.
Kraft Dinner with Egg Noodles
Going back to the original cheese sauce, this box apparently contains "egg-noodles" which are apparently different than regular noodles. I did make two boxes, and took the leftovers into work for lunch. The overall effect of the eggnoodles is a refreshing change in texture. They also microwave well. Comes in 175g box, so either the noodles are less dense, or Kraft is getting cheap.
Kraft Dinner Spirals
Pretty much the same as regular Kraft Dinner, but spirally. Right now its got some contest on the box too. 200g box.
Kraft Dinner Extra Creamy
Unfortunatley, I can't say I recommend this one. If you're looking for a deluxe version of Kraft dinner, go with the President's Choice cheddar variety. This stuff has a sort of weird taste... I think perhaps its a result of a yellow powder overdose. Anyway, 200g box'n'stuff.
Tomato Marinara
I haven't tried any of the side dishes yet. They've been waiting in the cupboard to be scanned for the past few months. I'll have to let you know how they turn out. 135g Box.
Creamy Garlic
130g Box.
Cheese & Bacon
144g Box. Because bacon is more dense than cheese I suppose.
Kraft Macaroni & Cheese Dinner
Yes... you've all heard rumours that the crazy Americans haven't got "Kraft Dinner", and the rumours are indeed true. This is what they've instead. I'm sure its quite the same but since I've only just scanned the box now, I haven't been able to try it out yet. And, not having caught on to the wonder that is the metric system (the key is "10", people), this is a 7.25oz (206g) box.
Kraft Macaroni & Cheese Super Heroes
Another import from the States, this one has noodles shaped like various super heroes (Superman, Wonderwoman, Green Lantern, etc.). I should expect the sauce is the same though. 5.5oz (156g) Box.
Thick'n Creamy Kraft Macaroni & Cheese Dinner
A third import, this would seem to be the same as the Kraft Dinner Extra Creamy, so I'm not really looking forward to diving into this one. 206g Box.
Three Cheese Macaroni & Cheese Dinner
The last of my imports, this one purports to have three different types of cheese in it. I don't know how you can tell three cheeses mixed into a generic cheesy sauce from any other generic cheesy sauce, but I think I'm just getting cynical. 206g Box.
White Cheddar Macaroni & Cheese
There are a number of brands of White Cheddar M&C available, the original (to my knowledge) being President's Choice. WCM&C sauce tends to bear more resemblance to actual cheese than the Kraft varietes. It also tends to be cheaper. Many would also argue that it tastes better, but regardless, just remember where it all started.
Deluxe Cheddar Macaroni & Cheese
Also made by President's Choice, Deluxe Cheddar Macaroni & Cheese is Kraft Dinner, but with stuff that seems more like cheese. According to the box its also stated that it's "packed with our own zesty PC cheddary bursts". I think the case is really that they could never get all of the cheese powder to dissolve, so they decided the leftover chunks would be "cheddary bursts". Notice they're not "cheddar" bursts. Anyway, its good stuff - 225g box.



Dutifully detailed, disgustingly drafted, and dreadfully designed, by
John Price -- webmaster@morgoth.org