If all Thanksgiving side dishes will vanish from the earth and only one remains, which will you choose? Let us guess. It’s mashed potatoes, isn’t it?
Well, that’s not surprising considering that it’s the most popular Thanksgiving side dish in the US! (*)
News Flash: Mashed potatoes are not just for Thanksgiving as it’s also a versatile side dish.
Thanks to its creamy texture and rich flavor, mashed potatoes go well with plenty of other side dishes, such as roasted garlic mashed potatoes, green beans, green onions, and many more. Additionally, it’s also a common ingredient in delicious dishes like Shepherd’s pie.
Here’s the best part: it’s the perfect pairing to many main dishes that people all over the world love!
If you’re planning your next dinner party and you want everyone to have a taste of your perfect recipe, let us share with you some of the best main dishes to serve mashed potatoes with.
Are you ready? Let’s dig right in!
The 14 Best Main Dishes to Serve with Mashed Potatoes You Might Want To Try!
Are you ready to whip up a meal you or your family can never forget? Here are some of the best main dishes to serve with mashed potatoes:
1.    Turkey
Let’s start with everyone’s (well, almost) favorite Thanksgiving dinner main dish—roasted turkey! Of course, it’s already a popular combination, so do we still need to convince you about this pair?
Well, the creamy texture of mashed potato is just what you need to balance the meat’s saltiness.
Pro Tip: If you want to add some sweetness to your Thanksgiving dinner, don’t forget to whip up your favorite cranberry sauce recipe!
2.    Fried Chicken
Aaahhh, who can ever resist the classic fried chicken and mashed potatoes combo? No one, of course!
If you’re a fried chicken lover like us, this main dish is most probably at the top of your list too! And we get why!
There’s something about biting into the crunchy skin of the fried chicken and then digging into a tablespoonful of rich and creamy mashed potatoes—indeed the best comfort food combination we can’t live without!
Pro Tip: Use the juices from the fried chicken to create a more flavorful gravy for your mashed potatoes.
3.    Grilled Sausages
For this entry, our recommendation is Bratwurst; a German sausage made up of either pork meat, veal, or beef.
Why is it our top choice? It’s because it’s packed with savory and smoky flavors, and it needs a starch that can neutralize all its richness. In addition to absorbing the sausage’s flavors, it also helps fill you up so you can enjoy a more satisfying meal.
Pro Tip: You can enjoy Bratwurst two ways—as a snack when served in a bread roll or a dinner meal when served with onion gravy and peas.
4.    Corned Beef
The flaky beef meat is cured in brine that contains other spices to create corned beef, making it one salty yet flavorful dish. While the flavor can be quite overwhelming for most people, it’s what makes this a great main dish for mashed potatoes.
Just imagine biting into the creamy, buttery potato goodness then having a taste of the salty and tender corned beef. What else can you ask for?
Pro Tip: Instead of eating corned beef on its own, you can use it in various dishes like casseroles, pastas, soups, and sandwiches.
5.    Chicken Cordon Bleu
Aside from fries and mashed potatoes, do you know what else a tender chicken can go well with? These are no other than ham and creamy cheese, and you can get all of these when you pair mashed potatoes which chicken cordon bleu.
At first glance, this recipe seems a bit complicated to make, but the truth is it’s pretty easy! All you need to do is wrap ham and cheese with a slice of flattened chicken meat. Afterward, coat the chicken meat with breadcrumbs, then fry it to perfection!
Pro Tips: For an ooey-gooey cheesy delight, the best cheese to use is Swiss cheese. And if you want a healthier version, you can bake the chicken instead of frying it.
6.    Pork Chops
Let’s admit it. Regardless of how flavorful or savory the pork chops are, they can sometimes become quite dry and bland. The best way to solve this is to serve it with something rich and creamy—like mashed potatoes!
Pro Tip: For a well-rounded and nutritious meal, serve pork chops with mashed potatoes and roasted green beans.
7.    Meatloaf
Yes, we have another comfort in our midst, and that’s no other than meatloaf! This baked meat is infused with all the suitable types of spices that will undoubtedly tickle your taste buds.
But no matter how perfectly savory meatloaf can be, we know you’ll agree with us when we say it lacks texture. That’s why the mashed potato is here to the rescue. It adds a velvety and creamy texture, balancing meatloaf’s dense and meaty bite.
Pro Tip: For a healthier version, try turkey meatloaf comprised of balsamic vinegar, brown sugar, eggs, and Italian ground turkey.
8.    Fish Cakes
Fish cakes are probably one of the simplest yet delicious and nutritious recipes you can try. It’s made up of filleted fish, ground mixed seafood, starch, sugar, flour, pepper, and salt.
To spice it up, you can also add different ingredients like green onions, seasonings of your choice, and potatoes.
We love this pairing because of the mixture of flavors and textures that work well with one another. Fishcakes have a mild flavor and are light and flaky on the inside and deliciously crispy outside, while mashed potatoes are rich and creamy.
Pro Tip: To allow all of its flavors to come together, serve fish cakes with tartar sauce.
9.    Beef Wellington
Yes, beef wellington seems like a fancy dish, but the truth is you can easily make one at home (as long as you have the budget). Featuring a mix of beef tenderloin, foie gras, mushroom duxelles, and prosciutto—all wrapped up in flaky puff pastry, this dish will give your taste buds all types of feels.
Since it already has carbs, it’s usually served with green beans and other vegetable side dishes. But if you’re a carbohydrate lover like us, mashed potatoes are the way to go.
10. Beef Stroganoff
This sought-after beef dish originated in Russia, but it became famous worldwide because of its delectable sauce. The plate features beef strips, sliced mushrooms, and onions with a creamy sauce made with sour cream and beef broth.
While there’s no doubt that its sauce is what makes it stand out, the flavors can be overwhelming at times. Good thing we have mashed potatoes to balance it all out.
Pro Tip: Since beef stroganoff already has a sauce, you can skip the gravy for your mashed potatoes.
11. Steak
Of course, how can we ever forget the king of all meats? Since steaks are already the crème a la crème of meats, it won’t require too much pizazz. Just make sure that you season it well and cook it to perfection.
However, since it’s pure protein, you would need a carbohydrate-rich side dish to serve it with. Well, mashed potatoes fit this bill quite nicely.
12. Meatballs
Do you know what the best thing about meatballs is? It’s the most affordable way to satisfy your meat cravings!
But wait, there’s more! These giant balls of ground meat are also quite versatile since you can serve it with different types of sauce—onion gravy, cranberry sauce, smoky barbecue sauce, and many more!
Since both meatballs and mashed potatoes are versatile dishes, it doesn’t come as a surprise that they make a great meal when served together.
Pro Tip: Infuse your mashed potatoes with garlic flavor to bring out meatballs’ flavor.
13. Roasted Cauliflower Steak
No, you don’t have to eat meat just to enjoy a side of mashed potatoes. So if you’re cutting down on meat or eliminating it from your diet altogether, you can still enjoy a good steak and mashed potato party. Cauliflower-steak, that is.
Do you want to know a secret? This dish is relatively easy to make. You just have to drizzle the cauliflower florets with olive oil and roast them to perfection, and you’re good to go!
14. Vegan Mushroom Stew
Here’s another main dish recommendation for people who prefer vegetables.
You can use either cremini, white button mushrooms, or portobello for this stew. First, sauté
it in a mix of onions, garlic, and carrots. Afterward, add the rest of the ingredients—red wine, vegetable broth, tomato paste, parsley, thyme, paprika, and salt and pepper.
Pro Tip: For a more colorful and nutritious stew, add other vegetables like yellow potatoes, green beans, and peas.
Wrapping It Up
Thanks to mashed potatoes’ creamy texture and rich flavor, it has become one of the most popular side dishes in the world. That’s why you can indeed find a suitable main dish to eat mashed potatoes with.
We have already provided you with some of the best main dishes you can enjoy—from meaty dishes to vegan-friendly ones. So now, it’s your turn to make your mashed potatoes dreams come true!
Which of these main dishes would you like to eat mashed potatoes with? Let us know in the comments section. We’d love to hear from you!
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