KFC Mac & Cheese Bowl — Price & Calories (2026): Full Nutrition Breakdown
The KFC Mac & Cheese Bowl is the lightest of KFC’s $5 Bowl lineup — creamy mac and cheese topped with crispy white-meat chicken bites and a three-cheese blend, for $5.00. It’s the lowest-calorie of KFC’s four $5 bowls, which makes it a solid pick if you want the comfort-food payoff without the highest calorie or sodium hit on the menu. Here’s exactly what you’re getting, calorie-for-calorie and dollar-for-dollar.
Full Nutrition Facts — KFC Mac & Cheese Bowl
| Nutrient | Amount | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 520 | — |
| Total Fat | 22g | 28% |
| Saturated Fat | 6g | 30% |
| Trans Fat | 0g | — |
| Cholesterol | 85mg | 28% |
| Sodium | 1,970mg | 86% |
| Total Carbohydrate | 42g | 15% |
| Dietary Fiber | 2g | 7% |
| Sugars | 4g | — |
| Protein | 18g | 36% |
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet. Figures compiled from KFC nutrition data and third-party nutrition calculators; may vary slightly by location.
What’s Actually In the Bowl
The Mac & Cheese Bowl is built in three layers: KFC’s creamy cheddar mac and cheese as the base, a scoop of crispy 100% white-meat chicken nugget pieces on top, and a three-cheese blend finished over the whole thing. Some locations add a light drizzle of home-style gravy — ask for it plain if you’d rather skip the extra sodium and gluten from the gravy.
How It Compares to KFC’s Other $5 Bowls
KFC’s $5 Bowl lineup all share the same price point, so calories and protein are what actually separate them:
🧀 Mac & Cheese Bowl
$5.00 · 520 cal · 18g protein — the lightest option in the lineup, best if you want the smallest calorie hit.
🥔 Famous Bowl
$5.00 · 590 cal · 31g protein — mashed potatoes and gravy base, higher protein than the Mac Bowl.
🌶️ Korean BBQ Mac & Cheese Bowl
$5.00 · ~530 cal · 30g protein — same mac base with a Korean BBQ glaze; runs higher in sodium (~2,250mg) and sugar than the classic version.
🍟 Cheesy Nuggy Gravy Bowl (Matty Matheson, LTO)
$5.00 · limited-time — the 2026 poutine-inspired collab bowl: nuggets, fries, cheese curds, and gravy. Not a permanent menu item.
Is the Mac & Cheese Bowl Good Value?
For $5, you get a complete single-serve meal — carbs, dairy, and protein — that’s filling enough to hold you for a few hours. Against the backdrop of rising fast-food combo prices, it’s one of the more accessible full meals on any major chain’s menu right now. The tradeoff is sodium: at close to 2,000mg, it’s a meaningful chunk of the recommended daily limit in one sitting, so it fits better as an occasional order than a daily lunch habit.
Lowest-Calorie Way to Order It
- Skip any added gravy drizzle — ask for it “plain” to save on sodium and a few calories.
- Pair with a water or zero-calorie drink instead of a soda to keep the meal’s total calories closer to 520 rather than pushing 700+ as a combo.
- Split it as a side dish alongside a smaller protein if you want the flavor without the full 520 calories.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the KFC Mac and Cheese Bowl cost?
The KFC Mac & Cheese Bowl is priced at $5.00 as part of KFC’s $5 Bowl lineup. Combo pricing with a drink typically runs $7.00–$8.50 depending on location.
How many calories are in the KFC Mac and Cheese Bowl?
The Mac & Cheese Bowl contains approximately 520 calories in its standard form, making it the lowest-calorie option among KFC’s $5 Bowls. Some nutrition trackers list figures between 480–660 calories depending on portion size and whether gravy is included.
Is the Mac and Cheese Bowl the lowest-calorie KFC bowl?
Yes. At around 520 calories, it’s lighter than the Famous Bowl (590 calories) and comparable to the Korean BBQ Mac & Cheese Bowl (~530 calories).
Does the KFC Mac and Cheese Bowl contain gluten?
Yes. The mac and cheese base uses wheat pasta, and it is not a gluten-free option. See our KFC gluten-free guide for safer alternatives.
Is the KFC Mac and Cheese Bowl good for weight loss?
It’s not typically recommended for weight-loss diets due to its sodium and fat content, though at 520 calories it’s a more moderate option than several other bowl and combo choices on the KFC menu. Pairing it with water instead of a soda helps keep total intake in check.