30 Best Sides For Meatloaf

April 28, 2020
Caitlin Bensel
These side dishes will perfectly complement your classic meatloaf dinner. From traditional mashed potatoes (this recipe is one of our favorites) to healthier options (like these Lemon-Feta Green Beans or these easy Sheet Pan Roasted Vegetables), you'll never look at meatloaf sides the same way again. 
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Olive Oil Mashed Potatoes

Jennifer Causey
Olive Oil Mashed Potatoes Recipe

Herb-infused olive oil and Greek yogurt replace much of the butter and milk you’d find in traditional mashed potatoes. The finished dish has a lightly tangy, herbal fruity flavor that’s irresistible. You can make the potatoes a day ahead, but anticipate that you may need to stir in a little milk to restore the creamy texture.

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Ranch Mashed Potatoes

Photo: Jen Causey; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis
Ranch Mashed Potatoes Recipe
Not to brag, but this is the best version of homemade ranch mashed potatoes around. The fresh herbs really add some zing to this side and beautifully complement sour cream and buttermilk’s tang. For the fluffiest mashed potatoes, place the potatoes back in the pot after draining them and put them on low heat.

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Smoky Brussels Sprouts

Caitlin Bensel
Smoky Brussels Sprouts Recipe

Since there’s a touch of sugar in this recipe, stir the Brussels sprouts often to prevent burning. If you’re feeling extra decadent, top this side with a little grated Manchego cheese.

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Reunion Pea Casserole

Greg DuPree
Reunion Pea Casserole Recipe

Refrigerated crescent roll dough gives this comforting casserole a golden, buttery crust with minimal effort. Add coleslaw or salad on the side, and you’ll have an easy, homey supper that will feed the whole family—and then some.

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Sheet Pan Roasted Vegetables

Photo: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas
Sheet Pan Roasted Vegetables Recipe

A mix of colorful root vegetables may be your star side. Peeled, prechopped butternut squash saves time, but pieces tend to be irregular and small--we prefer peeling and cubing it yourself.

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Orzo Salad with Shrimp and Lemon Dressing

Photo: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer
Orzo Salad with Shrimp and Lemon Dressing Recipe

This simple shrimp and orzo salad is tossed with seasonal veggies and a bright, tangy dressing. Delicious at room temperature or chilled, it also makes a tasty lunch the next day if you have leftovers. You’ll need three cups of vegetables for this dish, but you can adjust the amounts of asparagus, sugar snap peas, and English peas.

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Peas with Lemon and Tarragon

Photo: Greg Dupree; Styling: Lindsey Ellis Beatty
Peas with Lemon and Tarragon Recipe

We scattered edible white borage flowers over this summer salad--you can use any variety of pretty blooms you like: lavender, elderberry, chive or squash blossoms, chamomile, and violets.

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French Onion Mashed Potatoes 

Photo: Caroline Arcangeli; Prop Styling: Christina Daley; Food Styling: Lis Mervosh
French Onion Mashed Potatoes  Recipe
Classic buttermilk mashed potatoes are great, but if you’re looking to really wow, French Onion Mashed Potatoes are what you need. Perfect for a holiday dinner or other special occasion, these decadent, cheesy mashed potatoes are infused with the rich and comforting flavors of French onion soup.

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Super Green Salad

Photo: Jennifer Causey   
Super Green Salad Recipe

You can assemble this super green salad the day before you plan to serve it, but toss in the lemon juice, salt, and cheese just before serving to keep it crisp, as intended.

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Brussels Sprouts Casserole

Antonis Achilles; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Kay Clark
Brussels Sprouts Casserole Recipe
This solid casserole is perfect for a winter gathering and would especially be welcome around the holidays. The strong flavors of sharply biting Brussels sprouts and salty bacon are rounded our with creamy, cheesy goodness while buttery breadcrumbs add a nice crunch.

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Copycat Panera Bread Mac and Cheese

Photographer: Antara Sinha; Food Sylist: Briana Riddock
Copycat Panera Bread Mac and Cheese Recipe
The famously cheesy, kid-friendly side item on the Panera Bread menu has garnered popularity among customers of all ages. Now, you can enjoy the rich and saucy goodness of that white cheddar mac and cheese anytime, and in the comfort of your own kitchen.

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Lemon-Feta Green Beans

Caitlin Bensel
Lemon-Feta Green Beans Recipe

Searing lemons is one of our favorite tricks for upping the ante on any dish. The tart juice mellows out, providing the perfect balance for the briny capers and feta in this skillet side. If you have any leftovers, try adding halved cherry tomatoes and enjoying as a cold salad; some cooked chicken or shrimp would turn it into a lovely main dish.

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Spice-Crusted Carrots

Photo: Jen Causey; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis
Spice-Crusted Carrots Recipe
Looking for a side that’ll stand out this Thanksgiving? Look no further than these charred, super tender carrots cooked in a spiced harissa oil. Smoky sweet carrots are balanced by brightness from the lemon zest, and the harissa paste mixture helps the carrots achieve a nice spice crust and char in the oven.

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Simple Mashed Rutabagas and Potatoes

Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall
Simple Mashed Rutabagas and Potatoes Recipe
Rutabagas are nutrient-rich root vegetables that, when mashed, take on many of the same starchy textural qualities as potatoes. A cross between cabbage and turnips, they’re mild and slightly bitter in flavor. The two root veggies join forces in this lighter version of a classic mash.

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Spiced Roasted Cauliflower and Carrots

Photo: Romulo Yanes; Food Styling: Torie Cox; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen
Spiced Roasted Cauliflower and Carrots Recipe
This superfast dish is one of the easiest ways to get veg on a weeknight plate. The cumin and cinnamon give it an "adult but sweet" flavor profile, and the char on the cauliflower and carrots make the whole thing unbelievably yummy.
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Two-Toned Scalloped Potatoes

Photo: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Christina Daley; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners
Two-Toned Scalloped Potatoes Recipe
Using both sweet potatoes and Yukon gold potatoes gives classic, comforting scalloped potatoes a delicious upgrade. Perfect for family gatherings and holiday dinners at any point in the year, this impressive potato side dish delivers creamy richness, robust savory flavor, and a delightful crunch with a herby panko-pecan topping.

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Harissa-Roasted Carrots With Pistachios

Tara Donne
Harissa-Roasted Carrots With Pistachios Recipe

Available in most supermarkets, harissa comes in mild and hot varieties; if you want to play it safe, go with mild, then bump up the heat with a dash of cayenne pepper if you like. To make after-dinner cleanup easier, line your roasting pan with aluminum foil before adding the carrot mixture.

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Poblano Mac and Cheese

Meredith Food Studios 
Poblano Mac and Cheese Recipe
Are you ready for the cheesiest Mac and cheese in your life? With a cheese pull so long you could play double dutch with it? This poblano mac and cheese might just be the only mac and cheese you’ll ever make again. If you’re not a fan of heat, use a bell pepper instead of a poblano to cut down on the spiciness.
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Roasted Root Vegetables With Balsamic-Maple Glaze

Jennifer Causey
Roasted Root Vegetables With Balsamic-Maple Glaze Recipe

These vegetables are so good, they may upstage everything else on the table. The balsamic-maple sauce is particularly delicious (and smartly added at the end to keep all flavors and colors vibrant). Roasting the purple vegetables separately will also help keep all the colors looking their best.

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Roasted Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes

Photo: Romulo Yanes; Styling: Claire Spollen  
Roasted Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes Recipe

Tired of plain mashed potatoes? Cauliflower, milk, and butter are added here to create a rich, creamy side. Serve with gravy and a succulent cut of roast beef.

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Super-Crispy Oven Fries

Meredith Food Studios
Super-Crispy Oven Fries Recipe

These unbelievably crispy oven fries cut the grease and calories of a standard French fry and taste way better. While this process isn't as fast as a deep fryer, the extra time is worth it. You can even parboil the potatoes ahead of time and wait until it's closer to serving time to bake them. 

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Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes

Victor Protasio
Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes Recipe
In this traditional recipe, the texture and flavor of Russet potatoes, a favorite choice when making mashed potatoes, is enhanced with a trio of dairy flavors: tangy buttermilk, creamy butter, and velvety rich crème fraîche.

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Grilled Sweet Potato Fries

Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall
Grilled Sweet Potato Fries Recipe

Everyone will gobble up these spicy grilled sweet potato fries topped with honey and salty queso fresco. Serve them as a fun appetizer or alongside burgers or your favorite grilled protein. Microwaving the sweet potatoes before they hit the grill ensures the fries will be tender throughout and helps them cook up quickly.

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Warm Asparagus, Radish, and New Potato Salad with Herb Dressing

Victor Protasio
Warm Asparagus, Radish, and New Potato Salad with Herb Dressing Recipe
Potato salad gets a makeover for the season with the addition of roasted asparagus and radishes. The tangy dressing can be made up to a week in advance and stored in the refrigerator. Roasted vegetables hold up better on a Easter buffet than a bowl of mixed greens—and they’re more interesting too.
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Sautéed Broccoli Rabe

Photo: Jason Wallis; Styling: Missie Neville Crawford    
Sautéed Broccoli Rabe Recipe

This high flavor side dish of Sautéed Broccoli Rabe is packed with potassium, iron, and calcium, fiber as well as vitamins A, C, and K. Broccoli rabe is one of the most nutritious leafy greens to add to your diet.

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Turnip Green Salad

Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller; Food Styling: Katelyn Hardwick
Turnip Green Salad Recipe
If you think turnip greens are only edible if they are simmered in a pot of liquid and seasoned with a ham hock, check out this recipe. This summer salad makes delicious use of abundant produce such as fresh turnip greens, heirloom grape tomatoes, and colorful watermelon radishes.

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Roasted Broccoli Macaroni and Cheese

Victor Protasio
Roasted Broccoli Macaroni and Cheese Recipe
Our Test Kitchen added cubes of Cheddar cheese to the pasta that melt as the pasta bakes, creating pockets of gooey goodness in every bite. The dish can be made through Step 2 up to 1 day in advance; cover and refrigerate. Bring to room temperature (about 30 minutes) before proceeding with Step 3.
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Green Salad with Olive Vinaigrette

Thomas J. Story
Green Salad with Olive Vinaigrette Recipe

This quick yet elegant salad, with its bracing bitter and salty notes, plays well with any rich, meaty main course. The recipe comes from Grant Crilly, head chef and cofounder of the free online cooking school ChefSteps. He developed it to go with his Beef Bourguignon "Steaks."

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Cauliflower Rice

Meredith Food Studios
Cauliflower Rice Recipe
There’s no need to buy the bagged stuff: If you’ve got five minutes, a food processor, and a head of cauliflower, you can make your own cauliflower rice. In addition to being a healthy rice substitute, making your own cauliflower rice is extremely easy.

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Carrot Ribbon Salad

Caitlin Bensel
Carrot Ribbon Salad Recipe

Getting your hands on a Y-shaped vegetable peeler is the secret to long and beautiful carrot ribbons. Although we used regular carrots here, multicolored carrots would make a vibrant addition to this salad. To save time, make the dressing and carrot ribbons ahead of time. Pro tip: Soak the ribbons in ice water to get a nice distinct curl.

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