It's actually been a while since I tried a Trader Joe's product that I really didn't like. That streak just came to an end now that I've tried Trader Joe's Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese Bites.
The taste
As much as I was hoping to taste Trader Joe's Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese in these. Oh, how disappointed I was.
Trader Joe's actually makes pretty decent Mac and Cheese Bites that are sold year-round. And yes, they've been changed over the years but are still pretty good.
My expectations tasting this were those mac and cheese bites with the sauce of the butternut squash mac and cheese.
But let me tell you, it isn't the same sauce. Not by a long shot.
And let's be honest if they could have just switched out the mac and cheese sauce it should be divine.
Yet it wasn't.
This might be one of the worst things I've tasted since the awful Beef Cabbage Rolls.
It really came down to the sauce. It was very veggie without tasting very creamy. I see it in the ingredients but for some reason, the butternut squash came through more. The spices used: nutmeg, ginger, and mustard tasted like they had more of a leading role than they should have.
And that's a shame.
Because Trader Joe's didn't need to do much to succeed here.
The bread crumb on the outside of these isn't very seasoned so you may find you are reaching for the salt to amp these up just a bit.
The cooking directions were fine. I made mine in the oven.
But the taste was the downfall here. I've never had a pack of mac and cheese bites where I only ate one. And then I had no interest in the rest of them.
The packaging
The packaging here is pretty much the same as the mac and cheese bites. The product comes in a box. Inside the box is a plastic tray with 10 mac and cheese bites. The tray is covered in a thin plastic to prevent the breading from going all over.
Overall
There is a saying about pizza in my household: even when pizza is bad, it's still kinda good. As much as I thought that would apply to mac and cheese bites that wasn't the case here.
And listen, at the end of the day I really, really like Trader Joe's Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese, but as bites they just weren't working for me.
I didn't like this. I'm glad it is seasonal and will be off of shelves.
Would I buy this again? Not a chance would I buy Trader Joe's Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese Bites again. All they had to do was basically adjust one thing.
For $3.99 this was a waste. Stick with the regular mac and cheese bites or the actual butternut squash mac and cheese.
Did you try it? Let me know what you think in the comments section!
A visual rundown of this product
The box:
The nutritional information, calories, and ingredients:
How to prepare:
After being cooked you get:
Want to see more items I've reviewed from Trader Joe's? Click on Thoughts & Reviews of Trader Joe’s for a searchable list.
The Bottom Line
Don't forget to share your thoughts by going to the "user review" at the bottom of the box (click on the number of stars you believe this product deserves) and leave a comment below.
You can also FOLLOW ME on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest to see what I'm up to.
Trader Joe's Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese Bites
Product Name: Trader Joe's Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese Bites
Product Description: Trader Joe's Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese Bites are new but not like the other butternut squash mac and cheese.
Price: $3.99
Summary
Trader Joe's Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese Bites are new and seasonal.
-
Taste
-
Value
-
Worthy of Repurchasing
Pros
- Easy to follow directions
- Not overly salty.
Cons
- For some reason, this didn't live up to the frozen butternut squash mac and cheese.
- Too much veggie taste.
Brenda, once again your review has saved me money, you have never steered me wrong. Thank you!
OUCH! That sucks. I wonder if you could make mac n cheese bites then served butternut squash bisque on the side.
Damn. I got these a couple of weeks ago and was waiting for some actual Autumnal weather to justify making them. Now I'm nervous.
They are edible...but they aren't great. You might like them more than I did. I'd still love to hear your thoughts.
Note to self, must read more of these to wonder at what Americans like, or don’t like, to eat. Seems like they will breadcrumb almost anything, and put cheese in it. Fascinating.
Finally tried them. They were.....ok. Needed some more salt or a dipping sauce of some sort.
Thanks for sharing! I felt the same way.