Frederic Melton
Macaroni and cheese, or mac and cheese, is a staple dish in traditional American families, especially in the South. It is a soul food and a favourite of many households. While it is a popular dish across cultures, it holds a significant cultural value for Black Americans. For many, it represents celebration and togetherness, often served during holidays and special occasions. The history of mac and cheese among Black Americans dates back to the introduction of the dish to the United States during a painful period of slavery.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| History | Macaroni and cheese, or macaroni pie, was created by James Hemings, an African American enslaved person trained as a chef in France. Hemings made the dish for Thomas Jefferson, who popularised it at his lavish parties. |
| Cultural significance | For Black Americans, macaroni and cheese represents celebration and togetherness and is considered a soul food staple, often passed down through generations. It is a celebratory dish, a convenient comfort food, and a meal stretcher for families. |
| Ingredients | Macaroni and cheese typically includes multiple kinds of cheese (such as sharp cheddar and Colby-Jack), eggs, evaporated milk, butter, salt, pepper, and various spices (such as garlic powder, onion powder, ground mustard powder, and paprika). |
| Toppings | While not traditional, some people add toppings such as bacon bits, panko breadcrumbs, or diced bell peppers. |
| Preparation | The dish is typically baked until creamy on top and golden brown on the edges. |
| Variations | There are many variations, including Southern baked macaroni and cheese, which is a soul food variation characterised by a rich, creamy cheese sauce and Southern comfort soul food flavourings. |
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What You'll Learn
Macaroni and cheese's history in Black culture
Macaroni and cheese, or macaroni pie as it was originally known, has a rich history in Black culture. The dish was created by James Hemings, an African American enslaved person trained as a chef in France. Hemings was Thomas Jefferson's chef, and it is believed that he was introduced to the dish during a trip to Paris with Jefferson. Hemings later gained his freedom, and his legacy lives on in the dishes he helped popularize, including macaroni and cheese.
In Black culture, macaroni and cheese is considered a culinary accolade. It is often made from scratch, with multiple kinds of cheese, secret ingredients, and debated toppings. It is a side dish of honor, present at every important occasion. The process of making it involves negotiation, tradition, and understanding. For many Black Americans, macaroni and cheese represents celebration and togetherness, and the recipes are often passed down through generations.
The dish has a long history in American cookbooks and media, with recipes for a cheese-based "macaroni pudding" found in cookbooks from the early 1800s. It became a simple and inexpensive dish during the Great Depression, when "government cheese" was distributed to people struggling with food insecurity. However, some believe that macaroni and cheese was already a special-occasion food for enslaved Black people before this time.
Soul food baked macaroni and cheese, or Southern macaroni and cheese, is a variation of the classic dish. It is made with a rich and creamy cheese sauce, Southern comfort soul food flavorings, and is baked until the edges are crispy and browned. This variation is recognized as soul food and has become a celebratory dish, a convenient comfort food, and a meal stretcher for families.
Overall, macaroni and cheese holds a significant place in Black culture and has evolved to become a beloved dish in American cuisine.
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Ingredients and recipe
Macaroni and cheese, or mac and cheese, is a dish with a rich African American history. It is considered a celebratory dish and a side dish of honour at gatherings and important occasions.
The recipe for mac and cheese has evolved over time, with many variations of the classic dish. The ingredients and recipe outlined below are adapted from various sources and cater to the soul food baked mac and cheese recipe, which is made with a rich and creamy homemade cheese sauce and yummy spices.
Ingredients
- Macaroni noodles or elbow pasta
- Butter: salted or unsalted
- Cheese: sharp Cheddar is a must, but Colby-Jack, mozzarella, gouda, smoked gouda, Swiss, Monterey Jack, Gruyere, Brie, goat cheese, or fontina can also be used
- Salt and black pepper
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Ground mustard powder
- Paprika
- Milk: preferably whole milk, as skim milk or 2% will not give the same rich, creamy consistency
- Egg (optional)
Recipe
- Boil the macaroni noodles or elbow pasta in salted water for 4-5 minutes or until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare the cheese sauce by melting butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add flour, salt, and pepper, and cook for 2 minutes.
- Slowly stir in milk and cheese. Remove from heat and continue to stir until the cheese has melted.
- Add the cooked macaroni noodles to the cheese sauce and toss to coat.
- For a baked version, transfer the mixture to a buttered baking dish. Top with extra cheese and bake at 325-350°F for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is creamy and the edges are golden brown.
- For a crispy cheese layer on top, broil for an additional 2-3 minutes.
- Optional: add toppings such as bacon bits, panko bread crumbs, or diced bell peppers for extra texture and flavour.
Note: This recipe can also be made without baking. Simply combine the cheese sauce and noodles in a pan and enjoy!
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Toppings
Macaroni and cheese is a dish with a rich African American history. It is a soul food that has become a celebratory dish, a convenient comfort food, and a meal stretcher for families.
While some people may prefer not to add toppings to their macaroni and cheese, there are many topping options for those who do. The options for macaroni and cheese toppings are endless. From crunchy to creamy, spicy to sweet, there’s a topping for everyone! Here are some topping ideas:
- Bacon adds a flavorful protein bite. Although it is not needed, it makes everything better!
- Panko breadcrumbs add texture and a crunchy bite. While they don't add much flavor, they can make the dish drier, absorbing moisture from the sauce.
- Diced bell peppers add zestiness and a zing to your baked macaroni and cheese.
- Chopped jalapeno peppers add some heat.
- Shredded parmesan cheese adds a flavorful, salty cheese topping.
- Sour cream is a light, cool, creamy topping that adds texture variation.
- Creole seasoning can kick the flavor up a notch.
- Crushed German pretzels can be used as a topping, as seen in the Netflix show High on the Hog.
- Truffles, lobster, or bacon can be added for a "grown-up" mac and cheese.
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Macaroni and cheese in modern Black culture
Macaroni and cheese, or mac and cheese, is a staple dish in traditional American families, often served at holidays and special events. While it is a popular dish across cultures, it holds a particularly significant place in modern Black culture.
The dish has a rich history in African American culture, with roots tracing back to the early 1800s. It is believed that Thomas Jefferson, during his time as president, brought the recipe for macaroni pudding to the United States after encountering it in Italy. However, it was his formerly enslaved chef, James Hemings, an African American himself, who played a pivotal role in popularising the dish. Hemings, a trained culinary chef, prepared a pie called macaroni at a formal state dinner, and it soon became a beloved dish at Monticello.
In modern Black culture, mac and cheese is more than just a dish—it carries cultural and emotional weight. It is considered a celebratory dish, often served at gatherings and important occasions. For Black Americans, mac and cheese represents a complex blend of celebration and a painful historical legacy. It is a dish that has been shaped by the culinary traditions and adaptations of enslaved Black people, who drew from their West African heritage and American experiences.
The process of preparing mac and cheese in Black culture is an art form in itself. It is made from scratch, with multiple kinds of cheese, secret ingredients, and debates over toppings. Sharp cheddar cheese is considered essential, adding depth and creaminess to the dish. Other common ingredients include eggs, evaporated milk, butter, garlic powder, onion powder, ground mustard powder, and paprika. The dish is baked to perfection, with a creamy top and golden brown edges.
Mac and cheese has also found its way into popular media, with Netflix's "High on the Hog: How African American Cuisine Transformed America" showcasing the African American culinary journey, including the significance of mac and cheese.
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Macaroni and cheese's history in America
Macaroni and cheese, colloquially known as 'mac and cheese', is a pasta dish of macaroni covered in a cheese sauce, most commonly cheddar sauce. Its origins can be traced back to medieval England, with Italian roots.
The dish was brought to the United States by James Hemings, an enslaved chef of Thomas Jefferson. Hemings learned about the dish while studying the culinary arts in France. After Hemings gained his freedom and Jefferson became president, Jefferson tried to bring him on as the White House chef. Unfortunately, Hemings passed away before this could happen. However, his legacy lives on in the dishes he helped make American classics, including macaroni and cheese, which was a favourite at Monticello.
Early Recipes
Recipes for macaroni and cheese began appearing in cookbooks in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The first reference to a béchamel sauce with cheese is from an English recipe book by Elizabeth Raffald, published in 1769. A recipe called "Macaroni and Cheese" appeared in the 1824 cookbook "The Virginia House-Wife", written by Mary Randolph. Randolph's recipe had three ingredients: macaroni, cheese, and butter, layered together and baked in a hot oven. Similar recipes for macaroni and cheese occur in the 1852 "Hand-book of Useful Arts" and the 1861 "Godey's Lady's Book".
Soul Food
Macaroni and cheese has a rich history in African American culture and is considered a soul food dish. In the Antebellum South, it was a weekend and celebration food. Many African Americans have continued this tradition, serving macaroni and cheese at important occasions and holidays. Soul food mac and cheese is typically made with sharp cheddar cheese, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, ground mustard powder, and paprika.
Boxed Mac and Cheese
In the mid-20th century, packaged mixes for macaroni and cheese became popular. In 1930, the Harlem Relief and Employment Committee included macaroni and cheese in emergency food baskets. Seven years later, Kraft introduced a boxed version of the dish. Today, boxed mac and cheese is often considered a cheap and convenient meal, though it diverges significantly from the traditional recipe.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, macaroni and cheese is considered a staple dish in traditional Black American families. It is often served on holidays and special occasions.
Macaroni and cheese, or macaroni pie, was created by James Hemings, an African American enslaved person trained as a chef in France. Hemings made the dish for Thomas Jefferson, who later introduced it to the masses through lavish parties.
Soul food mac and cheese typically includes sharp cheddar cheese, macaroni noodles, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, ground mustard powder, and paprika.
For Black Americans, macaroni and cheese represents celebration and togetherness. It is often passed down through generations and is an integral part of family histories and traditions.
