Bushra Griffith
Macaroni and cheese is a popular dish worldwide, but its exact origin is unknown. However, it is believed to have originated in Northern Europe, with the earliest known recorded recipe being from 1769. The dish is thought to have been brought to the United States by Thomas Jefferson, who became enamoured with pasta dishes while visiting France. Macaroni and cheese is now considered a staple of American cuisine, with Kraft Foods introducing its boxed version in 1937.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Likely origin | Northern Europe |
| Earliest known recipe | 13th century |
| Earliest known recorded recipe | 1769 |
| First introduced to the US | Thomas Jefferson, 1802 |
| First boxed macaroni and cheese | 1937 |
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What You'll Learn
- The earliest known recipe for macaroni and cheese was recorded in 1769
- The dish may have originated in Northern Europe
- It could also have come from Italy, where a 13th-century cookbook includes a recipe for de lasanis, which food historians believe is the first macaroni and cheese recipe
- In the 19th century, Älplermagronen (Alpine herder's macaroni) became popular in Switzerland
- Macaroni and cheese was introduced to the United States by Thomas Jefferson, who encountered fashionable pasta dishes while visiting France
The earliest known recipe for macaroni and cheese was recorded in 1769
Macaroni and cheese, or 'mac and cheese' as it is known in Canada and the United States, is a dish of macaroni pasta and a cheese sauce, most commonly cheddar sauce. Its roots can be traced back to medieval England, where a similar dish, called 'makerouns', was recorded in the 14th century. The recipe, written in Middle English, was for a cheese and pasta casserole made with fresh, hand-cut pasta, sandwiched between a mixture of melted butter and cheese.
In the 13th century, an Italian cookbook, the *Liber de Coquina* or *Book of Cooking*, included a recipe called 'de lasanis', which food historians believe is the first macaroni and cheese recipe. The recipe calls for sheet pasta cut into 2-inch squares, cooked in water and tossed with grated cheese, likely Parmesan.
In Switzerland, a traditional dish called 'Älplermagronen' (Alpine herder's macaroni) became popular in the 19th century. Älplermagronen is made of macaroni, cream, cheese, roasted onions, and sometimes potatoes. The cheese is often Emmental or Appenzeller, and it is usually accompanied by apple sauce.
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The dish may have originated in Northern Europe
The exact origin of macaroni and cheese is unknown, but it most likely comes from Northern Europe. The earliest known recorded recipe for macaroni and cheese was written down in 1769, in Elizabeth Raffald's book, *The Experience*. However, a cheese and pasta casserole known as makerouns was recorded in 1390, in medieval English, in the cookbook *The Forme of Cury*. The recipe was for fresh, hand-cut pasta sandwiched between a mixture of melted butter and cheese.
In the 13th century, an Italian cookbook called *Liber de Coquina* or *Book of Cooking* includes a recipe called de lasanis, which food historians believe is the first macaroni and cheese recipe. The recipe calls for sheet pasta cut into 2-inch (5-centimetre) squares, cooked in water and tossed with grated cheese, likely Parmesan.
In 1731, the monastery of Disentis in Switzerland purchased a macaroni machine. Monasteries in the country were also known for cheesemaking. Around the 19th century, the traditional Swiss dish called Älplermagronen (Alpine herder's macaroni) became popular. Älplermagronen is made of macaroni, cream, cheese, roasted onions, and sometimes potatoes.
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It could also have come from Italy, where a 13th-century cookbook includes a recipe for de lasanis, which food historians believe is the first macaroni and cheese recipe
The exact origin of macaroni and cheese is unknown, though it most likely comes from Northern Europe. The earliest known recorded recipe was written down in 1769, though a cheese and pasta casserole known as makerouns was recorded in 1390 in medieval English in the cookbook the Forme of Cury.
However, it could also have come from Italy, where a 13th-century cookbook includes a recipe for de lasanis, which food historians believe is the first macaroni and cheese recipe. The recipe calls for sheet pasta cut into 2-inch (5-centimetre) squares, cooked in water and tossed with grated cheese, likely Parmesan.
From then on, macaroni and cheese grew in popularity across Europe. In the 19th century, a traditional dish in Switzerland called Älplermagronen (Alpine herder's macaroni) became popular. It is made of macaroni, cream, cheese, roasted onions, and sometimes potatoes. In some regions, bacon or ham is added.
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In the 19th century, Älplermagronen (Alpine herder's macaroni) became popular in Switzerland
The exact origin of macaroni and cheese is unknown, though it most likely comes from Northern Europe. The earliest known recorded recipe is from 1769, though a 13th-century Italian cookbook, the *Liber de Coquina* or *Book of Cooking*, includes a recipe called de lasanis, which food historians believe is the first macaroni and cheese recipe. It calls for sheet pasta cut into 2-inch squares, cooked in water and tossed with grated cheese, likely Parmesan.
In the 19th century, Älplermagronen (Alpine herders macaroni) became popular in Switzerland. The dish is made of macaroni, cream, cheese, roasted onions, and sometimes potatoes. In the Canton of Uri, the potatoes are traditionally omitted, and in some regions, bacon or ham is added. The cheese is often Emmental or Appenzeller, and it is usually accompanied by apple sauce. The dish is thought to have originated in monasteries, which were known for cheesemaking and, in 1731, the monastery of Disentis in Switzerland purchased a macaroni machine.
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Macaroni and cheese was introduced to the United States by Thomas Jefferson, who encountered fashionable pasta dishes while visiting France
Around the 19th century, the traditional dish in Switzerland called Älplermagronen (Alpine herder's macaroni) became popular. Älplermagronen is made of macaroni, cream, cheese, roasted onions, and in some recipes, potatoes. The cheese is often Emmental or Appenzeller and it is usually accompanied by apple sauce.
Macaroni and cheese traces its roots to Italy, with a 13th-century Italian cookbook, the *Liber de Coquina* or *Book of Cooking*, including a recipe called de lasanis that food historians believe is the first macaroni and cheese recipe. The recipe calls for sheet pasta cut into 2-inch squares, cooked in water and tossed with grated cheese, likely Parmesan. From then on, macaroni and cheese grew in popularity across Europe.
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Frequently asked questions
The exact origin of macaroni and cheese is unknown, but it most likely comes from Northern Europe.
The earliest known recipe for macaroni and cheese is from a 13th-century Italian cookbook called the *Liber de Coquina* or *Book of Cooking*. The recipe, called de lasanis, calls for sheet pasta cut into 2-inch squares, cooked in water and tossed with grated cheese, likely Parmesan.
The first recorded recipe for macaroni and cheese in English is from the 14th century. The recipe, for a dish called makerouns, is found in the medieval English cookbook *The Forme of Curing*.
Macaroni and cheese was introduced to the United States by Thomas Jefferson, who encountered fashionable pasta dishes while visiting France. He served macaroni and cheese at a state dinner in 1802.
