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    Home » Side dishes

    19 Ideas For What to Eat with Mac and Cheese

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on September 24, 2023, updated May 10, 2024 - Leave a Comment

    A collage showing a variety of dishes to eat with mac and cheese.

    If you're wondering what to eat with mac and cheese, this post is for you. We scoured the internet so you don't have to and gathered up the 19 best easy recipes to serve with mac and cheese. From fresh vegetable sides to flavor-packed mains, this collection has something for every taste.

    A collage showing a variety of dishes to eat with mac and cheese.
    Jump to:
    • Buffalo Chicken Ranch Sandwiches
    • Swedish Meatballs
    • Ranch Coleslaw
    • Buffalo Wings
    • Lamb Meatballs
    • Mexican Chicken
    • Honey Chipotle Ribs
    • Beef Kabobs
    • Crispy Chicken Tenders
    • Lemon Basil Chicken
    • Meatloaf
    • Lemony Arugula Salad
    • Garlic Roasted Broccoli
    • Brown Sugar Baked Beans
    • Brussels Sprouts with Bacon
    • Caulislaw
    • Air Fryer Green Beans
    • Mango Cucumber Salad
    • Green Bean Casserole
    • Fall Harvest Salad
    • Reviews

    We all love mac and cheese, but I, for one, have sometimes found myself craving some cheesy pasta and not knowing what to eat with it. Of course, you can always enjoy mac and cheese on its own - but it's even better with a nice main dish or a few mac and cheese sides.

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    Here we collected 20 exciting ideas for what to eat with mac and cheese - some are traditional, and others less so. There's meat, there's bread, and there's veggies.

    What they all have in common, though, is that they will pair perfectly with your macaroni and cheese recipes and allow you to enjoy your meal in full.

    Buffalo Chicken Ranch Sandwiches

    A buffalo chicken ranch sandwich.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd / alwaysusebutter.com.

    Make homemade buffalo chicken ranch sandwiches in just 30 minutes, for a deliciously spicy treat. Follow the super simple process with a few store-bought ingredients for maximum ease, and enjoy a feast in no time.

    Get the recipe: Buffalo Chicken Ranch Sandwich.

    Swedish Meatballs

    Meatballs without Breadcrumbs and Eggs
    Photo Credit: always use butter.

    You won't believe how amazing these meatballs, made entirely without breadcrumbs and eggs, truly are! They're a breeze to whip up and ready in under an hour, with three cooking methods to choose from: stove-top, air fryer, or oven. What's the outcome? Meatballs that are incredibly juicy, bursting with flavor, and perfectly tender.

    Get the recipe: Meatballs without Breadcrumbs & Eggs

    Ranch Coleslaw

    Ranch coleslaw.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd / alwaysusebutter.com.

    With store-bought mayonnaise & ranch dressing this slaw couldn't be easier to make - or more loaded with flavor!

    Get the recipe: Ranch Coleslaw.

    Buffalo Wings

    Buffalo wings with sauce.
    Photo credit: Foodess.

    You're in for a treat with this amazing homemade buffalo wing recipe! These wings are baked in the oven until perfectly crispy, then coated in a mouthwatering homemade buffalo wing sauce and paired with a tangy, made-from-scratch blue cheese dressing. It's the ultimate wing experience!

    Get the recipe: Buffalo Wings

    Lamb Meatballs

    Lamb Meatballs with Cilantro & Lemon
    Photo credit: always use butter

    Whipping up these lemon & cilantro lamb meatballs is a breeze, and they're packed with fantastic flavors. The lighter, lemony, flavors of these meatballs pair so well with mac and cheese and help lighten up your meal.

    Get the recipe: Lamb Meatballs with Cilantro & Lemon

    Mexican Chicken

    Air fryer chicken legs.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Elevate your dinner with this zesty Mexican Chicken recipe—it's quick, bursting with flavor, and guaranteed to turn ordinary chicken into a tender, flavor-packed fiesta of taste, thanks to vibrant spices and tangy citrus. A perfect main course for your mac and cheese!

    Get the recipe: Mexican Chicken Marinade

    Honey Chipotle Ribs

    Ribs on a serving plate.
    Photo credit: A Farmgirl's Kitchen.

    Making these fall-off the bone tender BBQ ribs is a breeze, and all done with just a handful of basic ingredients. A delicious honey chipotle barbecue sauce takes them to the next level, so get ready for a flavor explosion!

    Get the recipe: Honey Chipotle Ribs

    Beef Kabobs

    Beef kabobs.
    Photo credit: Jack Slobodian.

    Create these irresistible oven-baked beef kabobs in the cozy confines of your kitchen! They're ready in under 30 minutes and make for a hearty, family-friendly dish that's sure to be a hit.

    Get the recipe: Beef Kabobs

    Crispy Chicken Tenders

    A baked chicken tender being dipped in red sauce.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Prepare the most delicious chicken tenders in just 25 minutes using simple ingredients and lightly seasoned with salt and black pepper. These tenders are a healthier alternative to fried versions, as they're made without oil and dairy products. They're all set for dipping in your favorite sauce and will prove a great main for your mac and cheese.

    Get the recipe: Oven Baked Chicken Tenders

    Lemon Basil Chicken

    Grilled lemon chicken.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Create the ultimate lemon chicken marinade in just a few minutes using straightforward and wholesome ingredients. Whether you're grilling, pan frying, or oven baking, this marinade, enriched with olive oil, lemon, and basil, will infuse your chicken with incredible juiciness, tenderness, and an abundance of flavor.

    Get the recipe: Lemon Chicken Marinade

    Meatloaf

    Get ready for a meatloaf recipe like no other, featuring a sticky, caramelized topping that's pure comfort food. It's moist and tender without falling apart, making this the ultimate meatloaf you'll ever try!

    Get the recipe: Meatloaf

    Lemony Arugula Salad

    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Meet the ideal sidekick for your mac and cheese: a simple salad. Bursting with flavors from sun-dried tomatoes and a honey lemon vinaigrette, it's a delightful blend of sweetness, sourness, saltiness, and a peppery kick from the arugula. Best of all, it's ready in just 5 minutes!

    Get the recipe: Simple Arugula Salad

    Garlic Roasted Broccoli

    Garlic roasted brococli.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Prepare to fall in love with your new go-to side dish: Garlic Roasted Broccoli, boasting a perfect crispy texture and irresistible flavor. It's not only healthy but also vegan-friendly, and the best part? It's ready in just 25 minutes with minimal prep.

    Get the recipe: Garlic Roasted Broccoli

    Brown Sugar Baked Beans

    A bowl of baked beans.
    Photo credit: Inquiring Chef.

    Whipping up these slow-cooker brown sugar baked beans is a breeze. Simply toss a bunch of fantastic ingredients into the slow cooker, and after a few hours, your home will be filled with an irresistibly tempting aroma. Plus, you'll have plenty of these beans to satisfy a hungry crowd. The brown sugar adds sweetness, and guess what the secret ingredient is for that incredible savory flavor? Short ribs!

    Get the recipe: Brown Sugar Baked Beans

    Brussels Sprouts with Bacon

    brussel sprouts with bacon.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Prepare to savor these quick and flavorful Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts with Bacon, ready in just 20 minutes. They offer a delightful combination of salty, crunchy, and sweet, with a touch of balsamic vinegar to add a hint of acidity.

    Get the recipe: Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts with Bacon

    Caulislaw

    Caulislaw - Raw Cauliflower Salad
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Introducing "Caulislaw," a blend of cauliflower, carrots, and red onions dressed in a perfectly balanced mayonnaise dressing. It's quick, healthy, and low in carbs, making it a versatile choice you'll keep coming back to again and again!

    Get the recipe: Caulislaw - Raw Cauliflower Salad [Coleslaw Style]

    Air Fryer Green Beans

    Green beans in a bowl.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    With minimal prep and just 4 minutes of cooking time, you can whip up the finest green beans in your air fryer, straight from frozen! They're as convenient as steamed and make for an excellent and effortless side dish for mac and cheese.

    Get the recipe: Air Fryer Frozen Green Beans

    Mango Cucumber Salad

    Mango salad.
    Photo credit: Greedy Girl Gourmet.

    You might not think to pair an Asian-inspied salad like this with your mac and cheese, but that's all about to change! This Mango Cucumber Saladis all about light and refreshing tropical goodness, which pairs amazingly with a starchy mac and cheese. It's also a breeze to whip up, offering the perfect blend of sweet, savory, and crunchy.

    Get the recipe: Mango Cucumber Salad

    Green Bean Casserole

    A green bean casserole.
    Photo credit: Everyday Delicious.

    Behold the ultimate green bean casserole recipe, created entirely from scratch! Fresh green beans with a delightful crunch, a flavorful mushroom sauce featuring bacon (that's easy to make!), all crowned with sharp cheddar cheese and homemade fried onions.

    Get the recipe: Green Bean Casserole

    Fall Harvest Salad

    A fall salad.
    Photo credit: Dana's Table.

    Celebrate the flavors of fall with this vibrant fall harvest salad! Crisp apples, juicy pomegranates, pecans, avocado, and goat cheese come together topped with a white balsamic vinaigrette. This salad offers a delightful mix of crunchiness, creaminess, sweetness, and savory notes.

    Get the recipe: Fall Harvest Salad

    Which recipe are you most excited to try? Let me know in the comments below and share what you're making on Instagram with the tag #alwaysusebutter!

    More Side Dish Recipes

    • Buffalo mac and cheese.
      Buffalo Mac and Cheese
    • Sour cream mashed potatoes.
      Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes
    • Gorgonzola mac and cheese.
      Gorgonzola Mac and Cheese (Dump-and-Bake!)
    • Ranch coleslaw.
      Ranch Coleslaw

    About Emmeline Kemperyd

    Emmeline Kemperyd is a writer, food blogger, recipe creator and food photographer and the founder of alwaysusebutter.com. She has more than 20 years of experience creating and simplifying recipes so they taste good, and are quick, easy, and approachable. She is a regular contributor to MSN  and her work has been featured by The Guardian, Well+Good, Vulture, SheKnows, Good Men Project, Daily Kos, The Grio, The Asian Parent, and The Feed Feed, among others.

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