National Mac and Cheese Day

National Mac and Cheese Day timeline

1300s

Oldest Recipe

Oldest known recipe for mac and cheese is included in the medieval English cookbook "Forme of Cury."

1824

First Published Recipe

The first macaroni and cheese recipe is published in U.S. cookbook
“The Virginia House-Wife.”

1937

Revolutionary Kraft

Kraft introduces its boxed Macaroni and Cheese.

1993

Mac and Cheese Crayon

Crayola names a new crayon color "Macaroni and Cheese"

National Mac and Cheese Day FAQs

When is National Mac and Cheese Day?

National Mac and Cheese Day 2026 falls on Tuesday, July 14. It’s the perfect mid-week excuse to indulge in your favorite cheesy dish.

How popular is mac and cheese in the U.S.?

Mac and cheese remains incredibly popular, with surveys consistently showing it as one of America’s top comfort foods. Approximately 60% of Americans consider it their favorite comfort food, consumed by millions weekly.

What are some popular mac and cheese variations?

Beyond the classic cheddar, popular variations include smoked gouda mac, lobster mac and cheese, truffle mac, and spicy jalapeño versions. Many add bacon, breadcrumbs, or different vegetables for extra flavor and texture.

What is the origin of mac and cheese?

The concept of pasta with cheese dates back to 14th-century Italy. While Thomas Jefferson is often credited with introducing it to America, the first modern recipe appeared in Elizabeth Raffald’s 1769 cookbook, ‘The Experienced English Housekeeper.’

National Mac and Cheese Day Activities

Find a food challenge

All over America, restaurants are enticing visitors to taking on food challenges that, if conquered, mean a free meal for those strong enough to finish them. This July 14, try to find a place with a mac and cheese eating challenge, like the Midnight Mac and Cheeserie in Chicago. Here, if you eat five pounds of the house mac and cheese in under an hour, you go down in Chicago cheese-story, not to mention get a free meal and a t-shirt out of it.

Get creative with your recipe

Break from the casserole mold this year and go big. For a fancier dish, try adding caramelized onions and prosciutto. To give it a fiery southwest flavor, toss in some bacon and jalapenos. Or, invite your friends to bring in a recipe of their own, and judge whose is best to determine who’s the big cheese of the evening.

Head to your favorite restaurants

If your local restaurant scene is getting in on the holiday, don’t miss out. Check out if any restaurants in your town are cashing in on the creamy craze, or simply visit a favorite spot and order up a classic.

Why We Love National Mac and Cheese Day

It reminds us of home

If you’re in the midwest, it’s a hotdish. If you live in the northeast, it’s a casserole. Down in the south, it’s a sometimes-spicy side dish that accompanies BBQ right along with potato salad. But wherever you’re from, there’s a version of mac and cheese that you grew up with, and will always taste like home. What do they serve in your neck of the woods?

It’s easy to make

Basic mac and cheese only requires a few ingredients, and most of the magic happens in the oven while you’re enjoying an afternoon drink outside with friends. But, when paired with any meal, it will likely be polished off long before your aunt’s green beans or twice baked potatoes. It’s a dish loved by all ages and is simple to make - why wouldn’t it be your contribution to the summer BBQ?

It’s international

While we often think of mac and cheese as an Italian-turned-American favorite, there are variations on the dish all over the world. In Hong Kong, for instance, it’s common to eat macaroni and cheese for breakfast, doctored up with several ingredients, including peas, ham, mushrooms, and eggs.