25 Best Sides for Mac and Cheese

25 best sides for mac and cheese — a collection of delicious side dishes perfect for serving with macaroni and cheese.

Macaroni and cheese, more commonly known as mac and cheese in the US, is a dish that consists of cooked macaroni pasta and a cheese sauce. It can be oven baked or cooked on the stovetop. When making mac and cheese, people use different kinds of cheese for their mac and cheese recipes, including brie, gouda, Gruyère, and cream cheese. However, the most common and most popular cheese that people use is sharp cheddar cheese.

When it comes to making macaroni and cheese, the vast majority of people consider sharp cheddar to be the best cheese to use. Sharp cheddar has a low melting point, which makes it perfect for coating macaroni and giving it a smooth velvety texture. Sharp cheddar also has a strong flavor and it’s that savory flavor and taste that people associate with a classic mac and cheese. 

Plan on making mac and cheese? Keep in mind that not all sharp cheddars will work. If you want your mac and cheese to have a smooth, creamy finish, you need to buy an entire block of cheddar and grate the cheese yourself. Pre-shredded cheddar just doesn’t work in the same way that cheddar you grate yourself does.

Although mac and cheese consists of just pasta and a cheese sauce, it can be very filling due to the carbs in the pasta and the protein and fat in the cheese. When done right, mac and cheese is hearty comfort food. To make it a main dish though, you’ll need some delicious sides! Wondering what to serve with macaroni and cheese? Enter these great side dishes for your next mac and cheese bake or stovetop comfort. Enjoy!

25 Mac and Cheese Side Dishes

Cherry Tomato Confit

This recipe for Cherry Tomato Confit is a delicious way to give a whole new life to cherry tomatoes. They will turn into soft, sweet and delicious fruits, ready to eat at any time.

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Vegan Coleslaw

This creamy vegan take on a classic coleslaw salad recipe is rich, creamy, refreshing, crunchy, healthy and bursting with big flavor! This easy vegan coleslaw is perfect as is, or served in addition to your favorite summer meals. Keto diet friendly!

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Butter Lettuce Salad - Foolproof Living

This Butter Lettuce Salad is tender-crisp, crunchy, creamy, and just the right amount of tangy thanks to delicate bibb lettuce leaves and lemon vinaigrette. Ready in 20 min!

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Dill Potato Salad

This Creamy Potato Salad with Fresh Dill is packed with flavor and makes the perfect BBQ side dish, picnic fare or potluck take-a-long. This deliciousness can be made vegetarian or vegan and is naturally gluten-free.

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Crispy Oven Roasted Broccolini Recipe - Little Sunny Kitchen

This roasted broccolini is hands down the best side dish ever! Get the recipe for this healthy side that will have everyone coming back for seconds!

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Vegan Meatloaf

This Gluten-Free Vegan Meatloaf is truly a DELIGHT! It is easy to make, packed with flavor and rich in protein and fiber for a most delicious, healthy holiday meal or entree any time of year! Top it off with my Vegan Cashew Gravy and you will be in food bliss in no time!

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Easy Roasted Brussels Sprouts - Salt & Lavender

This roasted Brussels sprouts recipe is simple to prepare and uses minimal ingredients. The perfect easy side dish!

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Easy + Crispy Air Fryer Zucchini Recipe

This easy, healthy Air Fryer Zucchini squash recipe is packed with flavor for the perfect side dish, appetizer or snack. Naturally vegan, keto and gluten-free.

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Cucumber Avocado Salad - A Virtual Vegan

A simple, lemony, avocado-creamy, crunchy and fresh Cucumber Avocado Salad that’s really quick and easy to make!

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Instant Pot Vegan Acorn Squash Chili (+ Stovetop Instructions)

This super easy, healthy and delicious vegetarian chili recipe is packed with acorn squash, pinto beans and the perfect blend of spices for a most hearty and comforting autumn-inspired Instant Pot pressure cooker dish! Plus, stovetop instructions!

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Easy Buffalo Cheesy Smashed Potatoes - Little Sunny Kitchen

Delicious crispy smashed potatoes topped with melty cheese and buttery buffalo sauce. Perfect for a Superbowl party!

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Five Bean Salad With Garlicky Mustard Dressing - Foolproof Living

Whether you make it for a picnic, potluck, or a weeknight dinner at home as a side dish, this Five Bean Salad is guaranteed to impress. Flavored with homemade garlic mustard dressing, it comes together in 20 minutes, can be made ahead, and travels well.

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Easy Spicy Sauerkraut with Turmeric

This probiotic rich Spicy Sauerkraut recipe with turmeric, red chili flakes, and black peppercorns is bursting with flavor and anti-inflammatory + gut health benefits! Easy, healthy, vegan, gluten-free and DELICIOUS! Learn all about how to make sauerkraut, health benefits, and more in this informative recipe post!

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Easy Spicy Pickled Red Onions (Vegan + Gluten-Free)

Super easy and flavorful Spicy Pickled Red Onions make a great addition to your favorite dishes! Naturally gluten-free and vegan. Refined sugar-free, too!

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Vegan Chili Cheese Fries - Running on Real Food

Try these addictive but totally healthy chili cheese fries made with oil-free baked fries, vegan queso sauce and a quick and easy bean chili.

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Mediterranean Cucumber Salad

A super simple and easy to make Mediterranean Cucumber Salad that is packed with cucumber, olives, onion, bell pepper, chickpeas, fresh herbs and an utterly delicious homemade dressing! Gluten-free and vegan.

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Marinated Vegetables - 5 Delicious Recipes! - Peas & Crayons

Marinated Vegetables are next level delicous! This simple step is a great way to amp up the flavor! Vegetarian + Vegan versions available.

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Air Fryer Frozen Green Beans

Quick and easy Air Fryer Frozen Green Beans are the perfect crispy side dish for vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free diets.

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Honey Roasted Butternut Squash with Cranberries + Feta - Peas & Crayons

Honey Roasted Butternut Squash with Cranberries and Feta: This sweet and savory side dish is perfect for the holidays and loaded with Fall flavor!

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Roasted Whole Carrots - Foolproof Living

Roasted Whole Carrots with Tahini Dressing: A classic and easy to make side dish that you can anytime of the year. #roasted #roastedcarrots #vegetables

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Air Fryer Potato Wedges

These super easy Air Fryer Potato Wedges come out perfectly crispy every time! These air fried potato wedges use only a few simple ingredients, yet pack a big punch of deliciously smoky flavor. They make a perfect quick appetizer or snack when the cravings hit!

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Chipotle Sweet Potato Salad - Peas & Crayons

This healthy Chipotle Sweet Potato Salad is a hit at parties and barbecues! Skip the boring white potato salad and whip up this deliciously smoky, chipotle sweet potato salad instead! Tender cubed sweet potatoes are combined with a zesty homemade sauce for a recipe that’s easy, vegetarian, and gluten-free!

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Easy Pickled Cabbage Recipe

Learn how to make quick and easy pickled cabbage recipe in this informative post! Pickled cabbage can add a dash of crunch and tang to a variety of dishes, making it a wonderful condiment to have on hand in the refrigerator.

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Broccoli Edamame Salad with Red Cabbage and Swiss Chard - Running on Real Food

This healthy, vegan, broccoli edamame salad features antioxidant-rich red cabbage and swiss chard all topped off with a tangy lime dressing. Gluten-free.

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Catalan Style Spinach (An Easy Spinach Tapas Dish) - Foolproof Living

Catalan Style Spinach Recipe: A simple Spanish spinach tapas dish from Spain’s Catalan region. Serve it as tapas or a vegetable side dish with crusty bread.

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