macaroni

Most people know macaroni as the small curved pasta tubes that are perfect for holding cheese sauce. It comes from Italy, and in older use, the word could refer to dried pasta more broadly, not only the elbow-shaped kind that many people picture today.

Today, it is a classic comfort food, especially in mac and cheese. It is also common in soups, pasta salads, and baked dishes. In English, the word also has an older meaning: in the 18th century, a "macaroni" could mean a man who dressed in a very showy and fashionable way.

Macaroni is a type of dry pasta made with durum wheat. While we often picture small, elbow-shaped tubes when we hear the word, the term historically referred to all kinds of dried pasta shapes in Italy. The word itself comes from the Italian maccherone, likely derived from the Greek makaria—a barley porridge traditionally eaten at funerals! (Don't worry, modern macaroni is much more cheerful.)

For centuries, macaroni was a relatively simple food enjoyed primarily in Southern Italy. It gained popularity throughout Europe and eventually North America thanks to immigration and trade. In the United States, it became particularly associated with comfort food, most famously as the base for mac and cheese—a dish that truly embodies American culinary ingenuity.

However, macaroni is not just about cheese. It is very versatile. You can find it in hearty soups like minestrone, tossed into cold salads, or baked into casseroles with meat or vegetables.

Beyond the kitchen, "macaroni" has a surprising history in the English language. In the 18th century, a "macaroni" was a term for a flamboyant, stylish young man who affected foreign fashions and refined tastes. This is famously referenced in the song "Yankee Doodle," where the character sticks a feather in his cap and calls it "macaroni"—a humorous nod to the idea of someone trying to look sophisticated. So, whether you're enjoying a classic dish or exploring its linguistic history, macaroni represents both simple comfort and surprising versatility.