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Is John Legend's Macaroni and Cheese Recipe Better Than Chrissy Teigen's? You Decide
John Legend and his wife, Chrissy Teigen, have spent years warring over whose mac and cheese recipe is the best.
It seems there’s very little superstar John Legend can’t do. He has influenced the world with his music, going on to win all the awards and is the first Black man to win an EGOT. He is even considered one of the most beloved Coaches on The Voice. In his personal life, he has proven to be a doting husband, father, and family man.
So, it should come as little surprise that he can also make one mean dish of mac and cheese.
John Legend on The Voice
The EGOT winner is slated to return as a Coach for Season 24 and Season 25 of The Voice following a short break to spend time with family. A fan-favorite Coach, Legend previously sat in the big, red chair for Seasons 16 through 22 before taking a brief hiatus after he and his wife, Chrissy Teigen, welcomed a daughter to their ever-growing family in January 2023.
Legend also cited having a new album and “a little bit of touring” as to why sitting out for Season 23 was a wise choice.
RELATED: You Won't Believe the Job John Legend Had Before He Became Famous
Thankfully, he didn’t stay away for long.
“Team Legend is back!” he wrote in a May 16, 2023, Instagram post. “See you this fall on The Voice!”
Legend will be joined by returning Coaches Gwen Stefani, Niall Horan, and former Mega Mentor Reba McEntire.
So, what’s the deal with John Legend’s macaroni and cheese?
John’s Macaroni and Cheese first appeared in Teigen’s first of many cookbooks, Cravings: Recipes for All the Food You Want to Eat, aligning with her brand of the same name. Cravings by Chrissy Teigen features Teigen’s signature brand of kitchen items, such as pots and pans, dining ware, and cookbooks, a collection now on sale in partnership with Target.
“I spend the majority of my life in the kitchen — usually in a robe — and the only thing I love more than cooking, eating, and being horizontal on the couch is watching other people get inspired and find joy through food,” Teigen states on the website.
The Cravings website features not just cookware, but a collection of tips and tricks and numerous mouth-watering recipes, like John’s Macaroni and Cheese.
A Power Couple’s Ultimate “S’Macdown”
Legend and Teigen have gone head-to-head with their mac ‘n’ cheese wars for years. Both had an epic “S’Macdown” during their 2018 NBC Christmas special, A Legendary Christmas with John and Chrissy. While Teigen’s recipe seemed to be the winner, the competition has certainly drawn debate over the years, as discussed in Teigen’s first cookbook.
“Every single time he makes this mac and cheese, people lose it, like he literally invented mac and cheese,” wrote Legend’s wife. “Why? It’s because he is a brilliant, handsome, kind, wonderful f-cking human being who is incredibly talented and famous who happens to make a good mac and cheese.”
Ryan Seacrest and friends put both dishes to the test on his radio show On Air with Ryan Seacrest, where the group was mixed on whose was better. When trying Teigen’s recipe — which consists of garlicky breadcrumbs — against Legend’s casserole-like dish (which Teigen referred to as “a brick”), PopSugar chose Teigen for the win.
RELATED: John Legend's Son Is Literally His Clone in New 5th Birthday Photos
Legend’s recipe has also gone against Rihanna's, though Delish voted Rihanna’s as the clear favorite.
But there’s much to be said when you can take your macs dish onto the Martha Stewart Show and have it featured on the kitchen queen’s website like John's is.
“If you’re in the camp that believes baked iterations beat stovetop ones, then this is the macaroni and cheese recipe for you,” as stated on Stewart’s website. “Layers of macaroni and two kinds of cheese — extra-sharp cheddar and Monterey Jack — are combined with a mixture of evaporated milk and seasoning, and baked. A sprinkle of paprika and a final layer of cheese give it a gorgeous golden color.”
A family that cooks together stays together
Legend and Teigen have highlighted some of their past cooking exploits online, many featured on Teigen’s former food blog, So Delushious. These days, both indulge audiences with their food-related posts on Instagram, including a recent video of Teigen taking a chocolate chunk cookie from Legend and an adorable Mother’s Day video with Teigen and her mother sharing pizza for breakfast.
It's worth noting that Legend’s Macaroni and Cheese isn’t the only recipe on the Cravings website, either. In fact, there are many, including John’s Spaniversary Paella, John’s Chili and Frito Pie Bar, and John’s Crispy Quesadillas with Avocado Spread, to name a few.
Each online recipe features an editorial by Teigen about what makes these recipes so unique, and some — like John’s Legendary Fried Chicken with Spicy Honey Butter — feature Legend in cooking tutorials to share his recipes with the world.
Where can I find the recipe for John’s Macaroni and Cheese?
John’s Macaroni and Cheese can be found on Teigen’s Cravings cookbook and website.
Teigen states she still likes her “creamy version better” but agrees that Legend’s recipe doesn’t require making a separate sauce and would fare better on a buffet.
“It has a cheesy crust that gives you that good, good cheese pull, too,” Teigen admits.
The now-famous recipe continues circulating on cooking blogs, Pinterest boards, and elsewhere on the internet. Legend himself posted a gorgeous up-close photo in 2020, captioned, “I made soul food tonight.”
Maybe a good, homey comfort food is exactly what we need to tide us over until next season on The Voice, although fans can satiate their appetites with past episodes available on NBC and Peacock.
