Don’t get me wrong, to me macaroni and cheese is the ultimate of ultimate comfort foods. From creamy to baked, the possibilities for macaroni and cheese are endless. It may seem like a recent dish, but it goes far back in American history. In fact, macaroni and cheese dates back to the 18th century and was created using a simpler, more approachable technique. This recipe is so nifty and speedy you may want to make it yourself!
The earliest English records of macaroni and cheese date back to the 18th century. As John Townsend explains, macaroni was a luxury item by way of Italy.
Macaroni and cheese crossed the Atlantic through English diplomats and political interactions.
In fact, macaroni and cheese wasn’t even called macaroni and cheese and was simply called macaroni. I personally never think of macaroni and cheese as a fashionable, luxurious food but to colonists, it was certainly exotic.
The recipe in the video is so easy, it may become my new favorite way to make macaroni and cheese. In a skillet, cooked macaroni is mixed with milk and a ball of butter coated in flour.
You then cook the mixture on the stove (or in this case a fire), until the pasta is completely and evenly coated. Cover the macaroni with cheese and broil until gooey and melted.
The results are similar to baked macaroni and cheese. If you wanted a creamier version, I’m sure you could double the milk without having a kitchen fail. This recipe is probably the best (and oldest) original one-pot recipe I’ve come across, I hope you get to try it soon!