What To Serve With Meatloaf (50 Tasty Side Dishes)

If you’re looking for ideas on what to serve with meatloaf, look no further than these tasty side dishes for meatloaf. 

Meatloaf is a staple food in the U.S. and has been around for quite some time, though haven’t really appeared in cookbooks up until the 19th century, and has since gained popularity and has been a regular on many American households’ dinner tables.

Another interesting fact about meatloaf is that everyone seems to have their recipe for it because there’s no ‘one right way’ to do it. 

You can follow the classic recipe or prepare a cheesy meatloaf, or add anything to it that fits your fancy.

That’s actually another thing about meatloaf; its inherent texture and composition make the addition of other ingredients easy, like a blank canvas ready for you to unleash your culinary Picasso.

Nevertheless, and notwithstanding the tweaks you make to it, you can get tired of eating the same old meatloaf every other week. 

But.

There are a variety of side dishes you can pair with it to rekindle your romance with meatloaf.

Caramelized Onions work beautifully with meatloaf, thanks to their subtly sweet flavor, while roasted veggies like Garlic Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Roasted Mini Peppers are great additions to the menu, too.

From refreshing salads to oven-fresh bread to hearty and filling soups, we’ll be taking a look at these delicious and incredibly easy-to-make sides that pair amazingly well with meatloaf.

What To Serve With Meatloaf

1. Mashed Garlic Cauliflower

For kids who’ll refuse to anything except fries or mashed potatoes, you can prepare mashed cauliflower to get them to consume more nutrients.

This is a great healthy alternative to mashed potatoes and takes almost no time to make due to less prep time. 

The secret is to use the right ingredients to bring out their best flavor.

Add sour cream, garlic, and parmesan for a creamy, rich flavor that your kids won’t be able to say no to.

2. Broccolini with Butter Beans

Broccolini, also known as baby broccoli, is a lot similar to broccoli but has longer stalks and smaller florets.

The best part about it is that even after pan-charring, it still just as sweet and crunchy.

Toss it in a cast-iron skillet with toasted almonds, lemon zest, and cooked butter beans to pack this side dish full of flavor and crunch. 

3. Baked Sweet Potato Fries

Even though sweet potatoes may be the less popular choice than white potatoes as a meatloaf side dish, they make an incredibly easy side-dish.

These baked sweet potato fries are the ultimate side dish to pair with your homemade meatloaf.

All you need to do is cut your sweet potato into thin or thick fries, depending on your preference, spread them on a baking tray in a single layer, toss them with a drizzle of olive oil and seasonings, and bake them. 

4. Cheesy Cauliflower Tots

If you love the idea of sneaking in vegetables into your kids’ meals, you’ll love this recipe for cheesy cauliflower tots.

They’ll have the same robustness of the flavor like regular tater tots and taste absolutely divine next to your meatloaf.

It’s advisable to make more than enough as they’re so difficult to resist, they’ll disappear in the blink of an eye.

5. Mashed sweet potatoes

It’s hard to find anyone who doesn’t love mashed potatoes, but with this recipe, you can surprise your guest with an extra bit of flavor and color?

This recipe for mashed sweet potatoes will take the classic flavors of mashed potatoes to a whole other level. 

The secret ingredient in this recipe is cream cheese and it makes these potatoes creamy and delicious.

6. Creamy Broccoli Salad

You may be familiar with broccoli salads as a popular side dish choice, but this is the ultimate recipe that will take the simple flavors up a notch.

Make sure to use the crunchiest raw broccoli you can find and add some cashews, red onions, dried cranberries, and a heaping serving of cheddar cheese.

Toss the salad with a tangy dressing and enjoy it next to a hearty meatloaf.

You’ll find that this salad hits all the notes of sweet, crunchy, salty and have all your guests asking for the recipe.

7. Creamed Spinach

Another amazing side dish for meatloaf has to be creamed spinach.

It tastes nothing like regular spinach because it’s cooked in a light sauce with the freshest of spices and aromatics, with just the right amount of grated parmesan cheese and half-and-half to make an incredibly creamy savory sauce.

It’s better to use baby spinach to prepare this recipe, as it’s already tender and tastes a lot less bitter than fully grown spinach.

It also takes less cooking time and introduces creaminess to the finished product.

8. Baked Potato Wedges

You can serve your meatloaf with simple French fries, or you can pair it with baked potato wedges that are slathered in garlic parmesan.

They are super easy to make and add just the right amount of crunch and flavor to the meal.  

9. Caramelized Onions

As a child, I used to hate onions, and I picked them out of everything I ate back then.

And this very dish made me a believer.

Caramelized onions take on a subtly sweet flavor along with their natural savor and earthy note while losing most of the pungent bite.

That delicious combination of flavors will go well with anything. 

Ingredients include: Onions, olive oil, and salt.

10. Lyonnaise Potatoes

Lyonnaise potatoes are just a fancy name for fried potatoes and caramelized onions, and the recipe takes its name from the city of its birth, Lyon.

But simplifying the name in no way simplifies the flavor.

If you’ve already tried making #9, then you’ll know what I’m talking about.

Ingredients include: Potatoes, butter, onions, garlic, and spices.

11. Caramelized Mushrooms

If onions aren’t your thing, but still want to give caramelization a try, then mushrooms might work for you.

Mushrooms have a natural earthy flavor, but will easily absorb any flavor it’s cooked in.

They’re especially delicious in thyme or butter.

So if you haven’t already, try it.

And let us know what you think.

Ingredients include: Mushrooms, olive oil, garlic, thyme, and seasoning.

How To Saute Mushrooms

12. KFC Coleslaw Copycat

KFC has made some good side dishes in their time.

And one of the most popular ever was their coleslaw.

Its unique balance of texture and flavor is lightyears ahead of its time and is one of the most recognizable tastes ever.

Now, who wouldn’t want some alongside their chicken or their meatloaf?

Ingredients include: Cabbage, onions, milk, mayonnaise, and seasoning.

13. Crock Pot Mac & Cheese

I’m not kidding when I say that Mac and Cheese goes well with everything.

I’ve seen it constantly mentioned in the answers to what food goes well with what.

This isn’t strange, considering it’s regarded among the most popular foods ever to grace the American dining table.

So in an emergency, you can always whip up some delicious mac and cheese to go with your meatloaf.

Ingredients include: Velveeta cheese, pasta, cheddar cheese, butter, and onions.

14. Gratin Dauphinois

If you’ve never had this French side dish before, then you’re missing a lot, but hopefully not for too much longer.

So what it is are thinly sliced potatoes baked in milk and then topped off with butter.

It tastes absolutely divine and will go well with your meatloaf.

Ingredients include: Potatoes, milk, salt, garlic clove, white pepper, and butter.

15. Cream Cheese Scalloped Potatoes

Sometimes, figuring out what side dish goes with what can be confusing.

And if it goes on for too long, infuriating.

Thankfully, these Cream Cheese Scalloped Potatoes go so well with anything, much like mashed potatoes.

The difference between them is that these Scalloped Potatoes are much more substantial and filling than the mashed variety.

Ingredients include: Potatoes, milk, butter, gruyere cheese, and seasoning.

16. Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Smashed Potatoes

Not to be confused with mashed potatoes, smashed potatoes are boiled baby potatoes that are pressed on so they’d be ‘smashed’ into the shape of a disc.

Not only does this create a platform with more surface area, but crevices for the seasoning to hold on to.

Ingredients include: Baby potatoes, butter, garlic, parmesan cheese, and seasoning.

Try our homemade recipe for air fryer smashed red potatoes too.

17. Cheesy Funeral Potatoes

Though they sound a little sinister, Funeral Potatoes are actually another name for cheesy potato casserole and are only named such because they’re usually served at after-funeral luncheons.

They’re creamy and cheesy and are also a popular comfort food.

Ingredients include: Butter, onions, sour cream, chicken soup, and seasoning.

18. Autumn Harvest Honeycrisp Apple & Feta Salad

The very colorful Autumn Harvest Honeycrisp Apple & Feta Salad merges some of fall’s best produce into one of the very best salads the season has to offer.

Tossed with an apple cider vinaigrette, its simple and delicious flavor will make you keep coming back for more.

Ingredients include: Prosciutto, Honeycrisp apples, avocado, baby arugula, and vinaigrette.

19. Traditional Irish Colcannon

Colcannon is a fancy name for mashed potatoes mixed with other leafy vegetables, such as kale.

This recipe is for the traditional Irish version, usually served on Saint Patrick’s Day or Halloween. 

It’s a simple, hearty, and delicious dish that will go perfectly with your meatloaf.

Ingredients include: Potatoes, kale, onions, butter, and seasoning.

20. Sauteed Cabbage

Sauteed cabbage is a time-honored dish with origins lost to the annals of time.

While it isn’t the sort of dish to bring forth a sudden outburst of romantic gushing, it’s a rock-solid, delicious dish that will go well with anything it’s paired with.

Ingredients include: Cabbage, olive oil, butter, salt, and pepper.

21. Succotash

Ahh, succotash.

Made from a mix of corn kernels and an assortment of beans, it’s a quintessential American dish and a prime example of premier gardening practices and the adage that ‘what grows together, goes together’. 

It’s one of the ultimate summer accompaniments to any meal.

Ingredients include: Okra, tomatoes, corn kernels, beans, and seasoning.

22. Garlic Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Tender and tasty, Garlic Roasted Brussels Sprouts is an easy recipe that only takes a few ingredients and creates a delicious side dish you’ll be excited to serve.

They don’t have that great a reputation since if they aren’t cooked right; they turn out soggy and bitter, hence, totally unappetizing.

So when first starting out, remember to follow the recipe to the letter.

Ingredients include: Brussels sprouts, butter, garlic powder, paprika, and salt.

23. Stuffed Zucchini Boats With Sausage

These hollowed-out zucchini boats with their cargo of delicious stuffing will look amazing together with your meatloaf on the dinner table.

A feast for both the eyes and the palate, amaze your guests with your creativity and set sail towards an amazing dinner.

Ingredients include: zucchini, pork sausage, onions, bell pepper, and marinara sauce.

24. Honey Sriracha Brussels Sprouts

Here we have a different take from our entry at #22.

Still tender, still tasty, but oh so sweet and spicy.

This recipe for honey sriracha brussels sprouts is simply delicious, quick, and easy to make, perfect for holidays and mid-week dinners.

Ingredients include: Brussels sprouts, olive oil, honey, sriracha, and seasoning.

25. Spinach Salad with Dried Cranberries & Feta

Far from the typical salads that you’re used to having, this salad with spinach, dried cranberries, and feta will knock your socks off.

There’s just something about tossing feta and cranberries together that just works.

Give it a try.

Ingredients include: Spinach, dried cranberries, feta cheese, olive oil, and seasoning.

26. Wild Rice Stuffing

Bread cubes are not included.

This unique iteration of the delicious stuff that goes into our holiday birds is made up completely of rice.

Well, two kinds of rice, actually: wild rice and brown rice, which combine to form a nutty, hearty flavor that will go well with your meatloaf. 

Ingredients include: Wild rice, brown rice, mushrooms, onions, and chicken bouillon.

27. Cheesy Garlic Bread

Many would be surprised to know that garlic bread is an all-American dish.

It’s an evolution of bruschetta, which has been brought to American soil by Italian immigrants and then gradually evolved into the popular side dish we know today.

This iconic side dish has since spread all over the globe, pairing well with almost all foods from a multitude of cuisines.

Ingredients include: French bread, butter, olive oil, garlic, and mozzarella cheese.

28. Greek Rice Pilaf With Orzo

This delicious recipe for greek rice pilaf with orzo is quick and easy to make.

It’s also less messy, as everything’s done in one pot.

If you’re looking for something tangy with a little crunch to go with your meatloaf, look no further.

Ingredients include: Orzo, dill, parsley, olive oil, and pistachios.

29. Sauteed Apples

If you’re in the southern United States like we are, you may be familiar with this popular side dish, a touch of sweetness alongside tender, savory meatloaf.

Peel your favorite apples that you have around, chunk them up, and give them time to simmer in butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon. 

They’ll be ready right as the meatloaf comes out of the oven to rest.

Ingredients include: Apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, butter, and vanilla extract.

30. Smoky Roasted Cauliflower

Quick, easy, and oh-so-tasty.

It’s everything one could want in a dish they’re about to prepare.

What makes this special is just how tasty it is.

It being easy to cook is a given, since you can have it on your table in half an hour tops, but the combination of the roasted cauliflower and smoked paprika is just pure magic.

Try it and see for yourself.

Ingredients include: Smoked paprika, cauliflower, olive oil, and seasoning.

31. Creamed Corn

As I’ve mentioned time and again in other articles, homecooked trumps store-bought every time.

This applies to canned foods as well.

Once you’ve made a potful of this delicious and flavor-packed creamed corn soup with bacon bits and onions with a parmesan cheese sauce, you’ll never be going back to the canned stuff again.

Ingredients include: Bacon, onions, flour, corn, and parmesan cheese.

32. Buttered Noodles

Simple and to the point, give this easy side dish a chance to round out your favorite comfort meal.

We give you step-by-step instructions and a few tips for elevating the humble egg noodle.

Ingredients include: Egg noodles, butter, minced garlic, parmesan, and chicken stock.

33. Roasted Butternut Squash

There’s just something about Butternut Squash that is just so appealing.

It’s got this rich, earthy, sweet taste that, when coupled with its nutty texture, just goes well with everything.

Here’s the Cookingchew version of this recipe which I’m sure you’ll enjoy.

Ingredients include: Butternut squash, rosemary, minced garlic, olive oil, and seasoning.

34. German Cucumber Salad Recipe

Ahh cucumbers: refreshing, cheap, and oh-so-easy to turn into a salad.

When I’m looking for comfort food that’s tasty and refreshing, our version of German Cucumber Salad always tops my list.

Ingredients include: Cucumbers, onions, sour cream, chives, and dried dill.

35. Tex-Mex Quinoa Salad

I’m a sucker for anything Tex-Mex.

Not at all surprising since I’m from deep in the heart of The Lone Star State.

And one of the recipes that will go really well with your meatloaf from around here is our version of the Tex-Mex Quinoa Salad.

It’s guaranteed to give you this explosion of flavor that will complement nicely with every meal.

Ingredients include: Quinoa, lime, olive oil, tomatoes, and avocados.

36. Caesar Salad

And now, I present our unique take on the classic Caesar salad.

Our version excludes anchovies and raw eggs, which are usually present in the traditional form of the dish.

The single, most important thing to do with this dish is to refrigerate it before serving.

I recommend refrigerating about 2 hours before serving (though overnight will be much better), giving time for the flavors to meld and for your salad to chill.

Ingredients include: Romaine lettuce, parmesan cheese, croutons, mustard sauce, and lemon juice.

37. Hawaiian Macaroni Salad

One of the things I like about macaroni is its versatility.

It can be used in soups, stuffing, casseroles, generic sauce-based pasta dishes, and of course, salads.

Our recipe for Hawaiian Macaroni Salad is one of my favorites and is one of my go-to’s for potlucks and holiday get-togethers.

Ingredients include: Macaroni, mayonnaise, milk, onions, carrots, and seasoning.

38. Creamy Fruit Salad

If you’re in the mood for fruit, this one’s a good choice.

Sweet and creamy, it’s a fantastic side dish you can enjoy year-round, especially in the spring and summer when more fruits are available.

You may use any fruit you like, and it is perfect for those emergencies when you need something sweet and refreshing on the table stat.

Ingredients include: Apples, blueberries, grapes, strawberries, and greek yogurt.

39. Easy Creamy Pasta Salad

If you’re looking for a light lunch and don’t have much time to prep, this is your ticket.

We’ll use the ranch for this one, so make sure you suit the mix-ins and toppings to your taste.

Ingredients include: Pasta, carrots, peas, tomatoes, and cheese.

40. Grilled Peach Salad With Champagne Vinaigrette

Grilled Peaches.

Now there’s something you don’t hear every day.

We won’t be stopping there, though, oh no.

We’ll instead be amping the unusualness by dousing the now savory-sweet peaches with a sprinkle of champaign vinaigrette.

The resulting boom of flavors is something I’m sure you’ll enjoy.

Ingredients include: Romaine lettuce, peaches, champagne vinegar, Dijon mustard, and seasoning.

41. Roasted Pear Salad

If you liked #40, or our recipe for Grilled Peach Salad, then we have something else for you that you’ll surely love.

I proudly present our version of Roasted Pear Salad.

When roasted, the naturally sweet pears take on a more savory taste that’ll go perfectly with your meatloaf.

Ingredients include: Pears, parmesan cheese, spinach, olive oil, and seasoning.

42. Easy Arugula Salad

Here at Cookingchew, we take pride in our quick and easy but delicious recipes.

And this recipe for Arugula Salad is no different.

It’s also a great recipe for novice chefs to practice with.

Ingredients include: Arugula, olive oil, lemon juice, honey, and seasoning.

43. Roasted Mini Peppers

Did you know paprika is made of powdered dried bell peppers?

If you’re a fan of paprika, then you’ll love these Roasted Mini Peppers.

You can roast them in the air fryer quickly and easily.

They make excellent side dishes or even snacks.

Ingredients include: Mini peppers, olive oil, salt, and pepper.

44. Easy Marinated Tomatoes

This dish can easily be considered perfect: it’s simple, elegant, and only requires a few ingredients and a little time.

It goes well with everything as well, which makes sense since one of the most popular and widely used condiments is made from tomatoes.

Ingredients include: Tomatoes, red onions, olive oil, garlic, and herbs.

45. Copycat Texas Roadhouse Fried Pickles

After one visit to the Texas Roadhouse and having a taste of their fried pickles, I knew I had to find out how to make them at home.

They were that good.

And the fact that they’re listed here means that effort has paid off. 

Ingredients include: Dill pickles, cayenne pepper, Cajun seasoning, all-purpose flour, and oregano.

46. Jiffy Corn Casserole

A meridional staple classic, corn casserole has been gracing dinner tables in the south since time immemorial.

Many versions of this dish exist, but the one presented to you today is the easiest and tastiest variant I could find: The Jiffy Corn Mix.

You’re going to love how easy it is to put together.

Ingredients include: Jiffy cornbread mix, cream corn, whole kernel corn, sour cream, and butter.

47. Farro

If you’ve never had farro before, you’re in for a treat.

It’s an ancient whole-grain wheat, the perfect substitute if you’re looking for an alternative to rice or bread.

Here, I’ll be showing you one of the simplest of the many ways to serve up some hearty and chewy Farro.

Ingredients include: Farro, water, and salt.

48. Mexican Street Corn

Mexican Street Corn, or Elote, is a Mexican staple you can encounter just about anywhere when you’re over there, from side street vendors to a part of a multi-course meal in a fancy restaurant.

They’re that popular.

Now we’ll be showing you our version of this sweet and oftentimes spicy treat.

Ingredients include: Tajin seasoning, mayonnaise, sweet corn, sour cream, and red pepper flakes.

49. Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms

The thing I love about mushrooms is that it’s a culinary chameleon: it subtly takes on the flavor of anything it is cooked with: it never clashes, and it always seems to complement everything.

In this version, I’ll be showing you how to stuff them with goat cheese and sausage, but really, you can use any stuffing you want.

Let loose and experiment.

Let us know if you made it and what stuffing works for you.

Ingredients include: Portobello mushrooms, extra virgin olive oil, poblano peppers, turkey sausages, and goat cheese.

50. Cauliflower Rice

Did you know that cauliflower is a viable substitute for rice?

Yes.

So if you’re looking for a rice alternative that’s high in fiber and has less sugar, then this is for you.

Ingredients include: Cauliflower, virgin olive oil, and black pepper.

The bottom line

If you’ve grown tired of eating meatloaf for dinner almost every other week, you should try pairing it with these delicious savory side dishes to round out the meal perfectly. 

You can also prepare more than one side dish if you’re serving a large group of people, but make sure there’s enough for everyone.