#Bacon Mac 'n' Cheese

[rabbitcruiser]

National Macaroni Day

Each year, the nation gets its fix of the beloved pasta, macaroni, as we celebrate National Macaroni Day on July 7. This little elbow-shaped pasta is such a fan-favorite that it gets its own day of celebration. As it should! Apparently, macaroni is the most common form of pasta in the U.S. So on this day, let’s all come together to show our love for the humble and versatile macaroni.

History of National Macaroni Day

The origins of pasta, and macaroni, are not very clear. Records indicate pasta might have originated in China, instead of in Italy as is commonly believed.

The word ‘macaroni’ itself has had varied meanings to different people over time. The International Pasta Organisation traced the word to the Greeks who had established the colony of Neopolis (modern-day Naples). They had appropriated a local dish made from barley-flour pasta and water called ‘makaria.’ Cookbooks in the 14th or 15th century contained the initial mentions of macaroni-like dishes and how to make them, but these noodles were much longer than the short elbow macaroni we now use. Recipes in later centuries catered to the tastes and palettes of the regions they came from, and all were slightly different variations of the macaroni we know today.

As more of the world came into contact with various cultures, different types of pasta were introduced to the colonies. People began to fall in love with this doughy noodle. The American Ambassador to France, Thomas Jefferson, first tasted pasta in Naples, Italy. He even brought back a pasta-making machine to the U.S., and this inspired him to design a machine of his own, one with instructions for making pasta. The American love affair with pasta continued to boom throughout the 19th century.

National Macaroni Day timeline

2000 B.C.–10000 B.C.The Greeks Establish a Colony

The Greeks establish a colony in Naples and appropriate a local dish called ‘makaria,’ which might have been the inspiration for the word 'macaroni'.

5000 B.C.Pasta is Born (Maybe)

Some food historians believe pasta originated in this period, in China.

1465First Published Record of Pasta and Cheese

Author and epicure Maestro Martino publishes a landmark cookbook, “Libro de Arte Coquinaria,” which contains several pasta dishes, some paired with cheese.

1789Thomas Jefferson and His Pasta Maker

Thomas Jefferson brings a 'macaroni' maker to the U.S. after he visits Europe as the ambassador to France.

1872Macaroni as We Know It

Author and food historian Paul Imhof believes the world's first commercial production of macaroni as we know it today — short, hollow, and elbow-shaped — was not in Italy but in Switzerland.

1904A Society is Born

The predecessor to today's National Pasta Association — the National Association of Macaroni and Noodle Manufacturers of America — is formed.

National Macaroni Day FAQs

Is macaroni good for health?

The pasta is made from durum wheat, which is a good source of energy and carbs and even has small amounts of fiber. However, the presence of nutrients depends on the manufacturing process of the brand of pasta you choose.

What is the difference between pasta and macaroni?

The only thing differentiating all pasta from macaroni specifically is the shape. Macaroni has a distinctive tube-like shape and is bent like an elbow. Otherwise, even the dough to make pasta is traditionally the same.

Is there a Mac and Cheese Day?

Yes, National Mac and Cheese Day is celebrated on July 14 each year.

How To Celebrate National Macaroni Day

Experiment in the kitchen

Experiment outside the kitchen

Organize a macaroni cook-off

This versatile ingredient can be used in everything from soups and casseroles to hot dishes and salads. So why not go wild experimenting with different ways to play with macaroni recipes. You can make a macaroni-crusted lasagna, a macaroni pizza with the base being baked mac and cheese, or even macaroni and cream dessert. Whether you are a vegetarian or a meat-lover, there is a fun macaroni recipe for everyone to try out.

Macaroni is not just for eating. There are ways to play with it too! For those with kids (or those who are kids at heart), make fun new art and craft projects with macaroni. You can dye the pasta in different colors and string them into jewelry or glue them onto boxes for a DIY decoration project. Let the kids go wild creating their own fabulous works of art!

Challenge friends and family to a friendly macaroni-themed cook-off. The best macaroni dish wins. You can take this one step further and create categories for the most inventive recipes.

5 Fun Facts About Macaroni

Macaroni for breakfast

Macaroni is perfect for cheese

Macaroni as an insult

The macaroni penguin

City rats love macaroni and cheese

This pasta is traditionally eaten for breakfast in Hong Kong and is cooked with mushrooms, peas, ham, eggs, and chicken stock.

Purists swear by macaroni (and shell pasta) as the best pasta to pair with cheese because it has a bigger surface area for the cheese to hold on to compared to long pasta.

In the 1700s, fashionable men who wore expensive Italian clothes were called 'macaronies,' which is another word for 'dandies'.

The distinctive yellow feathered crest on the macaroni penguin’s head that resembles the hats worn by fashionable men from the 1700s inspired this bird's name.

A study by the Animal Behavior Society showed city-dwelling rats prefer macaroni and cheese above anything else.

Why We Love National Macaroni Day

It is a taste of childhood

It makes mealtimes easier

It is oh so delicious

This humble pasta has played a major role in our lives, appearing as comfort food, warming meals when we were sick, and as our kindergarten art. All pasta is mouthwatering, but there is something special about this elbow-shaped one that takes us straight back to our childhood and those fond memories.

Making store-bought macaroni (and other pasta) is extremely easy. Many macaroni-based dishes can be cooked ahead and stored, making mealtimes much less stressful. Macaroni can also be used to stretch the quantity of food to feed more people.

This pasta goes with a lot of different cuisines and ingredients with absolutely no problem and makes it taste even better. On its own, macaroni looks unassuming, but the right flavors turn a simple dish into a powerhouse. We love how this pasta makes us feel like master chefs with very little effort.

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[daily-deliciousness]

Copycat Applebee's honey pepper chicken mac and cheese

[softwaring]

i did not have enough room for the green beans and collards on this plate 🫡 proud of myself for making all this alone 😭

[yummyfoooooood]

Bacon Jalapeño Mac & Cheese

[bluebellhairpin]

I could never be vegetarian bc crispy bacon and a nice cooked steak has literally been what stopped me from ending it all the past few months.

[cookiescr]

Controversial take but isn't carbonara just italian mac and cheese and slightly fancier?

[vegan-nom-noms]

Mac And Cheese 3 Ways

[mars-ipan]

i’m curious to know if i have an unpopular opinion

[invisiblyvisiblejay]

had twinkies for the first time bc one of the things i like to do in college is eat food i wasn't allowed to as a child and i have a question. why does it taste like bacon. like for real im not joking why

[angeloftheodd]

My partner and I made bacon mac last night. 🥓🧀❤️ It was delish!😻

[rabbitcruiser]

National Mac & Cheese Day 

Satisfy your cheese and pasta cravings on Mac & Cheese Day by rustling up this comfort food and trying out different toppings such as peas or bacon bits.

There are few things in life that bring us back to childhood like the taste of macaroni and cheese, its rich flavorful combination of pasta and rich cheeses never fails to satisfy our palette. National Mac & Cheese Day celebrates this dish and everything it means to us.

Learn about National Mac & Cheese Day

Mac & Cheese is one of the ultimate comfort foods. Typically made with the golden goodness of cheese, combined with milk or cheese and macaroni noodles, there is no denying that mac and cheese never fails to satisfy. This meal reminds a lot of people of one of the first dishes they created at home.

For others, it is the side dish that they always order at a restaurant. There are then those that save it for a special treat. No matter what category you fall into, there is no denying that a dish like this deserves its very own day.

There are many different variations of mac & cheese that have been made in recent times. A lot of people prefer the classic version. However, there are many people that have gotten experimental too, using different blends of cheeses and loading up on the seasoning.

Bacon and jalapenos have also become two popular additions to the classic mac & cheese. Did you know that there is even a burger that is created with a mac & cheese bun? If you take a look online, you will see that there are plenty of recipes for burgers that are made with a bun of mac & cheese that is covered in Flamin’ Hot Cheetos.

Ever since a restaurant in America created this version of the burger, people have gone crazy for it! So, as you can see, there are so many different ways that you can enjoy this classic dish, and so you can have fun on National Mac & Cheese Day trying out different variations to see if you can come up with your own culinary masterpiece.

Some fascinating facts about Mac & Cheese

Mac & cheese is not only a delicious dish, but it is an official crayon color as well. In 1993, Crayola named one of its crayon colors ‘Macaroni and Cheese.’

Mac & cheese is considered a national dish in Canada. Plus, a box of Kraft Mac & Cheese is actually the most-purchased grocery product in the country.

Did you know that American president Thomas Jefferson was a huge fan of mac & cheese? He imported Parmesan cheese and macaroni for use in his Virginia estate after trying the dish in both northern Italy and Paris.

While mac & cheese is considered a response to the great depression, there have actually been similar recipes that have been around for centuries. In fact, in medieval England, there was a cookbook called Forme of Cury, and there was a pasta and cheese casserole dish, which was known as makerouns. The recipe is very similar to mac & cheese.

History of National Mac & Cheese Day

The History of National Mac & Cheese Day is the history of Kraft Macaroni and Cheese, known throughout the world by various names, including simply Kraft Dinner in the Canada. While it seems a simple thing, a dish of macaroni with cheese, it was in fact quite an innovation for its time and started an important tradition in ready to prepare foods.

Kraft Macaroni & Cheese was created as a response to the trying times of the great depression, there was a salesman who had an innovative idea. That idea being the sale of both cheese and macaroni together, so he began attaching packages of grated cheese to boxes of pasta. In part due to the conditions of its release, it became an absolute success.

World War II saw the rationing of milk and dairy products, and due to shortages, many families were relying on dishes that had little meat in it. Macaroni and Cheese seemed the obvious solution and so its popularity spread like wildfire. James Lewis Kraft patented an important method of processing cheese that gave Kraft Macaroni & Cheese its unique orange color and has served as a signature trait of the product ever since.

How to celebrate National Mac & Cheese Day

Celebrating National Mac & Cheese Day is best done by buying one of those beautiful blue boxes and indulging in its flavor. But don’t stop there, mac & cheese is an incredibly versatile dish, and you can make an entirely new one by adding a container of tuna fish to the mix.

Prefer something a little more traditional? There’s always hot dogs and peas, an old American favorite. We also like to add a can of processed chicken, a dollop of ranch dressing, and a sprinkling of bacon bits to make an incredible dish that will fill the hungriest belly. Come up with your own innovations and share them below!

Of course, you don’t have to cook yourself on National Mac & Cheese Day. You can use this day as the perfect excuse to hit one of your favorite restaurants and enjoy mac & cheese cooked for you. Why not gather some of your friends or family members together and treat yourself to a delicious meal out?

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[golden--doodler]

Trick or treat! 🍭👻🍫💕

Thank you for being the best, Babs!❣️

I don't have any Louigan WIPs, but a headcanon I do have about them is that Louise secretly enjoys stealing his sweaters. A lot. So often Logan keeps trying to bring it up to her, but she keeps telling him to just deal with it because she loves drowning in his gigantic sweaters. Eventually, he just accepts that she'll keep stealing his sweaters, and one day they use one of his sweaters as a blanket to share between them while watching a movie! It's a horror movie, and Logan actually hates horror movies and Louise has to comfort him~

You can also have my old Louigan Week piece! I still feel guilty for not participating on the last day, but I got busy (and also forgot to have anything planned for it) 😭

And finally, here's a Louise line I wrote for my "Linda is deaf" AU that I love:

“Can anything in your kitchen explode or combust? Asking for a friend.” Louise gave him her attempt at an innocent grin. “Also, I want the bacon mac’ n’ cheese.”

[autistic-ace-bee]

How much bacon do you think you eat in a year?

normally zero but the other day my cousin offered me a bite of her sub and i chomped the whole thing outta her hand

[technofinch]

Oh I am so so smart and sexy

[nomaishuttle]

i need 2 start eating vegetables. Haggard

[kerosene-saint]

I need a fucking burger all I've had is carbs and sugar and dairy today and yesterday