How Many Does a Pan of Mac and Cheese Feed?
A deep half pan of mac and cheese holds about 5.7 qt and feeds 46 people at 4 oz. A deep full pan feeds 97.
Deep half pan at 4 oz per serving
Feeds 46
deep full pan: 97 · 2.03 lb per quart
Servings per pan by portion size
| Pan | Usable volume | 2 oz | 3 oz | 4 oz | 5 oz | 6 oz | 8 oz |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full size 2.5in steam table pan | 7.65 qt | 124 | 82 | 62 | 49 | 41 | 31 |
| Full size 4in steam table pan | 12.07 qt | 195 | 130 | 97 | 78 | 65 | 48 |
| Half size 2.5in steam table pan | 3.66 qt | 59 | 39 | 29 | 23 | 19 | 14 |
| Half size 4in (deep) steam table pan | 5.7 qt | 92 | 61 | 46 | 36 | 30 | 23 |
| Third size 2.5in steam table pan | 2.13 qt | 34 | 23 | 17 | 13 | 11 | 8 |
| Third size 4in steam table pan | 3.49 qt | 56 | 37 | 28 | 22 | 18 | 14 |
| Foil full size deep pan (Handi-foil) | 9.19 qt | 149 | 99 | 74 | 59 | 49 | 37 |
| Foil half size deep pan (Handi-foil 8440) | 3.19 qt | 51 | 34 | 25 | 20 | 17 | 12 |
Pans of mac and cheese by party size (4 oz each)
| Party | Pans | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| 25 guests | 1 half deep pan | 6.25 lb |
| 50 guests | 2 half deep pans | 12.5 lb |
| 75 guests | 2 half deep pans | 18.75 lb |
| 100 guests | 3 half deep pans | 25 lb |
| 150 guests | 4 half deep pans | 37.5 lb |
| 200 guests | 5 half deep pans | 50 lb |
How we calculate
- Servings = usable quarts × 2.03 lb per quart × 16 ÷ ounces per serving, rounded down.
- Usable volume is 85% of the brim capacity on the maker's spec sheet, so the pan can be covered and carried.
- Density comes from the USDA cup weight for mac and cheese (source).
Data as of Oct 2026. Full list of sources: How we calculate.
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FAQ
How many people does a half pan of mac and cheese feed?
About 46 people at 4 oz each in a deep (4-inch) half pan, or 29 in a standard 2.5-inch half pan.
How many people does a full pan of mac and cheese feed?
About 97 people at 4 oz each in a deep full pan, or 62 in a 2.5-inch full pan.
How much mac and cheese for 100 people?
About 25 lb at 4 oz each, which is 3 half deep pans.
How much does a quart of mac and cheese weigh?
About 2.03 lb, from the USDA cup weight.