Chef Boyardee Beefaroni: Labelgrade C+ (67/100)
C+ 68 / 100 — Very low saturated fat.
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Chef Boyardee Beefaroni delivers 9.99g of protein and 348 calories per 1 can (425g) (USDA FDC 2740347). Per 100g that’s 2.4g of protein; per oz, 0.7g. The Labelgrade is C+ (68 / 100): Very low saturated fat.
Why this Labelgrade
| Dimension | Grade | Score | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protein density | D | 54 / 100 | 2.4g per 100g — below the high-protein bar; not the right product for protein hunting |
| Ingredient quality | C+ | 66 / 100 | 27 ingredients; flagged phosphate additives + maltodextrin or corn syrup |
| Saturated fat load | A | 94 / 100 | 5.02g per serving (1.2g per 100g) — very low |
| Sodium load | C+ | 67 / 100 | 1280mg per serving (85mg per oz) — moderate |
| Sugar load | B+ | 80 / 100 | 7.99g sugar (5.1g added) — low overall |
| Fiber | F | 33 / 100 | 2.12g per serving — modest fiber contribution |
| Overall | C+ | 68 / 100 | Weighted blend: protein 23% · ingredients 21% · saturated fat 18% · sodium 15% · sugar 15% · fiber 8% |
How it compares
| Product | Protein per serving | Per 100 g | Per oz | Calories |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chef Boyardee Beefaroni (this product) | 9.99g | 2.4g | 0.7g | 348 |
| Dinty Moore Beef Stew | 11g | 4.3g | 1.2g | 191 |
| Armour Chicken Vienna Sausage | 7g | 11.7g | 3.3g | 120 |
| Spam Classic | 7g | 12.5g | 3.5g | 180 |
| Plain cooked chicken breast (benchmark) | — | 31g | 8.8g | ~165 |
What you’re actually eating: pasta first, beef second
The front of the can sells beef; the ingredient list tells the real story. The first four ingredients are tomatoes, water, enriched pasta, and beef — in that order — so by weight this is a bowl of refined-flour pasta in tomato sauce with some beef stirred through, not a meat dish. That’s why the protein density is the lowest in this comparison (2.4g per 100g) even though the can total scrapes past the “high in protein” line: the protein is real but diluted across a large, starchy serving.
After the top four comes the processed tail that defines this category of food: high-fructose corn syrup (the source of the 5.1g of added sugar), salt, textured vegetable protein, modified corn starch, an enzyme-modified cheese blend carrying sodium phosphate and xanthan gum, flavorings, and soybean oil. None of that is dangerous, but it’s the difference between “pasta and meat sauce” and “shelf-stable engineered convenience.” Twenty-seven ingredients with phosphate additives is what lands ingredient quality at a C+.
The honest trade: nostalgia and convenience vs sodium and sugar
Here’s where Beefaroni earns its keep and where it doesn’t. It’s genuinely convenient, shelf-stable, cheap, and — for a lot of people — a comfort food they grew up on. The saturated fat is low (5.02g, an A), it delivers a little fiber, and a single can is an edible, no-effort meal. As an occasional thing, that’s a fair deal.
The ceiling is the same one every canned entree hits: 1,280mg of sodium, 56% of a day’s limit, in one can. Stack the 5.1g of added sugar and the refined-pasta base on top and you have a meal that’s fine once in a while but works against you as a routine — especially if you’re watching blood pressure or trying to eat more whole foods. If you’re feeding kids or eating it yourself, the practical move is to treat it as a treat, pair it with fruit or vegetables, and not let it become the everyday default. Edible and convenient, yes; a meal to repeat daily, no.
Scope
This page covers Chef Boyardee Beefaroni (15 ONZ), UPC 00064144043026, as represented in USDA Branded Foods FDC 2740347. Chef Boyardee sells multiple variants in this product line — other sizes, flavors, or fat levels may have different macros and Labelgrade scores. Manufacturers periodically reformulate; always cross-reference the actual package label, especially if you have allergies or dietary restrictions.
Ingredients (from the USDA Branded Foods entry)
Tomatoes (Tomato Puree, Water), Water, Enriched Pasta (Durum Wheat Semolina, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Beef, LESS THAN 2% OF: High Fructose Corn Syrup, Salt, Textured Vegetable Protein (Soy Flour, Caramel Color), Modified Corn Starch, Enzyme Modified Cheese (Cheddar Cheese [Pasteurized Milk, Cultures, Salt, Enzymes], Water, Sodium Phosphate, Xanthan Gum), Flavorings, Citric Acid, Soybean Oil. CONTAINS: MILK, SOY, WHEAT
Where to buy
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Quick Facts
Per serving · 1 can (425g)
See how this fits your day — protein calculator · macro calculator
Full nutrition facts
| Nutrient | Per Serving (1 can (425g)) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 348 |
| Protein | 9.99g |
| Total Fat | 13g |
| Saturated Fat | 5.02g |
| Trans Fat | 0.51g |
| Total Carbohydrates | 48g |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.12g |
| Total Sugars | 7.99g |
| Added Sugars | 5.1g |
| Sodium | 1280mg |
| Cholesterol | 21.2mg |
| Calcium | 29.8mg |
| Iron | 2.3mg |
| Potassium | 272mg |
Scope: This page applies specifically to Beefaroni (15 ONZ) · UPC 00064144043026. Other sizes, flavors, or formulations may differ.
How this fits each diet
Each score is computed from the same USDA nutrition + ingredient data, against the published rules of each diet. They tell you "does this food fit this diet" — not whether the diet is right for you.
contains animal-derived ingredients
contains meat, fish, or gelatin
contains a gluten-bearing ingredient
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chef Boyardee Beefaroni bad for you?
It's processed comfort food — edible and convenient, not something to build a diet on. A can gives you 9.99g of protein and 2.12g of fiber, but the base is refined pasta in a tomato sauce, and the label carries 1,280mg of sodium (56% of the day's limit), 5.1g of added sugar, and a long list of starches, flavorings, and additives. As an occasional nostalgic meal it's fine; as a regular staple the sodium, refined carbs, and added sugar are the reasons it doesn't grade higher.
How much protein is in Chef Boyardee Beefaroni?
9.99 grams per can (425g), per USDA FDC 2740347 — that's 2.4g per 100g, or about 0.7g per oz. It just clears the FDA 'high in protein' threshold (20% of the 50g Daily Value), but it's the lowest protein density in this comparison set. The protein comes from a small amount of beef and soy protein riding in a large, starchy serving, so the per-100g number is low even though the can total looks respectable.
Why does Chef Boyardee Beefaroni get a C+?
Three knocks against one bright spot. The pasta is refined (low protein density, a D), sodium is high at 1,280mg per can (C+), and there's 5.1g of added sugar in the sauce. The one thing it does well is saturated fat — 5.02g per can scores an A. The 27-ingredient label with phosphate additives lands ingredient quality at C+. Blend it all and you get C+ (67/100): edible, processed, sodium-heavy.
How much sodium and added sugar are in Chef Boyardee Beefaroni?
1,280mg of sodium per can — about 56% of the FDA's 2,300mg daily limit, or 85mg per oz — plus 5.1g of added sugar (10% of the 50g Daily Value) hidden in the tomato sauce via high-fructose corn syrup. Neither number is alarming for a single occasional serving, but together they're why this reads as a treat rather than a meal you'd repeat daily.
Is Chef Boyardee Beefaroni good for kids?
It's a familiar, easy meal kids will usually eat, and the protein and fiber aren't nothing. But the refined pasta, added sugar, and high sodium mean it works best as an occasional convenience rather than a routine lunch. If you serve it, a side of fruit or vegetables balances the plate, and the sodium is the number to keep an eye on for smaller bodies.
When was this data last verified?
2026-06-05, against USDA FoodData Central FDC 2740347. We re-verify top-traffic pages monthly and update within 7 days when a manufacturer reformulates.