No disrespect but some of these suggestions sound repulsive. Each to their own, though. My partner makes a killer macaroni cheese, nice and simple, grilled at the end to crisp the cheese up and the only adornement being some thinly sliced tomato on top. We usually have it with a fresh crisp green side salad. But as far as "just dolloping it on a plate all on its own" goes you make that sound unappealing, but with a truly well-made one that will be all you need.
Brocolli? Or cauliflower? (is that spelt correctly!?) I'm just thinking cauliflower cheese? I don't know, I could mop up macaroni cheese juice with brocolli i think?
the way i serve it is, a layer of bacon then a layer of leeks then the macaroni on top and on top of that lots of grated cheese black pepper and red onions popped under the grill for 5 minutes its delicious..
I reckon macaroni cheese is a test of how well a good cook can do a very simple dish. Fair do's if you like all the bacon etc but I think a well-made sauce with really good-quality cheese is all you need. Keep it simple.
I would agree with Backdrifter, I make a mean macaroni and just do it in the most simple fashion, garnished with a couple of tomatoes (and some bread to mop up any excess sauce) on the side.
Hey we put toms in too! Thinly sliced and placed on top so they crisp up when it's finished under the grill to crisp the cheese. Lends that little touch of sweetness. I couldn't be doing with bacon, leeks and some of the other stuff suggested.
We use Mull Of Kintyre mature cheddar. Anybody tried varying the cheeses?