posted byMelissa Erdelacon October 22, 2021 (last updated Aug 18, 2025)
This post may contain affiliate links.
Looking for that perfect compliment to comforting, homemade mac and cheese? Whether you need a main dish, side dish, toppings, or condiments, we have you covered. If you don’t know what to serve with mac and cheese, this is the way to amp up your macaroni and cheese menu.
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Tasty Sides & Mains Mac And Cheese Loves To Share a Plate With
There is no question mac and cheese is the ultimate comfort food. How can you go wrong with pasta swimming in a creamy, ooey cheese sauce? It’s a meal adults or kids can turn down!
Whether you need to know what to serve with mac and cheese, sides or main dishes, we got your back with these easy recipe ideas
Mac and cheese is typically thought of as a southern dish, which is why it is usually paired with main dishes, such as BBQ ribs, pulled pork, or brisket. However, it is not limited to the south, served at cookouts, holiday gatherings and weeknight dinners nationwide!
Below are good main dishes ideas to serve with mac and cheese as a side, side dishes to go along with it as a starring main dish, as well as some topping ideas you can’t knock until you try.
Mac and Cheese Topping Ideas
While it can be baked as is or, with a simple layer of grated cheese, why not shake things up a little? Take your baked casserole from ordinary to wow 🤩 with these unique toppings and condiments. Here’s a tip to please everyone! My mom would always do half one topping, half another so the family and guests could choose their favorite.
Sliced tomatoes
Shredded cheese, such as grated cheddar, pepper jack, sharp cheddar, or parmesan
Crumbled potato chips
Cooked and chopped bacon, ham, or tuna
Crushed Cheez-its
Sliced hot dogs
Panko topping or breadcrumbs
Broccoli florets, fresh or steamed
BBQ sauce
Hot sauce / red pepper flakes
Ketchup or mustard
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Side Dish Ideas – Weeknight and Beyond
This cheesy baked casserole is hearty enough to be the star of the show, but we need something to serve alongside it. If you are in need or a quick, easy weeknight side, coleslaw, applesauce, steamed or roasted veggies, or green salads are our go-tos. Looking for a side to shake up a holiday meal or serve to guests? Here are the recipe ideas to appease all!
Learn how to roast zucchini the best way so it isn't soggy! Roasted Zucchini is an easy, oven baked recipe perfect all year round. Golden, roasted summer squash is flavored with garlic and seasonings for a healthy side dish everyone will devour!
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Never miss out on your favorite holiday dish again! Gluten-free corn casserole makes a creamy, comforting cornbread pudding casserole with an easy 5-minute prep and no Jiffy mix necessary!
These sticky maple caramelized Brussels sprouts are roasted to perfection with crispy bits of bacon, sweet, juicy apples, and dried cranberries. If you struggle with recipes getting brussels soft and tender while still achieving a crispy crust, check out this easy, unique baking technique.
Make-ahead, marinated Green Bean Salad is an easy side dish recipe perfect for summer! Simply toss green beans, tomatoes, and red onions with a balsamic vinaigrette and serve cold with blue or feta cheese.
Whether you are looking for an easy picnic salad, a side dish for BBQ, or just simply the best dressing recipe, this classic gluten-free coleslaw will become your new go-to! The homemade slaw uses simple ingredients – sugar, mayonnaise, lemon juice, and vinegar – to create those copycat KFC vibes, homestyle creamy, sweet and tangy.
Looking for an easy carrot apple side dish recipe? These caramelized carrots and apples with a maple dijon mustard glaze is quick and simple for a weeknight dinner, but impressive enough for guests!
Oven Roasted Cabbage Steaks make an easy, hands off side dish to compliment any meal! Buttery roasted cabbage slices are baked till golden brown with crispy edges.
Here's your summer hit – the perfected picnic, potluck, or cookout salad recipe you've been searching for. This naturally gluten-free broccoli crunch salad combines all the essentials – crisp bacon, sharp cheddar cheese, dried cranberries, apple, and sunflower seeds, tossed in a creamy tangy mayo dressing with a hint of honey and dijon mustard to balance it all out.
Baked Tomatoes are cheesy, broiled tomato slices with bubbly, golden parmesan or mozzarella cheese and sprinkled with fresh basil. Baked tomatoes with cheese make an all star appetizer or an easy side dish in minutes!
Overnight 7 Layer Salad recipe layers an ultra creamy dressing with lettuce, peas, cheese, eggs, and bacon. Seven Layer Overnight salad can be made ahead, refrigerated , and then be ready to serve for a crowd or party!
Mac and cheese also makes a great side dish. Typically we like to serve it alongside main courses like, meatloaf, BBQ meats, ribs, grilled pork chops, fried fish, hot dogs, chicken thighs, pork tenderloin, or sloppy joes. Here are the most popular dinners to serve with it!
Rosemary pork chops are an easy 20 minute skillet recipe for juicy, tender chops swimming a flavorful, garlic butter pan sauce. Learn how to cook pork chops so they don't dry out with this quick weeknight dinner!
Sloppy joe tater tot casserole is such an easy dinner idea. The baked casserole combines ground beef and crispy tater tots with a tangy ketchup-based sauce, and gooey layer of grated cheddar cheese. Bake until the tater tots are golden and crispy, and serve hot. Ready within 1 hour. Make-head instructions provided too!
BBQ Pulled Chicken recipe is tender, flavorful and ridiculously easy to throw together. It takes two simple steps, five minutes to prepare, and, effortlessly, dinner or party food is ready to go in the slow cooker or Instant Pot.
My family strongly believes this easy meatloaf dinner is best recipe out there! Moist and juicy pork meatloaf uses minced ground pork mixed with shredded apples, apple butter, and a simple tangy sauce to make a weeknight dinner guaranteed be requested again and again!
If you thought making homemade gluten-free chicken wings would be complicated, think again! This easy buffalo wing recipe requires 5-minutes prep, a simple shake coating of baking powder and cornstarch, and unique baking method to achieve a tender, moist interior with extra crispy skin. Toss in the sticky gluten-free buffalo sauce and enjoy a platter of restaurant-worthy, finger-licking wings made with extreme ease!
Learn how to make the best gluten-free french dip sandwiches in the Instant Pot or slow cooker with a few easy steps and flavor-punching ingredients. If you have been underwhelmed by beef dip recipes this one has it all – tender roast beef with onions, melty provolone cheese, toasty gluten-free buns and a rich au jus to dip it in.
Sausage Bake Dinner makes an entire hands-off meal in one dish. This easy baked Italian sausage recipe combines roasted sausage, sweet potatoes, and onions for a flavorful sheet pan sausage and veggies meal!
You do not have to be an expert to pull off this easy gluten-free fried chicken recipe! It's simple to make baked fried chicken without bread crumbs, a mess, or even experience. To make crispiest chicken with juicy, moist, tender meat (thanks to a buttermilk marinade), simply shake in a seasoned GF breading and bake until golden, crispy. Easy peasy!
Learn how to make an old school classic dish with this easy gluten-free recipe! Tender GF salisbury steaks use oats instead of bread crumbs to bind the hamburger patties, and are smothered with a rich and flavorful mushroom gravy that will leave you wanting to lick your plate clean!
BBQ bacon wrapped chicken stuffed with cheese uses only four ingredients to make the most amazing sticky, sweet, and savory chicken dinner idea. Oven baked breasts are stuffed with oozing melted cheddar cheese, wrapped in crispy bacon, smothered in BBQ sauce for an easy meal time win.
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Wow that really looks good maybe I will try it sometime!🌠I MEAN WHO CAN’T TURN DOWN MAC N CHEESE I CAN’T !
Lol, I agree! Mac and cheese is the ultimate comfort food!
Best,
MElissa