MIDVALE, Utah — Every Thanksgiving, the conversation eventually turns to the food. What is the best dish? What’s the one thing you absolutely must have on your plate?
Here at Hillcrest High School, we decided to stop just talking about it and get the answer. A poll was run to ask one straightforward and crucial question: What is the most important, must-have dish on your Thanksgiving table?
After many students cast votes, there was one clear winner, with 35% popularity, and that was mac and cheese.
The survey asked students to select their top choice from a list of traditional and popular items, including mashed potatoes, turkey, cranberry sauce, green bean casserole, ham, sweet potatoes, stuffing, dinner rolls, and mac and cheese.
While the definitive winner was mac and cheese, there was also a clear runner-up, only three votes behind and taking a solid 30%, which was mashed potatoes. The close competition between these two comfort sides highlights a preference for more classic and savory carb-based dishes over traditional proteins, such as turkey or ham, and more controversial sides, like cranberry sauce or green bean casserole.
The poll’s final result—macaroni and cheese, with its runner-up, mashed potatoes—is likely a reflection of the school-age group.
While classic Thanksgiving sides, such as stuffing and green bean casserole, may dominate polls among older audiences, macaroni and cheese has become a staple of American youth culture.
This consistent presence, both in homes and often in school cafeterias, makes it a more anticipated favorite among high school students. The data suggest that for this age group, comfort and familiarity outweigh historical holiday traditions.
