Noodles & Company Menu Prices 2026: Mac & Cheese, Pad Thai & World Noodles

A regular Wisconsin Mac & Cheese is about $8.49 nationally as of May 2026. It's the chain's signature and most affordable classic noodle dish. Adding grilled chicken (+$3.49) brings it to about $11.98, or bacon/other add-ins push it higher. Most regular-size classic dishes at Noodles & Company run $7.49–$10.49, with specialty bowls (Spicy Korean Beef, Steak Stroganoff) reaching $11.49–$11.99. Adding a protein is $2.99–$4.49.

Noodles & Company's concept is noodle and pasta dishes from around the world served under one roof. The menu mixes Italian (Penne Rosa, Wisconsin Mac & Cheese, Pesto Cavatappi), Asian (Pad Thai, Japanese Pan Noodles, Bangkok Curry, Spicy Korean Beef) and American comfort bowls. You pick a base dish and can add a protein — grilled chicken, steak, shrimp, pork, meatballs or tofu — to customize. It's a fast-casual format (order at the counter, food brought to your table) founded in 1995 in Madison, Wisconsin, which is where the 'Wisconsin' Mac & Cheese name comes from.

These are Noodles & Company's lower-carb noodle swaps. Zoodles are spiralized zucchini noodles you can substitute into many dishes (e.g., Zucchini Pesto, ~$10.49) for a veggie-forward, gluten-friendly bowl. Cauliflower noodles are a cauliflower-based alternative used in the Cauliflower Mac (~$9.49). LEANguini is a higher-protein, lower-carb noodle. These swaps let you order the chain's signature sauces over lighter bases, and they're a big reason Noodles & Company appeals to low-carb and gluten-conscious diners. Confirm gluten-free preparation with the restaurant if it's a dietary requirement.

The Wisconsin Mac & Cheese ($8.49) is the single most popular and iconic order — creamy cheddar-jack mac that defines the brand. Close behind are the Penne Rosa ($9.29), a spicy tomato-cream Italian dish, and the Pad Thai ($10.49), the signature Asian bowl. The Japanese Pan Noodles ($10.49) in sweet soy sauce are another top seller. Adding grilled chicken (+$3.49) to any of these is the most common customization.

Yes — Noodles & Company is one of the more vegetarian-friendly fast-casual chains because most base dishes start meatless. Vegetarian dishes include Wisconsin Mac & Cheese ($8.49), Penne Rosa ($9.29), Japanese Pan Noodles ($10.49), Buttered Noodles ($7.49), Pesto Cavatappi and Zucchini Pesto Zoodles. For plant-based eaters, organic tofu (+$2.99) is the protein add, and dishes like Bangkok Curry and Japanese Pan Noodles (without egg) can be made vegan. Check the chain's allergen and nutrition tools for exact vegan builds, since some sauces contain dairy.

Noodles & Company operates about 450 restaurants across the United States as of 2026, with a presence in most regions and a particularly strong footprint in the Midwest, Mountain West and major metro suburbs. It was founded in 1995 in Madison, Wisconsin, and is publicly traded (NASDAQ: NDLS). Unlike many regional chains, it has genuinely national reach. Use the locator at noodles.com to find the nearest restaurant and confirm current menu and pricing for your market.

Yes — customization is core to the experience. Every noodle dish can have a protein added: grilled chicken (+$3.49), pork (+$3.49), meatballs (+$3.49), marinated steak (+$4.49), sautéed shrimp (+$4.49) or organic tofu (+$2.99). You can also swap the noodle base to Zoodles, cauliflower noodles or LEANguini on many dishes, choose regular or small sizes, and adjust spice and add-ins. This build-your-own flexibility is a major reason the chain works for mixed groups with different diets.

Noodles & Company sits in a similar fast-casual price band to Panera and Chipotle, generally slightly cheaper for a base entrée. A Wisconsin Mac (~$8.49) or Penne Rosa (~$9.29) undercuts a typical Panera entrée combo, and a noodle bowl with chicken (~$11.98) is comparable to a Chipotle chicken bowl (~$10.65 plus add-ins). The value pitch is portion size and the variety of world cuisines under one roof. The trade-off versus Chipotle is speed — Noodles & Company cooks dishes to order rather than assembling on a line.