What to Eat With Mac and Cheese?

Main Bird
February 15, 2023
Food

Mac and cheese — the ultimate comfort food. Whether you’ve made it from scratch, cooked it from a box, or ordered from your favorite restaurant, there’s no denying that mac and cheese is superior among cheesy, gooey dishes.

However, mac and cheese isn’t a full meal without its sides. How can you tell which sides go with mac and cheese the best? In this article, we’ve compiled 15 of the greatest and most popular side dishes to pair with your favorite mac and cheese.

Why you should serve side dishes with mac and cheese

No matter how delicious mac and cheese is, it’s not really a complete meal without its sides. Here’s why you should not forget to serve your mac and cheese with side dishes:

It makes a full meal.
Side dishes compliment the rich and creamy flavors of mac and cheese.
It creates a nice contrast in plating.
It adds flavors and nutrients to the meal.

15 Great side dishes to go with mac and cheese

From simple vegetables and fruits to exquisite dishes, mac and cheese go well with almost everything. Here are the top 15 side dishes we think you should try with your mac and cheese:

1. Roasted Broccoli

Roasted broccoli is a classic side dish to mac and cheese. Not only does roasted broccoli add depth and texture to the meal, but it also adds nutrients your typical mac and cheese lacks. It’s also a great way to sneak in vegetables into your comfort meal. (Slathering cheese all over your vegetables definitely helps!)

2. Caesar Salad

A tangy dressing and crunchy greens perfectly complement the creamy mac and cheese. This is why caesar salads remain to be a classic pair to everyone’s favorite cheesy dish.

3. Candied Sweet Potatoes

Add a little sweetness and fluff to a rich, savory dish. Candied sweet potatoes are not just for Thanksgiving dinners. They are also a perfect match to the classic mac and cheese all year round. Not to mention, they’re quite popular among kids.

4. Fried Green Tomatoes

Tangy with a little crunch, fried green tomatoes are also a great side dish that goes well with mac and cheese. It reminds us of summer, and the added texture creates a new dimension to the traditional mac and cheese.

5. Baked Beans

Some mix their mac and cheese with baked beans, but baked beans are already perfect, separate as a side dish to the classic cheesy favorite. It’s sweet, filling, and a little bit earthy — a great accompaniment to the rich and savory dish.

6. Coleslaw

The tangy, creamy, and crunchy side dish perfectly cuts through the rich, cheesy flavors of the classic mac and cheese. It’s also an incredibly simple dish to prepare.

7. Garlic Bread

Garlic bread is an ideal side dish to many dishes including soup, pasta, and our favorite mac and cheese. It’s delicious on its own, yet it enhances the main dish and it brings out its rich flavors without tiring your palate.

8. Mashed Potatoes

Mashed potatoes are a very popular side dish. It basically goes well with everything, even mac and cheese. The creamy, soft, and delectable side dish adds a layer to the rich flavors of mac and cheese while enhancing its creaminess.

9. Onion Rings

Onion rings is also a popular side dish that goes well with everything, including your mac and cheese. They’re mildly sweet and the fried goodness cuts through the creamy textures and flavors of the cheesy dish.

10. Chicken Wings

What better way to enjoy a comfort dish with another crowd favorite — chicken wings! Chicken wings are a popular mac and cheese pair for a reason. The kick in the wings cuts through the richness of the cheese and enhances the flavors with a little salty and savory goodness. For an extra kick, enjoy your mac and cheese with some Nashville hot chicken.

11. BBQ

Like the chicken wings, BBQ adds more depth to the classic mac and cheese. Its smoky flavor complements the creamy flavors, both dishes make a lip-smacking full meal.

12. Fruit Salad

If you’re looking for a refreshing side dish to your mac and cheese, try some fruit salad. Fruit salads are sweet, crunchy, and light — something special for summer meals where you may be looking for something fun and equally flavorful. Don’t forget to add your favorite dressing to add a little tang.

13. Grilled meats

Grilled meats go perfectly well with mac and cheese. They complete the meal and create the perfect comfort combo. Add more grilled vegetables to the ensemble and you’d have an amazing meal you can boast about for days.

14. Cornbread

Cornbread is a light and crumbly bread that matches the rich and creamy flavors of mac and cheese perfectly. They’re a little bit on the sweeter side, making it a fun addition to the meal.

15. Little Smokies

Little smokies are tiny pre-cooked sausages that also go well with mac and cheese. They’re very easy to prepare and a popular side dish among kids because they’re smoky, fun, and full of flavor.

Where can I buy mac and cheese?

Mac and cheese is, perhaps, one of the most popular dishes in the United States. They’re a classic favorite and can be found almost everywhere. Developed over time, they also come in many variations and restaurants continue to innovate to make the classic mac and cheese experience more enjoyable. Whether paired with vegetables or hot chicken wings, mac and cheese can be enjoyed in different ways and in many fun places. In Texas, you can grab mac and cheese from Main Bird, where you can pair it with the well-loved Nashville hot chicken and fries.

Enhance your mac and cheese experience with fun sides

One of the best things about mac and cheese is that you never really get tired of it when you pair it with different dishes or eat it with different kinds of sides.

Mac and cheese is popular and a classic for a reason. No matter what you eat it with, its rich, cheesy, and gooey goodness just wins you over.

If you’re looking for the best food to eat with your classic mac and cheese in Houston, Main Bird is your main place. We spice up the mac and cheese experience with some hearty and spicy, halal Nashville hot chicken, so you keep coming back for more.

Last updated on February 21, 2023