As is the case with most beloved pasta dishes, the origin of macaroni and cheese can be traced to Italy. A recipe called de lasanis in the 13th century Italian cookbook “Liber de Coquina” combined sheet pasta — cut into 2-inch squares and cooked in water — with grated cheese, such as Parmesan. The cheesy pasta dish became popular across Europe, but didn’t arrive in the United States until the early 19th century.
In 1784, James Hemings, who was enslaved by president Thomas Jefferson, traveled to France with Jefferson for the purpose of training in French cooking techniques, becoming the first American to be trained as a French chef. It was on this trip where Jefferson first encountered and enjoyed macaroni and cheese, which Hemings recreated with his own twist. Jefferson preferred Hemings’ version, which ended up being served at a state dinner hosted by Jefferson at the White House in the early 1800s.
After being introduced to America’s elite, macaroni and cheese became more widely enjoyed across the nation, especially once Kraft Foods created its easy and affordable Macaroni and Cheese Dinner in 1937. Ever since, this comforting, cheesy dish has been tantalizing the taste buds of people from all walks of life.
Whichever way you like your mac and cheese — whether it’s in a baked casserole form or loaded with meats and veggies — here are 20 Sonoma County restaurants that will accommodate your favorite comfort food fix.
Check here for our dining editor’s top cheesy picks.
Santa Rosa
Belly Left Coast Kitchen
Three Hog Mac & Cheese, $19: With smoked applewood bacon, Mexican chorizo and Spanish chorizo, this mac is a meat lover’s paradise. 523 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, 707-526-5787, bellyleftcoastkitchenandtaproom.com
Bird & the Bottle
Craft Mac & Cheese, $16: Smoked cheddar with crispy kale and a secret ingredient adds a touch of sophistication to this gooey, nostalgic craft mac and cheese. 1055 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, 707-568-4000, birdandthebottle.com
Jackson’s Bar and Oven
Mac & Cheese, $18: A rich Gruyere mac topped with toasted bacon breadcrumbs. 135 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, 707-545-6900, jacksonsbarandoven.com
Stark’s Steak and Seafood
Four Cheese Mac with Dijon, $16: Dijon-infused mac with four cheeses for an exceptionally rich, velvety dish. Black Truffle & Goat Cheese Mac, $20: The truffles and goat cheese add a savory, tangy bite to this mac, topped with chives for a touch of freshness. 521 Adams St., Santa Rosa, 707-546-5100, starkssteakhouse.com
Willie’s Wine Bar
Spring Mac & Cheese, $18: A vibrant mac with sweet peas, green garlic and goat cheese fondue. 1415 Town and Country Drive, Santa Rosa, 707-526-3096, williswinebar.net
Kenwood
Salt & Stone
Truffle Mac & Cheese, $16: A rich, creamy mac in a four cheese sauce (Grana Padano, Gouda, Queso Ibérico, white cheddar) and topped with toasted breadcrumbs. 9900 Sonoma Highway, Kenwood, 707-833-6326, saltstonekenwood.com
Rohnert Park
Amy’s Drive Thru
Broccoli Cheddar Mac, $7.29: This fast food mac with cheddar, tender broccoli and breadcrumb topping can be made vegan for an additional 50 cents. 58 Golf Course Drive W., Rohnert Park, 707-755-3629, amysdrivethru.com
Graton
Underwood Bar & Bistro
Macaroni & Cheese, $12.50: Bubbling, rich mac topped with toasted breadcrumbs. Add pancetta for $3. 9113 Graton Road, Graton, 707-823-7023, underwoodgraton.com
Petaluma
Seared
Dungeness Crab Mac & Cheese, $22: Mac with local Dungeness crab, Nueske’s bacon, Delta asparagus, Valley Ford Highway 1 fondue, Parmesan and chives. 170 Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma, 707-762-5997, petalumaseared.com
Speakeasy
Lobster Mac & Cheese, $18: Sweet, meaty lobster mingling with cheddar and fontina cheeses, topped with crumbled bacon and herbed breadcrumbs — a fan-favorite at Speakeasy. 139 Petaluma Blvd. N., Suite B, Petaluma, 707-776-4631, speakeasypetaluma.com
Brewsters Beer Garden
Mac & Cheese, $12: A super-gooey elbow macaroni and cheese baked in a cast iron skillet and topped with thyme breadcrumbs. 229 Water St. N., Petaluma, 707-981-8330, brewstersbeergarden.com
TAPS On The River
Mac ‘N’ Cheese, $11.95: Cavatappi pasta in a housemade cheese sauce topped with pecorino and breadcrumbs. 54 East Washington St., Petaluma, 707-763-6700
Windsor
KIN Windsor
Mac-Daddy Pizza, $18 for 10-inch, $27 for 14-inch: A thick crust pizza with red sauce, shredded mozzarella, applewood smoked bacon and KIN’s white cheddar mac and cheese (also great as its own entree for $19). Welcome to carb heaven. 740 McClelland Drive, Windsor, 707-837-7546, kinwindsor.com
Sweet T’s Restaurant
Loaded Mac & Cheese, $24: This perfectly cheesy mac side dish exemplifies the classic southern comfort food Sweet T’s is known for. A two-cheddar mac is topped with toasted breadcrumbs, bacon, jalapenos, barbecue sauce and a choice of smoked brisket, pulled pork or pulled chicken. 9098 Brooks Road, S., Windsor, 707-687-5185, sweettssouthern.com
Healdsburg
Kinsmoke
Mac & Cheese, $6 side: Shell pasta full of cheesy goodness is the ultimate side to barbecue favorites such as pulled pork or beef brisket. 304 Center St., Healdsburg, 707-473-8440, kinsmoke.com
West County and Coast
boon eat + drink
boon Mac-N-Cheese, $16: Mycopia mushrooms and truffle breadcrumbs make for an outstanding umami-rich mac. 16248 Main St., Guerneville, 707-869-0780, eatatboon.com
Saucy Mama’s Jook Joint
Mac & Cheese, $7: A creamy, gooey mac made with four types of cheeses. 16632 Highway 116, Guerneville, 707-604-7184, saucymamasjookjoint.com
Negri’s
Mac + Cheese, $13.50: This mac and cheese, served as a side dish at the historic Italian restaurant in Occidental, includes smoked Gouda and Monterey Jack, topped with breadcrumbs. Add pancetta for $4. 3700 Bohemian Highway, Occidental, 707-874-0301, negrisrestaurant.com
Valley Ford Cheese & Creamery
Mac & Cheese, price varies: This coastal cheese company regularly rotates its menu specials, including the mac. But you can expect any number of Valley Ford cheeses, such as the popular Highway 1 and Estero Gold, and add-on combos like sausage and peppers or flank steak and bok choy. 14390 Valley Ford Road, Valley Ford, 707-875-7073, valleyfordcheese.com
Sonoma
Tasca Tasca
Mac & Cheese, price varies on number of tasting plates: Portuguese-style mac and cheese with smoky, mildly spicy linguica. 122 West Napa St., Sonoma, 707-996-8272, tascatasca.com