National Mac And Cheese Day
Tuesday, July 14, 2026 · July 14 every year
The story
Mac and cheese’s early forms appeared in Italian, Chinese, and Korean cuisine. One story is that a 13th-century Italian cookbook, Liber de Coquina, featured a recipe for pasta with grated cheese, likely Parmesan.
By the 18th century, mac and cheese was becoming popular in Europe, with a 1769 recipe in The Experienced English Housekeeper resembling modern versions.
Thomas Jefferson helped popularize mac and cheese in America, bringing back pasta recipes from France. His chef, James Hemings, refined the dish, which was served at a state dinner in 1802. Initially a luxury, mac and cheese became more accessible after the Industrial Revolution.
The turning point came in 1937 when Kraft introduced its boxed mac and cheese. Affordable and easy to make, it became a Depression-era staple and remained popular during WWII rationing.
Mac and cheese combines macaroni, usually elbow-shaped, with melted cheese. While variations exist, homemade or from a box, it has remained a popular dish.
About National Mac And Cheese Day
- When is National Mac And Cheese Day?
- National Mac And Cheese Day falls on Tuesday, July 14, 2026 (July 14 every year).
- Which country is National Mac And Cheese Day from?
- National Mac And Cheese Day is on the United States Food Holidays calendar.
- How do you celebrate National Mac And Cheese Day?
- There isn’t a single official way to celebrate. Read the story on this page, then cook or order mac and cheese. The iOS app’s Where to Eat can help you find mac and cheese nearby — this website does not list restaurants.
- Does National Mac And Cheese Day happen every year?
- Yes. National Mac And Cheese Day recurs on July 14 every year.