Dozens of pairing ideas for your favorite mac and cheese, all in one place!
I am a huge mac and cheese fan. From the boxed forms to all the homemade options, even regularly indulging in my favorite slow cooker mac and cheese recipe, I do not discriminate when it comes to enjoying mac and cheese. But it’s not always obvious what to serve with mac and cheese, so we rounded up our best ideas!
Mac and cheese holds its own. I often cook it instead of a hearty meat-filled dinner — it’s satiating, extremely kid-friendly, perfect for guests with a pickier palate, and easy to make.
The last time I made mac and cheese, I served cooked bacon on the side, crumbled, so my kids who wanted it could add it (and the kid who didn’t want it last time would feel heard — yeah, the whole mom thing).
Mac and cheese is popular during holidays — in fact, it’s one of our featured dishes for our best classic menu ideas for a Southern Thanksgiving. It pairs perfectly with any Christmas side dish, as well. In fact, I think it can be expected that for any big event or holiday party, mac and cheese will make an appearance for most people.
And why is it so great for anything from random Tuesday night dinner to a staple at your holiday table? Well, mac and cheese is versatile. Where I live, we have a really popular restaurant that has unique mac and cheese flavors on the menu, and the variety of add-ins would shock you! My favorite is buffalo mac and cheese, and BBQ pulled pork mac and cheese was not far behind.
All that said, there are so many ways to enjoy mac and cheese that it can sometimes be overwhelming to figure out your preference — and that’s why we’re going to help you determine what to serve with your mac and cheese.
Mac and Cheese Dinner Ideas
Here are pairing ideas for specific mac recipes!
- Roasted Poblano Mac & Cheese: This hearty mac and cheese recipe contains cooked sausage and diced Poblano peppers, making it a perfect full dinner without a need for much more. Play off the spicier kick with a side of Mexican Coleslaw or Mexican-Style Street Corn.
- Gluten-Free Beefy Mac & Cheese: This creamy and delicious macaroni and cheese recipe contains ground beef for a flavorful mix that will be a hit with any age group. Add a veggie as a side, like our toaster oven-roasted broccoli for a complete meal!
- Soul Food Mac & Cheese: Nothing pairs with this soulful recipe better than homemade fried chicken.
- Ina Garten’s Grown Up Mac & Cheese: Try this adult-friendly recipe with a hearty side of Brussels sprouts that you can whip up in the air fryer in no time.
- Instant Pot Panera Mac & Cheese: This tasty mac and cheese can be made in minutes in the Instant Pot. Pair this dish with broccoli made in the air fryer for a quick dinner on the go with minimal clean up. I just love guilt-free easy family suppers!
- Gluten-free Mac & Cheese: The perfect dish for friends or family members with gluten intolerance, this mac and cheese will make them feel like they’re not missing out on anything — which is exactly how people deserve to feel at a dinner table! Enjoy with gluten-free teriyaki chicken or gluten-free oven-fried chicken.
- 6 Cheese Mac & Cheese: Using a variety of cheeses makes for a more robust taste and texture that you’re going to love. This six-cheese mac and cheese recipe calls for ALL the flavors. Pair it with chili for something completely different.
- Velveeta Mac & Cheese: This homemade version of the popular Velveeta macaroni and cheese is flavorful and good for kids and adults alike. I suggest trying this with our super simple teriyaki meatballs recipe that kids can help you make — it’s proven that helping to make dinner reduces picky eating habits!
Our Favorite Mac and Cheese Sides
Here are some other sides we love with macaroni and cheese!
- Tumeric Roasted Cauliflower: Add some veggies and a burst of flavor to your plate with this seasoned cauliflower recipe.
- Garlic Butter Baked Mushrooms: A great appetizer or side dish for macaroni and cheese, these baked garlic butter mushrooms will hit the spot.
- Green Beans: Perfectly sweet and crunchy, fresh green beans are a perfect pairing with soft, creamy mac and cheese.
- Fried Squash: These breaded squash bites will pair well with breaded mac and cheese. Sneaking in some vitamins doesn’t hurt any, either!
- Vanilla Roasted Butternut Squash and Pecans: If fried squash isn’t your thing, try this sweet recipe with roasted squash and keep your tastebuds on their toes!
- Pretzel Dogs: Talk about kid-friendly! These bread-wrapped dogs are a perfect side dish with any mac and cheese recipe and will please the whole family.
Pairing Bacon with Mac & Cheese
Bacon – where do I begin? Salty, crispy bacon is a match made in heaven for macaroni and cheese. You could add it directly to your mac, or incorporate it into a side. Here are some bacon-based recipes to match up:
- Grilled Bacon Wrapped Shrimp: Shrimp pairs well with mac and cheese as well, making this recipe a double win.
- Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf: Meatloaf is another comfort food classic that will match the vibe of your mac and cheese.
- Bacon Wrapped Filet Mignon: The only thing better than steak is steak with bacon. Go all out with this delicious bacon-wrapped filet mignon recipe alongside your best mac and cheese.
- Bacon-Wrapped Dates: Sweet, salty, savory, and delightful, these bacon-wrapped dates are going to bring the ideal contrast.
- Bacon-Wrapped Smokies: Great as an appetizer or a small side with mac and cheese, these are perfectly delectable.
- Bacon Wrapped Stuffed Pork Tenderloin: Filling and flavorful stuffed pork tenderloin wrapped with bacon will blow your mind!
- Bacon Blue Cheese Salad: A light but savory side.
- Bacon Guacamole Chicken Bombs: I love that these combine some of my favorite flavor profiles so well- bring on the bacon and guac!
- Maple Bacon Skillet Cornbread: The perfect cornbread to bring new flavors to the table, this pairs well with macaroni and cheese and will surprise guests.
- Maple Bacon Pull-Apart Bread: Another filling bread that gives a flavorful surprise to anyone you welcome at the table.
Pairing Shrimp with Mac & Cheese
As I mentioned, another classic match for mac and cheese is shrimp. Like bacon, shrimp can be mixed directly into the macaroni and cheese or served alongside. Try one of these recipes:
- Old Bay Shrimp Boil: Make a full meal for guests and send them home with no room for dessert when you serve up a shrimp boil and mac and cheese!
- Paleo Blackened Shrimp Lettuce Wraps with Mango Salsa: Light and flavorful pairings like this shrimp lettuce wrap are a great alternative to side salads.
- Sauteed Garlic Shrimp: Shrimp with garlic is the perfect match for your pasta side.
- Cilantro Lime Grilled Shrimp: Opt for a zestier lime-based recipe with our cilantro lime shrimp.
- Gluten-Free Air Fryer Honey Garlic Shrimp: I love the air fryer for its convenience and health benefits! Whip up shrimp in minutes to pair with your mac and cheese dish.
- Grilled Summer Squash with Garlic Chili Crisp: A burst of bright, tasty veggies is the perfect side with creamy mac and cheese.
- Instant Pot Applesauce: The perfect sweet side or light dessert, homemade Instant Pot applesauce is excellent alongside mac and cheese. Try some crumbled bacon in both for variety.
- Bone-In Chuck Roast: Our best bone-in chuck roast recipe is a comfort food classic that pairs well with mac and cheese.
Dinner Ideas with Mac and Cheese as a Side
Still not sure what to serve with mac and cheese? That’s kind of hard to believe, but if you’re still feeling indecisive, here are several more choices to help you out.
- Pulled Pork: Pulled pork is the perfect tangy, zesty, flavorful main course that mac and cheese pairs perfectly with. Serve it on a sandwich, alone on the side, or stirred in!
- Instant Pot Ribs with Maple Glaze: Mac and cheese are an excellent companion to this maple-glazed rib recipe, which can be whipped up in no time in your Instant Pot.
- Grilled Chicken Drumsticks with Chili Lime: This grilled chicken recipe is flavorful and has an awesome bite, which is excellent alongside a mellow, creamy mac and cheese. Love chili lime but not in the mood for chicken? We also have the perfect flank steak recipe.
- Slow Cooker Chicken and Potatoes: Enjoy a slow cooker chicken that is moist and tender and practically makes itself while you relax and enjoy your day! Try it with our Pioneer Woman mac and cheese.
- Ham Steak: Glazed ham is a huge hit, especially for kids who gravitate toward sweeter flavors. This pairs very well with mac and cheese. Try it with our Barefoot Contessa mac and cheese recipe.
- Mac & Cheese Bites: These mac and cheese bites are perfect as a side to any dinner, as a snack, or as an appetizer. I strongly recommend them — they’re a great way to keep a kid-friendly favorite in the rotation!
- Grilled Halibut Steaks: Mac and cheese can get a bit heavy. Keep the rest of the meal on the lighter side with these flavor-filled grilled halibut steaks.
Other Cheesy Dinner Ideas You’ll Love
Energizer bunny alert — we’re still going! Looking to satisfy that craving for cheese with some other wonderful cheese-based dishes? Check out some of our top suggestions for you.
- Our Best Homemade Nacho Cheese Sauce
- Layered Ham and Cheese Potato Bake
- The Best Grilled Cheese We’ve Ever Tried
- Broccoli Cheese Balls
- Garlic Cheese Bombs
- Loaded Cheese Stuffed Mashed Potato Balls
- The Most Amazing Roasted Tomato Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
- No-Knead Cheese Bread
Other Meal Pairing Recommendations
Stumped about what else you can serve for dinner when you’re craving something other than macaroni and cheese? Here are some of our favorite compilations of main dishes with complete side dish suggestions.
What to serve with…
