Energy
middle half137 kcalthis record per 100 g
- Corpus median
- 134 kcal
- Middle 50%
- 126–156 kcal
Based on 197 records reporting energy.
Mixed disheshigher variability
Beef and macaroni with cheese sauce calories: 421 per 307 g
This exact USDA record reports 421 calories for 307 g. That answer belongs to this description and weight; it is not a universal value for every meal that shares the name.
Quick facts
USDA reference amount · 307 g
- Calories
- 421 kcal
- Protein
- 28 g
- Carbohydrate
- 37.8 g
- Total fat
- 16.6 g
- Fiber
- 1.5 g
- Sodium
- 1,210 mg
Portion calculator
Estimate your portion
Choose a source measure or enter the weight you ate.
Estimated for 307 g
421calories
Beef and macaroni with cheese sauce
- Protein
- 28 g
- Carbs
- 37.8 g
- Fat
- 16.6 g
— means the source has no value available.
These values scale the selected reference food by weight. Ingredients, preparation, and portion size can change your meal’s estimate.
Nutrition facts, household measures, preparation notes and USDA sources
The editorial read
The useful answer has a weight, a composition, and an identity
Portion: the cited record reports about 421 calories for USDA reference amount at 307 grams. On a fixed-weight basis, the same record contains 137 calories per 100 grams. The first number answers a portion question; the second answers a concentration question.
Composition: that source amount also reports 28 g protein, 1.5 g fiber, and 1,210 mg sodium. Read those values together: a calorie total by itself cannot describe the nutrient profile.
Identity: the largest listed formulation input is beverages, water, tap, drinking, representing 43.4% of the record’s listed input weight. The record contains 14 source-input rows in all. These are provenance for a standardized calculation, not a recipe for your plate.
The reference amount and 1 cup answer different portion questions. Their values are scaled independently from the same per-100-gram source record.
The household measures attached to this record span roughly 337–1,706 calories across the listed portions. That is a set of scaled examples—not a confidence interval, a recommendation, or a claim about the full universe of recipes.
Calculated from the smallest and largest usable household measures listed by USDA for this exact FNDDS record; not a confidence interval.
Record-specific decision brief
What the numbers say—and what choice still belongs to you
This analysis belongs to USDA FDC 2706481: “Beef and macaroni with cheese sauce.” It separates gram-weight arithmetic, corpus context, label signals, and record selection so one number does not have to answer four different questions.
01 · Portion arithmetic
Three weights, one fixed composition
For FDC 2706481, each row multiplies the published per-100-gram values by its stated weight. “1 cup” through “1 package, prepared” are weight scenarios: named measures come from USDA, while percentage labels are transparent arithmetic.
| Scenario | Weight | Energy | Protein | Fiber | Sodium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 cupUSDA-listed household measure | 246 g | 337 kcal | 22.4 g | 1.2 g | 969 mg |
| USDA reference amountExact record reference weight | 307 g | 421 kcal | 28 g | 1.5 g | 1,210 mg |
| 1 package, preparedUSDA-listed household measure | 1,245 g | 1,706 kcal | 113.5 g | 6.2 g | 4,905 mg |
02 · Fixed-weight context
Where 100 grams sits inside Meat mixed dishes
The comparison set contains 197 exact records in the Meat mixed dishes USDA category. Here, “middle half” describes FDC 2706481’s energy position in that corpus—not nutritional quality, desirability, or a health rating.
Protein
middle half9.1 gthis record per 100 g
- Corpus median
- 8.1 g
- Middle 50%
- 6.4–12.1 g
Based on 197 records reporting protein.
Dietary fiber
lower quarter0.5 gthis record per 100 g
- Corpus median
- 0.9 g
- Middle 50%
- 0.6–1.4 g
Based on 197 records reporting dietary fiber.
Sodium
middle half394 mgthis record per 100 g
- Corpus median
- 316 mg
- Middle 50%
- 305–412 mg
Based on 197 records reporting sodium.
03 · FDA label lens
The strongest strength-side and tradeoff-side signals
At FDC 2706481’s 307 g reference weight, the largest strength-side percentage among the nutrients evaluated here is Iron; the larger tradeoff-side percentage is Sodium. Percentages use FDA label Daily Values, whose general “high” guide begins at 20% Daily Value. This is not an overall score or a personalized target.
Strength-side signals
Iron3 mg
≈ 18% DV. This does not cross the FDA’s 20% ‘high’ guide.
Calcium154 mg
≈ 12% DV. This does not cross the FDA’s 20% ‘high’ guide.
Tradeoff-side signals
Sodium1,210 mg
≈ 53% DV. This crosses the FDA’s 20% ‘high’ guide.
Saturated fat6.7 g
≈ 33% DV. This crosses the FDA’s 20% ‘high’ guide.
04 · Highest-impact checks
The three levers most worth resolving first
For “Beef and macaroni with cheese sauce,” the first-pass checks follow the evidence actually published: its named weights, the FDC 2706498 alternative, and its source-formulation identity.
- 01
Listed portion span: 1 cup to 1 package, prepared
USDA assigns those measures 246 g and 1,245 g. At this record’s fixed composition, scaled energy moves from 337 kcal to 1,706 kcal.
- 02
Record choice: compare with FDC 2706498
At an equal 100 g, this record has 96 mg more sodium than “Beef and rice with cheese sauce.” That is a record-level contrast; it does not identify which ingredient caused the difference.
- 03
Formulation anchor: Beverages, water, tap, drinking
The source formulation has 14 input rows; Beverages, water, tap, drinking supplies 43.4% of listed input weight. Those are standardized formulation inputs, not final plated percentages.
05 · Exact-record choice
Select by literal evidence, not the shortest name
Keep this record when the exact wording “Beef and macaroni with cheese sauce” fits. Inspect FDC 2706498 when the exact wording “Beef and rice with cheese sauce” is the more literal description of the food and preparation.
Keep this profile when these fields fit
Beef and macaroni with cheese sauce
- Exact source wording
- “Beef and macaroni with cheese sauce”
- Source identity
- USDA FDC 2706481 · FNDDS 27212050
- Source inputs unique in this pair
- Milk, NFS · Pasta, dry, enriched · Cornstarch
Inspect this alternative when its fields fit better
Beef and rice with cheese sauce
- Exact source wording
- “Beef and rice with cheese sauce”
- Source identity
- USDA FDC 2706498 · FNDDS 27213600
- Source inputs unique in this pair
- Rice, white, long-grain, regular, raw, enriched · Cheese, blue · Cream, sour, full fat
Choose the closest description
Which USDA record fits your meal?
Begin with the exact USDA description, then compare preparation, additions, and gram weight. A nearby record is useful only when its identity is closer—not simply because its name sounds familiar.
On smaller screens, focus a nutrition table and scroll horizontally to read every column.
| Exact record | Source serving | Calories / 100 g | Protein / 100 g | Fat / 100 g | Fiber / 100 g | Sodium / 100 g |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| This recordBeef and macaroni with cheese sauce | 307 g421 kcal | 137 kcal | 9.1 g | 5.4 g | 0.5 g | 394 mg |
| Beef and rice with cheese sauce | 310 g440 kcal | 142 kcal | 8.1 g | 5.4 g | 0.4 g | 298 mg |
| Beef and potatoes with cheese sauce | 187 g236 kcal | 126 kcal | 8.2 g | 5.6 g | 0.9 g | 316 mg |
| Beef and potatoes, no sauce | 142 g189 kcal | 133 kcal | 7.9 g | 4.9 g | 1.3 g | 305 mg |
| Beef and rice, no sauce | 245 g358 kcal | 146 kcal | 7.3 g | 5 g | 0.2 g | 312 mg |
| Beef with mushroom sauce | 192 g313 kcal | 163 kcal | 22 g | 7.5 g | 0.1 g | 355 mg |
| Beef and noodles, no sauce | 195 g369 kcal | 189 kcal | 11.4 g | 8.4 g | 0.8 g | 377 mg |
How to compare FDC 2706481: its source amount is 307 g; every 100-gram column removes portion size from the record-to-record comparison. Neither denominator determines your plate’s weight or recipe.
Household measures
Compare listed portions
For FDC 2706481, the 2 displayed measures scale the same source composition by gram weight; rounding changes presentation, not the underlying ratio.
1 cup
337 kcal
246 g
1 package, prepared
1,706 kcal
1,245 g
At a glance
Nutrient signals in the source amount
For FDC 2706481, Sodium is the largest displayed non-protein Daily Value signal. Read the set as label context—not a personalized score.
Sodium
1,209.6 mg≈ 53% Daily ValueSaturated fat
6.7 g≈ 34% Daily ValueThe percentages above apply to FDC 2706481’s 307 g reference amount. FDA Daily Values are general label references, not individualized energy or medical targets. Read the FDA explanation ↗
Why FDC 2706481 has no protein percentage here: Feast reports 28 g, but does not present grams divided by 50 as FDA protein %DV; applicable label rules account for protein quality and regulatory context.
Source-serving signals
What stands out in this record
These 1 calculated observation describe FDC 2706481 at 307 g—not a measured or recommended plate.
- The representative USDA portion contains 1210 mg sodium, about 53% of the Daily Value used on U.S. labels.
Nutrition facts
Compare the source serving with 100 grams
Values are rounded for readability. The source serving is 307 g.
| Nutrient | Amount | Approx. % Daily Value |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 421 kcal 137 kcal | Not established Not established |
| Protein | 28 g 9.1 g | Not shown Not shown |
| Carbohydrate | 37.8 g 12.3 g | 14% 4% |
| Total fat | 16.6 g 5.4 g | 21% 7% |
| Dietary fiber | 1.5 g 0.5 g | 5% 2% |
| Sugars | 4.6 g 1.5 g | Not established Not established |
| Sodium | 1,209.6 mg 394 mg | 53% 17% |
| Saturated fat | 6.7 g 2.2 g | 33% 11% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 6.5 g 2.1 g | Not established Not established |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1 g 0.3 g | Not established Not established |
| Cholesterol | 73.7 mg 24 mg | 25% 8% |
| Potassium | 432.9 mg 141 mg | 9% 3% |
| Calcium | 153.5 mg 50 mg | 12% 4% |
| Iron | 3.2 mg 1.1 mg | 18% 6% |
| Magnesium | 49.1 mg 16 mg | 12% 4% |
| Vitamin C | 0 mg 0 mg | 0% 0% |
| Vitamin D | 0.6 µg 0.2 µg | 3% 1% |
| Vitamin A | 52.2 µg 17 µg | 6% 2% |
| Caffeine | 0 mg 0 mg | Not established Not established |
| Alcohol | 0 g 0 g | Not established Not established |
| Water | 220.4 g 71.8 g | Not established Not established |
For FDC 2706481, approximate percentages divide the displayed 307 g amount by FDA label Daily Values; they are not personalized targets. “Not established” means FDA sets no Daily Value for that row. Protein %DV remains unshown because adult-label use depends on regulatory context.
Inside the source record
Source formulation behind this USDA record
USDA links FDC 2706481 to 14 source inputs totaling 1,364.6 g in its standardized formulation. Publishing that exact provenance makes “Beef and macaroni with cheese sauce” inspectable beside similarly named records.
How to read this
14 listed components
The largest listed inputs by source weight are Beverages, water, tap, drinking, Beef, ground, Milk, NFS. The order and weights below come from the standardized USDA formulation, so they offer context for this exact database entry.
1,364.6 g total listed input weight across the formulation.
| # | USDA input | Listed amount | Input weight | Share of listed input weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Beef, groundUSDA ingredient 21500100 · encyclopedia page available | 304 GM | 304 g | 22.3% |
| 2 | Milk, NFSUSDA ingredient 11100000 · encyclopedia page available | 1 C | 244 g | 17.9% |
| 3 | Beverages, water, tap, drinkingUSDA ingredient 14411 · encyclopedia page available | 2.5 C | 592.5 g | 43.4% |
| 4 | Pasta, dry, enrichedUSDA ingredient 20120 | 6 WO | 170.1 g | 12.5% |
| 5 | CornstarchUSDA ingredient 20027 · encyclopedia page available | 12 GM | 12 g | 0.9% |
| 6 | Cheese, cheddarUSDA ingredient 1009 · encyclopedia page available | 19 GM | 19 g | 1.4% |
| 7 | Shortening, vegetable, household, compositeUSDA ingredient 4615 · encyclopedia page available | 2 GM | 2 g | 0.1% |
| 8 | Bacon bits, meatlessUSDA ingredient 43212 | 4 GM | 4 g | 0.3% |
| 9 | Milk, buttermilk, driedUSDA ingredient 1094 | 4 GM | 4 g | 0.3% |
| 10 | Salt, tableUSDA ingredient 2047 · encyclopedia page available | 9 GM | 9 g | 0.7% |
| 11 | Milk, dry, nonfat, regular, without added vitamin A and vitamin DUSDA ingredient 1091 · encyclopedia page available | 1 GM | 1 g | 0.1% |
| 12 | Cottage cheese, full fat, large or small curdUSDA ingredient 1012 | 1 GM | 1 g | 0.1% |
| 13 | Flour, wheat, all-purpose, enriched, bleachedUSDA ingredient 20081 · encyclopedia page available | 1 GM | 1 g | 0.1% |
| 14 | CornstarchUSDA ingredient 20027 · encyclopedia page available | 1 GM | 1 g | 0.1% |
USDA shorthand in this evidence
- NFS means “not further specified.” The record intentionally leaves the exact subtype, size, or preparation unresolved.
Exact-record context
What makes this USDA record distinct?
For FDC 2706481, the close-record rule searches the USDA “Meat mixed dishes” category for shared description terms or source inputs. Any surviving pair is compared per 100 grams, so unlike source-serving sizes cannot manufacture the nutrient difference.
This record
Beef and macaroni with cheese sauce
- USDA category
- Meat mixed dishes
- FDC ID
- 2706481
- FNDDS code
- 27212050
Closest inspectable record
Beef and rice with cheese sauce
- USDA category
- Meat mixed dishes
- FDC ID
- 2706498
- FNDDS code
- 27213600
| Nutrient | This record | Comparison record | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calories | 137 kcal | 142 kcal | −5 kcal |
| Protein | 9.1 g | 8.1 g | +1 g |
| Carbohydrate | 12.3 g | 14.7 g | −2.4 g |
| Total fat | 5.4 g | 5.4 g | +0.1 g |
| Dietary fiber | 0.5 g | 0.4 g | +0.1 g |
| Sodium | 394 mg | 298 mg | +96 mg |
Plain-English read
At the fixed 100-gram basis, this record lists 1 g more protein, 2.4 g less carbohydrate, and 96 mg more sodium than “Beef and rice with cheese sauce.”
Only this record lists Milk, NFS; Pasta, dry, enriched; Cornstarch; Bacon bits, meatless. Only the comparison record lists Rice, white, long-grain, regular, raw, enriched; Cheese, blue; Cream, sour, full fat; Peppers, hot chili, red, raw. Those formulation rows identify different source records; they do not prove which input caused a nutrient difference.
3 of the six displayed differences clear the documented materiality screen. It is a reading aid, not a health rating.
Formulation evidence
The listed formulations differ
The formulation rows differ, but the source data do not isolate which component caused any nutrient difference. Input weights describe the standardized formulation—not final plated proportions.
Shared listed inputs: Beef, ground; Beverages, water, tap, drinking; Cheese, cheddar; Shortening, vegetable, household, composite; and 2 more.
Listed only in this record: Milk, NFS; Pasta, dry, enriched; Cornstarch; Bacon bits, meatless; and 3 more.
Listed only in the comparison: Rice, white, long-grain, regular, raw, enriched; Cheese, blue; Cream, sour, full fat; Peppers, hot chili, red, raw; and 3 more.
Portion evidence
The listed portion sets differ
This record’s reference amount is 307 g; a familiar listed measure is 1 cup (246 g).
The comparison record’s reference amount is 310 g; a familiar listed measure is 1 cup (248 g).
Use the 100-gram row to compare FDC 2706481 with FDC 2706498 at equal mass; use their 307 g and 310 g source amounts only for portion matching.
Evidence boundary: FDC 2706481 versus FDC 2706498 is a comparison of standardized source records—not a measurement of your meal, an overall food-quality rank, or proof that one input caused a difference.
Review the full meat mixed dishes source category → Read the calculation and selection methodology →
Uncertainty, made actionable
What can change this estimate?
This is a standardized USDA survey-food profile, not a measurement of every preparation. Actual nutrition can change with amount served, recipe and ingredient ratios, added cooking fat, sauces and toppings.
For “Beef and macaroni with cheese sauce,” resolve amount served first, then move through the remaining 3 published levers. Unknowns should remain visible rather than expanding every assumption at once.
- 01
amount served
When composition is held constant, nutrient totals scale directly with grams. A 20% weight correction produces the same 20% correction to the scaled totals.
- 02
recipe and ingredient ratios
Prefer a package, menu, or known recipe when it identifies the food more precisely. Otherwise preserve the generic record as an explicit approximation.
- 03
added cooking fat
Match the named cooking-fat state when possible. Fat used, retained, or left behind is preparation information that a dish name alone cannot recover.
- 04
sauces and toppings
Check whether the exact source description already includes it. If not, keep the addition separate rather than silently folding it into the base record.
How we estimated this
The arithmetic is simple; the provenance is the point
FDC 2706481 comes from FoodData Central Survey Foods (FNDDS). Its 137 kcal per 100 g becomes 421 kcal at 307 g through nutrient per portion = nutrient per 100 g × portion grams ÷ 100; this page adds no second nutrition estimate.
About the serving label: USDA describes the underlying survey portion as “Quantity not specified.” We display it as a USDA reference amount because it is a database comparison point—not a suggested portion or a claim about what most people should eat.
Data cycle: 2021–2023, published October 31, 2024
FoodData Central ID: 2706481
FNDDS food code: 27212050
The scaling for FDC 2706481 can be exact while the match to “Beef and macaroni with cheese sauce” is wrong. That is why this profile keeps its 307 g weight, 14-row source formulation, and selection uncertainty beside the arithmetic.
Source release October 31, 2024. Review USDA’s data-type documentation ↗ · Read Feast’s full nutrition methodology.