Meatloaf is a family favorite that has been around for decades. Aside from tasting delicious, it is a very affordable meal to prepare. But what to serve with meatloaf?
Depending on your mood, you can decide to have something savory or fresh to pair with your meatloaf.
Whatever your choice, we’ve compiled a list of the best meatloaf sides for you. Let’s go!
1. Mac and Cheese
Your mouth will be watering for more after trying this traditional mac and cheese recipe. You can make your next favorite dinner of the week by serving it with some flavorful meatloaf.
Mac & cheese is fantastic for adults and children since grownups can never get enough of the gooey, cheesy bliss.
Make your own mac with some gruyere cheese and sprinkle some breadcrumbs on top for a fancier taste.
If you’re feeling particularly irrational, add some bacon or hog belly to your mac and cheese, but be careful—you might not be able to catch your breath.
2. Corn Pudding
For what to serve with meatloaf, try this. If you want to balance off the sweetness of your meatloaf but aren’t interested in eating bread, try this fantastic corn pudding dish.
It is affordable, delicious, and customizable to your family’s preferences to make corn pudding.
You may keep it with a sweet side or make your corn pudding into a savory dish to serve with meatloaf.
3. Brussels Sprouts
If you want your Brussels sprouts to complement the robust tastes of your meatloaf, consider adding some balsamic vinegar and garlic.
They will still taste great with just a touch of salt and some olive oil. Alternatively, you may completely modify the recipe and add some maple syrup or bacon pieces.
Sure, maple syrup sounds strange, but once you’ve tried it, you’ll wonder why you’ve never tried it before.
Simply watch your Brussels sprouts because if you overcook them, they’ll get that sulfur flavor that nobody likes.
4. Honey Glazed Carrots
This a fantastic option for what to serve with meatloaf. First, heat some honey and brown sugar in a saute pan before cutting up some carrots into rings.
When the sugar has dissolved, add your carrots and mix till they are covered in a wonderful honey glaze.
Your side dish might seem much more colorful and presentable if you sprinkle some freshly cut parsley.
5. Roasted Veggies
Have a lot of vegetables in your refrigerator that you need to get rid of before your upcoming shopping trip? This recipe uses any leftover vegetables by slicing them up and heating them.
Of course, you should do this before adding your preferred spices. The presentation on this side is one of the greatest because of the many colors, which will give the impression that you spent hours making it.
6. Asparagus
For what to serve with meatloaf, try this. You may pair asparagus with salmon, steak, or a soft meatloaf. It is one of those very versatile side dishes.
The flavorful and filling meatloaf is offset by the crunchy texture and tangy flavor. One of the best things about asparagus is how many different ways you can prepare it to suit your preferences.
Spruce up your side dish by adding some lemon, parmesan, or chopped bacon. The green bean is another vegetable that will function similarly to asparagus and have a similar texture.
7. Broccoli Apple Salad
Try this recipe for broccoli apple salad if you’re seeking a nutritious alternative to adding bulk to your meal.
Your delicate, delicious meatloaf will taste great with the crisp, fresh bits of broccoli and apple.
It’s almost as if every bite of salad resets your palate so you can eat more meatloaf without being overwhelmed by the flavor.
The salad is wonderful if you’re trying to consume a lot of healthy ingredients because you can essentially throw them all in, and it will still taste delicious.
8. Hassleback Sweet Potatoes
For what to serve with meatloaf, try this. Try sweet potatoes if you want a nutritious and delicious alternative to regular potatoes.
Hasselback potatoes are carefully sliced so that each one turns a gorgeous golden brown. Adding a little garlic herb butter is the only thing that may further improve your sweet potatoes.
You’ll have to make your own, but it only takes a few minutes, and after you take a mouthful, you’ll understand why you put in so much work.
9. Broccolini
This recipe for broccolini is among the simplest side dishes available. Toss everything into the oven with a dash of olive oil, a touch of salt, and some pepper.
Compared to its broccoli relative, broccolini has a somewhat pepperier flavor but is equally delicious and healthy.
Add more diced garlic and a lot of parmesan cheese to this side if you want to amp up the flavor.
10. Sweet Potato Fries
Try this if you’re looking for what to serve with meatloaf. While regular fries are delicious, sweet potato fries are your next best option if you want a side dish almost as sweet as dessert.
Simply slice some sweet potatoes into fry-size pieces and bake them alongside the meatloaf. No frying is needed!
They taste great with some salt and pepper, but if you want to elevate this side dish to dessert status, add some brown sugar.
11. Spaghetti
Spaghetti may seem like a stand-alone dish, but after you have it with some meatloaf, you might never want to try another.
If you’re serving your meatloaf with ketchup, the tangy tomato sauce from the spaghetti pairs nicely with the meatloaf dish.
12. Creamed Spinach
This recipe is another one that tricks your children into eating more vegetables. The thick and flavorful meatloaf complements the creamy, delicious texture and flavor of the creamed spinach.
If you make enough, you can store the excess in the refrigerator with the meatloaf still in the pan and have them for snacks all week long with some crackers.
13. Rice
This is a good option for what to serve with meatloaf. The soft meatloaf tastes really pop when combined with a carbohydrate that helps bring out the meaty-rich profile.
Furthermore, the sauce from your meatloaf can also fully flavor your rice. You can switch things up and choose fried rice instead of the standard plain rice as your side dish.
14. Mashed Cauliflower
Similar to potatoes, there are numerous ways to prepare cauliflower. Feed them to children and marvel as they consume vegetables without even breathing!
Adding cheese will make this site your new favorite if you want to go wild.
15. Coleslaw
Looking for a refreshing side that complements your meatloaf without overpowering it? The meatloaf side you’ve been seeking is cole slaw.
Coleslaw is an underrated side dish since it is healthy, crunchy, and has a flavor all its own.
It frequently goes better with your main dish than on other sides. Coleslaw does not need mayonnaise.
Yogurt can be used as a substitute if you want to make a slight health improvement.
16. Cauliflower Tots
For what to serve with meatloaf, try cauliflower tots. Everyone enjoys an excellent salty potato tot, but if you’re looking for something a little more wholesome for the family, try this recipe for cauliflower tots.
Although they may not look like your typical tater tots, they taste very similar! It’s the ideal approach to encourage your kids to eat more vegetables without them even realizing it.
17. Potato Wedges
Potato wedges are the perfect side dish for your delicious meatloaf because they have a crunchy outside edge and a soft, starchy inside.
Even some Louisiana seasonings can be used to give your roasted potatoes an extra bite.
Add more flavor to your potato wedges by chopping up some garlic and sprinkling it on top with parmesan cheese.
18. Sautéed Mushrooms
Try this if you’re looking for what to serve with meatloaf. In addition to being flavorful, mushrooms make a delicious side dish for meatloaf.
All through dinner, you’ll be consuming mouthwatering flavors.
Even better, making tasty mushrooms doesn’t need a lot of effort. Put a little butter in your saute pan, then watch the mushrooms simmer and absorb the flavor.
You may add some garlic to make your side dish as flavorful as your meatloaf.
19. Mashed Potatoes
There are many other potato sides on this list, but mashed potatoes are the way to go if you want the classic dish.
In addition, you may dip your meatloaf into your mashed potatoes for a combination bite because the creamy and silky texture complements the meatloaf’s uneven edges.
The extra work will be worth it when it’s time to eat, even though getting mashed potatoes requires more work.
If you want your potatoes to taste even better, add lots of butter and perhaps some garlic.
20. Cornbread
This is a good idea for what to serve with meatloaf. Although corn is already delicious on its own, making it into a bread batter makes it much better because it pairs perfectly with meatloaf.
Considering how crumbly the bread is, the meatloaf gravy absorbs really effectively.
This recipe is a delicious match thanks to the sweet flavor of corn and how well it complements the savory flavors of your meatloaf.
21. Chocolate Coffee and Caramel Tart
Even if a chocolate tart is delicious on its own, adding coffee and caramel makes it truly exceptional. You will only realize how sweet this dessert is once you bite.
It’s customary to serve this type of dessert on special occasions or when you want to wow your guests.
The only issue is that if you wait too long, you can miss out on getting a taste. Once served, this dessert is quickly gone from the tables.
22. Garlic Bread
For what to serve with meatloaf, try this. You can pick up some garlic bread on the way home because most big grocery stores now make their own.
You don’t have to consume whatever they offer you if you purchase it from a store. Before baking your bread, add ingredients like lots of cheese or pieces of butter.
If you plan, you can serve the whole family a hearty meatloaf made with ground beef and a side of warm, cheesy garlic bread.
23. Lemon Cake
Try balancing a good meaty meatloaf meal with a light and refreshing dessert.
Lemon cake is not at all dense, so you won’t feel like you’ve eaten a ball in your stomach, and the icing is fantastic. The lemon cake is the ideal way to finish your meatloaf meal.
24. Dinner Rolls
What better dish to serve with meatloaf than one that requires baking? The classic dinner roll is ideal for meatloaf because it can absorb all the flavorful gravy.
Make a little meatloaf sandwich to eat during the week. The rich and savory flavor of meatloaf pairs perfectly with the buttery and sweet bread.
25. Stuffed Cabbage Rolls
This is a good option for what to serve with meatloaf. Cabbage isn’t everyone’s favorite vegetable.
But when coupled with meats, they provide some of the most mouthwatering side dishes.
Therefore, separate the leaves from any cabbages that have been sitting in your kitchen for a while to prepare some juicy and flavorful cabbage rolls.
It merely requires wrapping ground beef, onions, and rice in parboiled cabbage leaves and baking them in a flavorful tomato sauce.
Because they’re high in vitamins and fiber, cabbages go well with dishes that are high in protein, such as meatloaf sandwiches.
26. Lemon Arugula Salad With Pine Nuts
Arugula salad brings the warming, wintery meatloaf dish right into the light. This simple recipe sings with summery notes because of the lemon’s bright, fresh undertones and the earthy pine nuts.
Provide some tasty tomatoes and parmesan cheese on the top to provide some intriguing textures and flavors. This makes a delicious, light appetizer for dinner parties.
This salad is great for bulking out your meal if you suddenly need to feed extra people because of how quickly it comes together.
27. Avocado and Tomato Salad
Wondering what to serve with meatloaf? Try this. This meal is ideal for a summertime BBQ. It’s a symphony of aromas and sensations, with charred corn, red onions, and creamy avocado.
Each of the featured vegetables is mouthwateringly flavorful. However, they are also sweet enough to make the salad feel fresh and vibrant rather than cold and heavy.
The flavors are even more vibrant when paired with a mouthwatering slice of meatloaf. This side dish would go well with steak.
28. Air Fryer Radishes
Although they provide a great accompaniment to meatloaf, roasted or fried potatoes may be extremely filling. This is where these air fryer radishes come in!
These are simple to put together and only require a little seasoning and air fryer time. Since they are light and slightly starchy, radishes make a great summertime substitute for potatoes.
These can be altered, whatever you desire to fit your preferences. They taste great either way, seasoning them with warm spices or serving them plain with salt.
Conclusion
There you have it – the best side dishes for what to serve with meatloaf. Pick your favorite dish and enjoy it on special occasions. Thanks for reading!
