Bushra Griffith
Macaroni cheese is a simple, comforting and indulgent dish. But what goes with it? When it comes to side dishes, there are a few things to consider. Macaroni cheese is rich and creamy, so something green and healthy to balance it out is a good idea. You might want to add a splash of colour to the plate, too. So, what are some specific side dishes that will complement macaroni cheese? Well, you could try roasted broccoli with lemon and garlic, a simple salad, or carrot sticks. Or, if you're feeling indulgent, how about garlic bread, or even a buttery chunk of bread for dipping? If you're after something with a bit of spice, try a crispy bacon-wrapped Brussels sprout, or some minted chilli peas.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Meat | Steak, Sausages, Pulled Pork, Chicken, Gammon, Bacon, Meatballs, Beef, Pork Tenderloin |
| Salad | Simple, Green, Arugula, Shaved Brussels Sprouts, Strawberry Cobb, Carrot Sticks, Beetroot, Radish, Beans, Pulses, Tomato, Cucumber, Red Onion |
| Bread | Baguette, White Bread, Wholemeal Bread, Seeded Bread, Garlic Bread |
| Vegetables | Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Peas, Roasted Mediterranean Vegetables, Butternut Squash, Mushrooms, Sweetcorn, Tomatoes, Baked Beans, Roasted Sweet Potatoes, Asparagus, Brussels Sprouts, Kale, Leeks, Spinach, Green Beans, Air Fryer Cauliflower, Crispy Mushrooms, Roasted Vegetables |
| Fruit | Strawberries, Apples, Oranges, Pineapple, Coconut, Oranges |
| Dessert | Ambrosia Fruit Salad, Brownies with Ice Cream, Apple Pie |
| Drinks | Pale US-style ales, Sticky, bitter IPAs, White wines |
What You'll Learn
Meat, such as steak, sausages, or chicken
Macaroni and cheese is a rich and creamy dish, so it's often paired with something to balance that out and ensure the meal isn't too heavy. Here are some meat options to go with your mac and cheese:
Steak
Steak with mac and cheese is an easy meal to prepare but feels like a treat. You can choose your favourite cut of steak, but ribeye is a popular option due to its rich marbling, high fat content, and full flavour. Don't forget to season your steak generously before grilling or frying. The creaminess of the macaroni cheese pairs perfectly with the juicy, tender steak.
Sausages
A classic banger is always a good choice and is a particularly excellent side dish when barbecued. Experiment with different flavour combinations, such as Guinness, beef and tomato, or chicken sausages. There are also many vegetarian sausage options available, made from Quorn or a medley of seasonal vegetables.
Chicken
Chicken is a versatile option to pair with mac and cheese. You can go for a simple roast chicken leg or spice things up with piri piri chicken. Piri piri chicken is a super spicy meal that will add some heat to your dish. If you want a more balanced option, serve your chicken with a salad for a summery feast.
Meatballs
Meatballs are a fun and tasty addition to mac and cheese. You can bake chicken and ricotta meatballs or go for a more traditional variety and serve them on top of your mac and cheese. For an extra indulgent option, try mac and cheese stuffed meatballs!
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Salad, e.g. arugula, beetroot, cucumber, and tomato
Mac and cheese is a rich and indulgent dish, so it's a good idea to pair it with something light and refreshing like a salad. A simple salad with arugula, beetroot, cucumber, and tomato can be the perfect side dish to balance out the heaviness of the mac and cheese. Here are some ideas to elevate your salad and make it a delicious and healthy accompaniment to your meal.
Arugula is a great base for your salad as it has an herbaceous, peppery flavour with hints of nuts and mustard. It is also highly nutritious, offering cancer-fighting benefits, hydration, bone health support, and anti-inflammatory properties. You can use mixed greens or spinach as a base as well, or even add some carrots, broccoli, or cauliflower for extra crunch and nutrition.
Beetroot is a wonderful addition to your salad, providing a sweet and earthy flavour, as well as a vibrant colour. Beetroot is also packed with vitamins and minerals, including vitamins C and B6, magnesium, and heart-healthy properties. Roasting beetroot brings out its natural sweetness and makes it tender and juicy.
Cucumbers add a refreshing crunch to your salad. They are hydrating and packed with vitamins, making them a healthy choice. You can leave the peel on for extra nutrition and texture.
Tomatoes provide a burst of sweetness and acidity to your salad. Cherry tomatoes, in particular, offer an explosion of flavour in each bite. They are also a good source of vitamins and antioxidants.
To bring all the ingredients together, you can make a simple lemon vinaigrette by whisking together olive oil and lemon juice and some seasonings like salt, pepper, and garlic powder. You can also add some feta cheese for a tangy, salty kick. If you want to make it a heartier salad, you can serve it with whole-wheat pita and hummus on the side.
This salad is not only delicious but also packed with nutrients and can be easily customised to your taste. It's the perfect side dish to balance out the richness of mac and cheese, providing a fresh and healthy contrast.
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Bread, e.g. baguettes, garlic bread, or crusty bread
Mac and cheese is a rich and creamy dish, so it's a good idea to balance it out with something else. Bread is an excellent option for this, especially if it's crusty and can be used for dipping!
A simple option is a baguette. You can buy these pre-made and partly baked, then pop them in the oven for around ten minutes for a freshly-baked taste. White bread is a great choice, but wholemeal or seeded options will also work.
Garlic bread is another delicious option to accompany mac and cheese. You could even try making your own by adding some garlic to a baguette or other crusty bread.
Bread is an ideal side to mop up all that molten mac and cheese sauce, and the crunch of the bread provides a nice textural contrast to the creaminess of the pasta.
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Vegetables, e.g. broccoli, carrots, or peas
Macaroni and cheese is a hearty, comforting dish, and it's even better with some vegetables on the side or mixed in. Here are some ideas for vegetables that go well with macaroni and cheese:
Broccoli
Broccoli is a superfood that is not only nutritious but also tastes delicious when paired with macaroni and cheese. You can roast or blanch broccoli florets until crisp and slightly caramelised, or chop them into small pieces and roast them with other vegetables for a colourful and tasty addition to your mac and cheese.
Carrots
Carrots add a touch of sweetness and a boost of beta carotene and vitamin A to your mac and cheese. You can slice them thinly and roast them, or boil and purée them to mix into your cheese sauce for a hidden veggie mac and cheese.
Peas
Peas are a great way to add colour and a bit of sweetness to your macaroni and cheese. You can use frozen peas and simply steam or boil them before adding to your dish.
Other Vegetable Ideas
Other vegetables that go well with macaroni and cheese include cauliflower, zucchini, squash, peppers, mushrooms, and leeks. You can roast, sauté, or steam these vegetables and add them to your mac and cheese for a more nutritious and colourful dish.
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Something spicy, e.g. chilli, or piri piri chicken
If you're looking for something spicy to go with your macaroni cheese, why not try chilli mac? This is a hearty dish that combines the best of both worlds—the comforting, creamy goodness of mac and cheese with the spicy, hearty flavours of chilli. It's a perfect option for cold winter nights when you need something to warm you up from the inside out.
Chilli mac is typically made with ground beef, beans, canned tomatoes, spices, and, of course, macaroni. The key to getting it right is to cook the sauce and pasta together so that the macaroni absorbs all the delicious flavours as it cooks. You can also add extra cheese on top for an extra indulgent touch.
If you're a real spice enthusiast, you can take things up a notch by adding different types of chillies to your chilli mac. One recipe suggests using three types of chillies—medium-hot chillies, hot bird's eye chillies, and pickled jalapeños—for a flavour profile with depth and a well-rounded kick.
For an extra-creamy texture, some recipes call for making a béchamel sauce as the base for your mac and cheese. This involves creating a roux with butter and flour, then gradually adding milk to form a smooth, creamy sauce. You can then add your spices, cheeses, and chillies to taste.
So, if you're craving something spicy to go with your macaroni cheese, chilli mac is definitely the way to go. It's a hearty, flavourful dish that's sure to satisfy your comfort food cravings with a spicy twist!
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Frequently asked questions
Meat such as steak, sausages, pulled pork, ribs, and chicken are all popular choices to pair with macaroni cheese.
Many types of vegetables go well with macaroni cheese, including broccoli, spinach, kale, Brussels sprouts, and carrots. Roasted Mediterranean vegetables are also a good option.
Macaroni cheese is a rich and creamy dish, so it is best to avoid other heavy or creamy dishes. It is also important to note that macaroni cheese is not meant to be a side dish and should be the main focus of the meal.
