It’s perhaps the king of comfort foods, the dominant dish of America, and a favorite of all ages all over the country: Macaroni and cheese. Golden and gooey, baked and hearty, this sideline staple or main dish can be served up any number of ways, and on July 14, you’ll have the opportunity to try as many of these as you can on National Mac and Cheese Day, also known as National Macaroni and Cheese Day. Kraft may be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of mac and cheese, for good reason. The company has been dishing out delight in the form of a box since 1937, but the origins of the creamy casserole can be traced back hundreds of years to Italy, where pasta and parmesan have been a staple meal for centuries. In America, some credit Thomas Jefferson for bringing the recipe back to America after spending time in Italy, but this idea has been disputed. There’s no way to know whether it’s all bologna.

NATIONAL MAC AND CHEESE DAY TIMELINE

1300s

Oldest Recipe

Oldest known recipe for mac and cheese is included in the medieval English cookbook “Forme of Cury.”

1824

First Published Recipe

The first macaroni and cheese recipe is published in U.S. cookbook
“The Virginia House-Wife.”

1937

Revolutionary Kraft

Kraft introduces its boxed Macaroni and Cheese.

1993

Mac and Cheese Crayon

WHY WE LOVE NATIONAL MAC AND CHEESE DAY

Crayola names a new crayon color “Macaroni and Cheese”

1. It reminds us of homeIf you’re in the midwest, it’s a hotdish. If you live in the northeast, it’s a casserole. Down in the south, it’s a sometimes-spicy side dish that accompanies BBQ right along with potato salad. But wherever you’re from, there’s a version of mac and cheese that you grew up with, and will always taste like home. What do they serve in your neck of the woods?
2. It’s easy to makeBasic mac and cheese only requires a few ingredients, and most of the magic happens in the oven while you’re enjoying an afternoon drink outside with friends. But, when paired with any meal, it will likely be polished off long before your aunt’s green beans or twice baked potatoes. It’s a dish loved by all ages and is simple to make – why wouldn’t it be your contribution to the summer BBQ?
3. It’s internationalWhile we often think of mac and cheese as an Italian-turned-American favorite, there are variations on the dish all over the world. In Hong Kong, for instance, it’s common to eat macaroni and cheese for breakfast, doctored up with several ingredients, including peas, ham, mushrooms, and eggs.