This post is sponsored by Big Red, but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.
The Best Side Dish Ideas to Pair with Kansas City BBQ include soul food macaroni and cheese, potato salad, baked beans, white bread, pickles, coleslaw. These dishes pair nicely with smoked meats like pork ribs, brisket, burnt ends, chicken, and sausage.
April is here. I cannot believe how fast time is moving in 2018. I have done all my spring cleaning. I cleaned out my garage (that was such a large task, by the way), removed the clutter from all the closets, and donated a bunch of clothing to charity. I even brought out my spring linen tablecloths in the dining room. There’s just one problem. Kansas City has not embraced spring. The weather has been so uncooperative!
We have had a few days where the sun has come out and temperatures were above 60 degrees. On one of those days, I decided to take full advantage! I sat outside with a small slab of ribs, my famous Baked Macaroni and Cheese, and an ice cold Big Red.
Baked mac and cheese is a southern tradition. My family has southern roots, so naturally, it has always been a staple for my family. We serve a large dish of mac and cheese every holiday, and at most barbecues. I usually use elbow macaroni or cellentani pasta. I create a roux using flour and butter. From there, I doctor it up with seasonings, milk, and a lot of cheese. I layer it in a baking dish. Be sure to check out the recipe here.
Baked beans are another staple. Most baked beans have a sweet flavor. I love recipes that have a hint of sweetness and a bit of tang.
Potato salad is served chilled and does a great job of balancing out the warm food.
Every cookout must have a tray of white bread and pickles. I usually use a slice of bread to dip into my BBQ sauce.
We are passionate about BBQ in Kansas City. No one makes their BBQ the way we do. We will argue that our BBQ is far superior to anything else out there. KC-style BBQ consists of meat that has been slowly smoked in a pit. Ribs, burnt ends, pulled pork, and brisket are a few of my favorite meats.
While I love the barbecued meats, a plate would not be complete without amazing side dishes. Red soda is also a staple. I must have a cold glass of Big Red Soda with my BBQ.
A spread like this is what spring and summer were made for!
Southern-Style Soul Food Baked Macaroni and Cheese
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Ingredients
- 1 pound elbow macaroni or cellentani pasta
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 2-3 cups milk I often use 2 cups. Use your judgement. Start with 2 and add more if needed.
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- salt and pepper to taste
- onion powder to taste Start with ½ teaspoon. Taste and adjust.
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded parmigiano reggiano
- 1 cup shredded fontina cheese
- 1 cup shredded pecorino romano cheese
- ½ cup muenster cheese cut into small chunks
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- Cook the pasta in accordance with the instructions on the package.
- Drain the macaroni and rinse with cold water. This is important. You want the pasta to cool so that it does not continue to cook. The pasta will cook again while baking in the oven. Over-cooked pasta results in a terrible texture.
- Heat a sauce pan on medium heat. Add the butter and allow it to melt.
- Once melted, add the flour and whisk.
- This will create a roux. Continue to whisk until the four is fully combined.
- Add the milk and heavy whipping cream and stir.
- Add half of the shredded cheese and stir until the cheese is melted.
- Add the seasonings and taste repeatedly. This step is important because you don't want bland mac and cheese.
- Return the pasta to the large pot. Drizzle the liquid mixture over the pasta and stir until fully combined.
- Spray a 9 x 13 inch baking pan with cooking spray.
- Begin to layer in the pasta. Start with the pasta, then add a layer of all of the shredded cheese and muenster chunks.
- Add another layer of pasta, and then another layer of cheese.
- Ensure there is adequate liquid throughout these steps (additional milk works well). This can be tricky. You do not want the dish to appear like soup, but you do not want it to be dry.
- This step is important because without adequate liquid the dish will dry out while baking.
- Bake for 25-45 minutes until the cheese has melted and is bubbly. I like for the crust on top to turn a deep golden brown, which takes more time. Use your judgment based on what works for you.
- Cool before serving.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition Data
Macros are provided as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. This information is calculated using MyFitnessPal.com. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.
Want to save this recipe for later?
I'll email it to you, so you can come back to it later! You will also get our free digital cookbook with 30-Minute One-Pot Recipes and weekly recipes and tips.
Whitney Roberts Kutch says
OH MY!!!! Big Red is a for sure need when it comes to a BBQ!! Maybe its a southern thing? Too funny but this post has me wanting some so bad now!! Thank you for sharing!!
Joline says
I cannot believe it's April! Though I can't wait until it's BBQ season here. So sick of winter. We can't wait to grill and try out all these delicious side dishes!
Stephanie says
I live in Houston and have learned to embrace the craze that is BBQ here as well! I think my favorite side is potato salad but I grew up eating that at all of my family gatherings. This mac and cheese looks delicious, though, and I bet my boys would love it!
Jessica Hughes says
I am a southern girl myself and all of this food is making me drool. I love bbq and that baked mac and cheese looks so amazing!
KAPILA RATTAN BHOWMIK says
My husband loves BBQ chicken. and this is going to go so well with his fav dishes 🙂
Brian Jones says
That all looks really delicious, grilling season is almost here for us too and I suspect if I am not out this weekend I certainly will be next weekend!
Christine @ Happy Veggie Kitchen says
Invite me to a BBQ and you'll find me hovering by the pan of mac and cheese all day! This looks fantastic and has made me so excited about spring (which has yet to make an appearance here in London!)
Bintu says
Baked mac and cheese is certainly the perfect side dish and yours looks absolutely wonderful!
Veena Azmanov says
Oh, I can not wait to try this incredible recipe. This is a perfect side dish for me and my family. I definitely want to try it and I'm sure it is very tasty! Thank you for sharing this great recipe!
Jemma says
Yum! This is proper comfort food. I could so see my family tucking into this.
April says
Yummy it's too early to be this hungry thanks to you haha! We are moving to Kansas (the state) in late June for a year. I can't wait to take a trip to Kansas City MO to try out the BBQ and some Big Red! Your 4 cheese mac and cheese looks amazing!
Holly says
Oh, this looks super yummy. I will definitely have to try this. I love trying new recipes!!
Cindy says
I'm living in KC, too, and this weather has been crazy! I'm not into BBQ, but I love a grilled portabella mushroom! KC Joe's makes a good one.
staysnatched says
I love the Mushroom Z Man from KC Joe's!
Danielle says
This sounds amazing! I love all the cheeses ???? I’m ready for bbq season!
Claudia Lamascolo says
Wow now this looks like a fabulous barbecue and I am lucky enough to have good weather all year round perfect saving this one!
Tara says
The weather has been so unpredictable here in DC too! We had snowflakes on Saturday and today it is supposed to be 80. Such an incredible spread you have for pairing with that Big Red. I need that Mac and Cheese soon.
Cheistina Shoemaker says
I love KC barbecue! And that baked mac and cheese is so yummy! So many different cheeses!!!
Christina Shoemaker says
I love KC barbecue! And that baked mac and cheese is so yummy! So many different cheeses!!!
Traci says
Baked mac and cheese might just be the breaker of all diets for me LOL. It's like an addiction that I can't shake. Yours looks amazing of course, esp sitting right next to that plate of juicy BBQ...bring on summer and ALL the grilled foods!
Glenda Kruse says
This Southern-Style Soul Food Baked Macaroni and Cheese looks so good. I got to try this for my picky son who loves Mac and cheese.
April says
Now I'm craving BBQ! everything looks so amazing and so tasty! Thanks for the ideas!
Jen says
It all looks delicious! I love macaroni cheese and BBQ sauce is a major weakness of mine!
Stephanie says
Gaaaah those ribs look so mouthwatering! Ive never tried Big Red but it does look like the perfect combo to all those delicious dishes! Need to try that Mac n cheese recipe asap
Nadine Edwards says
Where is the recipe for the ribs
staysnatched says
Here you go. https://www.staysnatched.com/instant-pot-fall-off-the-bone-bbq-baby-back-ribs/
Nadine Edwards says
It all looks good would like to try the ribs
Caitlin says
Wow this looks amazing, I can't wait to try it! I am an American living in Europe and haven't had any of these dishes or seen Big Red for many years. Almost brought a tear to my eye, it really made me think back to my childhood and barbecue meals. So nice. Thank you for warning my heart. I will try this and update my review with my opinions this week!
staysnatched says
Thank you, please do!