Grace Hopper Celebration Potluck Mac and Cheese
A baked macaroni casserole with a golden crust of cheese and breadcrumbs: shared American comfort food, generous, that brings a crowd together around a big dish.
A baked macaroni casserole with a golden crust of cheese and breadcrumbs: shared American comfort food, generous, that brings a crowd together around a big dish.
What always drove me was bringing people together—especially women, who were too isolated in this field. And nothing brings people together like a big dish of mac and cheese set in the middle of a potluck table. You make a nice creamy sauce, drown the macaroni in it, top with cheese and breadcrumbs, and bake until it forms a golden crust. Bring it while it's still hot, set it down, and watch the conversation start on its own. That's what building a community is: starting by sharing a meal.
- •Macaroni — a large amount (base)
- •Cheddar cheese — generously (star cheese)
- •Milk — as needed for sauce (binder)
- •Butter, flour — a little (roux)
- •Breadcrumbs — a handful (crust)
- •Mustard powder — a pinch (kick)
Grace Hopper Celebration Potluck Mac and Cheese
A baked macaroni casserole with a golden crust of cheese and breadcrumbs: shared American comfort food, generous, that brings a crowd together around a big dish.
Why this dish? Anita Borg co-founded the Grace Hopper Celebration, a massive gathering of women in computing. The potluck—a meal where everyone brings a dish to share—is the soul of American conviviality, and macaroni and cheese is the ultimate comfort food to bring to feed and unite a large table.
What always drove me was bringing people together—especially women, who were too isolated in this field. And nothing brings people together like a big dish of mac and cheese set in the middle of a potluck table. You make a nice creamy sauce, drown the macaroni in it, top with cheese and breadcrumbs, and bake until it forms a golden crust. Bring it while it's still hot, set it down, and watch the conversation start on its own. That's what building a community is: starting by sharing a meal.
Ingredients (period version)
- Macaroni — a large amount (base)
- Cheddar cheese — generously (star cheese)
- Milk — as needed for sauce (binder)
- Butter, flour — a little (roux)
- Breadcrumbs — a handful (crust)
- Mustard powder — a pinch (kick)
Ingredients
- Elbow macaroni — 400 g (base)
- Grated cheddar cheese — 300 g (star cheese)
- Milk — 60 cl (binder)
- Butter — 50 g (roux)
- Flour — 50 g (roux)
- Breadcrumbs — 60 g (crust)
- Mustard powder — 1 tsp (kick)
- Nutmeg, salt, pepper — to taste (seasoning)
Method
- Cook macaroni al dente and drain.
- Prepare a béchamel: make a roux with butter and flour, then gradually whisk in milk until thickened.
- Off heat, stir in most of the cheddar, mustard, nutmeg, salt, and pepper.
- Mix sauce with pasta, pour into a large baking dish, top with remaining cheddar and breadcrumbs.
- Bake at 200°C for 20-25 minutes until golden and bubbly.
How it was made : Macaroni and cheese has been a pillar of American cuisine since the 19th century. As the ultimate comfort food, it's a classic brought to potlucks and community gatherings, where its generosity makes it a symbol of sharing.
The contemporary twist : A spoonful of toasted panko breadcrumbs and a dusting of smoked paprika for an extra crispy crust, served in individual ramekins for a buffet.
Anita Borg · Charactorium