Energy
upper quarter219 kcalthis record per 100 g
- Corpus median
- 161 kcal
- Middle 50%
- 144–191 kcal
Based on 16 records reporting energy.
Pasta, rice & grainsmoderate variability
Macaroni or noodles with cheese, whole grain calories: 504 per 1 cup (230 g)
This exact USDA record reports 504 calories for 1 cup (230 g). That answer belongs to this description and weight; it is not a universal value for every meal that shares the name.
Quick facts
1 cup · 230 g
- Calories
- 504 kcal
- Protein
- 20.2 g
- Carbohydrate
- 52.2 g
- Total fat
- 25.1 g
- Fiber
- 5.1 g
- Sodium
- 828 mg
Portion calculator
Estimate your portion
Choose a source measure or enter the weight you ate.
Estimated for 1 cup · 230 g
504calories
Macaroni or noodles with cheese, whole grain
- Protein
- 20.2 g
- Carbs
- 52.2 g
- Fat
- 25.1 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 504 calories for 1 cup at 230 grams. On a fixed-weight basis, the same record contains 219 calories per 100 grams. The first number answers a portion question; the second answers a concentration question.
Composition: that source amount also reports 20.2 g protein, 5.1 g fiber, and 828 mg sodium. Read those values together: a calorie total by itself cannot describe the nutrient profile.
Identity: the largest listed formulation input is pasta, whole-wheat, cooked (includes foods for usda's food distribution program), representing 43.4% of the record’s listed input weight. The record contains 7 source-input rows in all. These are provenance for a standardized calculation, not a recipe for your plate.
The source calls its underlying survey portion “Quantity not specified,” but it separately lists 1 cup at the identical weight. We use the familiar household label here without changing the source calculation.
Record-specific decision brief
What the numbers say—and what choice still belongs to you
This analysis belongs to USDA FDC 2708824: “Macaroni or noodles with cheese, whole grain.” 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 2708824, each row multiplies the published per-100-gram values by its stated weight. “75% of the reference weight” through “125% of the reference weight” are weight scenarios: named measures come from USDA, while percentage labels are transparent arithmetic.
| Scenario | Weight | Energy | Protein | Fiber | Sodium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75% of the reference weightArithmetic scenario from the reference weight | 172.5 g | 378 kcal | 15.1 g | 3.8 g | 621 mg |
| 1 cupUSDA-listed household measure | 230 g | 504 kcal | 20.2 g | 5.1 g | 828 mg |
| 125% of the reference weightArithmetic scenario from the reference weight | 287.5 g | 630 kcal | 25.2 g | 6.3 g | 1,035 mg |
02 · Fixed-weight context
Where 100 grams sits inside Macaroni and cheese
The comparison set contains 16 exact records in the Macaroni and cheese USDA category. Here, “upper quarter” describes FDC 2708824’s energy position in that corpus—not nutritional quality, desirability, or a health rating.
Protein
upper quarter8.8 gthis record per 100 g
- Corpus median
- 6 g
- Middle 50%
- 4.6–8.4 g
Based on 16 records reporting protein.
Dietary fiber
upper quarter2.2 gthis record per 100 g
- Corpus median
- 0.8 g
- Middle 50%
- 0.7–1.1 g
Based on 16 records reporting dietary fiber.
Sodium
upper quarter360 mgthis record per 100 g
- Corpus median
- 256 mg
- Middle 50%
- 176–300 mg
Based on 16 records reporting sodium.
03 · FDA label lens
The strongest strength-side and tradeoff-side signals
At FDC 2708824’s 230 g reference weight, the largest strength-side percentage among the nutrients evaluated here is Calcium; the larger tradeoff-side percentage is Saturated fat. 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
Calcium398 mg
≈ 31% DV. This crosses the FDA’s 20% ‘high’ guide.
Vitamin A243.8 µg
≈ 27% DV. This crosses the FDA’s 20% ‘high’ guide.
Tradeoff-side signals
Saturated fat11.9 g
≈ 60% DV. This crosses the FDA’s 20% ‘high’ guide.
Sodium828 mg
≈ 36% DV. This crosses the FDA’s 20% ‘high’ guide.
04 · Highest-impact checks
The three levers most worth resolving first
For “Macaroni or noodles with cheese, whole grain,” the first-pass checks follow the evidence actually published: its named weights, the FDC 2708811 alternative, and its source-formulation identity.
- 01
Portion sensitivity around 230 g
A 25% weight move in either direction spans 172.5–287.5 g. When composition is held constant, those endpoints calculate to 378 kcal and 630 kcal.
- 02
Record choice: compare with FDC 2708811
At an equal 100 g, this record has 1 g more dietary fiber than “Macaroni or noodles with cheese.” That is a record-level contrast; it does not identify which ingredient caused the difference.
- 03
Formulation anchor: Pasta, whole-wheat, cooked (Includes foods for USDA's Food Distribution Program)
The source formulation has 7 input rows; Pasta, whole-wheat, cooked (Includes foods for USDA's Food Distribution Program) 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 “whole grain” fits. Inspect FDC 2708811 when the exact wording “Macaroni or noodles with cheese” is the more literal description of the food and preparation.
Keep this profile when these fields fit
Macaroni or noodles with cheese, whole grain
- Exact source wording
- “Macaroni or noodles with cheese, whole grain”
- Source identity
- USDA FDC 2708824 · FNDDS 58145300
- Named qualifiers
- whole grain
- Source inputs unique in this pair
- Pasta, whole-wheat, cooked (Includes foods for USDA's Food Distribution Program)
Inspect this alternative when its fields fit better
Macaroni or noodles with cheese
- Exact source wording
- “Macaroni or noodles with cheese”
- Source identity
- USDA FDC 2708811 · FNDDS 58145110
- Source inputs unique in this pair
- Pasta, cooked, enriched, without added salt
Choose the closest description
Which USDA record fits your meal?
Treat the long description as data. The phrases doing the most work here are “whole grain”. Match those details first; then compare the database weight with the amount you mean.
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 recordMacaroni or noodles with cheese, whole grain | 230 g504 kcal | 219 kcal | 8.8 g | 10.9 g | 2.2 g | 360 mg |
| Macaroni or noodles with cheese | 230 g513 kcal | 223 kcal | 8.7 g | 10.5 g | 1.2 g | 358 mg |
| Macaroni or noodles with cheese and meat | 230 g483 kcal | 210 kcal | 11.8 g | 11.2 g | 0.7 g | 238 mg |
| Macaroni or noodles with cheese and egg | 230 g426 kcal | 185 kcal | 5.9 g | 9.5 g | 0.8 g | 176 mg |
| Macaroni or noodles with cheese and tuna | 230 g377 kcal | 164 kcal | 7.6 g | 6.8 g | 0.8 g | 176 mg |
| Macaroni or noodles, creamed, with cheese | 230 g363 kcal | 158 kcal | 4.7 g | 5.5 g | 1.3 g | 260 mg |
| Macaroni or noodles with cheese, from restaurant | 230 g347 kcal | 151 kcal | 5.4 g | 6.1 g | 1.1 g | 361 mg |
How to compare FDC 2708824: its source amount is 230 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 2708824, the 1 displayed measure scale the same source composition by gram weight; rounding changes presentation, not the underlying ratio.
1 cup
504 kcal
230 g
At a glance
Nutrient signals in the source amount
For FDC 2708824, Saturated fat is the largest displayed non-protein Daily Value signal. Read the set as label context—not a personalized score.
Saturated fat
11.9 g≈ 60% Daily ValueSodium
828 mg≈ 36% Daily ValueThe percentages above apply to FDC 2708824’s 230 g reference amount. FDA Daily Values are general label references, not individualized energy or medical targets. Read the FDA explanation ↗
Why FDC 2708824 has no protein percentage here: Feast reports 20.2 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 2 calculated observations describe FDC 2708824 at 230 g—not a measured or recommended plate.
- The representative USDA portion supplies 5.1 g dietary fiber, about 18% of the Daily Value used on U.S. labels.
- The representative USDA portion contains 828 mg sodium, about 36% 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 230 g.
| Nutrient | Amount | Approx. % Daily Value |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 504 kcal 219 kcal | Not established Not established |
| Protein | 20.2 g 8.8 g | Not shown Not shown |
| Carbohydrate | 52.2 g 22.7 g | 19% 8% |
| Total fat | 25.1 g 10.9 g | 32% 14% |
| Dietary fiber | 5.1 g 2.2 g | 18% 8% |
| Sugars | 5.8 g 2.5 g | Not established Not established |
| Sodium | 828 mg 360 mg | 36% 16% |
| Saturated fat | 11.9 g 5.2 g | 60% 26% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 5.6 g 2.4 g | Not established Not established |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.8 g 1.2 g | Not established Not established |
| Cholesterol | 57.5 mg 25 mg | 19% 8% |
| Potassium | 294.4 mg 128 mg | 6% 3% |
| Calcium | 397.9 mg 173 mg | 31% 13% |
| Iron | 2.9 mg 1.3 mg | 16% 7% |
| Magnesium | 87.4 mg 38 mg | 21% 9% |
| Vitamin C | 0 mg 0 mg | 0% 0% |
| Vitamin D | 1.2 µg 0.5 µg | 6% 3% |
| Vitamin A | 243.8 µg 106 µg | 27% 12% |
| Caffeine | 0 mg 0 mg | Not established Not established |
| Alcohol | 0 g 0 g | Not established Not established |
| Water | 128.6 g 55.9 g | Not established Not established |
For FDC 2708824, approximate percentages divide the displayed 230 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 2708824 to 7 source inputs totaling 1,613.6 g in its standardized formulation. Publishing that exact provenance makes “Macaroni or noodles with cheese, whole grain” inspectable beside similarly named records.
How to read this
7 listed components
The largest listed inputs by source weight are Pasta, whole-wheat, cooked (Includes foods for USDA's Food Distribution Program), Milk, NFS, Cheese, cheddar. The order and weights below come from the standardized USDA formulation, so they offer context for this exact database entry.
1,613.6 g total listed input weight across the formulation.
| # | USDA input | Listed amount | Input weight | Share of listed input weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pasta, whole-wheat, cooked (Includes foods for USDA's Food Distribution Program)USDA ingredient 20125 · encyclopedia page available | 700 GM | 700 g | 43.4% |
| 2 | Table fat, NFSUSDA ingredient 81100000 · encyclopedia page available | 5 TB | 70 g | 4.3% |
| 3 | Salt, tableUSDA ingredient 2047 · encyclopedia page available | 1 TS | 6 g | 0.4% |
| 4 | Milk, NFSUSDA ingredient 11100000 · encyclopedia page available | 2 C | 488 g | 30.2% |
| 5 | Cheese, cheddarUSDA ingredient 1009 · encyclopedia page available | 2 | 226 g | 14% |
| 6 | Bread, crumbs, dry, grated, plainUSDA ingredient 18079 · encyclopedia page available | 1 C | 108 g | 6.7% |
| 7 | Flour, wheat, all-purpose, enriched, bleachedUSDA ingredient 20081 · encyclopedia page available | 2 TB | 15.6 g | 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 2708824, the close-record rule searches the USDA “Macaroni and cheese” 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
Macaroni or noodles with cheese, whole grain
- USDA category
- Macaroni and cheese
- FDC ID
- 2708824
- FNDDS code
- 58145300
Closest inspectable record
Macaroni or noodles with cheese
- USDA category
- Macaroni and cheese
- FDC ID
- 2708811
- FNDDS code
- 58145110
| Nutrient | This record | Comparison record | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calories | 219 kcal | 223 kcal | −4 kcal |
| Protein | 8.8 g | 8.7 g | +0.1 g |
| Carbohydrate | 22.7 g | 23.1 g | −0.4 g |
| Total fat | 10.9 g | 10.5 g | +0.4 g |
| Dietary fiber | 2.2 g | 1.2 g | +1 g |
| Sodium | 360 mg | 358 mg | +2 mg |
Plain-English read
At the fixed 100-gram basis, this record lists 1 g more dietary fiber than “Macaroni or noodles with cheese.”
Only this record lists Pasta, whole-wheat, cooked (Includes foods for USDA's Food Distribution Program). Only the comparison record lists Pasta, cooked, enriched, without added salt. Those formulation rows identify different source records; they do not prove which input caused a nutrient difference.
1 of the six displayed differences clears 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: Table fat, NFS; Salt, table; Milk, NFS; Cheese, cheddar; and 2 more.
Listed only in this record: Pasta, whole-wheat, cooked (Includes foods for USDA's Food Distribution Program).
Listed only in the comparison: Pasta, cooked, enriched, without added salt.
Portion evidence
The listed portion sets match
This record’s reference amount is 230 g; a familiar listed measure is 1 cup (230 g).
The comparison record’s reference amount is 230 g; a familiar listed measure is 1 cup (230 g).
Use the 100-gram row to compare FDC 2708824 with FDC 2708811 at equal mass; use their 230 g and 230 g source amounts only for portion matching.
Evidence boundary: FDC 2708824 versus FDC 2708811 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 macaroni and cheese source category → Read the calculation and selection methodology →
Deep comparisons
Controlled comparisons that include this exact record
FDC 2708824 appears in 2 pair pages that passed semantic, material-difference, source-evidence, and diversity gates. Each preserves a 100-gram denominator and both primary records.
5 material nutrient differencesMacaroni or noodles with cheese, whole grain vs Macaroni or noodles with cheese, cannedInspect descriptions, portions, formulations, and both sources →4 material nutrient differencesMacaroni or noodles with cheese, whole grain vs Macaroni or noodles with cheese, from restaurantInspect descriptions, portions, formulations, and both sources →
From record to familiar meal
Guides that use this exact USDA record
These 1 guide place “Macaroni or noodles with cheese, whole grain” beside explicitly linked source records; use them to compare preparations without turning FDC 2708824 into a universal recipe.
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, cooked-to-dry ratio, sauce or mix-ins, added fat.
For “Macaroni or noodles with cheese, whole grain,” 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
cooked-to-dry ratio
Match the food state before matching the number. Cooking, draining, or added liquid can change grams and concentration even when the food name barely changes.
- 03
sauce or mix-ins
Check whether the exact source description already includes it. If not, keep the addition separate rather than silently folding it into the base record.
- 04
added 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.
How we estimated this
The arithmetic is simple; the provenance is the point
FDC 2708824 comes from FoodData Central Survey Foods (FNDDS). Its 219 kcal per 100 g becomes 504 kcal at 230 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.” The separately listed 1 cup has the same gram weight, so the familiar label can be shown without changing the calculation.
Data cycle: 2021–2023, published October 31, 2024
FoodData Central ID: 2708824
FNDDS food code: 58145300
The scaling for FDC 2708824 can be exact while the match to “Macaroni or noodles with cheese, whole grain” is wrong. That is why this profile keeps its 230 g weight, 7-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.