If you are trying to figure out what to serve with meatloaf for dinner, this list is exactly what you are looking for. Here are the best side dish recipes ideas & more that pair well with homemade meatloaf.
Meatloaf is a classic family favorite and a comfort food staple that has been around for decades. It really needs another comfort food side recipe to make a complete meal. Therefore, you will want to pick the best easy side dish to go with any ultimate homemade meatloaf recipe.
Whether you want a salad, vegetables, or potato, we have you covered with so many choices on what to enjoy with meatloaf. Many fellow food bloggers have shared some of their quick and easy side dish recipes to eat with your traditional, glazed, stuffed, beef, turkey, or any kind of meatloaf.
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What is Meatloaf
All of these sides pair well with the seasonings, breadcrumbs, and ground beef that makes meatloaf a popular nostalgic recipe. Meatloaf originated from Europe with different forms of meatballs and then became a form of American scrapple. If you ever wondered how meatloaf got to be so popular and other fun facts, find out at HISTORY OF MEATLOAF.
Recipe Categories
To help you decide what to serve with meatloaf, I have broken down the list into some subcategories. There are comfort food classics, healthy salads, casseroles, low-carb, keto, gluten-free, and keto sides.
This recipe roundup of what to make with meatloaf includes:
- Side Dishes by The Short Order Cook
- Comfort Food Classic Side Dishes
- Salad & Vegetable Side Dishes
- Keto, Low Carb, or Gluten-Free Side Dishes
Side Dishes by The Short Order Cook
All of these recipes can be found on the website and are what to eat with meatloaf the next time you cook it at home. These are some of our family favorites like my sweet, fluffy, and comforting Whipped Sweet Potatoes. These are all delicious, home-cooked, and rich just as all the best comfort food side dish recipes should be.
Potato Recipes
Roasted Potatoes & Broccoli
Two yummy side dishes in one sheet pan recipe - oven roasted potatoes & broccoli florets are the ultimate pairing. The spice mix add a ton of flavor & it pairs with anything from fish to chicken or beef. This easy vegetable side takes little prep & the small pieces cook fast in the oven. This simple yet fancy recipe is vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, & dairy-free.
Roasted Potatoes & Broccoli
Pan Fried Potatoes & Onions
Fire up your skillet and pan-fry some potatoes and onions for a hearty side dish. This easy recipe is ready in 30 minutes & takes only a few ingredients. This southern recipe for seasoned russet potato cubes is a classic American dish great for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. The potatoes are crispy & fork-tender - plus gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, & dairy-free.
Pan Fried Potatoes & Onions
Whipped Sweet Potatoes
For a comforting side dish, these whipped sweet potatoes really hit the spot. They are fluffy and sweet with a hint of nutmeg. Perfect to serve with Thanksgiving turkey, Christmas roast, Easter Ham, or any family dinner or holiday.
Whipped Sweet Potatoes
Air Fryer Sweet Potato Slices
Quick & easy Air fryer sweet potato rounds are crispy, sweet, & spicy. The simple recipe takes less than 30 minutes & is only 6 ingredients. A great snack, side, or appetizer. A healthy way to eat them - also gluten-free, paleo, Whole30, vegan, dairy-free, & low-fat.
Air Fryer Sweet Potato Slices
Deep-Fried Sweet Potato Fries
Homemade deep-fried sweet potato fries are a quick and easy family favorite recipe. This fantastic method to deep fry & season them makes the best appetizer or side dish.
Deep-Fried Sweet Potato Fries
Air Fryer Frozen Crinkle French Fries
For an easy foolproof method for cooking frozen crinkle-cut french fries in the air fryer, try this recipe. They will be hot, crispy, and yummy with just the right amount of time to cook in the air fryer. Plus delicious dips and seasonings to add for the best air fryer french fries.
AIr Fryer French Fries
Toaster Oven Baked Potato
Making baked potatoes in the toaster oven is an easy and delicious way to cook this classic side dish. The skin turns out crispy and the inside is soft and fluffy. If your toaster oven has a convection setting, this baked potato recipe is super quick
Toaster Oven Baked Potato
Instant Pot Ranch Salt Potatoes
Tender bite-sized potatoes are tossed with butter and ranch seasoning for a family favorite. These salt-crusted electric pressure cooker potatoes are easy and the best side dish recipe.
Instant Pot Ranch Salt Potatoes
Vegetable & Salad Recipes
Bacon Fried Corn
This easy recipe for bacon fried corn is a Southern classic. Fresh corn off the cob is cooked in the skillet & seasoned for a sweet, salty, & tasty side dish no one can resist. The kernels are cooked in bacon drippings with onion until tender & crisp. It only takes 20 minutes & 4 ingredients to pan-fry this vegetable into your new favorite summer comfort food.
Bacon Fried Corn
Slow Cooker Acorn Squash
This sweet and savory acorn squash recipe is a fabulous side dish. The taste of fall is wonderful in this slow cooker brown sugar acorn squash recipe. Cook it in the CrockPot for the best that is stuffed acorn squash with apple & cinnamon you have ever had. Great for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner.
Slow Cooker Brown Sugar Acorn Squash
Caramelized Brussel sprouts with Brown Sugar, Bacon, & Blue Cheese
Caramelized Brussel sprouts with brown sugar are a wonderful simple side dish. To make Brussel sprouts even more wonderful add bacon and blue cheese for a sweet, salty, creamy, and nutty delight.
Caramelized Brussels Sprouts with Bacon & Blue Cheese
Slow Cooker Collard Greens
Tender slow cooker collard greens are perfectly seasoned for a delicious southern side dish. These bacon-cooked greens are tender, rich, and full of flavor. There is no easier recipe.
Slow Cooker Collard Greens (CrockPot)
Low-Carb Keto Creamed Spinach Casserole
Creamed spinach is a tasty low-carb steakhouse restaurant favorite. This easy keto recipe is the best spinach casserole side dish.
Low-Carb Keto Creamed Spinach Casserole
Air Fryer Green Beans
In just 10 minutes, this recipe for crispy air fryer green beans is the best. This simple side dish with few ingredients is quick & easy.
Air Fryer Green Beans
Baked Green Beans with Everything But the Bagel Seasoning
These delicious baked green beans will be a family favorite. The nutty everything bagel sesame seasoning that includes garlic and onion adds so much flavor. This quick & easy sheet pan veggie recipe.
Oven Roasted Green Beans
Air Fryer Broccolini with Lemon & Parmesan (tenderstem broccoli)
Broccolini is crispy thanks to the air fryer. Topped with fresh lemon & parmesan, makes this tenderstem broccoli recipe the best. You'll love this Italian-inspired fresh vegetable garlicky side dish or appetizer.
Air Fryer Broccolini
Instant Pot Steamed Broccoli
Instant pot steamed broccoli is a healthy and easy recipe that comes out perfect every time. In just a few minutes fresh broccoli is cooked and ready to enjoy. This method works in any electric pressure cooker with or without a steamer basket and results in fresh steamed broccoli that is not mushy.
Instant Pot Broccoli
Crispy Air Fryer Keto Radishes
Crispy air fryer keto radishes are the low-carb answer to those that love roasted potatoes. These seasoned radishes are an easy recipe & done in 15 minutes.
Air Fryer Keto Radishes
Simple Spinach Salad
Toss together this quick & easy simple spinach salad in just minutes. The crunchy croutons are made from scratch & with a homemade dijon vinaigrette this is the best recipe hands down. It's a fresh & healthy side dish that goes with any meal or enjoy for lunch. Pile on some protein for an entree dinner.
Simple Spinach Salad
Broccoli Salad with Apples & Cheese
This healthy broccoli salad with carrots, raisins, apples, and cheese is amazing. The creamy greek yogurt dressing is low-fat and made without mayo. It is tangy, crisp, fresh, and sweet in every bite. It holds up great for potlucks and barbecues. It is even great as a leftover, unlike other salads.
Broccoli Salad with Apples & Cheese
Other Recipes
Easy Homemade Soft Dinner Rolls
The best soft homemade dinner rolls baked using yeast are easy to make. These rolls are delicious and enjoyed best when warm straight out of the oven.
Easy Homemade Soft Dinner Rolls
Old-Fashioned Baked Macaroni & Cheese with Bacon
Creamy macaroni & cheese with caramelized onions & bacon is a classic old-fashioned recipe. The best homemade baked mac and cheese begins with a traditional roux, 3 kinds of cheese & al dente elbow pasta. This family-favorite casserole recipe is creamy, comforting, & simple to make.
3 Cheese & Bacon Mac & Cheese
Keto Cornbread Chaffles
Cornbread chaffles made with almond flour are the best Mini Dash keto waffle recipe. A savory low-carb & gluten-free side for chili, soup, or salad.
Keto Cornbread Chaffles
Comfort Food Classic Side Dishes
Comforting sides like mashed potatoes and creamed vegetables are commonly served with meatloaf. Besides mashed potatoes and gravy, this list includes some comfort food classics and new recipes that you will want to make over and over again. All of these soul-pleasing recipes will be a surefire hit with the family.
Potatoes Au Gratin
Potatoes au gratin has thinly sliced potatoes layered with a rich cream sauce plus cheese. A delicious comforting side dish that everyone will enjoy.
Potatoes au Gratin
Carrot & Rutabaga Mash
Quick and easy to make, this carrot and rutabaga mash is a great make-ahead side dish. Full of flavor and a gorgeous color for the perfect comforting recipe.
Carrot & Rhutabagas
Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes
Of course, meatloaf needs a great mashed potato side dish and this make-ahead recipe is perfect. It is rich and comforting just as it should be.
Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes
Instant Pot Cheesy Potatoes
Think of these as a loaded baked potato that is made in your Instant Pot for an easy and delicious side dish. With smoky bacon, garlic, and sour cream, these pressure cooker potatoes are crazy irresistible.
Instant Pot Cheesy Potatoes
Salad & Vegetable Side Dishes
Here are some great healthy side dishes to make and eat with your next dinner of meatloaf. There is a healthy salad, a mayo-based salad, and comforting vegetables and casseroles. All of them are yummy and complete your meal.
Red Cabbage Slaw
With just a few ingredients, this homemade slaw comes together in minutes. It is a wonderful simple side dish.
Red Cabbage Slaw
Fried Potato Salad with Bacon & Homemade Aioli
This Fried Potato Salad features pan-fried potatoes that are elevated with bacon, scallion, red onion, and a homemade Smoked Paprika Aioli. This recipe is a delicious comforting side dish with a ton of flavor.
Fried Potatoes with Bacon
Southern Squash Casserole
The cracker topping on this squash recipe creates a delicious crunch to compliment the creamy casserole. It is a perfectly cheesy vegetable side dish.
Southern Squash Casserole
Fried Cauliflower
These easy vegan cauliflower bites are addicting. They are wonderfully crunchy on the outside and tender on the inside which is perfect to pair with your favorite dip.
Fried Cauliflower
Crispy Baked Parmesan Tomatoes
These delicious Baked Parmesan Tomatoes are topped with breadcrumbs, herbs, Parmesan cheese and garlic for a punch of flavor. These warm and crispy tomatoes are a comforting side dish.
Crispy Baked Parmesan Tomatoes
Keto, Low Carb, or Gluten-Free Side Dishes
This category of ideas to serve with meatloaf includes keto, low-carb, paleo, or gluten-free recipes. Try a new creamed vegetable or a gluten-free twist on a classic recipe. No matter what you choose, your healthy diet will be on track and your taste buds will thank you.
Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus
This keto side dish is a wonderful compliment to any meatloaf recipe. After all, bacon and meatloaf should be a match in heaven, right?
Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus
Best Gluten-Free Vegan Stuffing
If you want a hearty side dish that is gluten-free, this vegan stuffing is just what you are looking for. Chunks of celery and carrots plus herbs make this stuffing comforting with classic flavors.
Gluten-Free Stuffing
Creamed Onion Gratin
Perfectly oven-baked onions in a creamy bechamel sauce with white wine, fresh thyme and, grated parmesan cheese. This creamed onion gratin is a perfect side dish for any comforting meal.
Creamed Onions
Cream of Peas
This cream of peas recipe, aka creamed peas, is a quick, easy, and comforting recipe. Everyone will love peas as soon as they take one bite of these!
Cream of Peas
Keto Mac & Cheese
Heavy cream and a 3-cheese blend make this keto cauliflower mac & cheese the most satisfying side dish. Enjoying a healthy low-carb version that is full of flavor and what is loved in this classic American dish just got easier.
Keto Mac & Cheese
Roselyn Franke says
The side dishes look yummy - don't make meatloaf often, but will have to try some of them with other entrees as well,
Angela says
thanks - enjoy whatever recipe you make with these side dishes
Brandee says
My kid does not like mashed potatoes so I am always stumped on what to make with meatloaf. My mom always made mashed potatoes so boy has it been weird to not have that with a ton of gravy. I made the mashed up whipped sweet potatoes and we loved it. My kid ate it! So that is love if you ask me when the pickiest eater in the house finished it.
Angela says
Great news - what a win for momma!