Randy Chandler
Macaroni and cheese is a versatile dish that can be served as a side or a main course. It is often paired with meats such as fried chicken, steak, and beef, as well as fried foods like fish, crabs, and shrimp. In the UK, it is commonly served with chips (fries). For a heartier meal, macaroni and cheese can be combined with meats like ground beef, pulled pork, or sausage to create a flavourful casserole. It can also be served with meatloaf, ribs, or chili for a filling and crowd-pleasing option.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Meats | Ground beef, Pulled pork, Fried chicken, Smoked sausage, Spicy andouille sausage, Chorizo, Bacon, Ham, Meatloaf, Fried pork chops, Grilled steak, Smoked brisket, Ribs, Buffalo chicken |
| Veggies | Broccoli, Spinach, Peas, Green onions, Bell peppers, Tomatoes, Corn, Roasted asparagus, Cabbage slaw, Sauteed cabbage, Roasted Brussels sprouts |
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What You'll Learn
Fried chicken, steak, and ground beef
Macaroni and cheese is a classic comfort food, but what meats pair well with it? This guide will explore three meats that can elevate your homemade macaroni and cheese: fried chicken, steak, and ground beef. Each option offers a unique twist to this hearty dish.
Fried Chicken
Fried chicken and macaroni and cheese is a combination of two classic American soul food dishes. This pairing creates a culinary experience that is greater than the sum of its parts. To create this dish, you can dredge chicken in flour and fry it until crispy. The fried chicken is then added to the creamy, cheesy macaroni, resulting in a blend of textures and flavours. You can also bake the macaroni and cheese in the oven, sprinkling fried chicken and extra cheese on top for an indulgent finish.
Steak
Steak mac and cheese is a bold and sturdy combination. The creamy, tangy cheddar sauce with steak bites creates a robust flavour profile that pairs well with a glass of red wine. To prepare this dish, cook the steak in a skillet, melting butter and browning it slightly for added flavour. The steak is then added to the macaroni and cheese, creating a hearty meal.
Ground Beef
Ground beef mac and cheese is a versatile and satisfying option. The beef is cooked with onion and added to the macaroni, along with a tangy tomato sauce, sour cream, and cheddar cheese. This combination creates a hearty and flavourful dish. You can also experiment with different types of ground meat, such as chicken, turkey, or venison. Adding ground beef to macaroni and cheese is a great way to create a quick and easy one-pan meal that is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
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Pulled pork and ribs
Pulled pork macaroni and cheese is a hearty and flavorful dish that combines two comfort foods in one dish. It's perfect for casual gatherings, potlucks, and family dinners. The recipe typically calls for leftover pulled pork, but you can also use store-bought or homemade pulled pork made specifically for this dish.
To make pulled pork macaroni and cheese, start by cooking the macaroni until it's al dente. Drain the macaroni and place it in a greased baking pan. While the pasta is cooking, prepare your cheese sauce by melting butter in a saucepan, adding flour, salt, sugar, and milk, and then stirring in shredded cheese until melted. You can use a variety of cheeses such as cheddar, mozzarella, gouda, or Monterey Jack.
Next, add barbecue sauce to your shredded pulled pork. You can use your favorite store-bought or homemade barbecue sauce. If you prefer a spicy dish, add diced jalapeño peppers or black pepper to the pulled pork. Then, pour the cheese sauce over the macaroni and spoon the barbecue pulled pork on top. Sprinkle with additional cheese and bake in the oven until heated through.
For a complete meal, serve pulled pork macaroni and cheese with side dishes such as coleslaw, dinner rolls, baked beans, or a green onion salad.
As for ribs, they are mentioned alongside pulled pork in a comment on a Reddit thread. The user suggests that ribs are a perfect main dish to serve with macaroni and cheese as a side because they tend to leave them still feeling hungry.
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Sausages, including andouille, chorizo, and smoked sausage
Sausages are a great pairing with homemade macaroni and cheese. They provide a hearty, comforting combination that is sure to satisfy. There are several types of sausages that go particularly well with macaroni and cheese, including andouille, chorizo, and smoked sausage.
Andouille sausage is a type of smoked sausage that is commonly used in Cajun and Creole cuisine. It has a spicy, smoky flavor that pairs well with the creaminess of macaroni and cheese. For a delicious and flavorful dish, try adding sliced andouille sausage to your macaroni and cheese, along with Cajun seasonings, peppers, and onions. This combination will give your macaroni and cheese a nice kick of heat and a smoky flavor.
Chorizo sausage is another excellent option to pair with macaroni and cheese. Chorizo is a type of pork sausage that is typically seasoned with paprika, garlic, and other spices, giving it a deep red color and a slightly spicy, smoky flavor. When added to macaroni and cheese, chorizo provides a nice contrast in both color and taste. Its spiciness can be enhanced by adding a little cayenne pepper to the dish.
Smoked sausage, in general, is a fantastic addition to macaroni and cheese. The smoky flavor of the sausage complements the creaminess of the cheese sauce beautifully. If you cannot find andouille sausage or chorizo, any type of smoked sausage will add a wonderful depth of flavor to your dish. For those who prefer a milder sausage, a simple smoked sausage with a little added cayenne pepper can provide the perfect amount of heat.
When adding sausages to your macaroni and cheese, you can slice or chop them into bite-sized pieces and incorporate them directly into the dish. Alternatively, you can serve them on the side, allowing each person to add as much or as little sausage as they like. Experimenting with different types of sausages and seasonings will allow you to create a variety of flavorful and satisfying meals.
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Meatloaf
Macaroni and cheese is a versatile dish that can be served as a side or main course. It can be paired with various meats, including fried chicken, steak, and beef. One creative way to incorporate meat and macaroni and cheese is to make a meatloaf stuffed with macaroni and cheese. This dish combines the heartiness of meatloaf with the creaminess of macaroni and cheese, resulting in a surprising and delightful centre.
To make macaroni and cheese stuffed meatloaf, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet or casserole dish with tinfoil and lightly spray it with non-stick spray. In a large bowl, combine lean ground beef, breadcrumbs, eggs, onion, garlic powder, parsley, salt, pepper, and honey barbecue sauce. You can also add ground sausage to this mixture for extra flavour. Knead the mixture until it is fully combined.
Take half of the meat mixture and shape it into a loaf, approximately 8 inches by 4 inches, in the centre of your prepared dish. Create a small cavity in the centre of the loaf by gently pressing down, leaving the sides about 1 inch thick. In a separate bowl, mix together prepared macaroni and cheese with mozzarella cheese, and then scoop the mixture into the cavity in the meatloaf. Use the remaining meat mixture to cover the macaroni and cheese, pinching the sides closed to enclose the filling.
Bake the meatloaf until it is mostly cooked, then remove it from the oven and add your desired toppings. Pop it back into the oven for a few more minutes to finish cooking. This meatloaf is best served with a side salad or Parmesan-roasted broccoli. Your family will love the surprise of finding macaroni and cheese stuffed inside this classic dish!
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Ham
There are many ways to make macaroni and cheese with ham, but a common method is to cook the pasta until it is al dente, then drain it and set it aside. Separately, make a cheese sauce by melting butter in a large pot, sprinkling in flour, and whisking over medium-low heat. Cook this mixture for around 5 minutes, then pour in milk, add mustard powder, onion powder, and salt, and whisk until smooth. Cook for another 5 minutes, then reduce the heat to low. Remove from the heat and slowly add shredded cheese, stirring until melted. Add the cooked pasta to the cheese sauce and stir to coat. Finally, add the ham and mix throughout, along with frozen peas if desired.
This dish can be baked by transferring the mixture to a lightly greased baking dish, topping with more cheese, and combining panko crumbs and melted butter in a small bowl to sprinkle on top. Bake for around 30 minutes.
There are many types of ham that can be used in this recipe, including hickory-smoked ham, honey or maple-cured ham, black forest ham, prosciutto, and Canadian bacon.
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Frequently asked questions
Meats that go well with macaroni and cheese include pulled pork, ribs, meatloaf, fried chicken, and ground beef.
You can incorporate meat into macaroni and cheese by adding ground beef, turkey, or chicken to the dish. You can also make pulled pork macaroni and cheese or top the dish with meatloaf or fried chicken.
Some combinations include taco cheeseburger macaroni, macaroni and cheese with ham and green onions, and macaroni and cheese with spicy andouille sausage, Cajun seasonings, peppers, and onions.
