Seafood mac and cheese is a delicious combination of creamy, cheesy pasta and succulent seafood. With the right ingredients, it can be a delightful main course or side dish. But what goes well with seafood mac and cheese? There are many tasty options that complement and enhance the flavors of this dish. In this article, we’ll explore suitable sides, drinks, and desserts to serve with seafood mac and cheese.
Sides that Pair Well with Seafood Mac and Cheese
Side dishes are important for balancing out the rich creaminess of mac and cheese. Here are some excellent choices:
Fresh Green Salad
A crisp, green salad is a perfect light and healthy accompaniment. The fresh vegetables and vinaigrette will cut through the heaviness of the pasta. Leafy greens like spinach, kale, or arugula work well. Top with shredded carrots, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and a lemon or herb vinaigrette.
Garlic Bread
Warm, buttery garlic bread is a classic favorite alongside mac and cheese. The crunch of the bread contrasts nicely with the soft pasta. Brush slices of French or Italian bread with garlic butter or olive oil and toast until golden brown.
Steamed Vegetables
Bright, fresh steamed vegetables like broccoli, green beans, or asparagus help balance the meal. A squeeze of lemon adds brightness.
Roasted Vegetables
For more flavor, roast vegetables like Brussels sprouts, carrots, cauliflower, or butternut squash. Toss with olive oil, salt, pepper, and herbs before roasting to caramelized, sweet perfection.
Dinner Rolls
Soft, warm dinner rolls are perfect for dipping in the cheesy sauce. Choose favorites like Parker House rolls, French bread, or pretzel rolls.
Protein Options
Since seafood mac and cheese already contains protein from seafood and cheese, you may want to keep additional proteins light. Some good choices include:
Chicken Breast
A simply prepared grilled or baked chicken breast makes a nice accompaniment. The mild flavor doesn’t overpower the pasta.
Shrimp Skewers
Grilled shrimp skewers are a great way to add more seafood. Brush with olive oil and season with salt, pepper, and Old Bay seasoning before grilling.
Crab Cakes
Mini crab cakes are a delicious pairing. Their rich, creamy interior and crispy exterior are perfect with the mac and cheese.
Bacon
Crisp, cooked bacon is a simple but tasty garnish for the pasta. Sprinkle crumbled bacon bits over each serving for a savory crunch.
Creative Vegetable Sides
If you want to go beyond basic steamed veggies, consider these unique vegetable side dishes:
Roasted Radishes
Roasting radishes mellows their peppery bite. Toss halved radishes with olive oil, salt and pepper and roast at 400°F until caramelized and tender.
Carrots with Orange-Thyme Glaze
For a sweet side, roast carrot sticks tossed in olive oil, orange juice, thyme, honey and butter. Roast at 375°F until fork-tender.
Balsamic Brussels Sprouts
Shredded Brussels sprouts roasted with balsamic vinegar develop a lovely sweet and tangy flavor.
Green Bean Almondine
Saute green beans with slivered almonds, lemon, thyme and butter for a classic French-inspired vegetable dish.
Honey-Glazed Carrots
For tender sweetness, simmer peeled young carrots in broth with honey, lemon juice and butter until glazed.
Breads & Crackers
Crunchy, savory breads and crackers enhance the texture contrast of the meal. Good choices include:
Focaccia
Focaccia wedges are perfect for scooping up the mac and cheese sauce. Find crispy herbed or garlic-flavored versions.
Biscuits
Warm, fluffy buttermilk biscuits beg to be smothered in cheesy sauce. Split them open to fill with mac and cheese.
Bruschetta
Crostini topped with tomato, basil, and olive oil make a fresh, light accompaniment. The crunch plays well off the pasta’s richness.
Pita Chips
For casual dining, baked pita chips go nicely with hummus for dipping in the cheese sauce.
Table Crackers
Whole grain crackers add nuttiness. Choose varieties like wheat crackers, sesame crackers, or mini rice cakes.
Seafood Mac and Cheese Wine Pairings
Wine is a classic beverage pairing for creamy pasta dishes. Consider these varieties that work well with seafood mac and cheese:
Chardonnay
Buttery, oaky Chardonnay has enough weight and creaminess to match the cheese sauce. It also complements any seafood.
Sauvignon Blanc
The bright acidity of Sauvignon Blanc cuts through the richness of the pasta. Choose a citrusy unoaked style.
Rosé Wine
Dry rosé provides fresh berry flavors and crispness to balance the dish. Look for a rosé with minerality.
Sparkling Wine
Bubbly and acidic, sparkling wines like Cava, Prosecco, or Crémant cleanse the palate. Opt for a brut style.
Light Red Wines
Lighter reds like Pinot Noir or red Sancerre have enough backbone for the seafood and cheese without overpowering.
Cocktail and Mocktail Options
Beyond wine, here are some excellent seafood-friendly cocktails and mocktails:
Bloody Mary
This savory tomato cocktail complements seafood beautifully with the addition of horseradish, lemon, and celery. Rim the glass with Old Bay for extra flair.
Classic Margarita
The bright, saline tang of a margarita highlights the briny seafood notes. Use high-quality tequila, lime juice, and orange liqueur.
Pimm’s Cup
This British summer cocktail of Pimm’s, lemonade, and cucumber is crisp and refreshing alongside rich pasta.
Celery Gimlet
Muddle celery leaves with gin and lime juice for an herbal, vegetal gimlet that pairs elegantly with the mac and cheese.
Shirley Temple
For an alcohol-free option, you can’t go wrong with a Shirley Temple of ginger ale, orange juice, and grenadine. Add maraschino cherries for garnish.
Virgin Mojito
Mint, lime, and soda water give this virgin cocktail bright herbal flavors. The bubbles also cleanse the palate.
Desserts for Seafood Mac and Cheese
Seafood mac and cheese is quite heavy, so desserts should be light and fresh. Some top choices include:
Lemon Sorbet
Tart lemon sorbet provides the perfect palate cleanser after a rich meal. Garnish with fresh mint.
Mixed Berry Parfaits
Layers of yogurt, granola, and fresh berries make for a sweet but not-too-heavy dessert.
Poached Pears
Pears poached in a vanilla, cinnamon, and honey broth offer a warm, silky-smooth sweetness.
Panna Cotta
Creamy yet light Italian panna cotta flavored with vanilla and berries concludes the meal on just the right note.
Mousse
Light, airy chocolate, vanilla bean, or fruit mousses provide ethereal sweetness after the hearty pasta.
Citrus Salad
A mix of orange and grapefruit segments, with a honey and mint dressing, delivers bright flavor and freshness.
Full Menu Suggestions
Here are three complete seafood mac and cheese menu ideas from appetizer through dessert:
Menu 1
Appetizer: Shrimp cocktail with lemon and cocktail sauce
Main: Lobster seafood mac and cheese
Side: Garlic bread and mixed greens salad with vinaigrette
Wine: Chardonnay
Dessert: Vanilla bean panna cotta
Menu 2
Appetizer: Bacon wrapped scallops
Main: Three cheese seafood mac with shrimp and crab
Sides: Roasted asparagus and dinner rolls
Drink: Rosé wine
Dessert: Lemon blueberry tart
Menu 3
Appetizer: Smoked salmon cream cheese toasts
Main: Cajun seafood mac and cheese
Sides: Corn on the cob, coleslaw
Drink: A cold beer or margarita
Dessert: Fresh fruit salad
Conclusion
Seafood macaroni and cheese makes for a rich, indulgent meal. With the right complementary sides, drinks, and desserts, you can create a well-rounded dining experience. Fresh vegetables, crusty breads, and light cocktails and wines prevent the pasta from becoming too heavy. End with a bright, sweet dessert for the perfect finish. Using these suggestions, you can build a delicious menu to showcase creamy, cheesy seafood mac and cheese.
