Wondering what to serve with Mac and Cheese for family dinner? We have the most delicious side dish ideas to amp up the dinner table any night of the week! From chicken, pork, and veggies, to seafood, shellfish, chili, and vegetables! We have something for everyone in this collection of appetizers that pair perfectly with your favorite pasta dish!
Whether you made Mac and Cheese from a box or baked it from scratch these recipes are fabulous sides. If you’re looking for salty and savory try the Brown Sugar Garlic Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks, Buffalo Chicken Bites, or Pork Fritters. On the other hand if you’re craving seafood try the Lobster Rolls or Crab Rangoon!
1 Brown Sugar Garlic Air Fryer Drumsticks
Get ready to amp up your dinner game with these Brown Sugar Garlic Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks! Experience the mouthwatering blend of sweet brown sugar, savory garlic butter, and rich soy sauce in every bite. The air fryer magic delivers a perfect combo of crispy and tender meat that everyone will love. I couldn’t imagine a better combo for macaroni and cheese!
2 Bacon Brown Sugar Chicken Bites
Ready to elevate Mac And Cheese night? Try these Bacon Brown Sugar Chicken Bites – the ultimate blend of salty, sticky, sweet, and crispy deliciousness! With just five ingredients, they’re a crowd-pleaser that’s easy to make. Get ready to score big on flavor! All you have to do is wrap the chicken in a ⅓ of a strip of bacon and bake for about 20 minutes.
3 Buffalo Chicken Bites
Whip up this quick and easy appetizer in just 10 minutes of prep and 10 minutes of cooking. Using rotisserie chicken means less fuss, more flavor! Enjoy classic Buffalo chicken in mess-free phyllo cup bites. Perfect for any get-together or dinner next to your macaroni and cheese. This snack is super fast and simple! I always have some leftover rotisserie chicken anyway. You can whip up this recipe and have it ready to serve with your cheesy pasta in 20 minutes.
4 Jalapeno Popper Chicken Flautas
Never wonder what to serve with Mac and Cheese again! Get ready to spice up your meal with these Baked Jalapeno Popper Chicken Flautas! Packed with shredded chicken, jalapeno, cheese, and a perfect blend of spices, they’re as easy to make as they are full of flavor. All you have to do is take your ingredients like shredded chicken, jalapeno, cheese, spices and uncooked tortillas and assemble them in a casserole dish. Then bake them to a crispy perfection for a fabulous family friendly side.
5 Bite-Sized Blooming Onions
Get ready to party with these Bite-Sized Blooming Onions! They’re a mini twist on the classic favorite, making them easy to enjoy at any gathering. Grab one, dip, and savor the flavor! If you love ordering that Blooming Onion at your favorite steak house restaurant then this recipe is for you. The onion, crispiness, and overall flavor combines with macaroni like a dream!
6 Air Fryer Zucchini Fritters
Snack time just got a healthy upgrade with these Air Fryer Zucchini Fritters! Crispy, golden, and oh-so-addictive, they’re a guilt-free treat. Enjoy them solo or with your favorite Mac and Cheese recipe for an extra flavor kick. The best part is that you only need a few simple pantry staples! To make them just combine the ingredients, spray your air fryer basket, and cook! For best results, flip them half way through.
7 Maple Bacon Carrots
What to Serve with Mac and Cheese for the perfect flavor combination? Maple Bacon Carrots are the answer! Elevate your side dish game with these Maple Bacon Carrots! The sweet maple syrup and salty bacon creates a flavor symphony that’s truly a game-changer for carrots. It’s proof that bacon pairs perfectly with veggies! The dinner table is sure to be a feast fit for royalty with these meals!
8 Crack Corn Salad
Dive into flavor with the Crack Corn Salad! It’s the perfect blend of crunchy, creamy, sweet, sour, and savory. With fresh or frozen corn, tangy Ranch dressing, crispy bacon, and cheesy goodness, it’s a sensation that’s ready in just 15 minutes. Let’s celebrate the delicious chaos of flavors and serve this side dish with our next macaroni and cheese dinner! Corn and pasta go together like a dream!
9 Lemon Parmesan Lettuce Salad Recipe
The answer to the question “what to serve with Mac and cheese” is right here! Elevate your salad game with this Simple Lettuce Salad! Crisp lettuce takes the spotlight, dressed in a zesty lemon dressing and a generous sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. It’s a five-minute snack that you’ll want to enjoy again and again. Say goodbye to boring salads! If you appreciate the texture contrast of fresh vegetables next to creamy pasta this is the macaroni side for you.
10. Fritos Corn Salad
Fire up the flavor on your next macaroni night with Fritos Corn Salad! A no-cook, super easy side dish that’s a crunchy, creamy delight. This recipe features bell pepper, cheese, corn, and Cheese Fritos in a creamy dressing. Fritos Corn Salad is the best no cook, very simple side dish appetizer to serve with macaroni and cheese! The crunchiness and tangy flavors will have you jumping for joy.
11 Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuits
Get ready for biscuit bliss! These homemade copycat Red Lobster biscuits are ready in just 30 minutes – buttery, flaky, and absolutely irresistible! Who needs the restaurant when you can serve these right at home with your Mac and cheese dinner! Imagine flaky, fluffy biscuits with a hint of spiciness from cayenne pepper and melted butter brushed on top of every bite!
12 30-Minute Garlic Parmesan Dinner Rolls
What’s better to serve with Mac and Cheese than dinner rolls? Elevate any meal with these 30-Minute Garlic Parmesan Dinner Rolls! Easy to make and simply irresistible. Perfect for holidays or any day you crave cheesy, garlicky goodness. Your taste buds will thank you! Pro tip for the chef: it’s important to get your water temperature right when you’re proofing the yeast. Anytime a recipe calls for warm water, it means between 115-125 degrees Fahrenheit so use a thermometer!
13 Cheese Bread
One more Cheese Bread Recipe to add to your macaroni night dinner table! Indulge in double cheesy heaven with this easy Cheese Bread recipe with your macaroni! It’s like biting into Red Lobster’s famous Cheddar Bay Biscuits. No kneading needed, just pure cheesy goodness. Perfect as a side or the star of your sandwich. Dive into irresistible flavors today!
14 Chicken Spinach Pinwheels
These Baked Chicken Pinwheels are the ultimate snack, any day, any season! Perfect for lunchboxes or post-school munchies. And the best part? They make late-night work shifts a whole lot tastier! All you need is canned biscuits, rotisserie chicken, spinach, and some spices. Just flatten the biscuits, roll them up with the other ingredients, and bake to a crispy perfection. You can use them to scoop up your macaroni and add another level to the entire meal!
15 Fried Korean Dumplings (Yaki Mandu)
When you’re wondering what to serve with Mac and Cheese, consider these Korean Yaki Mandu, the ultimate crispy and delicious fried dumplings! Filled with mouthwatering ground pork, veggies, and a medley of seasonings, they’re a flavor explosion in every bite. Fry them to golden perfection, but a word of advice: make extra because these little gems will disappear in no time!
16 Crab Rangoon
Craving that restaurant-style side at home? Dive into this Easy Crab Rangoon recipe! Creamy crab and cream cheese nestled in crispy wontons – a beloved appetizer made simple. Enjoy a taste of Chinese-American classics anytime you want. Simply chop up your imitation crab then mix it up with minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, and softened cream cheese! Assemble the wonton wraps and fry them until they’re golden brown and crispy.
17 Honey Roasted Sweet Potatoes
These Honey Roasted Sweet Potatoes are a fabulous side vegetable dish to macaroni! Introducing Honey Roasted Sweet Potatoes! With their irresistible crispy edges and tender centers, these aren’t just any side dish; they’re the speedy solution to your “What’s for dinner tonight?” dilemma. They only take a few minutes to prep and under an hour to bake.
18 Zucchini Garlic Bites
Serve these Zucchini Garlic Bites with your Mac and cheese! You can dip these crispy crunchy suckers right in your pasta and slurp up the creamy goodness! Featuring shredded zucchini, garlic, Parmesan cheese, and fresh herbs! They are quick and easy to bake too so you can serve them alongside your macaroni and cheese dinner any day any time!
19 Loaded Baked Potato Rounds
Craving a tasty side that’s easy as pie? Look no further than these Loaded Baked Potato Rounds! Quick to make and utterly delicious. Dip ’em in sour cream, your fave dip, or your macaroni pasta for a flavor explosion! You can add all your favorite ingredients too like bacon bits and sour cream- yum! The texture and flavor combination is out of this world especially when served with cheesy pasta dishes!
20 Roasted Squash Casserole
Add squash to your macaroni dinner menu with this oven-easy delight! Roasted squash rounds, seasoned to perfection and crowned with a crispy crumb topping, make every bite a burst of flavor. It’s a fabulous vegetable side dish to serve with your Mac and Cheese!
21 Tennessee Onions: The Easy, Cheesy Casserole You Have To Try
Do you love onions as much as I do? If so then these Tennessee Onions Easy, Cheesy Casserole is a must try! This cheesy onion casserole is a flavor-packed symphony of onions, cheese, and butter, elevated by aromatic herbs. The result? A rich, savory sauce that’s simply irresistible. Get ready to savor this classic Southern dish!
22 Crock Pot Cowboy BBQ Beans
Need a quick and tasty dinner idea? Or a potluck dish that’ll steal the show next to your Mac and Cheese? Look no further than these lip-smacking Crock Pot Cowboy BBQ Beans! They’re the answer to your culinary prayers. Easy, delicious, and perfect for any occasion. Featuring ingredients like ground beef, crumbled bacon, Lima beans, and kidney beans. It’s hearty, wholesome, and meaty served next to your macaroni!
23 Lobster Sliders
Have you ever had the combination of Lobster and Macaroni and Cheese? It’s the surprising flavor fusion you just have to try. Why should I serve lobster rolls with Mac and cheese? Because when you combine the indulgent creaminess of Mac and cheese with the rich, succulent flavors of lobster rolls, you’re creating a match made in foodie heaven. It’s the perfect fusion of comfort and luxury on a plate that will leave your taste buds forever grateful.
24 Mini Corndog Muffins
It doesn’t get any more easy and comfortable than mac and cheese and corndogs! This is a really fun and easy recipe that is loved by the kids and secretly adored by adults. The small hot dog bite wrapped in a corn shell will bring you back to more simple times and you will love every bite.
25 Lobster Newburg
Bringing the restaurant to your kitchen with this Classic Lobster Newburg! Tender lobster chunks in a decadent cognac cream sauce, elegantly served with puff pastry or toast points. It’s the taste of luxury made easy at home. So if you’re looking for an easy yet elegant dish to whip up and curb your seafood cravings look no further. Elevate your macaroni side dish dining experience tonight!
26 Crab Poppers
Get ready to pop with flavor! Crab Poppers with Sriracha Aioli are the ultimate crowd-pleaser. Whether you’re celebrating big or simply craving a savory snack, these easy bites bring the wow factor to the dinner table. All you need is crab meat garlic, panko breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, green onions, and butter! Oh and don’t forget the parsley, mini cupcake pan, and olive oil to grease the pan.
27 Pulled Pork Fritters
Wondering what to serve with Mac and Cheese? Got leftover shredded pork? Turn it into a delicious masterpiece! Try these Air Fryer Pancake Mix Pulled Pork Fritters – a sweet and savory delight. Whether it’s a party, brunch, BBQ, or family dinner, they’re the perfect starter. Dip them in your favorite sauce for an explosion of flavor!
What To Serve With Mac And Cheese (27 Delicious Ideas)
Ingredients
- 1 cup yellow cornmeal
- 1 cup flour
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- Pinch of salt
- 1 1/4 cup milk, I used 1%
- 1 egg
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 7 hot dogs
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425F, spray a mini muffin tin with some non-stick cooking spray.
- Cut the hot dogs into 5 pieces each, giving you 35 pieces in total.
- In a large bowl mix together cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. In a small bowl whisk the egg, milk and oil together. Add wet ingredients to dry and mix well.
- Use a heaping Tbsp of batter in each mini muffin cup, then press one piece of hot dog into the center of the batter.
- Bake in the oven for 10 minutes or until the muffins are golden brown, let cool for a few minutes before serving.
- The recipe makes 35 mini muffins, store any leftovers in the fridge for a few days or you can freeze them.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.