National Mac and Cheese Day, celebrated each year on July 14, honors one of the most beloved comfort foods in the United States. Macaroni and cheese has a long and complex history that stretches from ancient Roman celebrations to modern American kitchens. Although Thomas Jefferson often gets credit for bringing the dish to the U.S. after tasting it in Europe, recipes combining pasta and cheese already existed in medieval England and Italy.
The version we know today—elbow macaroni in a creamy cheese sauce—evolved over centuries, shaped by cultural exchange, social shifts, and innovations in food production. Enslaved chef James Hemings, trained in French cuisine, likely helped introduce the dish to Jefferson’s social circles, though his role was often erased in early retellings.
Over time, Black women cooks in the American South carried the tradition forward, perfecting the baked versions that remain popular for Sunday dinners and special gatherings.
Then in 1937, Kraft made the dish more accessible to millions by introducing its iconic boxed version during the Great Depression.
National Mac and Cheese Day is one of over 320 national days observed in July. If you need even more holidays to celebrate, check out our complete national days calendar.
When is National Mac and Cheese Day?
National Mac and Cheese Day is celebrated every year on July 14, no matter which day of the week it falls on. This fixed-date holiday gives everyone a reason to enjoy a warm bowl of this creamy classic during the summer.
Below is a table showing the dates and weekdays for National Mac and Cheese Day from 2025 to 2030:
| Year | Date & Day of the Week |
|---|---|
| 2025 | July 14, Monday |
| 2026 | July 14, Tuesday |
| 2027 | July 14, Wednesday |
| 2028 | July 14, Friday |
| 2029 | July 14, Saturday |
| 2030 | July 14, Sunday |
When did National Mac and Cheese Day start?
National Mac and Cheese Day has been celebrated since at least the early 2010s, and possibly even earlier. Like many unofficial food holidays, it began gaining more attention around the mid-2010s, especially as social media helped boost its visibility. The original creator of the day remains unknown.
Hashtags for National Mac and Cheese Day
Using hashtags is a great way to join the conversation and get your mac and cheese photos, videos, or blog posts seen by more people on social media. Below are some popular and relevant hashtags for celebrating National Mac and Cheese Day:
Primary Hashtags:
- #NationalMacAndCheeseDay
- #MacAndCheese
- #MacNCheese
- #BakedMacAndCheese
- #CheesyGoodness
- #ComfortFood
Food & Celebration Hashtags:
- #FoodHoliday
- #PastaLovers
- #CheeseLovers
- #FoodieFavorites
- #FoodieLife
- #Yum
- #DinnerIdeas
- #FoodPhotography
Other Popular Hashtags:
- #CheesePull
- #InstaFood
- #Foodstagram
- #FoodLovers
These hashtags work well on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter/X, and Facebook—especially when paired with mouth-watering photos or creative twists on the classic dish.
National Mac and Cheese Day Quotes
Mac and cheese has earned its place in pop culture as a comforting, no-frills favorite. From puns to heartfelt food confessions, these quotes capture just how much people love this dish:
- “We go together like macaroni and cheese.”
- “Me to my mac and cheese: I am so glad I fondu you.”
- “You feta not forget to eat some mac and cheese today — it’s a national holiday, it’s the rule!”
- “I’ll always order macaroni and cheese, but I don’t want it to be fancy.” — Drew Barrymore
- “I love macaroni and cheese. I could eat it every meal of the day. It used to be sushi, but these days I cannot stop eating mac and cheese.” — Cobie Smulders
- “It’s diamonds in your pockets one week, mac and cheese the next.” — Jolene Blalock
- “My favorite food is macaroni and cheese. I could eat it seven days a week.” — Melissa Ordway
- “Mac and cheese is the adult version of a hug in a bowl.” — Anonymous
- “When in doubt, mac it out.” — Unknown
National Mac and Cheese Day Facts & Trivia
Macaroni and cheese has a surprisingly rich history, packed with interesting tidbits. From presidential dinners to boxed dinners, here are some fun facts and trivia to share on National Mac and Cheese Day:
- Kraft sells about 1 million boxes of macaroni and cheese every day.
- The first English-language mac and cheese recipe appeared in Elizabeth Raffald’s cookbook The Experienced English Housekeeper in 1769.
- Thomas Jefferson helped popularize macaroni in the U.S., but it was James Hemings, his enslaved chef trained in France, who likely cooked it first.
- Many store-bought boxed versions don’t include real cheese—instead, they use a processed powdered cheese mix.
- Mac and cheese competitions and festivals are held annually across the U.S., including events in Vermont, California, and New York.
- Kraft introduced its iconic boxed version in 1937, during the Great Depression, marketing it as a quick, affordable family meal.
- The sitcom Friends named an episode after it: “The One With Mac and C.H.E.E.S.E.” (Season 6).
- Several celebrities are proud fans, including Drew Barrymore, Cobie Smulders, and Melissa Ordway.
Before You Go:
We have many more national days lists for you to explore.
- Food-related national days: complete list of national food days, pasta & noodles days, vegan & vegetarian days, mushroom days, ice-cream days, pizza days, coffee days, chocolate days, wine days, alcohol & drinking days.
- Non-food national days: National Days Calendar 2025 (check out the printable calendars in my Etsy shop), National Days for Teachers, and a wide array of special lists such as cat days, dog days, animal days, cleaning & organizing days, book days, music days, family & relationships days, national days for women, stationery days and even Harry Potter days.
- Country-specific national days: Australian national days, more coming soon.
📝 This article was originally published on June 20th, 2021. It has been thoroughly updated, and the publishing date has been changed to reflect the new version.
