Runner-Up: Annie’s Creamy Deluxe Shells & Real Aged Wisconsin Cheddar

Unlike most boxed brands, which include a packet of powder, Annie's comes with a cheese-sauce pouch, which pretty much eliminates the possibility of lumps or a powdery aftertaste. Testers loved the "tangy Cheddar flavor" and "creamy texture.”
Kids’ Comments: “The cheese gets trapped in the shells, so each bite comes with a squirt.”
To Buy: $2.60 for a 12-ounce box, www.annies.com.