Patrick Oconnell
Macaroni and cheese is a popular dish to serve at weddings, and some couples choose to offer a mac and cheese bar where guests can customize their own bowls. This interactive food bar can be a fun way to offer a variety of options and allow guests to choose their favorite toppings. When creating a mac and cheese bar, it is essential to consider the types of cheese, pasta, and mix-ins or toppings that will be available.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of pasta | Elbow macaroni, orecchiette, or gluten-free pasta |
| Cheese sauce | Cheddar, gruyere, nutritional yeast, or Mornay sauce |
| Toppings | Bacon, chicken, brisket, BBQ pork, shrimp, lobster, broccoli, tomatoes, mushrooms, peppers, onions, chives, roasted garlic, ranch, buffalo sauce, breadcrumbs, hot sauce, truffle oil, scallions, ham, steak, sausage, jalapenos, herbs, sea salt, pepper, extra cheese |
| Salad | Yes |
| Rolls | Yes |
| Serving style | Buffet-style, martini glasses, mason jars, or petite bowls |
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What You'll Learn
Meat toppings: chicken, steak, bacon, shrimp, or lobster
If you're looking for meat toppings to pair with your macaroni and cheese bar for your wedding, here are some ideas:
Chicken
Chicken is a versatile meat that can be prepared in a variety of ways to top off your mac and cheese. You can offer shredded or diced chicken, or even chicken alfredo for a creamy option. If you want to add a little spice, consider offering chicken seasoned with taco seasoning, or go for a classic with BBQ chicken.
Steak
Steak is a hearty option that can be sliced thinly and mixed into the macaroni. You could also offer beef teriyaki with rice noodles for guests who prefer a different type of noodle.
Bacon
Bacon is a classic topping for mac and cheese, and for good reason. It adds a salty, smoky flavour that pairs perfectly with the creaminess of the dish. Offer chopped bacon or bacon bits, or go for a more elegant presentation with bacon bowls for serving.
Shrimp
Shrimp can be a delicious and elegant addition to your mac and cheese bar. It offers a different texture and flavour profile that your guests may enjoy.
Lobster
Lobster is a luxurious and indulgent topping option for your mac and cheese bar. It's a unique choice that your guests are sure to remember. Pair it with truffles and truffle oil for an extra special touch.
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Vegetable toppings: broccoli, peppers, mushrooms, or tomatoes
If you're looking for vegetable toppings to include in your wedding's mac and cheese bar, consider offering broccoli, peppers, mushrooms, or tomatoes. Here are some ideas for incorporating these toppings:
Broccoli
Broccoli is a versatile vegetable that can be steamed, boiled, or stir-fried. It adds a crunchy texture and a healthy boost of nutrients to the mac and cheese. You can offer it as a topping or mix it into the macaroni for a more integrated approach.
Peppers
Peppers, especially bell peppers, come in a variety of colours like red, yellow, and green, adding a vibrant touch to the mac and cheese bar. They can be chopped into small pieces or sliced into strips, providing a mild sweetness to balance the cheese's richness.
Mushrooms
Mushrooms, such as cremini or button mushrooms, are a hearty and savoury option. Sautéing them in butter or oil with some seasoning enhances their flavour and creates a juicy texture that pairs well with the macaroni. You can also offer sun-dried mushroom slices for a more intense flavour.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes are a refreshing and tangy addition to the mac and cheese bar. You can offer them fresh, diced, or stewed, depending on your preference. Sun-dried tomatoes or cherry tomatoes on the vine also make for an attractive and tasty topping option. For a unique twist, consider offering tomato-based sauces like marinara on the side for guests to mix in.
Remember, the key to a successful mac and cheese bar is variety and customisation. Offering a range of vegetable toppings allows your guests to create their own unique combinations and caters to different dietary preferences, including vegetarian guests.
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Cheeses: cheddar, American, Colby, or Monterey Jack
Mac and cheese bars are a fun and interactive way to serve your favourite comfort food at your wedding. You can offer a variety of cheeses, such as cheddar, American, Colby, or Monterey Jack, as the base for your mac and cheese. Here are some ideas for each type of cheese:
Cheddar
Cheddar is a popular and versatile cheese that can be used as a base or as a topping for mac and cheese. For a base, you can use a sharp cheddar for a more pronounced flavour or a mild cheddar for a creamier, subtler taste. You can also offer different types of cheddar, such as white cheddar and yellow cheddar, to give your guests options.
American
American cheese is a classic choice for mac and cheese. It has a creamy texture and a mild flavour, making it a crowd-pleasing option. American cheese melts easily, creating a rich and creamy sauce for the macaroni. You can also offer different varieties of American cheese, such as Colby Jack or Cheddar Jack, which combine American cheese with other cheeses to create unique flavours.
Colby
Colby cheese is a semi-hard cow's milk cheese that originates from Wisconsin. It has a subtle, nutty flavour and a orange hue. When combined with Monterey Jack, it creates Colby Jack cheese, which offers a rich, creamy texture and a slightly tangy taste. Colby or Colby Jack can be used as a base or shredded as a topping over the mac and cheese.
Monterey Jack
Monterey Jack is a versatile, mild-flavoured cheese that serves as an excellent baseline for other cheeses. Its melting quality makes it a great choice for a creamy mac and cheese base. You can also offer different varieties of Monterey Jack, such as Pepper Jack, which adds a spicy kick to the dish.
Remember, the key to a successful mac and cheese bar is offering a variety of options for your guests to customize their dish. You can provide different types of cheese, as well as a range of toppings, to ensure there is something for everyone. Enjoy creating a fun and delicious experience for your wedding guests!
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Sauces: buffalo, BBQ, hot sauce, or curry
A mac and cheese bar is a fun and interactive way to serve your wedding guests a hearty meal with a variety of sauces and toppings. Here are some ideas for sauces to pair with your mac and cheese bar, focusing on the options of buffalo, BBQ, hot sauce, or curry:
Buffalo Sauce
Buffalo sauce is a popular choice for mac and cheese bars. You can offer bottled buffalo sauce on the side or toss chicken tenders in buffalo sauce for a heartier option. Buffalo sauce blends well with blue cheese, cayenne pepper, and garlic. For vegetarian guests, consider offering buffalo tofu, seitan, or cauliflower.
BBQ Sauce
BBQ sauce is another classic option for mac and cheese. You can provide a simple BBQ sauce on the side or offer a blend of fire-roasted chipotle pepper and BBQ flavors for a more complex taste. Pulled chicken or jackfruit with BBQ sauce is also an excellent choice for a topping.
Hot Sauce
Hot sauce adds a spicy kick to mac and cheese. Offer a variety of hot sauces with different heat levels and flavors, such as chili peppers, cayenne pepper, or jalapeños. You can also incorporate hot sauce into other toppings, like buffalo chicken or fried chicken tenders.
Curry Sauce
For a unique and flavorful option, consider a curry sauce. Coconut and curry blends can add an interesting twist to the mac and cheese. You can also explore other sauce combinations, such as sweet chilies blended with spices or a blend of hot sauce and spices.
Remember to provide a variety of toppings and sauces to cater to different tastes and dietary preferences. These sauces will surely elevate your mac and cheese bar and create a memorable dining experience for your wedding guests.
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Serving suggestions: martini glasses, mason jars, or bowls
Serving macaroni and cheese in martini glasses, mason jars, or bowls allows you to get creative with presentation and portion sizes. Martini glasses, for example, can be used to serve individual portions of mac and cheese, with various toppings, in a classy and elegant way. Mason jars, on the other hand, offer a more rustic and casual look, perfect for an outdoor wedding. They can be used to serve individual portions or as part of a build-your-own bar, where guests can fill their jars with macaroni and cheese and their choice of toppings.
Using bowls, whether disposable or regular, provides a practical option for guests to create their own unique mac and cheese combinations. Bowls allow for larger portions, which can be beneficial if macaroni and cheese are the main course. They also provide a good option for guests to mix and match toppings and create their custom combinations.
When using martini glasses or mason jars, consider the portion size and the number of toppings you plan to offer. You may want to provide smaller portions or suggest guests take a "tasting" approach when filling their glasses or jars, leaving room for various toppings.
For a more interactive and engaging experience, consider setting up a build-your-own bar with bowls or mason jars. This allows guests to get creative and customize their mac and cheese with a variety of toppings, sauces, and mix-ins. It also ensures that guests with dietary restrictions or allergies can make suitable choices.
Regardless of the serving vessel, always ensure that the macaroni and cheese is kept warm and consider providing a variety of toppings, sauces, and mix-ins to cater to different tastes and dietary needs.
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Frequently asked questions
Some topping ideas include bacon, ham, broccoli, tomatoes, cheese, cracker/bread crumbs, chicken, brisket, steak, shrimp, chives, mushrooms, hot sauce, and lobster.
You can serve mac and cheese in martini glasses, mini mason jars, or petite bowls.
It is important to consider the serving temperature as some foods are intolerant of being served lukewarm or overcooked. It is also important to ensure that your caterer has experience serving large groups.
You can make the cheese sauce without a flour roux and serve gluten-free noodles. You can also offer a lactose-free option by using rice milk and nutritional yeast in the sauce.
You can serve a salad, rolls, and a hummus platter alongside the mac and cheese bar.
