Mac and Cheese

Many might not know that Mac and Cheese, one of America's beloved comfort foods, actually originated in Italy. Full name Macaroni and Cheese, this dish has a history spanning hundreds of years in Italy.

Italian Roots: From De lasanis to Macaroni

Dating back to 13th-century Italy, Italian food historians discovered a dish named De lasanis in an ancient cookbook called Liber de Coquina, written by two authors, one Italian and one French.

Historically, the De lasanis dish consisted of small, square pasta sheets cooked and topped with cheese and other ingredients, similar to lasagna. It is said that this dish existed since Roman times.

Later, as Italians began to develop a wider variety of pasta shapes, macaroni became increasingly known. This led to a flourishing pasta production industry at the time, with macaroni as a leading product. Consequently, many traditional Italian dishes incorporated macaroni, including Mac and Cheese.

Mac and Cheese Crosses Continents to the United States

By the 14th century, Mac and Cheese became popular throughout Italy. Soon after, this popular dish began to gain recognition across Europe, especially in France, which became the entry point for Americans to discover Mac and Cheese.

In the 17th century, Mac and Cheese crossed European borders to the United States when Thomas Jefferson, the third President of the U.S., visited France. While there, he had the opportunity to taste Mac and Cheese multiple times and grew fond of it. Upon returning to the U.S., he brought the recipe back along with a pasta-making machine imported from Italy.

Mac and Cheese first gained recognition in the United States at a government dinner in 1802. Thomas Jefferson instructed his chef to prepare Mac and Cheese to serve to the guests. Many who tried it unanimously praised its deliciousness, leading to numerous requests for the recipe. Subsequently, this recipe was widely disseminated, and many restaurants across America began to feature it as a staple on their menus.

From Delicacy to Wartime Comfort Food

However, during World War II, the United States faced a major economic downturn. This led many companies to begin processing and packaging Mac and Cheese as ready-to-eat boxed meals. It became a convenient and affordable option, as one box of Mac and Cheese could feed a family of four for just 19 cents at the time. As a result, Mac and Cheese quickly became a household staple for Americans, earning its designation as a comfort food.

Global Diversity and Popularity in the 20th Century

Later, in the 20th century, Mac and Cheese gained increasing recognition in many countries worldwide. Chefs in different regions began creating and adapting numerous recipes, experimenting with various types of cheese, spices, and diverse ingredients to craft unique Mac and Cheese creations. These range from Lobster Mac and Cheese to Mac and Cheese with truffle ingredients, and many more.