There are all sorts of ways to consume the classic American treat of macaroni and cheese: with bacon, extra cheese, with crunchy bread crumbs on top, or even (more recently) atop your favorite burger. Though you've likely consumed it many times throughout the years, are you aware of the interesting history involving the dish, how it made its way to America, and which famous historical figure is responsible for its continued popularity today on the American menu? Grab a bowl of your favorite mac and cheese (made to your specifications) so you won't get hungry while reading all about how this tasty treat found its way into the hearts of American everywhere.

A Presidential Dinner

If you were invited to dine at the White House, what would you expect to be served for your dinner? While answers would definitely vary, most people's minds would jump to some sort of exquisite or expensive dish like filet mignon, caviar, or a dessert topped with Belgian chocolates. Whatever you envision might be on the menu that night, you likely wouldn't dream of finding something as simple as macaroni and cheese-- but that's exactly what founding father Thomas Jefferson served to his guests during a state dinner in 1802.

After traveling to Italy, Jefferson brought home some of the pasta he had loved in the country, as well as cheeses that were unique (at the time) to the region, like parmesan. By mixing the two ingredients together, adding some butter, and then placing it in the oven to cook, Jefferson's chefs created a tasty dish that spread like wildfire across America. While you may not call macaroni and cheese a delicacy today, that's exactly what his guests thought in the early 1800s- and they couldn't wait to make the culinary masterpiece for their own families.

Boxing to the Masses

Over a hundred years later, as the popularity of the meal spread and families began to create different variations of the treat, the Great Depression hit America. In 1937, companies began to advertise a boxed version of macaroni and cheese that promised to feed a family of four for only 19 cents a box. In a time where money was tight and stomachs were hungry, this new twist on the old classic proved to be a winner for many people throughout the nation.

To this day, boxes of macaroni and cheese continue to be shipped and sold throughout the country, remaining as the favorite version of the meal to many. Countless others still believe doing things the way Thomas Jefferson introduced: slow, in the oven, and cooked to perfection. Whatever your palate enjoys best, you can send a word of thanks the founding father's way for introducing a delicious classic that will last for years to come.

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