Between the lazy weekends of football and the holiday season upon us, we’ve no shortage of entertaining at our doorstep. And the need for easy family meals with food everyone loves.
Welcome guests with open arms – or your family to the dinner table – once you set up a simple Mashed Potato and Mac & Cheese Bar!
It will rival any game on the big screen 😉
This time of year brings plenty of opportunities to have people gather ‘round your table. Or in many cases, the kitchen counter, brimming with good eats.
And in all of the hustle and bustle that comes this season, being laid-back can be a good thing. A really good thing.
That’s where this mashed potato and mac & cheese bar can really shine!
We’ve taken two ultimate comfort foods that I typically pile high on my plate, and made them the hero of our meal in an impressive spread of food.
What’s so amazing is that you’re not only making it easier on yourself as the hostess (because everyone loves a buffet where they can fill their own plate with what they love), but you’ve also opened up the door to so many flavor combinations and varieties of eats that even the most finicky of guests can find something to enjoy.
With a full toppings buffet of veggies, sauces, proteins, and more, I can leave guests to savor an array of food for themselves while I enjoy the game, sweet conversation, or even a nap on the couch with my babes!
Entertaining tip: Don’t be afraid to prep your toppings ahead of time, or enlist help from delicious and time-saving prepared options! I can have those crave-satisfying dishes of mashed potatoes and mac & cheese on the table in minutes, without even dirtying a pan.
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Another Easy Entertaining or Family Meal Idea: Keto Friendly Avocado Taco Bowls
Create the ULTIMATE Mashed Potato and Mac & Cheese Bar
It helps to have a variety of toppings so your game day guests can satisfy their own taste cravings. I’m sharing a few of our favorites below.
Tip: Many of these are super easy and convenient to find in your local market already prepared, or you can make your favorite homestyle recipe!
The Main Dishes:
- Mashed Potatoes
- Macaroni & Cheese
The Proteins:
- Crockpot Shredded Chicken Breast (Toss a couple of chicken breasts and a cup of broth in a slow cooker in the morning for a quick and easy protein to cook while you prep. Then when you’re ready to use, place in the mixer when the chicken is still warm, and it’ll do the shredding for you!)
- Shredded Pork
- Crumbled Bacon (Because, obviously, everything is better with bacon!)
The Sauces and Dairy:
- BBQ Sauce
- Buffalo Sauce
- Sour Cream
- Pesto
- Shredded Cheddar
- Shredded Parmesan
- Blue Cheese Crumbles
The Vegetables:
- Chopped Green Onion
- Sliced Jalapeño
- Diced Red Onion
- Diced Tomato
- Steamed Broccoli Florets
- Guacamole
- Salsa or Pico de Gallo
The Crunch:
- Crushed Tortilla Chips
- Fritos or Other Fave Chips
The great thing about all of the above is that the items can mix and match to create a multitude of plating options!
Looking for even more inspiration? Below are some of our favorite flavor combinations!
4 Incredibly Tasty Ideas for a Mashed Potato Buffet or Mac & Cheese Bar:
Loaded Mashed Potatoes
- Mashed Potatoes
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese
- Crumbled Bacon
- Sour Cream
- Chopped Green Onion
- Shredded Chicken Breast (optional)
Pulled Pork Mashed Potatoes
- Mashed Potatoes
- Pulled Pork (or Chicken)
- BBQ Sauce
- Diced Red Onion
- Sliced Jalapeno
Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese
- Macaroni & Cheese
- Shredded Chicken Breast
- Buffalo Sauce
- Blue Cheese Crumbles
- Green Onion
Nacho Mac & Cheese
- Macaroni & Cheese
- Shredded Chicken Breast (optional)
- Sliced Jalapeno
- Diced Red Onion
- Guacamole
- Salsa or Pico de Gallo
- Sour Cream
- Crushed Tortilla Chips
What’s your favorite go-to easy entertaining meal idea? Share in the comments!
More Mouthwatering Meal Ideas!
Easy Weeknight Crockpot Meals: Slow Cooker Barbacoa Beef Tacos
The best slow cooker Barbacoa Beef recipe! This tender, flavorful beef sirloin is cooked low and slow and one of our top easy weeknight crockpot meals with the most delicious seasonings while you go about your day. Layer with all your favorite toppings for a crave-worthy dinner!
Nita says
Wow! this looks really delicious! I loved how you captured those pictures and made sure it was very detailed.
Fawn Rosenbohm says
I love your bar stools and that meal looks so good. Especially with that yummy bbq sauce.
Tabitha Blue says
The BBQ one was my favorite!!
Britney says
That looks pretty good ! My mother would love to do something like this sometime.
Fatimaa says
Girl you’re amazing,this looks amazing!! Whrere are your barstools from?
Tabitha Blue says
They’re from Ikea!!!! Such an affordable option! 🙂
Samantha Kuzyk-Raising Twincesses says
Two of the best side dishes ever and customizable, GENIUS! love this for entertaining guests!!! We like doing taco bars and poutine bars at our house too!
Tabitha Blue says
OMG, I so want to do a poutine bar!!!!! How do you set that up?
Ashley DTKAustin says
This looks AMAZING!!! Two of my favorite foods!!
Leah says
I’m seriously drooling now
Kayla says
Oh my it looked all so good!! I need to give this a go!
Cassy French says
Oh my goodness, this looks delicious! I’ve never thought about a mac & cheese bar before! Thanks for sharing!
Amy Lee Creel says
OMG! This all looks so delicious! What a great bar idea!
Kimberlee says
This is amazing! It would be such a hit in my house. Your kitchen is stunning!
Jennifer says
Well this looks amazing!!! So many yummy options!
Lindsay says
This is a BRILLIANT idea, why didn’t I think of it? And all that food looks incredible.
PS I love your lights hanging above the food.
ashley houston says
This looks absolutely relish!
ashley houston says
delish**
Aseky Bonnaire says
I have so much to say, 1. Your home and kitchen is GORGEOUS 2. Your photos are stunning 3. This look delicious 3. you are beautiful !!
Tabitha Blue says
Okay you just made my day!!! Thank you for being so kind and generous with your words 🙂 XO
libbyandbyrd.com says
With their high starch and low water content, they re good for baking, for making French fries, and for mashing.