Tuesday’s Cupful: History of Macaroni and Cheese

A pasta dish that is not just kids' play
Forget about apple pie and hot dogs, when it comes to all-American comfort food for many, there is nothing like macaroni and cheese. How exactly did macaroni and cheese get so popular and what are its origins? One legend asserts that Thomas Jefferson invented and first served macaroni and cheese in the White House in 1802. Experts think that he did serve it in the White House; however, he did not invent it. A similar dish of cream cheese and macaroni had come from England with the Colonists to the Americas. The dish was especially prevalent in Southern kitchens. The introduction of Kraft’s Dinner (macaroni and cheese) in 1937 made macaroni and cheese popular among families around the U.S. The company reports that more than 1 million boxes are sold every day. There are now many recipes and different variations of this yummy dish. Traditionalists stick with elbow macaroni, but we've seen it made with pasta shells or rotini. Chefs may include their favorite cheese blends but almost all include cheddar.

Note: The Mixed Stew's recipe uses a French interloper, gruyere.