Whether it's homemade, from a box or fried into amazing little balls, the creamy delicacy known as macaroni and cheese is almost as American as peanut butter -- but how did it get that way?
As seen below in Epicurious' investigation animation, "The Secret History of Mac and Cheese in 109 Seconds," references to cheese and pasta combinations date as far back as 500 years. But it was Thomas Jefferson who brought it over to the New World after encountering the elbow-shaped macaroni at the French-Italian border in the late 1700s.
The rest is cheesy history. See the full video below, as well as our favorite recipes to make it for yourself:
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Macaroni and Cheese Recipes
Stovetop Mac And Cheese(01 of33)
(credit:Damn Delicious)
Creamy Four Cheese Brie And Buttery Ritz Cracker Mac And Cheese(02 of33)
(credit:Half Baked Harvest)
Blue Cheese Mac And Cheese(03 of33)
(credit:How Sweet It Is)
Gruyere Bacon Mac And Cheese(04 of33)
(credit:Damn Delicious)
Emma's Favorite Baked Macaroni(05 of33)
(credit:A Beautiful Mess)
Cauliflower Mac And Cheese(06 of33)
(credit:Damn Delicious)
Roasted Garlic Mac And Cheese(07 of33)
(credit:Adventures In Cooking)
Spicy Green Chile Mac And Cheese(08 of33)
(credit:A Spicy Perspective)
Spicy Sausage And Pumpkin Mac And Cheese(09 of33)
(credit:The View From The Great Island)
Beer Mac And Cheese(10 of33)
(credit:A Spicy Perspective)
Skillet Brussels Bacon Mac And Cheese(11 of33)
(credit:How Sweet It Is)
No-Boil Mac And Cheese(12 of33)
(credit:Half Baked Harvest)
Lobster Mac And Cheese(13 of33)
(credit:Foodie Crush)
Stovetop Pesto Macaroni And Cheese With Corn And Sun-Dried Tomatoes(14 of33)
(credit:Foodie Crush)
Apple Sauce Mac And Cheese With Apple Sausage(15 of33)
(credit:Adventures in Cooking)
One Pot Chili Mac And Cheese(16 of33)
(credit:Damn Delicious)
Bacon, Pear And Blue Cheese Macaroni With Caramelized Onions(17 of33)
(credit:Adventures in Cooking)
Broccoli Chicken Mac And Cheese(18 of33)
(credit:Damn Delicious)
Creamy Stovetop Mac & Cheese(19 of33)
(credit:Annie's Eats)
Butternut Squash Mac And Cheese(20 of33)
(credit:Two Peas and their Pod)
Creamy Garlic Mac And Cheese(21 of33)
(credit:A Beautiful Mess)
Chicken Divan Macaroni and Cheese(22 of33)
(credit:Foodie Crush)
Crab Mac(23 of33)
(credit:James Ransom/Food52)
Roasted Red Pepper Chorizo Baked Mac And Cheese(24 of33)
(credit:Little Leopard Book)
Smokey Gouda Mac And Cheese(25 of33)
(credit:The View From The Great Island)
Greek-Style Mac And Cheese(26 of33)
(credit:Steamy Kitchen)
Caprese Mac & Cheese(27 of33)
(credit:Macheesmo)
Mexican Mac And Cheese Cups(28 of33)
(credit:How Sweet It Is)
Buffalo Chicken Mac And Cheese (29 of33)
(credit:A Spicy Perspective)
Bacon Mac & Cheese With Wisconsin Gruyère(30 of33)
(credit:Savory Sweet Life)
Five Cheese Mac And Cheese(31 of33)
(credit:Adventures in Cooking)
Spicy Macaroni Cheese(32 of33)
(credit:London Bakes)
Pumpkin Mac & Cheese(33 of33)
(credit:Healthy Food for Living)