Backpacker's Pantry Hatch Green Chili Mac & Cheese

Much like their Three Cheese Mac & Cheese, this offering from Backpacker's Pantry is just a little weak.

A word on flavor: "Yes."  A generous portion of hatch green chiles give this meal a solid spice-level, making for a pleasant mid-dayhike meal. The single-serving portion guaranteed no loginess, but left me a bit hungry before the hike was finished.

I reckon this makes it the perfect size for a shared side-dish at the end of a long day of backpacking, or for those with smaller appetites. But for a "mac & cheese," it was once again rather a little lacking in the cheese area. The heat of the chiles went a decent way in compensating for that lack, but I still wanted more. Cheese is life.

Also, I note that this meal records every bit as much sodium as the regular mac & cheese, making it generally more appropriate to hot, sweaty hikes where replenishment is important. Beyond compensating for the weakness of the cheese content, the heat of the chile likewise covers for what in the regular meal was a somewhat overwhelming salt presence.

The tl;dr: this meal is fine. Very much middle of the road for those with a tolerance for a little heat. Would I recommend it? Sure. Will I seek it out again? ....maybe?

Background

Over 40 years of hiking, backpacking, and car camping has led me on a path of freeze-dried culinary exploration. The search for the perfect menu continues.