33 Of The Best Meatloaf Sides
Mar 20, 2022, Updated Mar 25, 2024
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Hearty meatloaf is classic comfort food. When made well, it’s an easy weeknight dinner that’s super satisfying and usually means leftovers to enjoy throughout the week. And if you’re wondering what to serve with this all-American dish, we’ve got over 30 of the best meatloaf sides to complement your main course!
What to serve with meatloaf?
Wondering what to serve with hearty meatloaf for a cozy weeknight dinner? We’ve gathered over 30 of the best meatloaf sides to help you plan your perfect meal!
Need a recipe for easy homemade meatloaf? Be sure to try this air fryer meatloaf, BBQ meatloaf, gravy meatloaf, or Lipton soup meatloaf.
When it’s made well, meatloaf is a super satisfying dish. It’s comfort food that doesn’t take long to prep and, if you’re lucky, also means you’ll have leftovers to enjoy later in the week. And when you pair it with just the right sides, you can really take your dinner to the next level!
From classics like garlic bread or baked potatoes to exciting dishes like French onion soup or hasselback potatoes, there are so many delicious options! You might just have to make more than one.
1. Garlic Bread
Would you believe you can make homemade garlic bread in the air fryer in just 5 minutes? You only need a few simple ingredients, or you can use premade frozen garlic bread for maximum convenience!
2. Dinner Rolls
Soft, fluffy, buttery dinner rolls aren’t just for Thanksgiving anymore. These Texas Roadhouse copycat rolls even come with instructions for cinnamon honey butter! Try this recipe for pure melt-in-your-mouth deliciousness. This recipe is sure to be a hit with the whole family.
3. Cornbread
Never suffer through dry cornbread again! A little oil in the batter gives this recipe a wonderfully moist texture while sugar and honey add extra sweetness that is simply irresistible. Finally, we’ll use a cast iron skillet to get that perfectly crispy edge!
4. Loaded Baked Potato Casserole
This creamy, cheesy casserole might be the most delicious side dish ever! And best of all, it’s so easy to make. Just boil the potatoes, mix with sour cream, and load it up with cheese and bacon before baking! A delicious take on plain mashed potatoes.
5. Air Fryer Baked Potatoes
If you like your potatoes with seasoned, crispy skin on the outside while the inside turns out super fluffy and tender, then this air fryer recipe is for you! It’s a set-it-and-forget-it dish that takes 40-50 minutes, so you have plenty of time to prep everything else for dinner. A super easy side dish recipe that pairs well with many things.
6. Hasselback Potatoes
Family and friends will be so impressed when you set this potato dish on the dinner table! Hasselback potatoes are crispy, perfectly seasoned, and roasted with garlic butter to ensure there’s flavor in every fold.
7. Seasoned French Fries
These copycat Wingstop fries are unbelievably delicious! They have an irresistible smoky, salty, sweet flavor, and you can make them in the air fryer or on the stove. Enjoy these crave-worthy fries without ever leaving your house!
8. Sweet Potato Fries
Turn a bag of Alexia frozen sweet potato fries into a hot and crispy side in no time at all! Once you see how well they turn out in the air fryer, you’ll never want to make them in the oven again.
9. Potato Wedges
This baked spicy garlic version of the classic side dish is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. They’re easy enough to whip up on busy weeknights, but impressive enough to serve when entertaining.
10. Potato Salad
Who doesn’t love a classic creamy potato salad packed with zesty flavor? Pickles, celery, red onion, green onions, and hard boiled eggs come together in a tasty dressing for an easy side that’s always a crowd-pleaser.
11. Mashed Cauliflower
Ditch the carbs and the starch with this delicious, smooth, creamy mashed cauliflower recipe! With only 4-ingredients, the mash turns out so tasty and satisfying, you won’t even miss the potatoes.
12. Loaded Cauliflower Casserole
Sour cream, shredded cheddar, and crumbled bacon mean this keto-friendly side is out of this world! It’s amazingly rich and can be ready in just 30 minutes. Top with green onions and enjoy!
13. Cauliflower Tots
You only need 6 ingredients to make these grain- and gluten-free little bites of deliciousness! They’re a fun and healthier twist on classic tater tots that even the kids will enjoy. Serve with your favorite dipping sauces!
14. Spinach Casserole
Cheese and a touch of cayenne pepper take this creamy baked spinach casserole to the next level! You can enjoy it as a tasty side dish or serve it as homemade spinach dip with some crusty bread, veggies, and crackers for dipping.
15. Roasted Broccoli
With just 6 ingredients and 15 minutes, you can have crispy, tender, perfectly seasoned oven-roasted broccoli! This is the kind of healthy side dish that pairs well with absolutely everything.
16. Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots
Need an easy veggie side everyone is sure to love? Brown sugar and butter make these easy Instant Pot glazed baby carrots oh-so-irresistible! They’re sure to become an instant family favorite.
17. Roasted Asparagus
If you’re looking for a super easy and totally delicious side dish that’s perfect for spring and summer, look no further! You only need a few ingredients and about 15 minutes to make this fresh and flavorful dish.
18. Roasted Vegetables
Brussels sprouts, butternut squash, carrots, onion, and potatoes are oven-roasted to tender perfection and coated in a crave-worthy seasoning blend for a mouth-watering burst of flavor! You can also grab some tips on how to roast vegetables perfectly every time.
19. Cheesy Green Beans
These green beans are roasted in olive oil, garlic, and parmesan, then topped with mozzarella and baked until the cheese is melty and bubbling! It requires almost no prep and is a great low-carb side.
20. Corn Casserole
This 5-ingredient recipe takes Jiffy Corn muffin mix and turns it into a crave-worthy casserole! Whole kernel corn, cream-style corn, sour cream, and butter elevate the box mix into a perfect side dish that bakes up delicious every time.
21. Garlic Mushrooms
If you love mushrooms, this recipe is for you! Use your favorite variety and sautée in a creamy sauce flavored with garlic, oregano, chili flakes, and parmesan cheese. No judgment if you simply can’t resist licking the plate!
22. Smashed Brussel Sprouts
If someone you know is still holding out on this vegetable, see what happens when they try a bite of this dish! Smashed Brussels sprouts with parmesan have crispy, cheesy edges and take on a wonderful oven-roasted caramelized goodness.
23. Chopped Wedge Salad
Who can resist crunchy iceberg lettuce topped with tomatoes, avocado, radishes, bacon, and a creamy buttermilk feta dressing? If you want something crisp and refreshing to go with your meatloaf, this is the green salad recipe for you.
24. Cucumber Tomato Salad
Another fresh and crunchy side, this mix of cucumbers, tomatoes, radishes, peppers, and green onion in a simple lemon vinaigrette is wonderfully vibrant. It’s a great way to enjoy all of summer’s in-season produce!
25. Coleslaw
Copycat Chick-fil-A coleslaw is cool, creamy, and delicious, with the perfect crunch to balance out the rich dressing. If you’ve been missing this dish since Chick-fil-A took it off their menu, this recipe is sure to satisfy your craving!
26. Pea Salad
Sweet and tender crisp green peas, savory bacon, shredded cheese, and red onion tossed in a creamy dressing is the perfect side dish for any occasion. It’s a quick and tasty salad that’s super easy to throw together!
27. Baked Beans
Have you ever tried baked beans from scratch? You’ll never want to eat them from the can again! But don’t let the name fool you… this hearty recipe comes together in the slow cooker for maximum convenience. It’s seriously so easy!
28. Seasoned Rice
This copycat Texas Roadhouse seasoned rice is a flavorful side that can be ready in less than 30 minutes. Technically a rice pilaf, the rice is first toasted in butter, then cooked with broth and spices.
29. Buttered Noodles
What could be more comforting than simple buttered noodles? Broth and butter gives them just the right amount of flavor for a quick and perfect dish that can be ready in about 10 minutes!
30. Baked Mac and Cheese
What could be more creamy and comforting than creamy mac and cheese? The combination of cheeses layered in the dish with a golden brown topping, plus the hearty cheese sauce turns this into the kind of cheesy deliciousness loved by kids and adults alike!
31. Macaroni Salad
Once you try this simple recipe, you’ll never want store-bought macaroni salad again! Red onions, celery, bell peppers, herbs, tender macaroni, and a wonderfully creamy dressing make this dish a quintessential summer side.
32. Cream Of Mushroom Soup
For a rich and hearty side, this one-pot dish is earthy and full of flavor. When a creamy soup sounds like the perfect side, you can whip this one up in about 45 minutes with just 4 simple steps.
33. French Onion Soup
Caramelized onions, three types of cheese, and the absolute richest broth come together for a soup that will knock your socks off! Best of all, you only need a handful of budget-friendly ingredients.
More side dish recipes
- 25 Sides for grilled cheese
- 32 Sides for BBQ
- 31 Prime rib side dishes
- 31 Sides for Sloppy Joes
- 31 Lasagna side dishes
Did you try any of these meatloaf side dishes? Let me know below.