Kamil Perry
Mac and cheese is a versatile dish that can be served as a side or main course. When served as a side, it pairs well with meats such as chicken, brisket, or BBQ ribs. As a main course, it can be accompanied by vegetable side dishes such as steamed or roasted broccoli, spinach, carrots, green beans, or a simple salad. For those who enjoy a contrast of flavours and textures, crispy sweet potato fries or pickled shallots can be served alongside. Mac and cheese can also be enhanced by adding ingredients such as bacon, sausages, shrimp, jalapeños, or different cheeses. For a heartier meal, it can be combined with pulled pork, sliced hot dogs, or baked beans.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Meat | Pulled pork, brisket, steak, chicken, sausages, hot dogs, kielbasa, fried baloney, meatballs |
| Vegetables | Broccoli, spinach, peas, green beans, carrots, cabbage, brussels sprouts, kale, asparagus, sweet potato fries |
| Salads | Simple green salad, kale caesar salad, slaw, bagged salad, couscous salad |
| Breads | Cornbread, pull-apart bread, buns |
| Seafood | Shrimp |
| Condiments | Hot sauce, tomato sauce, parmesan cheese |
| Other | Baked beans, pickled shallots, tomato soup, grilled cheese sandwich, buffalo sauce |
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What You'll Learn
Meat, such as pulled pork, brisket, or chicken
Mac and cheese is a versatile dish that can be paired with various meats, such as pulled pork, brisket, or chicken. Here are some ideas for incorporating these proteins into your mac and cheese creation:
Pulled Pork Mac and Cheese
This combination is a fun and easy weeknight meal for the whole family. You can use leftover pulled pork or buy pre-made pulled pork from the store. Start by cooking your favourite pasta in boiling salted water until al dente. Reserve some of the pasta water, then strain and rinse the pasta with cold water to prevent overcooking. In a separate pot, melt butter and blend in flour, cooking until it forms a roux. Turn off the heat and gradually whisk in shredded cheddar and gouda cheese. Add the cooked pasta to the pot and stir until well mixed. If you prefer a thinner consistency, stir in some of the reserved pasta water. Top with warmed pulled pork and barbecue sauce, and serve!
Brisket Mac and Cheese
Brisket mac and cheese is a crowd-pleaser and a great way to use leftover brisket. This dish combines the comfort of mac and cheese with the smoky flavour of barbecue. You can use smoked brisket or leftover brisket from a slow cooker or oven. Prepare a creamy cheese sauce with smoked cheddar and gouda, layering it with tender pasta. Chopped brisket is then stirred into the cheesy pasta, creating a decadent and meaty dish. For an extra crispy texture, top the mac and cheese with panko crumbs before baking.
Chicken Mac and Cheese
Chicken and cheese are a classic comfort food combination. This dish can be made with leftover chicken, rotisserie chicken, or poached chicken breasts. Start by boiling salted water and cooking your chosen pasta until al dente. Drain and rinse the pasta, then set it aside. In a separate pot, melt butter and cook chopped onions until translucent. Add garlic and flour, stirring to create a flavourful base. Once the cheese is melted, stir in the cooked pasta and chicken. Season with salt and pepper to taste. For an extra crispy element, top the chicken mac and cheese with breadcrumbs before serving.
These recipes offer a delicious and hearty option for those looking to include meat in their mac and cheese. Whether it's pulled pork, brisket, or chicken, each protein adds a unique flavour and texture that complements the creamy cheesiness of the mac and cheese.
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Salads, like kale Caesar or simple vegetable salads
Salads are a great side dish to serve with mac and cheese. They can be as simple as carrot sticks or bagged salads, or you can make a more complex salad, such as a kale Caesar or a vegetable salad.
A kale Caesar salad is a delicious and healthy option that can be served as a side dish or a main course. To make this salad, you will need kale, extra-virgin olive oil, romaine lettuce, croutons, and shaved Parmesan cheese. You can make the croutons by pulsing torn bread in a food processor to create small, crunchy croutons. Massage the olive oil into the kale to soften the leaves, then add the romaine and toss. Drizzle with your desired dressing and toss again. Transfer to a serving bowl and top with the croutons and Parmesan.
For a classic Caesar salad dressing, you can use egg yolks, anchovies, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, Dijon mustard, and Parmesan cheese. However, if you're looking for a vegetarian or easier-to-make option, you can try a Greek yogurt or vegan cashew base instead. Both alternatives are creamy and tangy, with lemon juice, mustard, and capers providing a briny flavor.
A vegetable salad is another excellent side dish option to serve with mac and cheese. You can use a variety of fresh vegetables, such as carrots, onions, cucumber, tomatoes, beetroot, zucchini, and green chillies. You can also add slightly sauteed spinach or methi leaves. For crunch, add seeds and nuts, and dress the salad with lemon juice or vinegar, oil, salt, herbs, and spices to taste.
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Breads, including cornbread and pull-apart bread
Mac and cheese is a versatile dish that can be served with a variety of breads, including cornbread and pull-apart bread. Here are some ideas to elevate your mac and cheese experience:
Cornbread
Cornbread is a traditional side dish that pairs perfectly with mac and cheese. You can serve them side by side, or, for a more creative approach, try a baked mac and cheese with a cornbread crust or topping. This combination adds a delicious crunch and a slight hint of sweetness to the creamy mac and cheese. You can use cornbread crumbs or even crumble up pre-made cornbread to sprinkle on top of your mac and cheese before baking. This unique twist on a classic dish is sure to impress and satisfy.
Pull-Apart Bread
Pull-apart bread is a fun and interactive option to serve alongside mac and cheese. This type of bread is cut into a diamond pattern, creating bite-sized pieces that can be easily pulled apart. Fill the crevices with melted cheese, such as mozzarella, cheddar, or a combination of both, for an extra cheesy experience. You can also spread pesto or garlic butter in the cracks for added flavour. This bread is not only delicious but also visually appealing, making it a great choice for gatherings or holiday appetizers.
Whether you choose cornbread or pull-apart bread, these options will enhance your mac and cheese dining experience and provide a satisfying contrast in textures and flavours.
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Vegetables, like broccoli, carrots, or green beans
Mac and cheese is a versatile dish that can be served with a variety of vegetables, including broccoli, carrots, or green beans. Here are some ideas for serving mac and cheese with these vegetables:
Broccoli
Broccoli is a popular choice to serve with mac and cheese. You can roast it or steam it, or even add it directly to the mac and cheese. If you want to get a little more creative, you can try broccolini, which is even easier to prepare and can be eaten with your fingers. You can also make a simple side dish of sautéed broccoli rabe by quickly blanching the greens to reduce bitterness.
Carrots
Carrot sticks are a quick and easy side dish to serve with mac and cheese. You can also add shredded carrots to a salad. If you're feeling creative, you can try making maple bacon skillet cornbread, which brings a surprising new flavour to the table and pairs well with mac and cheese.
Green Beans
Green beans are another classic side dish for mac and cheese. You can keep them tender, bright green, and slightly crisp. Serve them steamed or sautéed. For a fancier presentation, combine them with sliced almonds and buttery shallots for a quick and easy side dish.
Salads
A crisp salad is a great way to balance out the richness of mac and cheese. You can keep it simple with a basic garden salad or get creative with different ingredients. Try adding cucumbers, red onions, tomatoes, and shredded carrots. You can also make a kale Caesar salad or a Brussels sprout Caesar salad, which has a tangy dressing and a crunchy texture that pairs well with the creaminess of the mac and cheese.
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Seafood, such as shrimp or bacon
Mac and cheese is a versatile dish that can be served with a variety of sides, including seafood such as shrimp or bacon. Here are some ideas for serving mac and cheese with these two ingredients:
Shrimp
Shrimp is a classic pairing with mac and cheese and can be served in a variety of ways. You can mix the shrimp directly into the mac and cheese or serve it on the side. For a full meal, you can try a shrimp boil with mac and cheese, or for something lighter, go for a shrimp lettuce wrap with mango salsa. Sauteed garlic shrimp or cilantro lime grilled shrimp are also perfect matches for the pasta side.
Bacon
Bacon is another popular choice to serve with mac and cheese. It can be crumbled and served on the side, allowing those who want it to mix it into their mac and cheese. Bacon also pairs well with mac and cheese in bread form, such as maple bacon skillet cornbread or maple bacon pull-apart bread.
Combining Shrimp and Bacon
Both shrimp and bacon can be mixed into mac and cheese, providing a savory and flavorful combination. Additionally, a side salad with bacon and garlic dressing can complement the mac and cheese, with the option to top it with shrimp for added protein.
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Frequently asked questions
Simple vegetable side dishes like carrots, green beans, or broccoli are classic options. You can also serve carrot sticks, bagged salad, or a simple plate of steamed or sauteed green beans.
Mac and cheese can be served as a side dish with meats like chicken, brisket, steak, or BBQ ribs. It also goes well with pulled pork, sausages, or shrimp.
Some less conventional sides to serve with mac and cheese include tandoori chicken, buffalo wings, sweet potato fries, and baked beans.
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