KFC Mac & Cheese (Side): Price & Calories
KFC's mac and cheese side runs about $3.79 individual at 140 calories: the same recipe that founds the Mac & Cheese Bowl, sold in side-sized honesty. The kids' eternal pick and the adult's secret comfort add.
◐ REFERENCE FIGURES · INDEPENDENTLY TRACKED · 31 AUG 2026
Grade = this item's percentile across the whole menu: 40% price-per-calorie + 40% price-per-protein + 20% sodium penalty. Full formula.
KFC Mac & Cheese (Side) price
| Option | Price | Calories | Data |
|---|---|---|---|
| Individual | $3.79 | 140 | ◐ REF. |
National reference pricing on the audit date. Franchises set final prices; a spread of about a dollar between locations is normal.
The Ledger · price history on recordWhat this item has cost
| Date | Price | Move |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 2026 | $3.79 | opening entry |
Opened on this ledger at $3.79 on the audit date; the row below it gets written the day the price moves, publicly. Sides reprice in 20- to 30-cent steps, usually with the spring menu refresh, and rarely move twice in a year.
Fact checkWhy other sites disagree about this item
The side/bowl name-share breeds constant figure-swapping online: 540-calorie "mac and cheese" listings are the bowl; 140 is the side. Family-size tub numbers get misattributed both directions too. One recipe, three portions; label reading beats outrage.
Full nutrition, per serving
| Nutrient | Per serving | % daily value |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 140 | 7% |
| Protein | 5 g | 10% |
| Carbohydrates | 13 g | 5% |
| Total fat | 8 g | 10% |
| Saturated fat | 3 g | 15% |
| Sodium | 590 mg | 26% |
| Sugars | 2 g | 4% |
| Fibre | 1 g | 4% |
Where the sodium lands
590 mg individual: cheese doing cheese things. As a fries swap it still saves ~460 mg; as a kid's whole meal beside tenders it keeps the plate under a sensible day's half.
AllergensAllergens
Contains: Wheat, Milk, Soy. Shared fryers and prep areas mean cross-contact is possible; confirm with the restaurant if you have a severe allergy.
What is in a Mac and Cheese?
Elbow macaroni in a cheddar-forward sauce: the exact base the bowl builds on, portioned as a side. Creamy rather than baked-style; consistency is its brand.
How it is made
Held and stirred, ladled to order, large tubs for family meals. It reheats second only to mash, and its side-swap availability makes it the fries alternative for the cheese-inclined.
Who it suits, and who should skip it
Children with vetoes, adults building comfort plates, and swap-users who find mash too plain. With two tenders it forms the definitive kid plate this site keeps rebuilding.
Is it worth the price?
Priced above its weight: the kid-tax is real, and worth it exactly when it’s worth it.
2.71¢ per calorie makes it the dearest carb on the sides board (the C reflects it): you’re paying for reliability and the word “cheese”. As a swap it costs nothing extra, which is where the smart money uses it.
Order hacks
- Swap it into combos free where offered: the cheese-lover’s mash alternative.
- Kid plate: this + two tenders remains the build to beat.
- Large tub reheats through day three without shame.
- Bowl curious? The bowl is this plus crispy nuggets and toppings: the side is the taste test.
- Stir before judging; held mac settles and the ladle order matters.
KFC Mac & Cheese (Side) vs KFC Potato Wedges: value, computed
| Item | Price | ¢ / calorie | $ / 10g protein | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KFC Mac & Cheese (Side) | $3.79 | 2.71¢ | $7.58 | C |
| KFC Potato Wedges | $3.89 | 1.22¢ | $9.72 | C+ |
| KFC Secret Recipe Fries | $3.49 | 1.09¢ | $8.72 | C |
| KFC Mashed Potatoes & Gravy | $2.79 | 2.15¢ | $13.95 | C |
| KFC Coleslaw | $2.79 | 1.64¢ | $27.90 | C |
Computed from the prices and nutrition on this site. When a price moves, these columns move with it; only The KF Menu publishes this table.
AlternativesCompare with similar items
KFC Potato Wedges
$3.89
· 320 cal · C+
KFC Secret Recipe Fries
$3.49
· 320 cal · C
KFC Mashed Potatoes & Gravy
$2.79
· 130 cal · C
KFC Coleslaw
$2.79
· 170 cal · C
How to order the KFC Mac & Cheese (Side)
| Route | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Status | Standing menu item as of 31 Aug 2026; participation can vary by franchise. |
| KFC app & website | The reference price on this page, plus app-only offers and Rewards points. The cleanest way to see your own store’s price before ordering. Official listing. |
| Counter & drive-through | Franchise-set pricing: a spread of about a dollar around the reference is normal. AK, HI and CA run higher on KFC’s own note. |
| Delivery apps | Marked up over counter price and no Rewards earning; the delivery page ranks the routes. |
| Also inside | KFC Mac & Cheese Bowl ($5.00), KFC 2 pc. Tenders Kids Meal ($5.99), KFC 5 pc. Nuggets Kids Meal ($5.99), KFC Mac & Cheese Bowl Combo ($6.99): the builds that bundle it. |
| Cheaper routes | current deals change without a schedule; the app row is the truth; the standing value board (Taste of KFC, $5 Bowls, Fill Ups) usually beats a promo code. |
KFC Mac & Cheese (Side) FAQs
How much is KFC mac and cheese?
About $3.79 individual, $5.99 large tub. It also anchors the Mac & Cheese Bowl at $5.99 with toppings.
How many calories in the side?
140 individual: the 540 figure circulating belongs to the bowl. Large tub runs ~420.
Is it the same as the Mac Bowl?
Same recipe, different portion and company: the bowl adds crispy nuggets and a cheese topping. The side is the base sold plain.
Is KFC mac and cheese vegetarian?
The mac itself contains no meat; shared-kitchen prep applies as everywhere. Stricter diners should ask locally.
Why is it pricier per calorie than fries?
Kid-tax and dairy costs: reliability commands margin. As a free combo swap, its price disappears entirely.
Does it reheat?
Second only to mash: a stir and short microwave restores it well into leftovers territory.
How much protein is in the Mac & Cheese?
5 g. At the reference price that is $7.58 per 10 g of protein, dearer than most of the menu, which sits at $2.09.
How much sodium is in the KFC Mac & Cheese?
590 mg, 26% of the 2,300 mg daily value in one side. The seasoning and any gravy or cheese carry it; a plainer side is the only real lever.
Where every number came from
THE KF MENU · SOURCE SLIP
mac-and-cheese · audit 31 AUG 2026
independent guide, not affiliated with KFC Corporation