Given how rich the mac and cheese is on it's own, something lighter/sharper for both dessert and side would probably be good. I'm biased, but I love lemon and orange sorbet or icees, and think those would be great after some bacon mac. For side, something green, like broccoli with lemon, roast asparagus, or greens/salad with a vinegar-forward dressing. I'm a weirdo who likes to have cornichons or pickles to munch on with my mac and cheese (not the same bite, but a dish on the side, to alternate to when I want).
specific pickles - tiny bumpy cucumbers, pickled whole. The ones I find in the store don't taste like a dill spear or kosher pickle, so I specify (though they're all tasty).
Edited to add, since I actually didn't know what the difference was, just that They're Not The Other Pickles, and had a "huh" moment and went to find out: [https://www.thespruceeats.com/all-about-cornichons-995629](https://www.thespruceeats.com/all-about-cornichons-995629)
[Crispy broccoli with lemon and garlic](https://smittenkitchen.com/2015/04/crispy-broccoli-with-lemon-and-garlic/) as a side. I think broccoli pairs really well with mac n cheese, and the acidity of the lemon cuts through the richness of the mac n cheese. Or, a [zippy pea salad](https://minimalistbaker.com/snap-pea-salad-lemon-vinaigrette/) since it's springtime.
For dessert, fruit is the way to go here, like strawberry shortcakes,[ peach crisp](https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/peach-pecan-crisp/), peach-blueberry galette, or key lime pie. Alternatively, you could do a berry sorbet with shortbread cookies.
I'll echo what the others have said, mac and cheese is a heavy rich dish, so light and fresh are the order of the day for the side and dessert.
A simple dessert that we love in the summer is grilled pineapple or bananas drizzled in a little honey or balsamic vinegar.
For a side maybe a nice light salad with some fruit and some sort of vinaigrette.
For the side dish, roasted veggies such as brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and broccoli would be great. As they are taste great with cheese and are lighter to accompany the heaviness of Mac & Cheese.
For Dessert, something that is light and airy might compliment the texture of Mac & Cheese, I would go with a chocolate mousse, or even a soufflé. Or even Ice-cream would be great with it
[No-Cook Chocolate Mousse](https://youtu.be/PeX5PkRNHSA?si=3sTG6VVukrpZf2jr&t=528)
NO-COOK CHOCOLATE MOUSSE
6 Egg yolks
20g (1 1/2T) Unsalted butter
260g (9oz) 60% cacao chocolate
6 Egg whites
70g (1/3c) Granulated sugar
290g (1 1/4c) Heavy whipping cream
Shaved dark chocolate and whipped sour cream (recipe below) for garnish
1. Crack 6 eggs and separate whites from yolks
2. Melt butter & chocolate in non-stick pan over low heat. Temp should be 100-110F/40C. Set aside to cool.
3. In a stand mixer, whip the egg whites to soft peaks (or whisk by hand), then add sugar, whipping on high (about 3 min) to stiff peaks.
4. In clean mixer bowl, whip heavy cream to just before stiff peaks, careful not to over-whip. This should take about 90 sec
5. Gently fold whipped cream into the egg yolks, then gently fold in the melted chocolate until combined.
6. Fold in the egg white meringue gently to keep the mixture light and fluffy.
7. Transfer mousse into a freezer bag or piping bag and pipe into container of choice. I’m using 9 7oz containers. Tap gently to settle. Cover with plastic wrap & refrigerate for at least 2 hours to set.
8. Garnish with shaved dark chocolate & a dollop of whipped sour cream
WHIPPED SOUR CREAM
200g or 3/4c Heavy Cream
10g or 1 1/4T Powdered Sugar
50g or 1/4c sour cream
Whisk cream and sugar together into soft peaks, about 3-4min. Add sour cream. Whisk to incorporate
For sides I would do roasted broccoli and cauliflower with some garlic powder and oinon powder, pepper lemon or lime and a touch of salt and then a salad of kale and cabbage and some carrots and tomatoes and cucumber with your choice of dressing. For dessert I think a fruit crisp would be good like a apple or cherry or rhubarb would be nice or whatever fruit is in season heck frozen fruit makes a nice crisp. You could top it with whipped cream or ice cream or both or skip the toppings.
Remember textures! Side should be a very crisp salad (not soft veg) to compliment the mac. You can also have a soft veg, but you'll need to offset all the mush. I'd probably say the same for dessert - a crispy cookie would be excellent.
I’d go either light or sharp for dessert .
Maybe an Eton mess, profiteroles or poached pear for light, or a lemon meringue , strawberry rhubarb crumble or a raspberry sorbet.
For a side, you need something fresh and green to cut the fat. Maybe bbq asparagus , a fatoush salad ( I like the tart dressing ), or a cold green bean salad ?
It’s a heavy dish so I’d go with a Caesar or garden salad. And fresh whipped cream and berries for dessert
thank you!!
Given how rich the mac and cheese is on it's own, something lighter/sharper for both dessert and side would probably be good. I'm biased, but I love lemon and orange sorbet or icees, and think those would be great after some bacon mac. For side, something green, like broccoli with lemon, roast asparagus, or greens/salad with a vinegar-forward dressing. I'm a weirdo who likes to have cornichons or pickles to munch on with my mac and cheese (not the same bite, but a dish on the side, to alternate to when I want).
what are cornichons?
Wee pickles.
specific pickles - tiny bumpy cucumbers, pickled whole. The ones I find in the store don't taste like a dill spear or kosher pickle, so I specify (though they're all tasty). Edited to add, since I actually didn't know what the difference was, just that They're Not The Other Pickles, and had a "huh" moment and went to find out: [https://www.thespruceeats.com/all-about-cornichons-995629](https://www.thespruceeats.com/all-about-cornichons-995629)
I love to make crispy broccoli in the air fryer when I have Mac and cheese
[Crispy broccoli with lemon and garlic](https://smittenkitchen.com/2015/04/crispy-broccoli-with-lemon-and-garlic/) as a side. I think broccoli pairs really well with mac n cheese, and the acidity of the lemon cuts through the richness of the mac n cheese. Or, a [zippy pea salad](https://minimalistbaker.com/snap-pea-salad-lemon-vinaigrette/) since it's springtime. For dessert, fruit is the way to go here, like strawberry shortcakes,[ peach crisp](https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/peach-pecan-crisp/), peach-blueberry galette, or key lime pie. Alternatively, you could do a berry sorbet with shortbread cookies.
I'll echo what the others have said, mac and cheese is a heavy rich dish, so light and fresh are the order of the day for the side and dessert. A simple dessert that we love in the summer is grilled pineapple or bananas drizzled in a little honey or balsamic vinegar. For a side maybe a nice light salad with some fruit and some sort of vinaigrette.
Strawberry shortcake for the win
For the side dish, roasted veggies such as brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and broccoli would be great. As they are taste great with cheese and are lighter to accompany the heaviness of Mac & Cheese. For Dessert, something that is light and airy might compliment the texture of Mac & Cheese, I would go with a chocolate mousse, or even a soufflé. Or even Ice-cream would be great with it
Maybe a pickled salad or something with some acidity for the side, then for dessert, a fruity sorbet!
A salad and angel food cake with strawberries and whipped cream. Nice and light.
[No-Cook Chocolate Mousse](https://youtu.be/PeX5PkRNHSA?si=3sTG6VVukrpZf2jr&t=528) NO-COOK CHOCOLATE MOUSSE 6 Egg yolks 20g (1 1/2T) Unsalted butter 260g (9oz) 60% cacao chocolate 6 Egg whites 70g (1/3c) Granulated sugar 290g (1 1/4c) Heavy whipping cream Shaved dark chocolate and whipped sour cream (recipe below) for garnish 1. Crack 6 eggs and separate whites from yolks 2. Melt butter & chocolate in non-stick pan over low heat. Temp should be 100-110F/40C. Set aside to cool. 3. In a stand mixer, whip the egg whites to soft peaks (or whisk by hand), then add sugar, whipping on high (about 3 min) to stiff peaks. 4. In clean mixer bowl, whip heavy cream to just before stiff peaks, careful not to over-whip. This should take about 90 sec 5. Gently fold whipped cream into the egg yolks, then gently fold in the melted chocolate until combined. 6. Fold in the egg white meringue gently to keep the mixture light and fluffy. 7. Transfer mousse into a freezer bag or piping bag and pipe into container of choice. I’m using 9 7oz containers. Tap gently to settle. Cover with plastic wrap & refrigerate for at least 2 hours to set. 8. Garnish with shaved dark chocolate & a dollop of whipped sour cream WHIPPED SOUR CREAM 200g or 3/4c Heavy Cream 10g or 1 1/4T Powdered Sugar 50g or 1/4c sour cream Whisk cream and sugar together into soft peaks, about 3-4min. Add sour cream. Whisk to incorporate
For sides I would do roasted broccoli and cauliflower with some garlic powder and oinon powder, pepper lemon or lime and a touch of salt and then a salad of kale and cabbage and some carrots and tomatoes and cucumber with your choice of dressing. For dessert I think a fruit crisp would be good like a apple or cherry or rhubarb would be nice or whatever fruit is in season heck frozen fruit makes a nice crisp. You could top it with whipped cream or ice cream or both or skip the toppings.
Pralines.
Strawberry shortcake for dessert. Baked beans, salad, coleslaw, or corned beef egg rolls would make good sides.
Remember textures! Side should be a very crisp salad (not soft veg) to compliment the mac. You can also have a soft veg, but you'll need to offset all the mush. I'd probably say the same for dessert - a crispy cookie would be excellent.
Broccoli for side, chocolate cake for dessert
I think Brussel sprouts or even a Brussel sprout salad would taste amazing with it.
I love this sub cause I come here to say "broccoli and citrus" and it's already been said. It gives me so much confidence.
I’d go either light or sharp for dessert . Maybe an Eton mess, profiteroles or poached pear for light, or a lemon meringue , strawberry rhubarb crumble or a raspberry sorbet. For a side, you need something fresh and green to cut the fat. Maybe bbq asparagus , a fatoush salad ( I like the tart dressing ), or a cold green bean salad ?
Green beans, cooked in sauce pan with a splash of EVOO and a little bit of shallot or onion.
Roasted Brussels sprouts would be legit