12 Best Side Dishes for Meatloaf

a slice of meatloaf on a plate with mashed potatoes and vegetables in the background
Photo: cookin'mama

Meatloaf wins us over time and again — and not just because it's a classic comfort food. We consider meatloaf the ultimate team player. One, it's unfussy. Two, it goes with a lot of side dishes. Three, you can totally plan a dinner around the sides and then decide to whip up a meatloaf (or defrost one if you've really planned ahead). Here are 10 favorite side dishes, which happen to round out hearty meatloaf very well.

01 of 13

The Best Mashed Potatoes

The Best Mashed Potatoes
Photo by Allrecipes Magazine. Allrecipes Magazine

Butter, cream cheese, Parmesan cheese, and garlic amp up the flavor of these creamy mashed potatoes. Recipe creator Christina C notes you can make it the day before, sprinkle with extra Parmesan and butter, and reheat in the oven.

02 of 13

Italian Peas

closeup of peas with onions, with meatloaf in the background
TTV78

This recipe should be the reason you keep peas in the freezer. "Wow, I was surprised at how good this simple recipe turned out," says GodivaGirl. "My family has never been a fan of peas, so I was looking for a way to make them taste a little different. This recipe was it."

03 of 13

Chuck's Favorite Mac and Cheese

Chuck's Favorite Mac and Cheese
Photo by ChefBound.

Serve this rich and creamy mac and cheese with meatloaf for a meal that seriously satisfies.

04 of 13

Quick Brussels Sprouts and Bacon

Quick Brussels and Bacon on a white dish
abbaplez

Bacon crumbles gives Brussels sprouts an edge, even when up against meatloaf.

05 of 13

Roasted Parmesan-Garlic Carrots

Roasted Parmesan-Garlic Carrots
Photo by Rock_lobster.

Choose these starchy, savory carrots over French fries, and no one will complain. "One of my guests said the carrots were 'off the chain!' The flavor was amazing," says recipe creator Pamela J Hagen-French.

06 of 13

Easy Roasted Broccoli

closeup of roasted broccoli florets
France C

You can serve this healthy, top-rated broccoli as is, or follow the lead of reviewers who've added Parmesan, garlic, and red pepper flakes for a flavor boost.

07 of 13

Instant Pot(R) Garlic Roasted Melting Potatoes

roasted potatoes on white dinnerware
Soup Loving Nicole

"Try these absolutely crispy, creamy, and garlic-infused melting potatoes for a quick and easy weeknight side dish," says recipe creator Fioa.

08 of 13

Twice Baked Cauliflower with Bacon

Twice Baked Cauliflower with Bacon
bd.weld

Reviewers call this cheesy dish a suitable sub for mashed potatoes — even kids approve.

09 of 13

Fast and Easy Creamed Spinach

creamed spinach on a plate with steak and roasted vegetables
Chef John

"I loved this creamed spinach. Most of all my kids ate it all up. I will be making this again," says Patty Per.

10 of 13

Awesome and Easy Creamy Corn Casserole

Awesome and Easy Creamy Corn Casserole recipe in a casserole dish
Allrecipes Magazine

A quick and easy classic, this cream corn is "like a cross between corn souffle and a slightly sweet corn pudding!" says LETSGGGO. "This truly is the most delicious stuff! You'll love the ease of preparation and especially the taste. Everyone always wants the recipe!"

11 of 13

Slow-Cooked Green Beans

Slow-Cooked Green Beans
Joey Joan

These green beans produce a lot of juice, much to the advantage of the meatloaf it's sharing a plate with.

12 of 13

Low Carb Yellow Squash Casserole

squash casserole in a yellow casserole dish
Paula

Yellow summer squash gets the low-carb treatment. Cubes of squash are combined with whipping cream, butter, and Colby-Monterey Jack cheese. "We modified an existing recipe, swapping almonds for crackers and whole cream for milk," says Tigray, who submitted the recipe. "It satisfies my husband's diet and tastes great!"

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