# Fast Food Macaroni Meals This Fast Food Chain Now Offers a Mac and Cheese Option for Kids By Katherine Pendrill | Published 2015-12-17 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mac-and-cheese-option References: [brandeating](http://www.brandeating.com/2015/12/mcdonalds-testing-mac-cheese-as-happy-meal-option.html) [McDonald's](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/spicy-mac-and-cheese-burger) is currently testing the idea of offering a mac and cheese option for kids. Although [macaroni is a beloved comfort food](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/creamy-mac-cheese), the dish has remained absent from most fast fast menus. Now McDonald's is testing out the cheesy entree as a healthy option for kids. At select locations in Ohio, McDonald's is giving customers the opportunity to order mac and cheese a-la-cart or as part of a Happy Meal.The dish costs $1.75 and clocks in at about 190 calories per serving. Other details about how the dish will be prepared are shrouded in mystery as the product is still in the early stages of testing. While there is no word on whether McDonald's will make its mac and cheese option a menu staple, the dish could serve as a healthy alternative to some of its other signature products. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 0.5/10 - Popularity: 2% | Activity: 4% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Gen Alpha, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Food](https://www.trendhunter.com/food) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Mac and Cheese Fast Food:** McDonald's testing a mac and cheese option for kids could spark a trend of fast food chains offering this beloved comfort food. - **Healthier Fast Food Options:** The introduction of a mac and cheese option as a healthy choice for kids could lead to a trend of fast food chains offering healthier menu choices. - **Kids' Menu Expansion:** Adding mac and cheese to the kids' menu could inspire other fast food chains to expand their offerings and cater to young customers. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Fast Food:** Fast food chains can seize the opportunity to innovate by introducing mac and cheese options, attracting customers seeking new menu choices. - **Food and Beverage:** The trend of fast food chains offering mac and cheese meals creates opportunities for food and beverage companies to develop and supply products specifically tailored to this market. - **Childhood Nutrition:** The introduction of a healthier mac and cheese option for kids in fast food chains can create opportunities for companies in the childhood nutrition industry to collaborate and develop more nutritious options. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Spicy Macaroni-Topped Burgers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/spicy-mac-and-cheese-burger.md) - [Cheese-Filled QSR Combos](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/schlotzskys-mac-and-cheese.md) - [Limited-Edition Kid Meals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/healthy-mac-cheese.md) - [Macaroni and Cheese Burgers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/scorchin-hot-mac-cheese.md) - [Ranch-Covered Macaroni Meals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/loaded-chicken-bacon-ranch-mac-n-cheese.md) - [Gourmet Macaroni Meals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mac-cheese-frozen-ready-meals.md) - [Family-Sized Macaroni Sides](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mac-cheese-family-side.md) - [Cheesy Artisan-Style Pastas](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/noodles-company-mac-cheese.md) - [Vegetable-Forward Macaroni Meals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/supermac.md)