Over 35 side dish ideas for meatloaf night. Plan a hearty meatloaf meal with delicious sides like mashed potatoes or a blue cheese wedge salad.
As you gear up to make your favorite meatloaf recipe, don’t forget all the delicious sides that can go with it! From mashed potatoes and gravy to roasted veggies, we’ve got you covered with over 35 delectable side ideas. Let’s get cooking and add some variety to your dinner table.
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The Best Meatloaf Side Dishes
Let’s look at each dish and the many variations you can use to spice up your meatloaf dinner even more.
#1 Baked potatoes
Baked potatoes are a top pick for side dishes for meatloaf. Serve them as twice-baked or loaded. Have your family (or dinner guests) load up on their own toppings by using a baked potato bar with cheese, sour cream, bacon bits, and butter.
Variations to try
- Broccoli and cheddar baked potatoes
- Swiss, provolone, and cheddar cheese with mushrooms, onions, and green peppers
#2 Mashed potatoes
There’s nothing like a heap of creamy mashed potatoes to pair with a slice of meatloaf. They’re the ultimate comfort side—warm, creamy, and reassuring. If you’re looking for something classic and filling, mashed potatoes are the way to go.
Variations to try
- Garlic mashed potatoes
- Slow cooker mashed potatoes
- Mashed cauliflower
#3 Smashed potatoes
Yes, smashed potatoes differ from ‘mashed’ potatoes. With smashed potatoes, you boil potatoes and then literally smash them on a pan, drizzle with olive oil, salt, and other seasonings. Then, bake until they are crispy on the outside and cooked to perfection on the inside.
Variations to try
- Paprika smashed potatoes
- Top with parmesan cheese
- Garlic ‘smashed’ potatoes
#4 Roasted potatoes
Simple yet so delicious, roasted potatoes are a quick and easy pairing for hearty and rich meatloaf. All you do is chop potatoes (Yukon golds work great), add to a foil or parchment-covered pan, drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle with your favorite seasonings. Then bake at 425 degrees for about 25-30 minutes or until they reach the desired doneness.
Variations to try
- Parmesan garlic roasted
- Herb-roasted potatoes
#5 Scalloped potatoes
There’s something about a creamy dish of scalloped potatoes that makes your heart happy. Thinly slice potatoes and bake in an herb-infused cream sauce for a side dish that’s sure to satisfy.
Variations to try
- Cheesy garlic
- Top with ham or crab meat
#6 Baked sweet potatoes
Who doesn’t love a good sweet potato? Especially when baked with just the right amount of butter, kosher salt, and black pepper.
Variations to try
- Marshmallow topped
- Twice-baked candied sweet potatoes
- Hasselback sweet potatoes
#7 Sweet potato fries
Crispy sweet potato fries are the perfect balance of sweet and savory. Simply slice yams thin and fry (or air-fry) until they’re nice and crisp, making them a tasty side dish option.
Variations to try
- Air fryer sweet potato fries
- Curly fries
#8 Roasted mixed vegetables
To make the best roasted vegetables, select your favorite veggies – onions, bell peppers, mushrooms, zucchini, squash, broccoli, or cauliflower. Drizzle with olive or grapeseed oil and pop them in the oven. Cook until they’re tender and browned.
Variations to try
- Sprinkle with Italian seasoning
- Top with garlic, parmesan, or rosemary
#9 Asparagus
Asparagus is so versatile—you can bake, air fry, steam, boil, grill, or roast it. It’s a beautiful side dish for meatloaf, adding visual interest and healthy greens to your spread.
Variations to try
- Parmesan panko asparagus fries
- Cheesy baked asparagus with red pepper flakes
#10 Brussel sprouts
In our opinion, brussel sprouts are one of the most underrated vegetables. They’re so delicious (especially when roasted with balsamic) and make an excellent side dish.
Variations to try
- Honey balsamic brussel sprouts
- Maple bacon brussel sprouts
#11 Broccoli
Looking for a delicious, nutritious side dish? Look no further than broccoli. Oven roasting is our favorite way to prepare broccoli, but you can do much more with this tasty veggie.
Variations to try
- Parmesan roasted broccoli
- Lemon garlic broccoli
- Broccoli cheese bake
#12 Green beans
Fresh green beans are simple to prepare and provide a delicious taste and pop of color to your dinner. There are several ways to cook them—sauté, steam, or boil.
Variations to try
- Garlic and bacon sautéed green beans
- Green bean casserole with mushroom soup and fried onions
#13 Glazed carrots
Glazed carrots are sweet, savory, and simple to make with just a handful of ingredients–making meatloaf night even better.
Variations to try
- Honey glazed carrots
- Brown sugar-glazed carrots
#14 Baked zucchini
If you’re looking for a lighter, healthier side, baked zucchini is an excellent choice. This summer vegetable is healthy, full of flavor, and easy to make.
Variations to try
- Seasoned zucchini spears
- Baked zucchini ‘chips’
- Parmesan zucchini tomato gratin
#15 Veggie kabobs
Add some excitement to your meatloaf menu with colorful vegetable skewers. These kabobs are full of flavor and a unique way to get in more servings of veggies.
Variations to try
- Rainbow vegetable kabobs
- Add slices of corn on the cob
#16 Scalloped corn
Scalloped corn is just as comforting as the meatloaf you plan to serve with it. This creamy corn mixture topped with buttery cracker crumbs is sure to please.
Variations to try
- Scalloped corn with cheese
- Corn pudding
#17 Dinner rolls
Soft, buttery dinner rolls are a wonderful addition to your dinner table. Serve them with some strawberry jam for a sweet touch, or simply spread with butter. Don’t forget to save a few for leftover meatloaf sandwiches.
Variations to try
#18 Garlic bread
Who doesn’t love garlic bread? Its soft, buttery garlic inside and crisp outside pair well with rich, savory meatloaf. Not to mention, it’s quick and easy—making it a win-win in our book.
Variations to try
- Cheesy garlic bread
- Garlic knots
- Cheesy onion pull-apart bread
#19 Cornbread
Cornbread is terrific with honey and butter, and it’s a fantastic addition to any dinner. Serve it up and see how quickly it disappears.
Variations to try
- Cinnamon cranberry cornbread
- Cheesy jalapeno cornbread
#20 Biscuits
Warm, fluffy, and delicious—biscuits are the perfect addition to any meal. Enjoy them with butter and jam or drizzle with honey.
Variations to try
- Cheddar garlic biscuits
- Serve with garlic herb butter
#21 Mac and cheese
Everyone will enjoy this cheesy, creamy side dish. No need for boxed mac n cheese. You can whip up your own gourmet mac that tastes delicious with meatloaf.
Variations to try
- White cheddar mac
- Parmesan spinach macaroni
#22 Baked beans
Baked beans are tangy, satisfying, and easy to make on the stovetop, slow cooker, or smoked on the grill. For a twist, try barbecue baked beans with grilled meatloaf.
Variations to try
- Hawaiian baked beans
- Brown sugar baked beans
#23 Quinoa
Quinoa is a light side dish option packed with protein and carbs. This superfood cooks quickly, making it a convenient choice. Simply cook as directed (with chicken or vegetable broth for added flavor) and add onion, garlic, and your favorite herbs.
Variations to try
- Garlic butter quinoa
- Lemon turmeric quinoa
#24 Seasoned rice
Elevate your meal with flavorful herb seasoned rice. Quickly transform plain rice into a delightful side dish that will complement your main dish.
Variations to try
- Garlic turmeric rice
- Buttery seasoned rice
#25 Cauliflower rice
Cauliflower rice is a low-carb alternative to regular white rice, making it ideal for people on a keto or paleo diet. A delicious ‘veggie in disguise’ that goes well with ground beef or ground turkey meatloaf.
Variations to try
- Cheesy broccoli cauliflower rice
- Garlic parmesan cauliflower rice
#26 Potato salad
Nothing beats a homemade potato salad. It may take a bit more time, but the results are well worth it. Plan this side for a night when you have a bit more time to prepare dinner.
Variations to try
- Homemade mustard potato salad with miracle whip
- Loaded baked potato salad
#27 Pasta salad
Pasta salad is a wonderful option to accompany grilled meatloaf. A chilled, refreshing pasta salad will hit the spot on a hot summer night.
Variations to try
- Ranch pasta salad
- BLT pasta salad
#28 Wedge salad
Start with a wedge of iceberg lettuce and top with crumbled blue cheese, bacon bits, cherry tomatoes, and chives – drizzle with blue cheese dressing.
Variations to try
- Greek wedge salad
- Berry almond wedge salad
#29 Spinach salad
Spinach salad is refreshing, healthy, and easy to customize to your liking. Start with spinach and add veggies, fruit, nuts, cheese crumbles, and your favorite dressing.
Variations to try
- Strawberry spinach salad
- Cranberry almond spinach salad
#30 Broccoli salad
Broccoli salad is so quick and easy to prepare. All you have to do is chop broccoli, whip together a delicious mayo sauce, and mix in other toppings like sunflower seeds, sliced almonds, and raisins.
Variations to try
- Swap raisins for dried cranberries
- Use a lemon poppyseed dressing instead of the classic mayo sauce
#31 Marinated cucumber and tomato salad
Sweet, tangy, and crisp—marinated cucumber and tomato salad will be a hit. It’s full of flavor yet light and refreshing. All you need are cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, apple cider vinegar, salt, pepper, oil, and a few hours to marinate.
Variations to try
- Creamy cucumber and tomato salad
- Marinated tomato salad
#32 Macaroni salad
A classic, creamy macaroni side salad is an excellent summer pairing for meatloaf. With just a few ingredients and a homemade sauce, you can whip up this side in no time.
Variations to try
- Tuna, cheese, and peas macaroni salad
- Deviled egg macaroni salad
#33 Coleslaw
Add some zip to your meal with creamy coleslaw. Chop cabbage and carrots, top with a simple sauce, and you’ve got a tasty way to enjoy vegetables.
Variations to try
- Apple cranberry coleslaw
- Pineapple coleslaw
#34 Stuffed mushrooms
Stuffed mushrooms aren’t your typical side and can add variety to your dinner, especially if you’re in a rut. They’re easy to stuff and bake and take as little as 45 minutes from start to finish.
Variations to try
- Garlic, herb, and cheese stuffed mushrooms
- Three cheese stuffed mushrooms
#35 Stuffed cherry peppers
A fantastic appetizer, but also make for a delicious side dish, you can fill stuffed cherry peppers with various ingredients. We love herb, garlic, and cheese fillings.
Variations to try
- Stuffed hot cherry peppers
- Sausage stuffed cherry peppers
What dessert goes with meatloaf?
Don’t forget dessert! Fruit pies, cakes, and cheesecakes all go well with a meatloaf dinner. Try peach or apple pie or cobbler—or forget the crust and go with fried cinnamon apples and vanilla ice cream.
Chocolate tart, lemon cake, or angel food with whipped cream and strawberries are great options, too. You can never go wrong with cheesecake topped with caramel or chocolate sauce or berries either.
Final Thoughts
With so many side dish ideas to choose from, it’s hard to know what pairs well with your simple meatloaf dinner. Hopefully, this list has given you some new ideas to try out next time you make this classic comfort food. What are your favorite sides for meatloaf? Let us know in the comments below!
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