What Goes with Mashed Potatoes

Wondering what to serve with mashed potatoes? From savory pork chops to a juicy steak, here are our favorites.

Ahh. Mashed potatoes. Perhaps the most popular side dish of all! And for good reason, too. Who can say no to smooth and velvety potatoes married with milk, butter, and cheese?

It’s a creamy, buttery, and decadent side dish that goes well with almost everything! Seriously, there’s an array of entrees that pair beautifully with mashed potatoes.

If you’re wondering what to serve with those creamy mashed potatoes, you’ve come to the right place. I will share with you what in my opinion are the top 15 dishes that go well with mashed potatoes.  

Turkey

Turkey and mashed potatoes for Thanksgiving dinner is one of the most classic combos in the American cuisine. The creaminess and tenderness of the mashed potatoes offer a perfect balance to the saltiness of the meat. 

Corned Beef

Corned beef has such strong rich and salty flavors, you’ll want something starchy to absorb all of that juicy goodness. And that’s nothing a clean and simple mashed potato can’t do. 

Fried Chicken

Another classic pairing is fried chicken and mashed potatoes. The succulent entrée is flavorful, and even has that crispy on the outside, tender on the inside quality.

And the best side to go with that mouth-watering fried chicken is a smooth and creamy starch. Enter mashed potatoes.

Catfish

Catfish, when coated in cornmeal batter and deep-fried to perfection, is such a delectable Southern dish. It tastes fantastic with other Southern dishes, such as hush puppies and fried okra, but you also can’t go wrong with mashed potatoes!

The mild flavor plus the lightness of the fish go beautifully with the rich and heavy side. Together, they make a well-balanced and drool-worthy meal.

Chicken Cordon Bleu

Here’s another chicken dish that my taste buds find so irresistible. There’s just something about the combination of tender chicken, sweet ham, and creamy cheese that’s so heavenly.

And when you eat that crispy dish with tender and creamy mashed potatoes, oh boy. What a fabulous feast!

Beef Wellington

It’s that fancy dish that you only order or make at home when there’s a special occasion or you’ve got some funds to spare.

I’m sure you don’t want that elegant dish to go to waste by pairing it with the wrong side. For beef wellington, I like to go the classic route – a smooth and buttery serving of mashed potatoes is all it needs to taste even more magnificent.

Just picture it –  tender beef, rich pâté, earthy mushroom paste, and flaky dough plus rich and luscious potatoes. Now doesn’t that sound divine? 

Barbecue

Barbecue is the quintessential summer dish. Whether it’s chicken or pork, barbecue has such smoky, sweet, and savory flavors that’s downright delicious.

But, because it’s so rich and decadent, you’ll need something starchy to balance those flavors out. That’s why mashed potatoes go so well with barbecue.

Its smoothness and tenderness offer a nice contrast to the strong flavors of the dish. And the starchiness of the potatoes are perfect for absorbing that luscious barbecue flavor.

Pork Chops

No matter how savory and delicious pork chops are, it can be dry sometimes. As such, you’ll need something rich and creamy to balance things out.

That’s why mashed potatoes are a no-brainer with pork chops. It gives the meat a wonderful contrast in texture, and it fills you up too! Together, they make a well-rounded meal.

Meatballs

Meatballs are such a joy to eat. Whether you flavor those blissful balls with rich gravy, smoky barbecue sauce, or tangy cranberries, they still taste phenomenal.

But what will make it even more fantastic is creamy mashed potatoes. Their flavors and textures just pair well.

If you want to kick things up a notch, you could infuse your potatoes with some garlic. It gives the side a stronger flavor that tastes fantastic with meatballs.

Steak

Steak is pure protein, so you’ll need a heavy starch to complement that meaty goodness. And mashed potatoes fit the bill perfectly.

The strong flavors from the steak seasonings blend well with the potatoes, enhancing its taste even more.

Meatloaf

Meatloaf is one of my favorite comfort foods. Perfectly baked meat infused with herbs and spices – who can say no to that?

And since meatloaf is such a classic, it only makes sense to serve it with another classic. Mashed potatoes give the meaty and dense dish that tender and velvety contrast.

Both dishes complement each other well, forming a mouth-watering explosion of flavors.

Fish Cakes

Fish cakes have a rather mild flavor, so it’s wise to serve it with a side that’s rich and creamy. Whether it’s salmon, cod, or trout, your fish cakes will taste even more excellent if you pair it with mashed potatoes. 

Roast Beef

Here’s another special occasion entrée – roast beef. It is a lavish and expensive dish, so you’ll want to pair it with something hearty to stretch it out.

You don’t want to compromise on the taste, though, so be sure to serve it with mashed potatoes. The combination of rich potatoes and savory beef is to die for. Another classic combination that you cannot go wrong with.

Bratwurst

This German masterpiece is fully loaded with savory and smoky flavors. It’s so scrumptious that it needs something starchy to absorb all that richness. That’s where mashed potatoes come in.

Not only will the potatoes soak up the flavors of the brats, but they will also help fill you up. Together, bratwurst and mashed potatoes make a simple yet fantastic meal.

Beef Stroganoff

Last on our list is the delectable beef stroganoff. This dish is covered in creamy and decadent sauce, which is why mashed potatoes go well with it.

The mash will absorb all the richness of your entrée. Plus, you can also use the gravy-like sauce of your entrée to flavor your potatoes! It’s a wonderful alternative if you don’t feel like eating the dish with rice or egg noodles.