What Do You Have with Macaroni Cheese? A Complete Guide to the Best Pairings

Macaroni cheese is one of the ultimate comfort foods—creamy, cheesy, and oh-so-satisfying. While it’s delicious on its own, pairing it with the right side dishes can significantly elevate the meal by adding different flavors, textures, and balance to its richness. Whether you’re preparing a simple weeknight dinner or hosting a gathering, knowing what to have with macaroni cheese can take your meal to the next level.

For even more recipe inspiration, check out this guide on creative sourdough discard uses and learn how to activate sourdough discard. You’ll find tons of useful ideas that can complement your cooking, especially if you’re looking to incorporate bread-based sides into your meal.

Additionally, if you’re looking for ideas beyond vegetables, discover these best roasted vegetables or learn to grill the perfect sausage with this guide from BBC Good Food.

Why Pair Side Dishes with Macaroni Cheese?

Although macaroni cheese can be a meal in itself, pairing it with the right sides enhances the dining experience. Here’s why adding side dishes is a smart choice:

Balancing the Richness: Macaroni cheese is creamy and heavy, so pairing it with lighter or contrasting flavors helps create balance in your meal.
Adding Variety: A combination of textures and flavors can make the meal more interesting, offering more variety with every bite.
Boosting Nutrition: Adding vegetable or protein-based sides not only complements the flavors but also boosts the nutritional value of your meal.

Best Side Dishes to Serve with Macaroni Cheese

1. Classic Vegetable Sides

Vegetables are one of the best options to balance out the richness of macaroni cheese. Their freshness, crunch, and lightness add texture and contrast, making your meal more enjoyable.

Roasted Broccoli: Roasted broccoli provides a slight bitterness that complements the creamy cheese sauce beautifully.
Garlic Green Beans: Lightly sautéed green beans with garlic bring a fresh, crisp texture that cuts through the richness of the cheese.
Grilled Asparagus: The smoky char on grilled asparagus adds a savory, earthy flavor, which works wonderfully with macaroni cheese.

For more ideas, don’t forget to check out these roasted vegetables, which are perfect for pairing with macaroni cheese.

2. Protein Pairings

If you want to make macaroni cheese a heartier, more complete meal, consider adding a protein side dish. These pairings bring savory flavors and additional texture to your plate.

Fried Chicken: Crispy, golden fried chicken pairs perfectly with macaroni cheese, creating a wonderful contrast of textures and flavors.
Grilled Sausages: Smoky and savory, grilled sausages add an extra layer of flavor to the meal. Learn how to grill the perfect sausage from BBC Good Food.
Bacon-Wrapped Meatloaf: The savory, smoky bacon enhances the flavor profile of the cheesy pasta, providing a comforting, hearty option.

3. Light Salads

A refreshing salad adds balance to the heaviness of macaroni cheese by introducing fresh, light flavors. Moreover, salads help cut through the creaminess, making each bite more enjoyable.

Caesar Salad: Crisp romaine, creamy dressing, and crunchy croutons provide a great contrast to the soft, cheesy pasta.
Tomato Basil Salad: Fresh tomatoes and basil tossed with olive oil and vinegar offer a tangy, refreshing complement to the rich dish.
Cucumber and Red Onion Salad: This simple salad is light, refreshing, and adds crunch to your meal, offering a lighter side to a heavier main dish.

4. Bread and Carb-Based Sides

Sometimes, more carbs are exactly what you need to complete a comfort meal. Bread-based sides are great for mopping up any leftover cheese sauce and enhancing the meal’s comforting nature.

Garlic Bread: Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, garlic bread is a classic pairing for macaroni cheese. Try making your own with this best garlic bread recipe.
Buttery Biscuits: Soft, flaky biscuits provide a buttery, savory complement to the cheesy pasta.
Dinner Rolls: Classic, soft dinner rolls are great for soaking up every last bit of the cheese sauce, adding a satisfying texture to the meal.

Unconventional Side Dishes for Macaroni Cheese

If you’re feeling adventurous, here are some creative and unconventional side dishes that can bring an exciting twist to your macaroni cheese dinner:

1. Buffalo Cauliflower Bites

These spicy cauliflower bites add heat and crunch to the meal, which contrasts well with the creaminess of macaroni cheese. The combination of spicy and cheesy makes for a delicious and exciting pairing.

2. Shrimp Skewers

Lightly grilled shrimp skewers bring a delicate seafood flavor, which pairs well with the rich and cheesy pasta. Shrimp adds a lighter, more refined protein option to the meal.

3. Fried Pickles

For a Southern twist, fried pickles bring a tangy, crunchy element that enhances the flavors of macaroni cheese. Their crispy texture and acidity complement the creamy richness perfectly.

FAQs About Macaroni Cheese Pairings

1. What are the best sides for mac and cheese?

Some of the best sides for macaroni cheese include roasted vegetables like broccoli or asparagus, protein-based dishes such as fried chicken or grilled sausages, and light salads like Caesar or tomato basil salad.

2. Can mac and cheese be a full meal by itself?

Yes, macaroni cheese can stand alone as a full meal. However, adding sides like vegetables or proteins enhances the variety and nutrition of the meal, making it more balanced.

3. What protein goes well with mac and cheese?

Fried chicken, grilled sausages, and bacon-wrapped meatloaf are excellent protein pairings for macaroni cheese. They add savory depth and make the meal more satisfying.

4. Can you serve mac and cheese with salad?

Absolutely! Light salads such as Caesar or tomato basil balance out the richness of the cheese and add a refreshing contrast to the meal.

Conclusion: Elevating Your Macaroni Cheese with the Perfect Sides

Pairing macaroni cheese with the right side dishes can transform it from a simple comfort food into a full, balanced meal. Whether you’re serving it with roasted vegetables, hearty proteins, or light salads, there are plenty of options to create a well-rounded meal. If you’re feeling adventurous, try one of the unconventional sides like buffalo cauliflower or fried pickles for a unique twist.

So the next time you’re preparing macaroni cheese, consider adding some of these delicious sides to enhance your dining experience. And don’t forget to explore other great recipes, such as these creative sourdough discard uses or how to activate sourdough discard, for even more culinary inspiration!