Who Invented Mac And Cheese

Mac and cheese is one of the most popular comfort foods of all time. It’s creamy, cheesy goodness has been around since the 1300’s, with the first recorded recipe appearing in 1769. However, it wasn’t until 1937 that mac and cheese as we know it today—with that recognizable smattering of orange-tinged sauce—was invented, thanks to a small man named Edward Wilson.

Born in Kansas City, Wilson is credited with inventing the mac-and-cheese-in-a-box concept during the Great Depression. He was an entrepreneur who arrived in San Francisco in the early 1930s and started a company called the Excelsior Macaroni Manufacturing Company. He sold an innovative product called “Macaroni in a Cheese Sauce,” which was essentially macaroni and cheese in a box.

Wilson’s idea of providing a boxed product, which required only boiling water for a speedy meal, was very novel in 1937. The great thing about his version was that the seasoning was separated from the pasta, giving the cheese a crispy, crunchier texture. It quickly became a popular item in grocery stores, allowing more people to enjoy a tasty, inexpensive meal that was quick to prepare—which was especially important in the financially difficult era of the Great Depression.

In 1939, Wilson modified the recipe, removing the butter and using a combination of yellow and white cheddar cheese. He also added an orange food dye to the mix, giving the dish its signature orange hue. He then proceeded to sell his new product, called “Kraft Macaroni & Cheese,” to the grocery stores. The rest, as they say, is history.

So, the next time you’re enjoying a box of macaroni and cheese, take a minute to thank Edward Wilson for creating this beloved comfort food.