# Cultural significance of Kraft Dinner **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 9, 2002, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cultural-significance-of-kraft-dinner/113102 "2002-06-09T14:45:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Inky\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/7feea3/32.png) [@Inky\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inky_1)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2002, 8:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cultural-significance-of-kraft-dinner/113102/21 "2002-06-10T08:08:27Z")
I’m guessing that the definition of “dinner” is a bit broader in Canada than here in the 'States. After all, it is the country that gave us Poutine: french fries slathered in cheese and gravy. Nummy. You do, like, _sleep_ occasionally, right Opal? ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2002, 8:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cultural-significance-of-kraft-dinner/113102/22 "2002-06-10T08:28:22Z")
Sometimes. (I defy anyone to check my post times and come up with a daily schedule for me. Ha!) ---
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2002, 9:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cultural-significance-of-kraft-dinner/113102/23 "2002-06-10T09:22:06Z")
Ok I just read a box here in America and it says: > [@](#): > > Kraft > Macaroni & Cheese > [sup]DINNER[/sup] Is Kraft a Canadian company? Maybe “Kraft Dinner” was the original name and they just added the “Macaroni & Cheese” part for us 'murkins. ---
**Author:** ![Dijon\_Warlock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a9a28c/32.png) [@Dijon\_Warlock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dijon_Warlock)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2002, 9:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cultural-significance-of-kraft-dinner/113102/24 "2002-06-10T09:47:30Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by pesch \* > \*\*Dijon on mine, please. . . . \*\* I’m not sure whether to feel flattered or not… ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2002, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cultural-significance-of-kraft-dinner/113102/25 "2002-06-10T17:50:23Z")
The Kraft company appears to have originated in the United States of America, Illinois to be specific. They are the second largest food company in the world, and have a very large Canadian presence as well. The history of the Kraft company, found [here](http://www.kraft.com/profile/history.html) is actually kinda interesting, going back to the 1700’s. I think we’ve just stumbled on the biggest difference between Canada and the USA; Mac & Cheese vs KD. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Ferrous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Ferrous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferrous)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2002, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cultural-significance-of-kraft-dinner/113102/26 "2002-06-10T18:15:18Z")
Add a can or two of tuna and some crumbled up potato chips for instant tuna casserole! Yummy! ---
**Author:** ![UrbanChic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/9dc877/32.png) [@UrbanChic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UrbanChic)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2002, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cultural-significance-of-kraft-dinner/113102/27 "2002-06-10T18:26:39Z")
I didn’t think people actually _ate_ Kraft Mac and Cheese. I’m not sure what I thought peoeple were doing with it (using the pasta for kids’ art projects or propping up wobbly tables, maybe). I’ve only had one bite of that stuff and it was at a friend’s house when I was a teen. It was one of the most disgusting things ever. It didn’t even _look_ right. When I was growing up there was only one kind of macaroni and cheese: the kind that’s made with sharp cheddar and colby and gets baked in the oven. Suffice it to say, that blue box never enters my house. Ever. ---
**Author:** ![Odieman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a87d85/32.png) [@Odieman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odieman)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2002, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cultural-significance-of-kraft-dinner/113102/28 "2002-06-10T18:45:46Z")
Well the name does help to distinguish between the imposter and real Mac and Cheese, if you have supper and are told that you are having Kraft Dinner you can prepare yourself for a dose of the powdery orange cheese, if you are told you are having Macaroni and Cheese then you know you are gonna get a home made dish filled with love. The other attraction of KD is that sometimes you just gotta have a helping of it…the real stuff won’t fill a KD craving…and it is much better(and cheaper) then Hamburger Helper. The Downscale Gourmet: Keith ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2002, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cultural-significance-of-kraft-dinner/113102/29 "2002-06-10T23:21:23Z")
I like Kraft M&C… especially with black pepper and fresh oregano 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Helen\_s\_Eidolon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Helen\_s\_Eidolon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helen_s_Eidolon)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2002, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cultural-significance-of-kraft-dinner/113102/30 "2002-06-10T23:21:38Z")
Mmm… Kraft Dinner. Opal, I think the big picture of cheesy noodles on the package might stop any confusion about the name. 😉 No ketchup for me, yuck! Although I do know people who eat it that way. It is divine with tuna… but it’s really high-cal. Wait… are you telling me that in the US, Kraft Dinner **isn’t** something found in virtually every pantry? ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2002, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cultural-significance-of-kraft-dinner/113102/31 "2002-06-10T23:32:57Z")
I’m going to go dress as a Pirate and look for treasure! * * * “You’re a smelly Indian now!” ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2002, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cultural-significance-of-kraft-dinner/113102/32 "2002-06-10T23:34:06Z")
LaurAnge: like the big picture of a blueberry pie on the package of Crisco? ---
**Author:** ![Scarlett67](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scarlett67/32/7387_2.png) [@Scarlett67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scarlett67)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2002, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cultural-significance-of-kraft-dinner/113102/33 "2002-06-11T01:02:28Z")
You heathens. Kraft Macaroni and Cheese is pure manna prepared exactly according to package directions. How dare you adulterate it with foreign substances?? When I worked night shift and came home some mornings dog-tired but starving, Kraft mac & cheese made many a breakfast. I need only two brain cells to make it, and it’s filling and nummy. Comfort food extraordinaire. If I’m ever on Death Row it will be my last meal. ---
**Author:** ![turner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/22d042/32.png) [@turner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/turner)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2002, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cultural-significance-of-kraft-dinner/113102/34 "2002-06-12T00:23:25Z")
I’m from the US, Chicago actually, and “Kraft Dinner” was a staple at our house. It was always Kraft dinner–never Kraft Macaroni and Cheese. None of my relatives have lived in Canada or outside of Illinois for that matter. It’s probably an “old timey” thing like “icebox” and “carters liver pills” and all the other crap my folks talk about. ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2002, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cultural-significance-of-kraft-dinner/113102/35 "2002-06-14T12:46:32Z")
What happened to my post??? OpalCat, the box does say Macaroni and Cheese, it’s just the emPHAsis is on a different sylLAble. “KRAFT DINNER” is in large print, with “Macaroni and Cheese” below it in smaller print. Whereas in the US, “Kraft” is at the top in smaller print, “MACARONI AND CHEESE” is in larger print, then “Dinner” smaller again underneath. I note from one of the links a variety of other Kraft Dinner products, including linguini alfredo, and spaghetti with tomatoes, so maybe when marketed to Canada, they decided to play up the brand name to tie in with new products? Me, I like box mac and cheese. It’s comfort food. It’s the first food I learned to cook (besides toast). No need for additives or condiments, just yummy from the mix. Heck, I’ve been known to eat generic brand. In fact, as a kid I didn’t like the real stuff - it tasted _funny_. 😉 It’s just odd to see it called “Kraft Dinner”, not “Macaroni and Cheese”. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2002, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cultural-significance-of-kraft-dinner/113102/36 "2002-06-14T13:20:17Z")
> [@](#): > > I think we’ve just stumbled on the biggest difference between Canada and the USA; Mac & Cheese vs KD. Thank you! I’ve been wondering ever since I started that thread! So… If it’s “Kraft Dinner”, does that mean I can’t have it for breakfast? ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2002, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cultural-significance-of-kraft-dinner/113102/37 "2002-06-17T13:23:22Z")
What’s most disturbing to me is by calling it _dinner_ they seem to be implying that it is a meal unto itself. It’s not “Kraft Side Dish” or “Kraft Tasty Pasta Dish” or “Kraft Meal Supplement” or even “Kraft Main Course”. Of course that applies to the American version, too. ---
**Author:** ![kittenblue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ba8739/32.png) [@kittenblue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kittenblue)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2002, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cultural-significance-of-kraft-dinner/113102/38 "2002-06-18T04:02:00Z")
Kraft Mac & Cheese kept me alive during college. I learned many important things from it, like you don’t need to boil 6 cups of water to make it. And the powder is really good sprinkled over hot buttered popcorn. And that mixing a little sourcream into it is wonderful (ketchup on Mac & Cheese…eeeewwwww!) The most confusing thing to me however, is that my mother, who has never actually made Kraft Mac & Cheese, and despises the thought of anything but homemade from scratch mac & cheese, would buy this stuff for me to take to college. SHE gets me hooked on the stuff, and now SHE criticizes me for still eating it at age 45. ---
**Author:** ![zen101](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c68b51/32.png) [@zen101](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zen101)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2002, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cultural-significance-of-kraft-dinner/113102/39 "2002-06-18T04:38:05Z")
Kraft Dinner casserole Canadian style: 1 Craft Deluxe dinner 1 12 oz can cut green beans julienne 1 8 oz can cooket shredded chicken 1 20 oz bag of “All Dressed Up Potato Chips” or “Katsup” flavored potato chips. Make the deluxe mac and che, pour in casserole and mix in green beans and chicken. Season any way you like (I use some garlic and fresh ground pepper) and lightly mash chips and spread on top. Cover and bake at 350 for 45 min. You can really canuk this up by substituting ham chunks for the chicken. (note: I’m not a flappy headed syrup sucker but I gotta love a nation that makes katsup flavored chips. and BNL were great before they sold out to corporate America). ---
**Author:** ![rubes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b782af/32.png) [@rubes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rubes)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2002, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cultural-significance-of-kraft-dinner/113102/40 "2002-06-18T13:45:11Z")
Ruby’s easy dinner recipe 1. Prepare a box of Mac&Cheese 2. Empty can of Chili in bowl and microwave 3. Mix the two together and start eating mmmmm, that’s good. I just made it for the first time in a long time this past weekend. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cultural-significance-of-kraft-dinner/113102.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cultural-significance-of-kraft-dinner/113102.md?page=3)