Are you looking for a great side dish to serve with your vegan mac and cheese? Do you want something that will complement the cheesy, creamy taste of your vegan mac and cheese without being too heavy or overpowering? Look no further! This article will provide you with delicious ideas of what to serve with vegan mac and cheese, so you can create a balanced meal that is both tasty and nutritious.
A delicious side dish to serve with vegan mac and cheese would be roasted vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus, bell peppers, or zucchini. Other tasty accompaniments could include a leafy green salad or steamed greens like kale or spinach. Roasted root vegetables like sweet potatoes, parsnips, and carrots also make great sides. For a more substantial option, vegan chili or tempeh bacon would be a great pairing.
Vegetable Side Dishes
Vegetable side dishes are a great way to add nutrition and flavor to any meal. Whether you’re looking for a quick and easy side dish for a weeknight dinner or a special side dish for a holiday meal, there are plenty of delicious options to choose from. From simple sautéed veggies to more complex dishes with herbs and spices, there is something for everyone.
Many vegetable side dishes can be prepared in minutes and require minimal effort. Roasted vegetables, such as bell peppers, mushrooms, sweet potatoes, and carrots, are an easy and healthy way to add flavor and texture to any meal. Simply toss the vegetables with olive oil, salt and pepper, then roast in the oven until tender. For an Asian-inspired twist, add garlic, soy sauce, sesame oil and ginger before roasting.
Greens like spinach and kale can be quickly cooked in a skillet with a bit of garlic or onion for extra flavor. Add cooked beans or lentils for protein-packed vegetarian side dish that can be served over rice or quinoa. Vegetable stir-fries are another great option that can be customized with your favorite vegetables or whatever you have on hand.
Seasonal vegetables like green beans can be steamed or boiled until tender then tossed with balsamic vinegar or lemon juice for added flavor. To make it even more special, top the green beans with slivered almonds or crispy bacon bits before serving. Cauliflower is also versatile; it can be baked into cheesy casseroles or roasted until golden brown then tossed with fresh herbs like parsley or dill.
Vegetable side dishes don’t have to take long to prepare; in fact they can often be ready in 15 minutes or less! They are also an excellent way to incorporate more vegetables into your diet while still enjoying delicious flavors at the same time. With so many creative options available, you’ll never get bored making vegetable side dishes!
Salads to Pair with Vegan Mac and Cheese
Vegan mac and cheese is a delicious and nutritious meal that can be enjoyed by vegans and non-vegans alike. Whether you are looking to make a quick weekday meal or are planning a special occasion dinner, vegan mac and cheese is sure to please. To make the meal even more flavorful, consider pairing it with one of these delicious salads.
A classic Caesar salad is always a great option when pairing with vegan mac and cheese. The salty, tangy flavor of the dressing complements the creamy cheese sauce in the dish. To make it vegan-friendly, replace the traditional egg-based dressing with one made from olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, vegan Worcestershire sauce, and nutritional yeast.
If you’re looking for something a bit more unexpected, try pairing your vegan mac and cheese with an Asian-inspired slaw. This crunchy salad is made with shredded cabbage, carrots, scallions, cilantro, and sesame seeds—all tossed together in a sweet and tangy Asian dressing. The combination of flavors is sure to be a hit!
For those who enjoy more of an Italian twist on their salads, try making an arugula salad. Arugula has a slightly peppery flavor that pairs nicely with the cheesy flavors in vegan mac and cheese. Top your salad off with some roasted pumpkin seeds for added crunch.
No matter which salad you decide to pair with your vegan mac and cheese, it’s sure to be a delicious meal that everyone can enjoy! So go ahead – get creative in the kitchen!
Grains to Accompany Vegan Mac and Cheese
Vegan mac and cheese is a delicious, versatile dish. It can be served as a main course or as a side dish. One of the best ways to enhance its flavor is to pair it with a grain. Grains such as quinoa, barley, and farro are all excellent accompaniments to vegan mac and cheese.
Quinoa is an ancient grain that is packed with protein and vitamins. It has a nutty flavor and slightly chewy texture that pairs perfectly with creamy vegan mac and cheese. It also adds an extra boost of nutrition to the dish. To prepare quinoa for your vegan mac and cheese, rinse it in cold water until the water runs clear, then cook it according to the instructions on the package.
Barley is another great option for pairing with vegan mac and cheese. Barley has a mild flavor that doesn’t overpower the other ingredients in the dish. It also has a slightly chewy texture that makes it an ideal accompaniment for creamy vegan mac and cheese. Barley can be cooked like rice; simply add one part barley to two parts water or broth, bring it to a boil, reduce the heat, cover, and simmer until tender (about 30 minutes).
Farro is an ancient grain with a nutty flavor and chewy texture. It pairs nicely with vegan mac and cheese because its flavor complements the creamy sauce without overpowering it. Farro takes longer than quinoa or barley to cook – about 45 minutes – but it’s worth the wait! To make farro for your vegan mac and cheese, simply add one part farro to two parts water or broth, bring it to a boil, reduce heat, cover, and simmer until tender (about 45 minutes).
Vegan mac and cheese can be dressed up with any of these delicious grains for added flavor and nutrition! Quinoa, barley, or farro all make excellent accompaniments for this comforting dish. Whether you’re serving vegan mac and cheese as a main course or side dish, these grains are sure to take your meal from ordinary to extraordinary!
Beans and Legumes to Accompany Vegan Mac and Cheese
Adding beans and legumes to vegan mac and cheese is a great way to boost the dish’s nutritional value. Beans are a great source of plant-based protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Legumes such as lentils, peas, and chickpeas are also high in nutrients and can easily be added to macaroni and cheese.
For a hearty vegan macaroni and cheese dish, try adding cooked black beans or kidney beans. These beans can be added directly to the sauce before it is poured over the pasta or stirred into the finished dish. For a creamier texture, blend the cooked beans with some of the sauce before adding it to the pasta.
Chickpeas are another great addition to vegan macaroni and cheese. The nutty flavor of chickpeas pairs well with cheesy sauces. Try adding cooked chickpeas directly to the sauce or baking them in with the finished dish for added crunch. Lentils are also delicious when added to macaroni and cheese dishes; they provide an extra layer of flavor that complements the cheesy sauce nicely.
For a more unique take on vegan macaroni and cheese, try using cannellini beans instead of traditional pasta noodles. Cannellini beans offer a mild flavor that pairs well with creamy sauces like vegan cheese sauce. Simply mash cooked cannellini beans until they reach a desired consistency before stirring them into your favorite vegan cheese sauce recipe for an unforgettable meal!
Beans and legumes are an excellent way to make vegan macaroni and cheese even healthier. With their high nutritional value, these ingredients make for tasty side dishes as well as delicious additions to pasta dishes like macaroni and cheese!
Fruits That Go Well With Vegan Mac and Cheese
Vegan mac and cheese is a delicious and nutritious meal that can be enjoyed as both a main dish and a side. It is also incredibly versatile, as it can be paired with almost any type of fruit for a unique flavor combination. From oranges to blueberries, there are plenty of fruits that go well with vegan mac and cheese. Here are some of the best fruit options for vegan mac and cheese:
Apples are a great choice for vegan mac and cheese, as their tartness complements the creamy cheese sauce perfectly. Apples can be diced or sliced and added to the top of the dish before baking, or they can be cooked with the macaroni for an extra burst of flavor.
Bananas are another great option for vegan mac and cheese, as they add a nice sweetness to the dish. Bananas can be diced or mashed into the cheese sauce before baking, or they can be added at the end as a garnish.
Berries such as strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries are all excellent choices for vegan macaroni dishes. They provide an extra layer of sweetness to the dish without overpowering it. Berries can be added directly to the cheese sauce before baking or served raw as a garnish.
Citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, limes, tangerines, and grapefruits all go nicely with vegan macaroni dishes. The zesty citrus flavors add an extra kick of flavor to the creamy sauce without being too overpowering. Citrus fruits can be added to the dish before baking or served raw on top for an added punch of flavor.
No matter which type of fruit you choose to pair with your vegan macaroni dishes, you’re sure to create something delicious! Fruits add an extra layer of sweetness that compliments the creamy sauce perfectly while providing additional nutrition to your meal.
Toppings for Vegan Mac and Cheese
Vegan mac and cheese can be elevated to the next level with a variety of delicious toppings. For a crunchy texture, consider adding some chopped nuts such as almonds, walnuts, or pecans. Toasted sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, or pumpkin seeds are also great for adding a unique flavor and crunch to the dish. Fresh herbs like parsley, basil, or chives make an excellent garnish for vegan mac and cheese. If you’re looking for more of a spicy kick, try adding some red pepper flakes or diced jalapenos. For a smoky flavor, add some crumbled bacon bits or vegan sausage crumbles. Finally, vegan cheese shreds or slices make an excellent topping to give your dish an extra cheesy boost!
No matter what toppings you choose for your vegan mac and cheese dish, you’re sure to end up with an incredibly flavorful and comforting meal. Have fun experimenting with different flavors and textures and enjoy!
Sauces to Add Flavor to Vegan Mac and Cheese
Vegan mac and cheese is a delicious, dairy-free alternative to traditional macaroni and cheese. But while vegan mac and cheese has a great, creamy texture, it can sometimes be lacking in flavor. To really make your vegan mac and cheese stand out, try adding some flavorful sauces! Here are a few of our favorite sauces that you can use to add some extra oomph to your vegan mac and cheese:
Hot Sauce – Hot sauce is a great way to add a kick of heat to your vegan mac and cheese. Whether you prefer the classic Frank’s RedHot or something more exotic like Sriracha, hot sauce will help bring out the flavor of your dish.
Mustard – Mustard is an underrated condiment that packs a lot of punch. You can use it as an alternative to ketchup on your vegan mac and cheese or even mix it into the dish itself for added flavor.
Barbecue Sauce – Barbecue sauce is a fantastic addition to vegan mac and cheese. The smoky sweetness of the sauce pairs perfectly with the creamy pasta for an unforgettable dish.
Teriyaki Sauce – Teriyaki sauce is another great way to add some Asian flair to your vegan mac and cheese. The savory-sweet marinade will bring out the flavors in the dish for an unforgettable meal.
Honey Mustard – Honey mustard adds just the right amount of tanginess and sweetness to vegan macaroni and cheese. Try adding honey mustard as a topping or mixing it into the pasta before baking for an extra layer of flavor!
There are many different sauces you can use to add flavor to your vegan macaroni and cheese. With these suggestions, you’ll be able to take this classic comfort food up a notch!
Conclusion
Vegan mac and cheese is a delicious and wholesome dish, full of flavor and nutrition. It can be served alone as a main course or accompanied by a variety of sides to create a complete meal. Healthy vegetable side dishes such as steamed broccoli, roasted cauliflower, and roasted Brussels sprouts can be served with vegan mac and cheese for maximum nutrition. For added crunch, try serving roasted nuts or seeds on the side. Additionally, vegan grain-based dishes such as quinoa or wild rice can be served alongside the vegan mac and cheese to round out the meal. No matter what you serve with vegan mac and cheese, it is sure to be delicious!
The possibilities for serving vegan mac and cheese are endless, so have fun exploring different combinations of sides to make your own perfect plant-based meal.