Denny’s Mac & Cheese Menu Price, Calories & Nutrition Information (2026)

Most people walking into Denny’s with a kid already know where this is going. The kids’ menu comes out, there’s a half-second of scanning, and then — mac and cheese. Every time.

It’s one of those items that’s been on the Denny’s kids’ menu forever. And honestly, for good reason. But before you order, you probably want to know the Denny’s Mac & Cheese menu price, what’s in it nutritionally, and whether it’s actually worth the money. Let’s get into all of it.

Denny’s Mac & Cheese Menu Price

The current Denny’s Mac & Cheese menu price sits at around $5.79 at most locations across the U.S. That puts it in a pretty reasonable spot for a kids’ meal — not the cheapest thing on the menu, but fair given what you’re getting.

One thing worth knowing: Denny’s is a franchise chain, which means prices can vary by location. A Denny’s in a small town in Ohio is probably going to charge less than one in downtown Los Angeles or inside an airport. The $5.79 figure is a solid baseline, but don’t be surprised if you see something slightly different at your local spot.

The mac and cheese is listed under the Kids’ Entrées section of the menu, which is designed for younger diners. That said, plenty of adults order it too — no judgment.

What Does the Mac & Cheese Come With?

This is one of those “it depends” situations. At Denny’s, kids’ meals usually come with a choice of sides and sometimes a drink, depending on the specific combo or promotion at your location.

The Mac & Cheese itself is a standalone entrée. Common add-on sides include:

• Applesauce
• Fresh fruit
• Hash browns
• Silver Dollar Pancakes
• Corn

Some locations will let you add a small drink and a dessert option like a mini ice cream scoop for an extra charge. It varies — asking your server takes about five seconds and saves you the confusion.

Denny’s Mac & Cheese Calories

Here’s the nutrition breakdown based on Denny’s official nutrition guide and verified third-party nutrition databases:

Nutrient	Amount per Serving
Calories	~270–300
Total Fat	9g
Saturated Fat	2g
Trans Fat	0.1g
Cholesterol	~55mg
Sodium	540mg
Total Carbohydrates	38g
Dietary Fiber	2g
Sugars	8g
Protein	9g

The calorie count of around 270–300 calories makes this one of the lighter items on the Denny’s kids’ menu. For context, the Jr. Cheeseburger comes in at 470 calories, and the Jr. Grand Slam sits around 340. So if calorie control matters to you for the kids, mac and cheese is actually the smarter pick.

Sodium is the one thing to pay attention to — at 540mg per serving, that’s about 23% of the recommended daily limit for adults. For kids, those limits are lower, so this isn’t a meal you’d want to have every single day, but for an occasional restaurant visit, it’s fine.

Full Nutrition Facts Table

Nutrient	Amount	% Daily Value (Adult)
Calories	270–300	—
Total Fat	9g	11%
Saturated Fat	2g	12%
Trans Fat	0.1g	—
Sodium	540mg	23%
Total Carbs	38g	14%
Fiber	2g	8%
Sugar	8g	—
Protein	9g	17%
Calcium	149mg	15%
Iron	1mg	18%
Potassium	297mg	6%
Phosphorus	203mg	29%
Riboflavin (B2)	1mg	39%
Vitamin B12	0.3µg	14%

One number that surprised me when I looked at this — riboflavin (B2) comes in at 39% of the daily value. That’s actually decent for a kids’ pasta dish. It comes from the cheese and the enriched pasta, both of which are decent natural sources of B vitamins.

The protein level (9g) is on the lower side. If you’re looking to bulk up the meal a bit, adding a side of bacon strips or turkey bacon can help.

What’s Actually in It? (Ingredients)

Denny’s mac and cheese is a fairly simple dish. No unexpected ingredients or mystery additives. The core lineup:

• Elbow macaroni — the classic short, tube-shaped pasta
• Cheddar cheese — creamy and mild, not sharp
• Milk
• Butter
• Flour (used to thicken the sauce)
• Salt and pepper

Some locations may finish it with breadcrumbs for a little texture on top, though this isn’t universal.

It’s not a gourmet dish. Nobody’s pretending it is. But the cheese sauce is smooth, the pasta is cooked well (not mushy — at least at the locations I’ve visited), and it comes out hot. For a kids’ meal at a diner, that’s exactly what you want.

Allergen Information

If anyone at the table has food sensitivities, this section matters:

Allergen	Status
Wheat/Gluten	Yes — present in pasta and flour
Milk/Dairy	Yes — cheese and milk are core ingredients
Eggs	May contain — varies by preparation
Soy	May contain — some cheese or butter brands
Tree Nuts / Peanuts	Possible cross-contamination in kitchen
Shellfish	Not an ingredient

The big ones to watch are wheat and dairy — both are central to this dish, so it’s not suitable for lactose-intolerant kids or those with a gluten sensitivity unless you can arrange substitutions. Denny’s does have a separate allergen guide (you can ask your server for it or find it on their website), and it’s worth checking if allergies are a serious concern.

Gluten-free pasta isn’t typically offered as a substitute at most Denny’s locations, but it doesn’t hurt to ask.

How Does the Denny’s Mac & Cheese Compare to Similar Items?

A lot of parents ask: is Denny’s version better or worse than, say, what you’d get at IHOP, Applebee’s, or another casual diner? Here’s a rough comparison:

Restaurant	Kids’ Mac & Cheese Price	Calories (approx.)
Denny’s	~$5.79	270–300
IHOP	~$6.49	~280
Applebee’s	~$6.99	~360
Perkins	~$5.49	~300

Denny’s holds up well on price. The calorie count is also competitive. Taste is subjective — Denny’s version leans creamy and mild, which most kids actually prefer over a stronger, sharper cheese flavor.

Is It Worth Ordering?

For a regular family visit to Denny’s, the mac and cheese is a solid, no-stress pick for kids. At around $5.79, it’s one of the more affordable items on the kids’ menu. The calorie count is manageable. The sodium is the one nutrition point worth being aware of.

A few situations where it makes total sense:

• Your kid is a picky eater and mac and cheese is always a safe bet
• You want a lower-calorie option versus the burger or fried chicken tenders
• You’re at Denny’s for breakfast and your kid wants lunch food (Denny’s is open all day — no one will look at you twice)

One situation where you might want to think twice: if your child already has high sodium in their diet that day, the 540mg here adds up fast alongside other salty foods.

Tips for Ordering Denny’s Mac & Cheese

A few things that help from experience:

Ask about sides early. The kids’ menu at Denny’s often allows a side choice with entrées, but not every server mentions it automatically. Ask upfront and you can get fruit or applesauce included in the price.

Check the local price first. The $5.79 price I’ve cited is a national average. Some locations charge up to $6.49. This isn’t a huge difference, but if you’re watching a budget, it’s worth a quick glance at the menu before you order.

Pair it smart. Milk or apple juice from the kids’ drink menu adds some calcium and vitamins without loading up on sugar. Soda with a kids’ mac and cheese is fine occasionally, but water or milk is the obvious better choice.

Don’t count on customization. This isn’t a place where they’ll swap in different cheese or add toppings in a restaurant-quality way. You get the standard mac and cheese. That’s fine — it’s a diner kids’ meal, not a craft kitchen.

Read More: Denny’s T-Bone Steak – Price, Calories, Nutrition Facts & Full Meal Details (2026)

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