Pairing the Perfect Side Dishes with Mac and Cheese

Introduction

Mac and cheese is an American classic. It’s a comforting dish that’s beloved by adults and kids alike, and it’s a favorite at potlucks and barbecues. But what goes well with mac and cheese? A great side dish can take a meal from ordinary to extraordinary, and when it comes to mac and cheese, there are a lot of options.

A Guide to the Best Side Dishes to Serve with Mac and Cheese

When it comes to side dishes, there are a few different categories to consider. Vegetable recipes, salads, soups, appetizers, and breads all make excellent accompaniments to mac and cheese. Here’s a closer look at each type of side dish and some delicious recipes to try.

Vegetable Recipes

Vegetables are a great way to add flavor, texture, and nutrition to any meal. Roasted broccoli, baked zucchini sticks, roasted Brussels sprouts, sautéed spinach, and grilled asparagus are all delicious vegetable dishes that pair perfectly with mac and cheese.

5 Delicious Vegetable Recipes to Pair with Mac and Cheese

• Roasted Broccoli: Preheat oven to 425°F. Toss 1 lb. broccoli florets with 2 tbsp. olive oil, 1/2 tsp. garlic powder, and 1/2 tsp. salt. Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 15 minutes.
• Baked Zucchini Sticks: Preheat oven to 450°F. Cut 2 zucchinis into 1/2-inch thick slices. Toss with 1/4 cup olive oil, 1/2 tsp. garlic powder, 1/2 tsp. Italian seasoning, and a pinch of salt. Place on a baking sheet in a single layer and bake for 15 minutes.
• Roasted Brussels Sprouts: Preheat oven to 425°F. Toss 1 lb. Brussels sprouts with 2 tbsp. olive oil, 1/2 tsp. garlic powder, 1/4 tsp. pepper, and 1/4 tsp. salt. Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 25 minutes.
• Sauteed Spinach: Heat 2 tbsp. olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 2 cloves garlic, minced, and cook until fragrant. Add 1 lb. baby spinach and sauté until wilted. Season with salt and pepper.
• Grilled Asparagus: Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Toss 1 lb. asparagus with 2 tbsp. olive oil, 1/2 tsp. garlic powder, 1/4 tsp. pepper, and 1/4 tsp. salt. Grill for 5 minutes, turning once.

Salads

Salads are a great way to get your veggies in and they pair perfectly with mac and cheese. Greek salad, garden salad, Caesar salad, and kale and quinoa salad are all delicious options.

4 Simple Salads That Make the Perfect Complement to Mac and Cheese

• Greek Salad: In a large bowl, combine 1 head romaine lettuce, chopped; 1 cucumber, diced; 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved; 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced; 1/4 cup kalamata olives; 1/4 cup feta cheese; and 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil. Toss to combine.
• Garden Salad: In a large bowl, combine 2 cups mixed greens, 1/2 cup shredded carrots, 1/2 cup diced tomatoes, 1/4 cup sliced red onion, 1/4 cup croutons, and 1/4 cup shredded cheese. Toss to combine.
• Caesar Salad: In a large bowl, combine 1 head romaine lettuce, chopped; 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese; 1/4 cup croutons; and 1/4 cup Caesar dressing. Toss to combine.
• Kale and Quinoa Salad: In a large bowl, combine 1 cup cooked quinoa, 1 cup chopped kale, 1/4 cup diced red onion, 1/4 cup sliced almonds, 1/4 cup dried cranberries, and 1/4 cup balsamic vinaigrette. Toss to combine.

Soups

Soups make a comforting and satisfying side dish for mac and cheese. Tomato soup, potato soup, broccoli soup, creamy mushroom soup, chicken noodle soup, lentil soup, and split pea soup are all great options.

7 Comforting Soups to Enjoy with Mac and Cheese

• Tomato Soup: Heat 2 tbsp. olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add 1 onion, diced, and cook until softened. Add 2 cloves garlic, minced, and cook until fragrant. Stir in 2 cans (14.5 oz. each) diced tomatoes and 2 cups vegetable broth. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 10 minutes. Use an immersion blender to puree the soup until smooth.
• Potato Soup: Heat 2 tbsp. butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add 1 onion, diced, and cook until softened. Add 2 cloves garlic, minced, and cook until fragrant. Stir in 4 cups chicken broth, 3 potatoes, peeled and diced, and 1 tsp. dried thyme. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 15 minutes. Use an immersion blender to puree the soup until smooth. Stir in 1/2 cup heavy cream.
• Broccoli Soup: Heat 2 tbsp. butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add 1 onion, diced, and cook until softened. Add 2 cloves garlic, minced, and cook until fragrant. Stir in 4 cups chicken broth, 2 heads broccoli, chopped, and 1/4 tsp. black pepper. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 20 minutes. Use an immersion blender to puree the soup until smooth. Stir in 1/2 cup heavy cream.
• Creamy Mushroom Soup: Heat 2 tbsp. butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add 1 onion, diced, and cook until softened. Add 1 lb. mushrooms, sliced, and cook until softened. Stir in 4 cups chicken broth and 1/2 tsp. dried thyme. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 15 minutes. Use an immersion blender to puree the soup until smooth. Stir in 1/2 cup heavy cream.
• Chicken Noodle Soup: Heat 2 tbsp. olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add 1 onion, diced, and cook until softened. Add 2 cloves garlic, minced, and cook until fragrant. Stir in 4 cups chicken broth, 2 cups cooked chicken, 1 cup uncooked egg noodles, and 1/4 tsp. black pepper. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 15 minutes.
• Lentil Soup: Heat 2 tbsp. olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add 1 onion, diced, and cook until softened. Add 2 cloves garlic, minced, and cook until fragrant. Stir in 4 cups vegetable broth, 1 cup dry lentils, and 1/2 tsp. dried oregano. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 25 minutes.
• Split Pea Soup: Heat 2 tbsp. olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add 1 onion, diced, and cook until softened. Add 2 cloves garlic, minced, and cook until fragrant. Stir in 4 cups vegetable broth, 1 cup dry split peas, and 1/2 tsp. dried thyme. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 25 minutes.

Appetizers

Appetizers are a great way to start off a meal. Garlic bread, cheese and crackers, veggie trays, hummus, olives, and bruschetta are all classic appetizers that pair nicely with mac and cheese.

6 Easy Appetizers to Serve Before Mac and Cheese

• Garlic Bread: Preheat oven to 350°F. Place 1 loaf Italian bread on a baking sheet. In a small bowl, mix together 1/4 cup melted butter, 1 tsp. garlic powder, and 1/4 tsp. Italian seasoning. Brush the mixture onto the bread. Bake for 8 minutes.
• Cheese and Crackers: Arrange 1/2 cup cubed cheese and 2 cups crackers on a serving platter.
• Veggie Tray: Arrange 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, 1/2 cup celery sticks, 1/2 cup carrot sticks, 1/4 cup cucumber slices, and 1/4 cup bell pepper strips on a serving platter.
• Hummus: Place 1/2 cup hummus in a bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with paprika. Serve with pita chips or fresh vegetables.
• Olives: Place 1/2 cup olives in a bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with herbs.
• Bruschetta: Preheat oven to 350°F. Place 1 loaf French bread on a baking sheet. In a small bowl, mix together 1/4 cup olive oil, 1 tsp. garlic powder, and 1/4 tsp. Italian seasoning. Brush the mixture onto the bread. Bake for 8 minutes. Cut into slices and top with 1/2 cup diced tomatoes, 1/4 cup diced red onion, and 1/4 cup chopped basil.

Breads

Bread is always a welcome addition to any meal. Dinner rolls, French bread, garlic bread, biscuits, cornbread, focaccia, ciabatta, and sourdough are all delicious options.

8 Classic Breads to Accompany Your Mac and Cheese

• Dinner Rolls: Preheat oven to 375°F. Place 12 dinner rolls on a baking sheet. Bake for 12 minutes.
• French Bread: Preheat oven to 375°F. Place 1 loaf French bread on a baking sheet. Bake for 12 minutes.
• Garlic Bread: Preheat oven to 350°F. Place 1 loaf Italian bread on a baking sheet. In a small bowl, mix together 1/4 cup melted butter, 1 tsp. garlic powder, and 1/4 tsp. Italian seasoning. Brush the mixture onto the bread. Bake for 8 minutes.
• Biscuits: Preheat oven to 375°F. Place 12 biscuit dough rounds on a baking sheet. Bake for 12 minutes.
• Cornbread: Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan. In a large bowl, whisk together 1 cup cornmeal, 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1/4 cup sugar, and 2 tsp. baking powder. In a separate bowl, whisk together 1 cup milk, 1/4 cup melted butter, and 1 egg. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir just until combined. Pour into the prepared pan and bake for 20 minutes.
• Focaccia: Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease an 8×8-inch baking pan. In a large bowl, whisk together 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tsp. sugar, and 1 tsp. salt. In a separate bowl, whisk together 1 cup warm water, 1/4 cup olive oil, and 1/2 tsp. active dry yeast. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir just until combined. Pour into the prepared pan and bake for 20 minutes.
• Ciabatta: Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease an 8×8-inch baking pan. In a large bowl, whisk together 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tsp. sugar, 1 tsp. salt, and 1/2 tsp. active dry yeast. In a separate bowl, whisk together 1 cup warm water and 1/4 cup olive oil. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir just until combined. Pour into the prepared pan and bake for 20 minutes.
• Sourdough: Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease an 8×8-inch baking pan. In a large bowl, whisk together 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tsp. sugar, and 1 tsp. salt. In a separate bowl, whisk together 1 cup sourdough starter, 1/4 cup olive oil, and 1/2 cup warm water. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir just until combined. Pour into the prepared pan and bake for 20 minutes.

Conclusion

Mac and cheese is a classic comfort food that pairs well with a variety of side dishes. From roasted broccoli to sourdough bread, this guide offers plenty of delicious recipes and ideas for the perfect side dish to serve alongside mac and cheese. With these recipes, you can create a complete and satisfying meal that everyone will love.