Meatloaf is a comforting classic that evokes warm memories of home-cooked meals. But what elevates this hearty dish? The perfect side dish, of course!
From rich and creamy options like Boursin mashed potatoes and rich parmesan rice to crunchy delights like air-fried parmesan potatoes and roasted green beans and tomatoes, we have all the best sides for meatloaf.
I have included beginner-friendly recipes and ones from the seasoned cook, so there are dozens of options for you to try.
Smoked Broccoli
Smoked Sweet Potatoes
Boursin Mashed Potatoes
These Boursin mashed potatoes are creamy, cheesy, and full of garlic and herb flavor. They’re a perfect side dish for meatloaf.
Smoked Cauliflower
Recipe: Smoked Caulfilower
Smoked Zucchini With Feta and Olives
Recipe: Smoked Zucchini
Smoked Carrots in Brown Butter
Recipe: Smoked Carrots
Instant Pot Ranch Potatoes
Instant pot ranch potatoes combine creamy red potatoes, ranch dressing and bacon for a quick and easy side dish that’s ready in a flash!
Country Potatoes
Hearty and homey country potatoes are the ultimate comfort food! The spuds are pan-fried with red peppers, onions, garlic, herbs and spices until they are golden and crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.
Easy Browned Butter Boursin Mashed Potatoes
These easy browned butter boursin mashed potatoes are a super flavorful red skinned mashed potatoes recipe that comes together in about 20 minutes, and is loaded with flavor. From the creamy boursin cheese to the browned butter and roasted garlic mixture, you can’t go wrong with these creamy, silky potatoes!
Grilled Onions with Pesto
Smoky, delicious grilled onions are easy to make and topped with fresh pesto! They’re a healthy side dish perfect for your summer barbecue. Thread the onion slices onto wooden skewers; they’ll never fall through the grates!
Slow Cooker Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Delicious garlic mashed potatoes cook up effortlessly in the slow cooker. Just toss them in without the hassle of having to peel or chop. These creamy mashed potatoes are the perfect side dish for any meal!
Smoked Brussel Sprouts
If you don’t like Brussels sprouts, maybe it’s because you’ve never had them smoked. Smoking makes them tender inside, with crisp skin on the outside. To season, combine olive oil, salt, and black pepper and top with bacon bits.
Recipe: Traeger Brussel Sprouts
Creamy Parmesan Rice
Creamy parmesan rice is a simple, one pot side dish that’s ready in 30 minutes. With minimal ingredients and maximum flavor, this easy rice recipe is perfect for the whole family!
Smoked Corn on The Cob
There is nothing like the classic corn on the cob at a cookout! But why not take the flavor to the next level and smoke your corn? It’s delicious and healthy!
Recipe: Smoked Corn on The Cob
Creamy Garlic Parmesan Mac and Cheese
Creamy garlic parmesan mac and cheese is delicious twist of the classic version. Made with two types of cheese, this easy dish is creamy, comforting, and perfect for dinner!
Smoked Pickles
These fried pickles are like crack! My kids can’t get enough of them. This recipe has become a staple in our house—it’s great for game snacks or as a side with a weeknight dinner.
Twice Baked Potatoes Casserole
Twice baked potatoes have all your favorite toppings mixed right in! They’re a delicious side dish when you’re tired of an ordinary baked potato!
Spicy Coleslaw
The best cole slaw you’ve ever made is one recipe away! Try this spicy cole slaw and make it as mild or spicy as you like for your next barbecue, and enjoy the accolades!
Roasted Green Beans
Roasted green beans and tomatoes make a beautiful side dish that let these veggies natural flavors shine! This quick and easy dish goes well with almost anything.
Air Fryer Asparagus
These Italian-style asparagus are cooked in the air fryer for about 7 minutes and comes out crispy outside with a superb flavor. It is a light side that makes a perfect pair with meatloaf.
Slow Cooker Herbed Baby Potatoes
Slow cooker herbed baby potatoes are the ultimate hands-off side dish! Toss everything in the slow cooker and when they’re done, you’ll have buttery baby potatoes coated in delicious herbs!
Fluffy Dinner Rolls
These soft and fluffy dinner rolls are so easy to make! You can whip up a batch while your meatloaf is baking.
Instant Pot Potatoes and Carrots
Buttery, herby, garlicky, oniony potatoes and carrots. The instant pot does a great job with this easy comfort food side dish. Not fancy. Just delish.
White Cheddar Mac and Cheese
This white cheddar mac and cheese recipe comes together in minutes and is perfect for serving as a classic side for meatloaf.
Miso Glazed Carrots
These miso-gazed carrots will liven up any meal with their tastiest flavor-packed combination. They come out of the oven perfectly roasted with a caramelized glaze that is zesty, subtly sweet, and filled with umami flavor!
Garlic Butter Pasta
If you’re looking for an incredibly comforting side dish for your meatloaf, this garlic butter pasta is going to have you grinning from ear to ear.
Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes
Sour cream mashed potatoes are perfectly creamy and rich with just a touch of tang that gives this dish a unique and delicious flavour. This is my family’s cooked and loved recipe and it makes for the most comforting side dish.
Smashed Cauliflower
An excellent vegetable dish to go alongside meatloaf. Oven roasted and loaded with flavor, unlike potatoes, they aren’t too filling.
Twice Baked Potatoes
Baked Potatoes hollowed and filled with mashed potatoes, sour cream and cheese for an irresistible side dish!
Homemade Buttermilk Biscuits
Buttermilk biscuits made with 6-ingredients, offering flaky layers and ready in 30-minutes.
Easy Skillet Corn with Peppers
Classic skillet corn just like grandma used to make!
Garlic Green Beans
Easy garlic green beans are packed with flavor and ready in only 15 minutes!
BBQ Cauliflower Wings
These BBQ Cauliflower Wings are a tasty alternative to traditional wings. They are baked to perfection with a crispy panko coating and a smoky-sweet barbecue sauce. Serve ’em up as an appetizer, snack, or tasty side dish. They’ll disappear fast!
Smoked Asparagus
Drenched in oil and smoked to perfection. This is the perfect low-carb side for your BBQ.
Air Fryer Parmesan Potatoes (Crispy Garlic Recipe)
Enjoy the cheesy flavor of air fryer parmesan potatoes with your meatloaf. Easy to prepare and incredibly tasty, these golden morsels are a fantastic side to any meal!
Broccoli Cheese and Rice Casserole
Give our delightful broccoli cheese and rice casserole a go with your meatloaf! It’s simple to prepare, tasty, and an ideal choice for your weeknight meals.
Easy Sautéed Arugula with Red Bell Peppers
Sautéed arugula with red bell peppers is a flavorful and easy side dish. Great way to add some veggies to your plate to go along with savory meatloaf!
Provencal Tomatoes almost Candied
what about a South France classic? All it is is tomato, olive oil, garlic, and herbs; it’s the perfect side for meatloaf as it punches a flavor.
Fasolka Szparagowa
Fasolka Szparagowa (aka Green Beans Polonaise) highlights the flavor of delicious green beans! It’s an easy side dish of green beans topped with toasted buttery breadcrumbs, and it pairs well with just about any main course.
Smoke On!
Charlie
Author: Charlie Reeves
Hi, I’m Charlie, I have been meat-smoking and grilling for the past 15 years. I have an array of different smokers, thermometers, and have a love for finding the right wood and charcoal combo My favourite recipes are my EXTRA CRISPY smoked pork belly, juicy pulled pork, smoked brisket, duck poppers, and ANY SEAFOOD I grill).
I loves sharing his tips with beginners, helping them navigate the world of smoking. I find it’s not just about cooking; it’s a quest for that perfect smoky flavor.
You will usually find me playing with the kids, perfecting my brisket bark, or sipping beers with boys around the fire. Can’t wait to share all my delicious smoking and grilling recipes with you!
You can read more about me on our About Us page.
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