Wondering what to serve with mac and cheese? We’ve got you covered!
Here you’ll find plenty of delicious options that will take your meal to the next level. From salads and vegetables to meat main dishes, there are tons of tasty additions to your favorite comfort food.
Whether you’re going all out with some homemade mac, or just whipping up some boxed stuff, you’re sure to find the perfect side for mac and cheese here!
What to Serve with Mac and Cheese
1. BBQ Ribs
These Oven Baked Ribs are the BEST, hands down! They cook low and slow, until the meat is so tender that teeth are totally optional.
It’s so simple to cook perfect baby back ribs, just a few minutes of hands on time, then your oven does the work.
They’re the perfect pairing with mac and cheese!
2. Chicken Fried Steak
This chicken fried is super crispy fried cubed steak served with a delicious white country gravy. Southern comfort food at it’s best!
3. Skillet Pork Chops
These easy Cast Iron Skillet Pork Chops are marinated in a beautiful herb marinade, then seared to juicy and tender perfection.
They’re an easy weeknight dinner that can also impress guests, plus they go with a huge variety of different sides.
Forget the oven, forget the grill, if you want your chops cooked perfectly every time, cast iron is the only way to go!
4. Ground Turkey Chili
Ground Turkey Chili – When the temperatures start to dip, sometimes there’s nothing like a warm bowl of chili, loaded with your favorite toppings.
This lightened up version subs out the usual red meat in favor of ground turkey, and trust me, it’s just as delicious and satisfying.
Today, we’re using our favorite kitchen gadget, the slow cooker, but you can also make this cozy bowl on stovetop.
5. Wedge Salad
This Wedge Salad recipe is a real classic, and for good reason!
Bright, crispy lettuce, homemade blue cheese dressing, sweet cherry tomatoes, and don’t you dare forget the bacon!
It’s the perfect side dish for a huge variety of mains, and it’s one of the easiest salads you’ll ever make.
6. Baked BBQ Chicken
This easy Baked BBQ Chicken is perfectly tender and juicy, with a sticky sweet barbecue glaze that you won’t be able to get enough of.
You’re going to love the ease of this recipe, which is a great weeknight dinner option to feed your hungry crowd.
There’s no need to fire up the grill, this recipe will satisfy those BBQ chicken cravings every time!
7. Shish Kabob
Summer’s coming on fast, so fire up that grill. This easy Shish Kabob recipe is going to be the star of your cookout season!
Well marinated beef cubes get skewered up with veggies and then grilled to juicy perfection. Ideal potluck contender? You bet!
These nearly effortless beef kabobs are a must for anyone aspiring to the title of “grill master”. Now’s your chance to join the ranks…
8. Fried Green Tomatoes
If you’re from the South, these Fried Green Tomatoes are a must in the summertime!
Well seasoned and super crispy on the outside, with a tender and succulent inside, they’re perfect as an appetizer or side dish, or even just an anytime snack.
Fried Green Tomatoes isn’t just the name of a movie from the early 90’s, they’re one addictive treat that you just have to try!
9. Baked Sockeye Salmon
This easy Baked Sockeye Salmon recipe is perfect for a quick and easy dinner, or company meal!
It’s brushed with a honey mustard glaze that perfectly compliments the natural flavor of the fish, then baked in foil to keep the flesh moist, and for easy cleanup.
But you better hurry, sockeye season doesn’t last long!
10. Mediterranean Zucchini Boats
Feast your eyes! This is Squash Satisfaction…
These zucchini boats are the perfect low carb vehicles for any of your favorite protein stuffing. What if it has Mediterranean vibes? Today we are going light, fresh and flavorful.
Healthy can be stunning and gorgeous, just take a look at my platter…
11. Brunswick Stew
This hearty southern Brunswick stew is perfect for chilly nights. If you love barbecue flavors, this is sure to become one of your new favorites. It’s loaded with smoked meats, veggies and great seasonings. And best of all, it’s super easy. Only a few minutes of hands on time is all it takes.
12. Succotash
Sufferin’ succotash! This classic American side dish goes back centuries. The main ingredients are corn kernels and lima beans, but regional variations include other vegetables and meats such as bacon or corned beef.
13. Oven Fried Chicken
Toss out that box of Shake & Bake, this easy Oven Fried Chicken recipe is the best yet!
Succulent, tender chicken is coated in a perfectly seasoned panko coating, and then baked to crispy perfection. Yes, crispy!
If you crave fried chicken without all the grease and mess, our finger lickin’ recipe is just what you need!
14. Salmon Burgers
This easy Salmon Burgers recipe is a winner! These burgers are not only healthy, but they’re also unbelievably delicious.
They’re great for a weeknight dinner, or to impress guests. And you can easily prep them ahead of time, so all they need is a quick sear or grill and dinner is on the table in no time.
15. Baked Italian Meatballs
How about some classic comfort food tonight? These Italian Baked Meatballs are just that!
Tender, perfectly seasoned meatballs are drenched in a simple homemade marinara sauce, and then baked to succulent perfection.
Serve them with your favorite pasta or some crusty bread, and you’ve got a dinner that will be loved by all.
16. Grilled Zucchini
It’s summer, that means it’s time to fire up the grill. And have we found the perfect side dish for the season, Grilled Zucchini!
Your favorite summer squash has never been more delicious. A little bit of seasoning is all it takes, then let your grill work its magic.
Once you try it, we bet you’ll be pairing it with just about everything!
17. Southern Braised Chicken with Black Eyed Peas
Southern Braised Chicken is the newest addition to your comfort food repertoire. It’s hearty and full of cozy flavors. With just a few humble ingredients and a few minutes of hands on time, you’ll have a dish the whole family is going to love.
18. Southern Squash Casserole
This classic yellow Squash Casserole is a great every day side dish for your favorite Southern fare. Easy and delicious, this will be especially popular on your holiday spreads.
19. Grilled Chicken Thighs
It’s summer, and that means time to fire up the grill! These Grilled Chicken Thighs are so good, and so easy, that they should be a mainstay on anyone’s summer menu.
All you need is a flavorful marinade, and a few tips and tricks, to cook these thighs perfect every time. Let’s get grilling!
20. Cabbage and Sausage Skillet
This Southern style Cabbage and Sausage Skillet is a total breeze to make. It’s full of flavor from smoked sausage and other flavor enhancers, plus it’s very budget friendly.
21. Cochon de Lait (Cajun Pulled Pork)
Now, this Cochon de Lait will definitely make an entry on your favorite sandwich-filling recipes!
This crockpot dish will deliver this melt-in-your-mouth pulled pork with outstanding Cajun flavors. It’s a super easy, super delicious, and totally crowd-pleasing dish.
22. Green Beans Almondine
These green beans are covered in almonds toasted in marvelous melted butter. The buttered almonds are topped with parsley and lemon juice.
So simple, yet such a huge upgrade over your regular green beans. YUM!
23. Garlic Parmesan Wings
Move over Buffalo wings… These Garlic Parmesan Wings are the new show stopper at the get togethers and parties, not to mention all future game days.
Some garlic, some parm and loads of butter is all you need is to make these finger licking wings, which everyone can’t have enough of.
They’re oven roasted, or cook in an air fryer, to golden crispy perfection outside and juicy and tender when you get to bite into them.
24. Crockpot Pork Chops
Finally, pork chops that are super tender and juicy. Yes, you read it correct, pork chops! The one that can be so stubborn, becoming dry if you’re not paying him all of your rapt attention.
Not this time. And we are going to show you two easy methods: low & slow in your crock pot or quick in your instant pot.
This one has the sweet and spicy island vibe going on with every bite.
25. Crockpot Buffalo Chicken
If you’re ready to spice things up, this easy 5-ingredient Crockpot Buffalo Chicken is the way to go!
It’s the ultimate dump and go recipe, and will be a big hit at all of your get togethers. Plus, it’s one of the most versatile recipes you’ll ever make.
26. Antipasto Salad
Antipasto Salad… The salad that is fit to be an any time meal. This bright and colorful salad is a great no-cook recipe that can be a wow worthy side dish, or stand alone main.
Every single bite would be tad bit different here, as this antipasto salad is loaded with salami, pepperoni, plump mozzarella balls, olives, artichokes, sweet cherry tomatoes and many more great antipasto favorites.
27. Salmon Patties
These salmon patties are tasty, nutritious and budget friendly. And just look at them. Who said pantry staple meals can’t be fancy?
Pair them up with mac and cheese for a great meal!
So there you go, plenty of side dish options the next time you have mac and cheese. Which one will you try first?
Check out these other great recipe collections!
Mac and Cheese Recipes
Sides for Pulled Pork
Sides for Burgers
Sides for Steak
Sides for Barbecue
Sides for Fried Chicken
Side Dishes for Salmon
Sides for Sloppy Joes
Sides for Prime Rib
Sides for Tacos
What to Serve with Mac and Cheese (25+ BEST Sides)
Wondering what to serve with Mac and Cheese? This collection of over 25 sides for mac and cheese has something for everyone!
Ingredients
- 2 pork chops, 1 to 1.5 inches thick
- 1/2 cup + 2 Tbsp olive oil, divided
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 6 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 1 Tbsp fresh oregano, chopped
- 1 Tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 Tbsp fresh thyme, chopped
- 1 Tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped
- salt, to taste
- pepper, to taste
- 1 Tbsp melted butter
Instructions
- Place pork chops in a shallow dish. Mix together 1/2 cup olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, herbs, salt and pepper in a bowl. Pour this marinade over the pork chops. Marinate at least 30 minutes.
- Heat remaining oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Remove the chops from the marinating, scraping off most of the garlic. Add the chops to the skillet and sear for 1 minute per side.
- Reduce heat to medium. Continue cooking the pork chops, flipping them about every minute, until the internal temperature reaches 135ºF (the temperature will continue to increase).
- Remove the skillet from heat. Baste the chops with melted butter and more fresh herbs.
- Rest for 5 minutes, then serve.
Welcome to GypsyPlate! I'm Alpana, former wordwide tour manager and professional caterer, now full time blogger. I love exploring cuisines from around the world, and my recipes have been featured on sites such as MSN, Parade, Brit + Co, CNET and AOL. You can explore my entire collection of sortable recipes in my Recipe Index or learn more about me here.
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