Macking Cheese 2026 (pt 1)

Macaroni & Cheese

100

What is Kraft's best-selling pasta shape other than the traditional elbow-shaped macaroni? This product was released in 2002 and is particularly popular among children.

Spongebob Squarepants

200

Despite being distinctly American, the US is not the country that eats the most Kraft Mac and Cheese per capita. On average, the citizens of this country consume 55% more Kraft Dinner than the average American.

Canada

300

The English word for "macaroni" comes from the Italian "maccheroni". This word was borrowed from the Greek word "makaria". In greek mythology, Makaria was the daughter of this Greek God. His character was voiced by James Wood in Disney's 1997 classic, Hercules.

Hades

400

Introduced in 1937, Kraft Macaroni & Cheese became an instant hit, selling 9 million boxes in its first year as an affordable Great Depression-era meal. Boxes originally sold for 19 cents each, which today has a purchasing power of approximately $___ (answer must be within $0.25).

$4.16 to $4.36

500

As of January 2016, Kraft Macaroni & Cheese in the U.S. and Canada no longer uses these two artificial food colors. The iconic, bright orange color is now derived from natural sources, specifically a blend of paprika, annatto, and turmeric (name one).

Yellow 5 and Yellow 6

Macaroni and/or Cheese

100

There are more than 2,000 varieties of cheese available worldwide, but this variety is the favorite and the most consumed. It was traditionally made from water buffalo milk, though now commonly made from cow's milk.

Mozzarella

200

This dish is a hearty, one-pot American comfort food made with ground beef, macaroni, and a tomato-based sauce, often seasoned with onions, garlic, and spices, and sometimes topped with cheese.

American goulash

300

This popular pizza joint is the largest cheese-using fast-food chain, using approximately 300 million pounds of cheese annually. They have 19,974 restaurants worldwide and 28 in Montana.

Pizza Hut

400

A single serving of elbow-shaped macaroni contains ~220-225 calories. Adult females of this mammalian jungle species would need to eat ~6 cups of macaroni to fulfill their daily calorie requirements.

Orangutan

500

The largest macaroni sculpture is a 20-foot-long, 10-foot-tall yellow elbow noodle located at the Kraft Heinz plant in this US city. It is the third-largest city in Missouri and is famously the hometown of actor Brad Pitt.

Springfield, Missouri

History

100

This US president tried macaroni and cheese when he visited France in the 1700's. He is now credited with popularizing the dish in the US (actual credit: his enslaved chef, James Hemings). He was the primary author of the Declaration of Independence and a major antagonist in Act 2 of the Broadway musical, Hamilton.

Thomas Jefferson

200

The phrase “Put a feather in his hat and call him Macaroni” is from the American song "Yankee Doodle," which originated in the Revolutionary War era. It mocks the British view of American colonists as simpletons, suggesting they thought sticking a feather in a hat made them look fashionable, like 18th-century British dandies. American soldiers were referring to this fashion item when they sang "macaroni".

White wigs

 

300

Älplermagronen is a traditional Swiss dish made of macaroni, cream, cheese, and roasted onions. It is usually accompanied by this sauce. The sauce acts as a vital, tangy component that balances the heavy cheese and cream.

Apple sauce

400

The first known recipe of mac and cheese comes from an Italian cookbook, Liber de Coquina, written in this century. This particular century is infamous for the Black Death, the Great Famine, and the beginning of the Hundred Years' War.

The 14th century

500

The earliest mention of pasta and cheese being combined dates back to 160 BCE. Marcus Porcius Cato included pasta and fresh cheese recipes in De Agri Cultura, which he wrote while serving as a senator in this ancient state. This state profoundly impacts today by providing the foundational structures for Western law, government, and engineering. 

Roman Republic

~Nature~

100

This plant is in the Asteraceae family and is the cultivar 'Mac and Cheese'. It was named for its vibrant yellow flowers. Other species within this genus are widely recommended in pollinator gardens, as they are attractive to butterflies and other insect pollinators. 

Echinacea

200

This species of mite (Tyrophagus casei) is inoculated into certain cheeses during production. They feed on fungal hyphae that continuously grow on the rind and impart flavors and softness to the final product.

“cheese mite”

300

Earlier this year, the Nashville Zoo introduced two baby Capybaras, both named after varieties of cheese. In particular, this little lady was named after a soft, creamy cheese made from French cow's milk. It is known for its bloomy white rind and is often called "The Queen of Cheese". 

Brie

400

The Saw-Toothed Grain Beetle (Oryzaephilus surinamensis) is a common, worldwide pest of grain and grain products. This renowned biologist gave this species its name, meaning "rice-lover from Suriname". This scientist is also credited with formalizing the modern system of naming organisms.

Carl Linnaeus

 

500

Farfalle, commonly called bow tie pasta, does not get its name from men's neckwear. Rather, its traditional Italian name originates from the Italian word for this animal.

"butterflies"

Pop Culture

100

In 1993, Crayola introduced a crayon color called, you guessed it, Macaroni and Cheese. Which hue family does this color fall into?

The orange hue family

200

This 2020 song features Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion and includes the lyrics "macaroni in a pot, that's some wet-a** pu**y, huh". This song title has a dual meaning, as it also refers to a device that allows Wi-Fi-enabled devices to connect to a wired network.

"WAP"

300

This singer and fashion designer shared her mac and cheese recipe that includes elbow macaroni, white onion, red bell pepper, green onions, yellow mustard, ketchup, Eaton’s Jamaican Scotch Bonnet Pepper Sauce, and Colby Jack cheese. She has received 9 Grammys and was also awarded the honor of National Hero of Barbados in 2021.

Rihanna

400

This Grammy-winning rapper, singer, actress, producer, author, and entrepreneur once admitted "I am not one to turn down macaroni and cheese, even late at night. I love Italian food. I love pasta... A refrigerator full of water and Gatorade? Honey, that's just not gonna happen." She is well known for her roles as Motormouth Maybelle in Hairspray and Ellie in Ice Age 2.

Queen Latifah

500

In this 2019 film, Brad Pitt's character, Cliff Booth, can be seen making a box of macaroni and cheese while smoking a cigarette. 

Once Upon a Time in Hollywood