Mac and Cheese Day

Macaroni and Cheese. Social Butterfly / Pixabay.com / 2019 / CC0 1.0

The 14th of July is Mac and Cheese Day, celebrating a classic comfort food.

Fat and carbs come together to form a cheesy, gooey, and hearty dish — what’s not to love?

The cheese sauce is traditionally always based on cheddar cheese, either mild or aged, but occasionally people will give it a twist by using a different cheese. Fancy recipes may call for a three-cheese combo.

Some people prefer the packaged box mixes to the homemade. The packaged version of Mac & Cheese by Kraft is practically considered a national dish in Canada. For many people getting their first apartment, Mac and Cheese out of a box can be one of the first meals they ever make in it.

Some restaurants today will offer deals, such as a side-dish of Mac and Cheese free, or a buy one Mac and Cheese dish, and the second person eats for free,

If you were going to jazz your Mac and Cheese up, what would you add to it? Additions ranging from everyday to gourmet are now becoming common, items such as bacon, ground beef, herbs, jalapeno peppers, lobster, peas, pork belly, tuna, truffles, or even the classic old hot dog wieners. Or, do you want yours kept simple?

If a Mac and Cheese is made with bacon and jalapeno, it’s called “Cowboy Mac”.

Vegans can get vegan versions now.

Baked Mac and Cheese can kick the dish up to a whole new level.

Would you order an expensive version of Mac and Cheese at a restaurant? Or for you, is is more something that you would eat at home?

And the burning, divisive question: tomato ketchup on your Mac and Cheese, yes or no?

#MacAndCheeseDay #NationalMacAndCheeseDay

Activities for today

Look for deals at restaurants. Don’t forget to check their apps where many deals are offered these days;
frozen food manufacturers may offer coupons on frozen Mac and Cheese dishes;
go to a restaurant with a friend and treat yourselves to some gourmet Mac and Cheese;
try a pre-made version in snack cups;
make one with mixed cheeses;
healthy it up by using whole wheat macaroni;
put in an oven proof dish, sprinkle some buttered bread crumbs on, and pop under the broiler briefly;
try a Mac and Cheese pizza, or a Mac and Cheese grilled sandwich;
have some friends over for a Mac and Cheese supper, with perhaps a salad and crusty sourdough on the side.

Recipes

Macaroni and Cheese Florentine

History

CooksInfo found a mention of a National Macaroni and Cheese Day in 2003, but with no date attached to it:

“National Macaroni and Cheese Day: Breakfast, lunch and dinner are in the bag. I mean box.” — Rinehart, Karen. Thanks, but didn’t you know it’s spare-me-the-e-mailed-greetings Day? Sunday, 16 March 2003. Tampa, Florida: The Tampa Tribune. Page 5, col. 4

The first print mention we can find of the day with the July 14th date attached to it dates from 2012:

“National Macaroni and Cheese Day. It seems there is a day for everybody and everything. Did you know that July 14th was National Macaroni and Cheese Day? To celebrate, the National Pasta Association wanted to share a few untraditional mac and cheese recipes that are fast and easy to make. According to its news release, pasta can be the perfect foundation for a satisfying meal and an ideal ‘delivery system’ for other nutritious foods. Try one of these recipes from the National Pasta Association, and celebrate a belated July 14th!” — Weiner, Susan and Sarah Griesemer. Spice up your traditional dish of ice cream. Morristown, New Jersey: Daily Record. Wednesday, 18 July 2012. Page B4, col. 1.

Sources

Gladysz, Kayla. Where to celebrate Mac and Cheese Day in Toronto this week. Toronto, Canada: Daily Hive. 13 July 2020. Accessed June 2021 at https://dailyhive.com/toronto/mac-cheese-day-celebrate-toronto

International Mac and Cheese Day. Cape Town, South Africa: Heart FM Radio. 14 July 2020. Accessed June 2021 at https://www.heartfm.co.za/show-content/international-mac-and-cheese-day/

National Mac and Cheese Day 2020: What This Day is All About And How it is Celebrated. India.com. 13 July 2020. Accessed July 2021 at https://www.india.com/festivals-events/national-mac-and-cheese-day-2020-what-this-day-is-all-about-and-how-it-is-celebrated-4083875/

Nelson, Dustin. Celebrate your favorite combo of starch and dairy all day long. Thrillist. 14 July 2020. Accessed July 2021 at https://www.thrillist.com/news/nation/national-mac-and-cheese-day-deals-2020