Anonymous
Post 06/04/2025 01:31     Subject: what “main”/protein to serve with mac and cheese
Anonymous wrote:Bacon cooked crispy and crumbled into and on top of the mac and cheese


That is not a protein for teen boys.

That is a garnish.
Anonymous
Post 06/04/2025 01:31     Subject: what “main”/protein to serve with mac and cheese
Anonymous wrote:As a kid, fish sticks and Mac n’ cheese was a staple in our house.


She said "teen boys"

Fish sticks would be a light snack, not a meal.
Anonymous
Post 06/04/2025 01:29     Subject: what “main”/protein to serve with mac and cheese
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:If you go to the bother of making meat. Just skip the mac. Their loss. Greedy kids. Cheese is a proten. They will get full. Toads.


Let me guess, you have one 5 year old girl.


Hahaha.

I had the same thought about that poster and the one who said to ask the sister in law because just the mac n cheese is enough for a feast
Anonymous
Post 06/04/2025 01:28     Subject: what “main”/protein to serve with mac and cheese
Anonymous wrote:We don't often make protein with mac and cheese, but when we do it's either crockpot bbq chicken (2 lbs of chicken, bbq sauce, and a little maple syrup, cider cinegar, chipotle in adobo, garlic, and onion - on high for about 4 hours then low for a few more...you often need to add sauce. I like when it starts to get browned on the top edges.)

I have also been known to get a 30 pack of chicken nuggets from ChikFilA (you might do 30 + 12 or 30 x 2 depending on how much everyone eats).

I serve with a huge salad.


Just so you know, a 30 pack of chikfila chicken nuggets = a light lunch for teen boys who aren't particularly big eaters.
Anonymous
Post 06/04/2025 01:26     Subject: what “main”/protein to serve with mac and cheese
Anonymous wrote:I would check with your sister. Your husband would be wrong for my family. Kids would feast on Mac and cheese.


Yeah...

She mentioned teen boys.

Bring on the protein.

The mac n cheese is just an appetizer or snack.

Team husband on this one.

It would be absolutely patronizing to dismiss him on this one and tell him to defer to his sister. She will just scoff at him if he asks that mac n cheese is enough.

We aren't talking about your toddlers or a couple of teen girls on a perpetual diet.
Anonymous
Post 06/03/2025 19:49     Subject: what “main”/protein to serve with mac and cheese
Anonymous wrote:Ham.

You can cut up.a ham steak and add the chunks to the mac and cheese before you bake it. I did this recently using a NYT recipe and it was great. Assuming the group eats and likes ham.
Anonymous
Post 06/03/2025 19:45     Subject: what “main”/protein to serve with mac and cheese
Bacon cooked crispy and crumbled into and on top of the mac and cheese
Anonymous
Post 06/03/2025 10:54     Subject: what “main”/protein to serve with mac and cheese
As a kid, fish sticks and Mac n’ cheese was a staple in our house.
Anonymous
Post 06/03/2025 10:26     Subject: what “main”/protein to serve with mac and cheese
BBQ pork, bbq brisket, or bbq chicken.
Anonymous
Post 06/02/2025 23:33     Subject: what “main”/protein to serve with mac and cheese
The answer is a couple buckets of good fried chicken. You do not have to make it. Just pick it up
Anonymous
Post 06/02/2025 23:30     Subject: what “main”/protein to serve with mac and cheese
Bbq pork.

Or smoked brisket. Over wood like a real man would do it, not the fake yuppie smokers.
Anonymous
Post 06/02/2025 10:01     Subject: what “main”/protein to serve with mac and cheese
I usually do bbq chicken or grilled chicken sausages
Anonymous
Post 06/02/2025 09:58     Subject: what “main”/protein to serve with mac and cheese
BBQ meatballs and Mac and cheese we always pair together.
Anonymous
Post 06/02/2025 09:55     Subject: Re:what “main”/protein to serve with mac and cheese
Anonymous wrote:Pulled pork, which can be made ahead, roast chicken, or bbq brisket. Agree with PPs who suggested barbecue and comfort food meals that you often see paired with mac and cheese.


Yes, this is good and as PP said, can be done ahead so easily.
Anonymous
Post 06/02/2025 09:48     Subject: what “main”/protein to serve with mac and cheese
Anonymous wrote:You might as well go full basic and do hotdogs.


Ketchup on it all!