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If you look up “America’s favorite comfort foods,” you’re bound to find macaroni and cheese somewhere near the top of the list. It’s not surprising the classic feel-good meal is near and dear to the hearts of the folks at Amy’s Kitchen. Whether it’s a tantalizing foreign delicacy or a tried-and-true family classic like Amy’s Macaroni & Cheese (made with organic pasta), transforming beloved recipes into tasty vegetarian masterpieces has been at the core of everything Amy’s Kitchen has done since its inception.
“At Amy’s, we actually cook our food — starting from scratch,” the company explains. “We use real cheese in our macaroni and cheese. We start our sauces with a roux.”
An American Classic That Didn’t Start Out American
Mac and cheese is a cherished foodstuff that colors the memories of many a childhood. In neighborhoods across the United States, generations of American kids have grown up loving mac and cheese, but did you know this American classic doesn’t have American origins?
In culinary mythology, Thomas Jefferson is often credited with either inventing or introducing mac and cheese to the United States, but much like the legend of George Washington and the cherry tree, it’s a tall tale that turns out to be more fiction than fact. The real mac and cheese backstory begins in Europe, where the first recorded recipe for macaroni and cheese — minus the cream sauce — dates back to the highly esteemed Italian chef Martino da Como (Maestro Martino), whose 1465 cookbook contains a recipe for a cheese-based pasta dish he dubbed “Roman macaroni.”
Amy’s Kitchen Offers a Healthy Alternative to a Traditional Recipe
Long associated with the holidays — after all, what would the Fourth of July or Thanksgiving be without mac and cheese? — the venerable dish has scored a holiday all its own. July 14 has been proclaimed National Mac and Cheese Day.
And what better way to celebrate than cooking up a version of this quintessential casserole made with only the finest vegetarian ingredients from Amy’s Kitchen? From the organic elbow macaroni to the delightfully creamy sauce, mac and cheese lovers can dig into this hearty meal knowing it’s free of soy, corn, and tree nuts. (Did we mention it’s also kosher and comes in a low-sodium version? Yup, that too.) Zap it in the microwave, bake it in the range, or pop it in your toaster oven: No matter how you cook it, your Amy’s Kitchen mac and cheese will turn out to be a mouthful of heaven on Earth.
At Amy’s Kitchen, where vegetarian variety really is the spice of life, pushing the traditional mac and cheese envelope is definitely on the table. In addition to their classic mac and cheese, Amy’s also offers an amped-up version featuring the nutty addition of organic cauliflower smothered in a yummy three-cheese signature sauce that combines white cheddar, Monterey Jack, and Parmesan for the perfect melt-in-your-mouth flavor profile.
What Makes Mac and Cheese a Favorite? Versatility!
As much as foodies crave comfort foods because they’re familiar, they also adore them because classic fare is a prime launchpad for kitchen-inspired creativity. From Pinterest to TikTok, putting bold new spins on established recipes has become a viral trend.
America is a true melting pot of regional and ethnic food cultures, many of which pay homage to mac and cheese with their own unique flavors and ingredients. Whether the menu is Tex-Mex, Cajun, or Asian, mac and cheese has carved a well-earned niche in countless cuisines across the country — and beyond.
In the spirit of gastronomic diversity, Amy’s Kitchen heartily encourages customers to take their classic entrees and test out new variations — and not just for National Mac and Cheese Day. Start out by preparing Amy’s Kitchen Macaroni & Cheese according to package directions, and then toss some unexpected flavors into the mix. The results will surprise and delight you.
Here are some tasty mac and cheese variations to try out at home.
— Southern Pimiento Mac and Cheese
Add diced pimiento peppers, plus a dash of paprika (sweet or smoked) and ground black pepper to the premade mac and cheese. Stir well, and garnish with crispy onion flakes and sliced scallions.
— Southwest Jalapeño Popper Mac and Cheese
Combine sliced jalapeños (fresh or jarred), black beans, roasted corn, sliced scallions, garlic powder, and a dash of ground black pepper with premade mac and cheese. Top with Tajín Clásico seasoning. (For those who like it, some chopped cilantro and a squeeze of fresh lime juice wouldn’t go amiss.)
— Californian Herby Roasted Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese
Add roasted butternut squash, chopped fresh rosemary (to taste), paprika, and a dash of nutmeg to the prepared mac and cheese. Garnish with chopped almonds.
— Caprese Mac and Cheese
Add some grape or cherry tomatoes, sliced fresh basil leaves, and cubes of fresh mozzarella to the prepared mac and cheese. Mix well and top with a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil and a spritz of balsamic vinegar.
