✔ Updated · 35 ideas: mains, veggies, salads, bread + kid-friendly picks
Mac and cheese is rich, creamy and gooey, so the best partners bring smoke, crunch or something fresh and tangy. Here are 35 ideas, whether it's the main event or the side.
Serve mac and cheese with a smoky or crispy protein such as BBQ ribs, pulled pork, fried chicken, meatloaf or sloppy joes, plus a green vegetable like roasted broccoli, green beans or Brussels sprouts. A tangy side such as coleslaw, a crisp salad or pickles cuts through the richness. If mac and cheese is the main, one vegetable and one salad is plenty.
- BBQ night: ribs, pulled pork or brisket with coleslaw and corn
- Weeknight: meatloaf or grilled chicken with roasted broccoli
- Kid-friendly: hot dogs, chicken tenders, little smokies and fruit kabobs
- Lighter: green beans, a big green salad or tomato salad
How to Choose a Side for Mac and Cheese
Mac and cheese is already starchy and rich, so skip more pasta, potatoes or creamy dishes. Instead go for contrast: smoky meat, something green, or something sharp and vinegary.
If it's your side dish, pair it with a big protein like ribs or fried chicken. If it's the main, add one vegetable and one fresh salad, and dinner is done.
Meat Mains That Love Mac and Cheese
1. BBQ Ribs
Sticky, smoky ribs and creamy mac are a classic Southern combo. The sweet glaze and cheese are made for each other.
Get the recipe →2. Pulled Pork
Tender, tangy pulled pork piled next to mac and cheese, or right on top of it. Pure BBQ joint vibes.
Get the recipe →3. Southern Fried Chicken
Crispy, crunchy fried chicken with creamy mac is Sunday dinner heaven. Cook chicken to 165°F.
Get the recipe →
4. Meatloaf
A slice of glazed meatloaf next to cheesy pasta is old-school comfort food at its best.
Get the recipe →5. Sloppy Joes
Saucy, sweet sloppy joes on soft buns make an all-American, kid-approved plate with mac on the side.
Get the recipe →6. Smoked Brisket
Slices of smoky, peppery brisket and a scoop of baked mac. Add pickles and slaw for a full BBQ plate.
Get the recipe →7. Grilled Chicken
Simply seasoned grilled chicken breast turns mac and cheese into a balanced meal. Keep the seasoning light.
8. Steak
A seared steak with a side of mac and cheese feels like a steakhouse dinner at home.
Get the recipe →
9. Meatballs
Saucy meatballs and creamy mac for dunking and swirling. Kids go wild for this one.
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10. Chili
Spoon chili over mac and cheese for chili mac, or serve them side by side. Hearty, cozy and perfect for game day.
Get the recipe →11. Baked Ham
Holiday ham with a honey glaze plus mac and cheese is a Southern holiday table classic.
12. Pork Chops
Pan-seared or grilled pork chops with a crisp crust are a quick weeknight partner for creamy pasta.
Get the recipe →13. Buffalo Chicken Wings
Hot, tangy wings cut right through the cheese. Add celery and ranch for a game-day spread.
Get the recipe →
14. Crispy Bacon
Crumble crispy bacon over the top or serve strips on the side. Salty, smoky and hard to resist.
15. Stuffed Chicken Breast
Chicken breast stuffed with garlic herb cheese is a dinner-party upgrade for a homemade mac.
Get the recipe →Kid-Friendly Sides
16. Hot Dogs
Hot dogs and mac and cheese are a childhood favorite for a reason. Bake or air fry them for easy cleanup.
Get the recipe →
17. Little Smokies
Mini sausages simmered in a sweet BBQ sauce. Great on toothpicks next to a big pan of mac.
18. Pigs in Blankets
Little sausages wrapped in flaky dough and baked golden. Made for parties and picky eaters alike.
Get the recipe →19. Chicken Tenders
Crunchy chicken tenders with honey mustard or ketchup. Dip them right into the cheese sauce, why not.
Get the recipe →20. Fruit Kabobs
Strawberries, grapes, pineapple and melon on skewers. Bright, sweet and a fun way to get fruit on the plate.
Vegetable Sides
21. Roasted Broccoli
Broccoli roasted at 425°F until the edges get crispy and charred. Add lemon zest to brighten it up.
22. Garlic Green Beans
Crisp-tender green beans sautéed with garlic and butter. Fresh and snappy against creamy pasta.
Get the recipe →
23. Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Halved sprouts roasted until caramelized, then tossed with balsamic. Add bacon bits if you're feeling fancy.
24. Roasted Vegetables
Peppers, zucchini, red onion and carrots roasted with olive oil and herbs. Colorful and easy to make ahead.
25. Corn on the Cob
Sweet buttered corn is a BBQ must. Grill it for smoky char or boil it for 5 minutes.
Get the recipe →26. Collard Greens
Slow-simmered collards with onion and a splash of vinegar. A soul food classic next to baked mac.
27. Stewed Tomatoes or Roasted Tomatoes
Juicy, tangy tomatoes cut the cheese beautifully. Roast cherry tomatoes with garlic until they burst.
28. Steamed Peas With Mint
Sweet peas tossed with butter and fresh mint. Quick, bright and loved by kids.
Salads and Tangy Sides
29. Creamy Coleslaw
Crunchy cabbage in a tangy dressing is the perfect cool, crisp partner for baked mac and cheese.
Get the recipe →30. Broccoli Salad
Raw broccoli, red onion, raisins and bacon in a sweet, tangy dressing. Crunchy and great for potlucks.
31. Simple Green Salad
Crisp lettuce, cucumber and a sharp vinaigrette. The easiest way to lighten up a cheesy dinner.
32. Tomato Cucumber Salad
Chopped tomato, cucumber and red onion with vinegar and herbs. Fresh, juicy and ready in 5 minutes.
33. Pickles
Dill pickles or quick-pickled red onions bring a sharp, salty bite that cuts right through the cheese.
Breads
34. Garlic Bread
Crunchy, buttery garlic bread for scooping up every last cheesy bite. Toast it until really crisp.
35. Crazy Bread
Soft breadsticks brushed with garlic butter and Parmesan. A copycat favorite that disappears fast.
Get the recipe →
Mac and Cheese Menus
| Occasion | Pair mac and cheese with | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| Backyard BBQ | Ribs or pulled pork, coleslaw, corn on the cob | Smoke, sweetness and crunch balance the cheese |
| Sunday dinner | Fried chicken, collard greens, biscuits | A classic Southern spread |
| Weeknight | Grilled chicken or meatloaf, roasted broccoli | Protein plus a green, done in under an hour |
| Kids' party | Hot dogs, pigs in blankets, fruit kabobs | Finger food that kids actually eat |
| Holiday table | Glazed ham, green beans, tomato salad | Rich mains need bright, tangy sides |
Tips for Serving Mac and Cheese
- Add acid. A tangy slaw, pickles or vinaigrette keeps the whole plate from feeling heavy. It's my number one trick.
- Mind the portion. As a side, about 3/4 cup per person is plenty; as a main, plan on 1 1/2 cups.
- Keep it creamy. Bake until just bubbling, then rest 5 minutes so the sauce thickens but stays gooey.
- Leftovers: refrigerate within 2 hours and reheat with a splash of milk until hot, 165°F.
More Mac and Cheese Recipes
Need the mac itself? Try our copycat Cracker Barrel mac and cheese or Panera mac and cheese, or learn the best way of reheating mac and cheese.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best sides for mac and cheese?
The best sides for mac and cheese are BBQ ribs, pulled pork, fried chicken and meatloaf for protein, plus roasted broccoli, green beans or Brussels sprouts for something green. Coleslaw, a crisp salad or pickles add tang that balances the rich cheese sauce.
What meat goes with mac and cheese?
Almost any meat works, but smoky and crispy meats are best: BBQ ribs, pulled pork, brisket, fried chicken, meatloaf, ham, bacon and grilled sausages. For a lighter meal, try grilled chicken. For kids, hot dogs, chicken tenders and little smokies are always a hit.
What vegetable goes best with mac and cheese?
Broccoli is the classic, roasted until crispy or stirred right into the pasta. Green beans, Brussels sprouts, peas, collard greens and roasted tomatoes also work well, because their freshness or slight bitterness cuts through the creamy cheese.
What can I serve with mac and cheese for a party?
For a party, serve a big pan of baked mac and cheese with pulled pork sliders, BBQ wings or little smokies, plus coleslaw, a green salad and corn on the cob. Everything holds well on a buffet and is easy for guests to grab.
Is mac and cheese a main or a side dish?
It can be both. In the South, baked mac and cheese is a classic side for BBQ, fried chicken and holiday ham. As a main, serve about 1 1/2 cups per person with a vegetable and a salad, or stir in cooked chicken, bacon or broccoli.
