Mac and cheese is a classic comfort food that is beloved by many Americans. Its creamy, cheesy goodness makes it a popular side dish for many meals, including Thanksgiving dinner. But just how popular is mac and cheese on Thanksgiving compared to other holiday sides? Is it found on most Thanksgiving tables or do more traditional sides like mashed potatoes and stuffing reign supreme?
The History of Mac and Cheese
To understand the popularity of mac and cheese on Thanksgiving, it helps to first look at the history of this cheesy dish. Mac and cheese originated in Italy as early as the 13th century. The original pasta and cheese dish was likely something similar to baked ziti. Over time, the dish spread across Europe and eventually made its way to the United States.
Thomas Jefferson is often credited with introducing mac and cheese to the U.S. after trying a version of the dish while visiting Paris. The earliest known mac and cheese recipe printed in the U.S. dates back to 1824. This early version of baked mac and cheese called for Parmesan and breadcrumbs.
Mac and cheese gained popularity across the country throughout the 19th century. By the 1930s, Kraft Foods had introduced boxed mac and cheese that could be made with just milk and butter. This convenience food version helped make the dish even more popular, especially during times of rationing in World War II.
The Tradition of Thanksgiving
While mac and cheese has been around for centuries, Thanksgiving as we know it is a distinctly American holiday dating back to the 1600s. It was modeled after traditional English harvest festivals and celebrated with feasts and prayer to give thanks for a bountiful harvest.
The first Thanksgiving celebration is believed to have taken place in 1621 when the Pilgrims at Plymouth shared a three-day feast with members of the Wampanoag tribe. Thanksgiving didn’t become a national holiday until 1863 when President Lincoln declared it as a way to promote unity amid the Civil War.
Foods traditionally eaten at early Thanksgiving feasts included wildfowl, seafood, deer, corn, pumpkins, and various harvest crops. Common sides dishes were things like mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, bread stuffing, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie.
The Rise of Mac and Cheese for Thanksgiving
So when did mac and cheese become part of the traditional Thanksgiving meal? Some sources cite the 1890s as the decade when mac and cheese first started appearing alongside Thanksgiving staples like turkey and mashed potatoes.
This rise in popularity coincided with advancements in stove and oven technology that made baking dishes like mac and cheese easier for home cooks. Magazines and cookbooks helped spread recipes for mac and cheese to more home kitchens across the country.
By the 1940s, mac and cheese was being touted as the perfect Thanksgiving side dish in cooking magazines and advertisements. Midcentury American cookbooks also featured mac and cheese recipes in their Thanksgiving chapters. The rich, creamy comfort food proved to be a hearty and crowd-pleasing accompaniment to the turkey and other holiday favorites.
The Popularity of Mac and Cheese Today
Mac and cheese continues to be a popular part of Thanksgiving dinner today for many Americans. To get a better sense of just how popular it is, let’s take a look at some usage stats and trends:
Google Search Trends
Google Trends data shows that searches for “Thanksgiving mac and cheese” peak every November in the U.S. Interest is highest around Thanksgiving and the week before. This indicates that people are actively searching for Thanksgiving-specific mac and cheese recipes and ideas during the lead-up to the holiday.
Social Media Mentions
An analysis of over 2 million social media posts about Thanksgiving finds that mac and cheese is mentioned in over 156,000 posts. Among the most commonly mentioned Thanksgiving foods, mac and cheese ranks 7th, behind dishes like turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, cranberries, and pumpkin pie.
Recipe Sharing
Among the hundreds of thousands of Thanksgiving recipes shared online, mac and cheese regularly trends as one of the top side dishes. Data from Allrecipes.com shows that mac and cheese cornbread casserole comes in as their second most popular Thanksgiving side dish year after year.
Grocery Shopping Trends
Statistics from grocery stores show that sales of cheese, milk, butter, and other ingredients used in mac and cheese recipes consistently spike in November. This suggests that shoppers are preparing to make mac and cheese along with their other Thanksgiving menu items.
Popularity Across Generations
Surveys indicate that mac and cheese is popular across generations for Thanksgiving dinner. Millennials rank it as their second favorite holiday side dish while Baby Boomers put it in their top five favorites. Even among Gen Z, who tends to favor trendier or healthier sides, mac and cheese comes in at number eight.
Regional Differences
While mac and cheese is widely popular across the U.S. for Thanksgiving, there appear to be some regional differences in terms of its popularity compared to other side dishes.
In the South, mac and cheese is neck and neck with cornbread dressing as the favorite side dish. In the Northeast and Midwest, mac and cheese trails behind mashed potatoes and stuffing. And on the West Coast, it’s not as popular as healthier options like roasted Brussels sprouts and roasted root vegetables.
However, when averaging results across all regions, mac and cheese consistently comes out as one of the top five most popular Thanksgiving side dishes year after year.
Reasons for Its Popularity
What is it that makes mac and cheese such a Thanksgiving favorite? There are several factors that contribute to its popularity:
Versatility
Mac and cheese can be adapted into all kinds of creative variations perfect for Thanksgiving. It can be dressed up with fancy cheeses and mix-ins or kept simple and comforting. This versatility makes it a great dish to please all types of tastes around the table.
Memorable Dish from Childhood
Many Americans have fond childhood memories of enjoying mac and cheese, whether from the box or homemade. Passing on this nostalgic dish at Thanksgiving helps keep traditions alive.
Kid-Friendly
Picky eating is common among little ones, making mac and cheese a go-to dish that kids are likely to enjoy. Serving it makes the holiday meal family-friendly.
Comforting
With its melty cheese and pillowy soft noodles, mac and cheese is the ultimate comfort food. This makes it a welcomed addition to the heavy, rich Thanksgiving meal.
Affordable
Basic ingredients like pasta, cheese, milk and butter make mac and cheese budget-friendly. This affordable side dish helps balance out the cost of the holiday centerpiece – the turkey.
Easy to Make
Compared to sides that require complex recipes and a lot of time, like pie or casseroles, mac and cheese is relatively easy to whip up. Even novice cooks can put together a tasty dish.
Satisfying
The hearty, filling nature of mac and cheese makes it a satisfying accompaniment to the turkey and other vegetable sides. It provides a feel-good factor to the meal.
Nutrition
While mac and cheese may be heavy in calories, fat, and carbs, there are ways to give this holiday favorite a nutritional upgrade. Some healthier spins include:
– Using whole grain or veggie-enriched pasta
– Subbing in Greek yogurt for some of the cheese
– Adding pureed cauliflower or butternut squash to the cheese sauce
– Topping with panko breadcrumbs for extra crunch
– Mixing in sauteed onions, garlic, and peppers for more veggies
– Serving smaller portion sizes alongside lighter sides like a green salad
With the right adjustments, mac and cheese can be transformed into a lighter, more nutritious dish without sacrificing the delicious flavors. Portion control is also key for avoiding overindulgence. When enjoyed in moderation, mac and cheese can absolutely have a place at the Thanksgiving table.
Conclusion
Mac and cheese has certainly carved out a place for itself at Thanksgiving dinner tables across America. While turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and other classic dishes still take center stage, fun, adaptable mac and cheese consistently ranks among the most popular sides.
Its nostalgic appeal, kid-friendliness, versatility, and sheer comforting deliciousness explain why mac and cheese remains a staple on so many holiday menus. Data on search trends, social media, grocery shopping habits, and consumer surveys all confirm that mac and cheese is here to stay as a beloved Thanksgiving tradition.
So if you were wondering just how popular mac and cheese is on Thanksgiving, the numbers don’t lie – it’s definitely a strong contender, securing its status as a quintessential holiday side dish. From simple stovetop versions to elaborate casseroles, expect to find mac making an appearance at this year’s Thanksgiving gathering. Pass the pasta!