Macaroni and cheese
Baked or stovetop pasta in a creamy cheese sauce, often with cheddar
Macaroni and cheese is a dish of small pasta tubes mixed with a rich cheese sauce, usually cheddar, and served hot. First made in England, it is now popular in the United States and Canada, where it is eaten as a main or side dish. It can be baked in a casserole or cooked on the stove, and is also widely available as packaged mixes.
- First recipes appeared in England in the 18th century
- Cheddar is the most common cheese used
- Popular as both a main and a side dish
- Packaged mixes like Kraft Dinner are widely eaten in Canada and the US
What is Macaroni and cheese?
Macaroni and cheese is a pasta dish where small, curved tubes called macaroni are combined with a creamy cheese sauce, most often made with cheddar. The sauce may be based on a béchamel (a white sauce of butter, flour, and milk) or a Mornay (béchamel with cheese). The dish is usually baked until golden and bubbling, but can also be cooked on the stovetop. It is rich, smooth, and has a mild, cheesy flavor.
Where does Macaroni and cheese come from?
The roots of macaroni and cheese go back to medieval England, where cheese and pasta casseroles were made. The first known recipe appeared in Elizabeth Raffald's 1769 cookbook, using béchamel, Parmesan, and baking. The dish spread to North America with British immigrants and became popular in both Canada and the United States. In the US, Thomas Jefferson is linked to its early adoption, and by the 19th century, it appeared in influential cookbooks.
How is Macaroni and cheese made?
To make macaroni and cheese, macaroni pasta is boiled until tender, then mixed with a cheese sauce. The sauce is often made by melting butter, stirring in flour to make a roux, then adding milk and cheese to create a smooth, thick mixture. The pasta and sauce are combined and can be baked in a casserole until the top is browned, or simply heated together on the stove. Packaged mixes use powdered or processed cheese for convenience.
How and when is Macaroni and cheese eaten?
Macaroni and cheese is eaten hot, either as a main course or a side dish. In the UK, it is served in restaurants and at home, while in North America it is a staple comfort food, often found in both casual and formal settings. It can be paired with vegetables or meats, but is commonly enjoyed on its own. Packaged versions are popular for quick meals.
Kinds of Macaroni and cheese
While cheddar is the classic cheese, other sharp cheeses like Gruyère, Parmesan, or Gouda are sometimes used, alone or in combination. Some recipes layer cheese and pasta instead of making a sauce. In Scotland, macaroni pie is a pastry filled with macaroni and cheese. In Switzerland, Älplermagronen is a related dish with cream, cheese, and sometimes potatoes or bacon. Deep-fried versions are found at fairs.
What Macaroni and cheese means
Macaroni and cheese is widely seen as comfort food and is especially popular in Canada, where Kraft Dinner is considered by some as a national dish. In the United States, it became a household staple partly due to the popularity of boxed mixes during the Great Depression and World War II. The dish has moved from upper-class origins to being a favorite across all social groups.
Questions people ask about Macaroni and cheese
What is macaroni and cheese made of?
It is made from macaroni pasta and a cheese sauce, most often using cheddar cheese, along with milk, butter, and sometimes flour to thicken the sauce.
Where did macaroni and cheese originate?
The dish originated in England, with early recipes dating back to the 18th century, and later became popular in Canada and the United States.
Is macaroni and cheese always baked?
No, while it is often baked in a casserole, it can also be prepared on the stovetop. Packaged mixes are usually made on the stove or in the microwave.
What kinds of cheese can be used?
Cheddar is most common, but other sharp cheeses like Gruyère, Parmesan, Gouda, and Havarti may be used, sometimes in combination.
Is macaroni and cheese vegetarian?
Yes, traditional macaroni and cheese is vegetarian, as it contains no meat or fish, though it does include dairy products.
Good reading and sources
- Macaroni and cheese on WikipediaEncyclopedia
- More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
- Wikidata recordOpen data
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Macaroni and cheese", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Thali rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes, and it is not dietary or allergy advice: recipes differ from cook to cook. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.
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