Macaroni and Cheese has been an important part of American culture for as long as most people can remember, the creamy, savoury comfort food has made its place as a staple in many households over many years, but where did this dish come from?
According to history, the original version of our beloved Mac and Cheese recipe was discovered in Elizabeth Raffald’s 1769 cookbook named The Experienced English Housekeeper. In this book, macaroni was mixed with béchamel sauce instead of traditional cheddar cheese and parmesan took its place as an ingredient. This dish gained popularity in England which even reached wealthy Americans who later introduced it back home. It is alleged that Thomas Jefferson had a particular fondness for the meal while he traveled through Europe bringing it back to America where he served it at a state dinner during 1802.Their love affair sparked individual curiosity towards trying out new recipes such that households embraced preparing the easy-to-prepare yet delectable combo particularly when facing financial constraints created by Great Depression era thus fast gaining momentum amongst US citizens looking for affordable but hearty meals .
The fame of mac and cheese has expanded globally, enabling other cultures to incorporate their own unique twists. Distinct adaptations of this dish consist of Macarrão com requeijão from Brazil which entails a ricotta-esque cream cheese known as requeijão cremoso, mozzarella cheese, mayonnaise along with an assortment of vegetables on occasion. Another example is Makaroni schotel originated in Indonesia involving a mixture between the casserole style commonly seen in macaronis alongside different sorts meats such as corned beef or sausage. (Bresler, 2022) 
A traditional mac and cheese recipe includes, elbow macaroni, butter, flour, salt, pepper, milk/cream, and of course cheddar cheese.
The Food We Know . (2022). The history of macaroni and cheese. The Food We Know. Retrieved from, https://thefoodweknow.com/the-history-of-macaroni-and-cheese/ Bresler, A. (2022, August 17). 8 mouthwatering styles of Mac and cheese from around the world. Matador Network. Retrieved from https://matadornetwork.com/read/mouthwatering-styles-mac-cheese-around-world/ Taste Of Home. (2023, March 30). Old-fashioned macaroni and cheese. Taste of Home. Retrieved from https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/old-fashioned-macaroni-and-cheese/ W, J. (2013). Category:macaroni and cheese. Wikimedia Commons. Retrieved from https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Macaroni_and_cheese
