I’m not one to turn down macaroni and cheese, even late at night. I love Italian food. I love pasta… A refrigerator full of water and Gatorade? Honey, that’s just not to happen
Queen Latifah
There are few things in life that bring us back to childhood like the taste of macaroni and cheese, its rich flavorful combination of pasta and rich cheeses never fails to satisfy our palette. Mac & Cheese Day celebrates this dish and everything it means to us.
Learn about Mac & Cheese Day
Mac & Cheese is one of the ultimate comfort foods. Typically made with the golden goodness of cheese, combined with milk or cheese and macaroni noodles, there is no denying that mac and cheese never fails to satisfy. This meal reminds a lot of people of one of the first dishes they created at home.
For others, it is the side dish that they always order at a restaurant. There are then those that save it for a special treat. No matter what category you fall into, there is no denying that a dish like this deserves its very own day.
There are many different variations of mac & cheese that have been made in recent times. A lot of people prefer the classic version. However, there are many people that have gotten experimental too, using different blends of cheeses and loading up on the seasoning.
Bacon and jalapenos have also become two popular additions to the classic mac & cheese. Did you know that there is even a burger that is created with a mac & cheese bun? If you take a look online, you will see that there are plenty of recipes for burgers that are made with a bun of mac & cheese that is covered in Flamin’ Hot Cheetos.
Ever since a restaurant in America created this version of the burger, people have gone crazy for it! So, as you can see, there are so many different ways that you can enjoy this classic dish, and so you can have fun on Mac & Cheese Day trying out different variations to see if you can come up with your own culinary masterpiece.
Some fascinating facts about Mac & Cheese
- Mac & cheese is not only a delicious dish, but it is an official crayon color as well. In 1993, Crayola named one of its crayon colors ‘Macaroni and Cheese.’
- Mac & cheese is considered a national dish in Canada. Plus, a box of Kraft Mac & Cheese is actually the most-purchased grocery product in the country.
- Did you know that American president Thomas Jefferson was a huge fan of mac & cheese? He imported Parmesan cheese and macaroni for use in his Virginia estate after trying the dish in both northern Italy and Paris.
- While mac & cheese is considered a response to the great depression, there have actually been similar recipes that have been around for centuries. In fact, in medieval England, there was a cookbook called Forme of Cury, and there was a pasta and cheese casserole dish, which was known as makerouns. The recipe is very similar to mac & cheese.
History of Mac & Cheese Day
The History of Mac & Cheese Day is the history of Kraft Macaroni and Cheese, known throughout the world by various names, including simply Kraft Dinner in Canada. While it seems a simple thing, a dish of macaroni with cheese, it was in fact quite an innovation for its time and started an important tradition in ready to prepare foods.
Kraft Macaroni & Cheese was created as a response to the trying times of the great depression, there was a salesman who had an innovative idea. That idea being the sale of both cheese and macaroni together, so he began attaching packages of grated cheese to boxes of pasta. In part due to the conditions of its release, it became an absolute success.
World War II saw the rationing of milk and dairy products, and due to shortages, many families were relying on dishes that had little meat in it. Macaroni and Cheese seemed the obvious solution and so its popularity spread like wildfire. James Lewis Kraft patented an important method of processing cheese that gave Kraft Macaroni & Cheese its unique orange color and has served as a signature trait of the product ever since.
WHY WE LOVE NATIONAL MAC AND CHEESE DAY
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It reminds us of home
If 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?
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It’s easy to make
Basic 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?
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It’s international
While 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.
NATIONAL MAC AND CHEESE DAY DATES
Year | Date | Day |
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2021 | July 14 | Wednesday |
2022 | July 14 | Thursday |
2023 | July 14 | Friday |
2024 | July 14 | Sunday |
2025 | July 14 | Monday |