Mac And Cheese: The Perfect Comfort Food Pairings

Mac and cheese is a versatile dish that can be served as a side or a main course. If you're looking for some side dish inspiration to go with your mac and cheese, look no further! Here are some delicious options to choose from:

- Salads: Strawberry Spinach Salad, Arugula Salad, Simple Green Salad, Caesar Salad, Kale Caesar Salad, Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad, Cabbage Slaw, and more!

- Grilled or roasted vegetables: Broccoli, Green Beans, Asparagus, Brussel Sprouts, Butternut Squash, Zucchini, Squash, and more.

- Breads: Garlic Bread, Bacon Cornbread, Gluten-Free Biscuits, BLTs, and more.

- Proteins: BBQ Ribs, Pulled Pork, Grilled Meats (chicken, pork, steak), Meatloaf, Fried Chicken, and more.

And if you're serving mac and cheese as the main dish, you can pair it with a lighter side like a salad or steamed vegetables. So, whether you're a foodie looking for some culinary inspiration or simply wanting to elevate your mac and cheese experience, there's a side dish out there for you!

BBQ ribs, pulled pork, brisket, or other grilled meats

Mac and cheese is a versatile side dish that can complement a variety of grilled meats, including BBQ ribs, pulled pork, brisket, and other grilled meats. Here are some tips and suggestions to make your meal delicious and memorable:

BBQ Ribs and Mac and Cheese

The smoky, juicy meat of BBQ ribs pairs perfectly with the creaminess of mac and cheese. You can make a baby back mac and cheese by adding leftover rib meat to your macaroni and cheese. Generously butter a baking pan, cook the macaroni to al dente, and make a cheese sauce with butter, flour, milk, and shredded cheese. Add the cooked macaroni and rib meat to the cheese sauce, pour it into the prepared pan, and broil until the cheese is golden brown. This creates a hearty and indulgent dish that your family and friends will love.

Pulled Pork and Mac and Cheese

Combining pulled pork with mac and cheese is a fun and easy weeknight meal. You can use leftover pulled pork or buy premade pulled pork from the grocery store. Start by cooking the macaroni to al dente and making a cheese sauce with butter, flour, milk or chicken broth, and shredded cheese. Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce, and then top it with warmed pulled pork and barbecue sauce. This creates a delicious and satisfying meal that brings together two classic comfort foods.

Brisket and Mac and Cheese

Brisket and mac and cheese is a match made in heaven, especially when using leftover smoked brisket. Chop the brisket into small to medium-sized pieces and add it to your favourite mac and cheese recipe. For the cheese sauce, consider using a combination of sharp cheddar, New York white cheddar, Monterey Jack, pepper jack, and cheddar jack mix for a creamy and tangy result. This dish can be served as a side or a main course and is sure to impress.

Grilled Meats and Mac and Cheese

Mac and cheese is a fantastic side dish for any grilled meats, such as steak, chicken, or sausages. You can even bake the mac and cheese on the grill alongside your meat for added convenience and a hint of smoky flavour. Cast iron skillets are perfect for preparing and grilling mac and cheese, as they retain heat and create crispy, chewy, and cheesy edges. Get creative and experiment with different cheeses, spices, and add-ins like diced green chiles, crumbled bacon, or diced ham to elevate your mac and cheese game.

Salads, such as a simple green salad or a kale Caesar salad

Salads are a great way to balance out the rich, creamy, and indulgent nature of mac and cheese. A simple green salad can be a perfect, light side dish to complement the heaviness of the pasta. If you're looking for something a little more substantial, a kale Caesar salad is an excellent option. The crispiness and slight bitterness of the kale pair beautifully with the creaminess of the mac and cheese.

• A classic green salad with cucumbers, red onions, tomatoes, and shredded carrots. You can add some colourful fruit like pomegranate for a special touch.
• Arugula salad with a red wine vinaigrette. The peppery bite of the arugula pairs well with acidic vinaigrettes.
• A simple vegetable side dish of steamed or sauteed green beans, carrots, or broccoli.

For a kale Caesar salad, here are some suggestions:

• Kale Caesar salad with a bacon and garlic dressing and topped with lots of Parmesan cheese.
• 5-ingredient kale Caesar salad with an easy, anchovy-free dressing that keeps well in the fridge.
• Kale Caesar salad with crispy homemade croutons and Parmesan cheese. Massaging the kale with the creamy garlic dressing makes it extra tender.

Breads, like garlic bread or cornbread

Breads are a great pairing with mac and cheese, especially if you're looking for something simple and rustic. Freshly baked crusty bread goes perfectly with mac and cheese, and you can use chunks of soft and crispy bread to mop up any leftover cheese sauce.

If you're looking for something with a bit more flavour, garlic bread is an excellent choice. Its crunchiness balances out the creaminess of the mac and cheese, while the robust garlic flavour adds another dimension to the meal. You can make garlic bread at home with a baguette or ciabatta, butter, garlic, parsley and salt, or buy it from the store.

If you're gluten-intolerant, cornbread is a delicious alternative. It's a southern-style bread with a lightly sweet, cakelike texture. You can make it gluten-free by using gluten-free flour.

For something a little different, you could try caraway rye bread. The caraway seeds go incredibly well with mac and cheese.

Green vegetables, like broccoli, green beans, or spinach

Green vegetables like broccoli, green beans, or spinach are a great addition to mac and cheese. They provide a nutritious boost to a comforting dish, and can be incorporated in a variety of ways.

Broccoli, for example, can be added to mac and cheese in small florets. This ensures each bite is filled with broccoli and cheese sauce. Broccoli mac and cheese is a healthier version of a classic, and a great way to get kids to eat their veggies. It is also a good dish on its own, but can be served with a Brussels sprout salad or roasted carrots.

Similarly, spinach can be added to mac and cheese. A creamed spinach mac and cheese is a great way to eat your greens. The spinach is cooked down and softened, and then mixed with the cheese sauce and pasta. This can be topped with breadcrumbs or crispy onions and baked until golden and bubbly.

Green beans also make a delicious addition to mac and cheese. Runner beans and fine green beans can be boiled with the pasta and then baked with a cheese sauce. This can be served with a peppery salad.

These green vegetables provide a nutritious and tasty addition to mac and cheese, and can be tailored to suit different tastes and preferences.

Crispy, fried foods, such as buttermilk fried chicken or chicken wings

Mac and cheese is a versatile dish that can be served as a side or main course, and it goes well with a variety of crispy, fried foods, such as buttermilk fried chicken or chicken wings. Here are some ideas to elevate your meal:

Buttermilk Fried Chicken

For a juicy and tender fried chicken to go with your mac and cheese, buttermilk is the key ingredient. The buttermilk helps to tenderize the meat and gives it that extra juicy texture. For the ultimate soul food experience, combine your crispy, fried buttermilk chicken with a creamy and cheesy macaroni bake. You can also spice things up by adding some cayenne pepper to your chicken seasoning. This will give your meal a nice kick to balance out the richness of the mac and cheese.

Chicken Wings

Chicken wings are another crispy, fried option that pairs well with mac and cheese. You can keep it classic with some traditional fried chicken wings, or spice things up with some buffalo wings. For an extra tangy twist, try Frank's RedHot® Original Cayenne Pepper Hot Sauce on your wings. If you're feeling adventurous, you can even add the hot sauce to your mac and cheese for an extra punch of flavour.

Sides and Extras

To make your meal even more indulgent, consider adding some extras to your mac and cheese. Crispy, fried bacon bits can add a nice crunch and a savoury touch to your dish. You could also try serving your mac and cheese with biscuits, greens, or a side of collard greens for a complete soul food experience.

Presentation

When it comes to presentation, you can simply serve your fried chicken or chicken wings as a side dish alongside a bowl of mac and cheese. Or, for a more impressive display, try combining the two. Create a base layer of mac and cheese in a baking dish, then top it with your crispy, fried chicken or wings. Sprinkle some extra cheese on top and pop it in the oven to bake until bubbly and golden. This will give you a delicious and visually appealing dish that's sure to impress your family and friends.

So, there you have it! Crispy, fried foods like buttermilk fried chicken and chicken wings make excellent companions to a hearty mac and cheese. Feel free to experiment with different spices, sauces, and extras to create a unique and mouthwatering meal. Enjoy!

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