#17: Novelty Ring Mac ‘n Cheese
Forget the quirky jewelry pieces you might find on Etsy; we’re diving into Kraft’s creative culinary invention—the Mac ‘n Cheese ring. This wasn’t just a gimmick but a full meal that could be prepared in a mere seven minutes, designed to look like a cake and serve four. Kraft innovated a whole new way to enjoy this classic comfort food, making it a family-sized delight that could be sliced and shared easily.
The comfort food favorite mac ‘n cheese has surprisingly aristocratic origins, dating back to America’s Founding Fathers. Though Kraft morphed it into a Bundt-cake-style dish in the 1960s, Thomas Jefferson played a pivotal role in its inception. After importing a pasta machine from Europe, his daughter Mary skillfully added parmesan to create what we might consider the first iteration of mac ‘n cheese, setting the stage for its evolution.