- Make Some Mac & Cheese - Celebrating National Mac & Cheese Day is best done by buying one of those beautiful blue boxes and indulging in its flavor. But don’t stop there, mac & cheese is an incredibly versatile dish, and you can make an entirely new one by adding a container of tuna fish to the mix - or maybe something like bacon or smoked pulled pork instead.
- Get Creative with Mac & Cheese - Prefer something a little more traditional? There’s always hot dogs and peas, an old American favorite. We also like to add a can of processed chicken, a dollop of ranch dressing, and a sprinkling of bacon bits to make an incredible dish that will fill the hungriest belly. Come up with your own innovations and share them below!
- Order Out for Mac & Cheese - Of course, you don’t have to cook yourself on National Mac & Cheese Day. You can use this day as the perfect excuse to hit one of your favorite restaurants and enjoy mac & cheese cooked for you. Why not gather some of your friends or family members together and treat yourself to a delicious meal out? My family enjoys Mac & Cheese from Panera.
- Learn About National 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 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 they always order at a restaurant. There are then those who save it for a special treat. No matter what category you fall into, there is no denying a dish like this deserves its very own day.
There are many different variations of mac & cheese which have been made in recent times. A lot of people prefer the classic version. However, there are many people who have gotten experimental too, using different blends of cheeses and loading up on the seasoning.
Bacon and jalapenos have become two popular additions to the classic mac & cheese. Did you know there is even a burger which is created with a mac & cheese bun? If you take a look online, you will see there are plenty of recipes for burgers made with a bun of mac & cheese - even one 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 you can enjoy this classic dish - many ways to have fun on National 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 - share them with your grands . . .
- 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 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 which 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 National Mac & Cheese Day
- The History of National Mac & Cheese Day is the history of Kraft Macaroni and Cheese, known throughout the world by various names, including simply Kraft Dinner in the Canada.
- While it seems a simple thing, a dish of macaroni with cheese 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.
- A salesman thought of 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 which 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 which gave Kraft Macaroni & Cheese its unique orange color and has served as a signature trait of the product ever since.
- Canadians consume more Kraft Dinner (KD) per capita than any other country. It became a cultural staple during WWII when rationing made it an affordable meal option. Many families add twists like ketchup, canned tuna, or sausage to personalize the dish. (Again, I think maybe adding bacon or smoked, pulled pork may be a better idea!)
- The U.S. hosts many mac and cheese festivals, like the San Francisco Mac and Cheese Festival, where chefs compete with innovative recipes.
- In Canada, the Mac and Cheese Festival in Toronto celebrates the dish with creative takes like dessert-inspired versions. These events draw thousands of cheese lovers every year.
- In 2010, Cabot Creamery and the University of Vermont broke the record for the largest mac and cheese. It weighed over 2,000 pounds and used 800 pounds of pasta and 400 pounds of cheese. The massive dish was served at a community event.
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