What Goes Good With Meatloaf? 9 Delicious Side Dishes and Vegetables!

What Goes Good With Meatloaf? 9 Delicious Side Dishes and Vegetables!

What goes good with meatloaf and what vegetables should I use? let’s find out!

Meatloaf is a traditional recipe reserved for celebrations or fancy dinners. The recipe is made with ground meat seasoned with onions, eggs, and breadcrumbs, and slathered with your favorite sauce or salad. Meatloaf is made differently in different cuisines.

Meatloaf packs lots of nutrition. Calory count is a bit on the higher side, so is the amount of sodium in these meatloaves, but you can cheat once in a while. Even meatloaf can be made healthy if you control the sodium and fat content and accompany it with healthy side dishes.

Meatloaf is scrumptious, but it needs some other side dishes to complete the table. We have a portion of meat, so now it’s better to complement it with salads, desserts, and appetizers. 

To keep the calory intake under control, we suggest using colorful vegetables that complement the main dish and provide different flavors and tastes to the diners.

Here are a few recipes to go with the meatloaf.

What goes good with meatloaf? 9 Meatloaf side dishes!

What goes good with meatloaf? 9 Meatloaf side dishes!

Italian meatloaf is just another excellent way of making meatloaf. Full of flavors a good meatloaf remains is tender, and moist from inside. The trick is to add minced sausages with lots of Italian herbs. It is covered with lots of cheese. Here are some dishes you can serve with Italian meatloaf.

1) Garlic Parmesan Potatoes

This garlic parmesan potato dish goes well with Italian meatloaf. It’s soft and creamy. The cheezy flavor complements the soft texture of meatloaf. 

You can roast or grill potatoes. Cut the potatoes roughly and add lots of olive oil with seasoning. You can use Italian herbs, salt, pepper on top of potatoes. 

Add four to five cloves of garlic on the top. Let it slowly cook in an oven. Before taking them out, drizzle loads of parmesan on the top and bake it for another 10 minutes. Take them out in a dish when cheese is all melted. These slowly cooked parmesan potatoes are nothing less than a treat. They are tender and full of taste with all the herbs and seasoning.

2) Mac and Cheese

Mac and cheese is a delicious dish that nobody can say no to. It’s creamy, filled with lots of cheese, and the flavors go well with the Italian meatloaf. Both dishes complement each other well.

It’s a simple recipe that does not require much. Boil the pasta of your choice. I love using macaroni for this recipe.

Boil pasta until it’s al dente. Don’t overcook the macaroni as it’s going to be cooked in the oven as well. 

Now it’s time to make the famous sauce for Mac and cheese. White sauce is not difficult. Add some butter with a tablespoon of flour, roast it on the pan and add milk and cheese. 

It should be creamy. Add seasoning to your taste since it will be an Italian dinner; you can add Italian herbs with some black pepper and salt. Mix everything.

Top it with loads of cheese and bake in the oven for 30-35 minutes. Cook until the cheesy top is slightly brownish. It’s delicious, and nobody can’t help having a second serving.

3) Green Bean Salad

This salad is slightly different than our regular green beans salad. It’s made in a southern way with are soft beans and too delicious, unlike the usual crunchy beans salads. 

The recipe requires bacon and green beans with some broth. 

Fry bacon in a pan in the pot. Take out the bacon and use the same pot for cooking green beans. Add lots of broth along with green beans and season it well. 

Leave it to cook for a long time. This recipe also demands slow cooking. Cook for an hour or so until you see beans are soft but not mushy. 

Drain the excess broth if there is left any. Mix the beans with crispy bacon and serve it with butter on the top. Butter gives a nice aroma and shines to this salad. 

Top it with some parsley or cilantro, you can also sprinkle parmesan cheese on the top. It’s ready to go on your table. You can sprinkle some black pepper on the top while serving as well if needed. 

What to Serve with Turkey Meatloaf?

What to Serve with Turkey Meatloaf

Turkey meatloaf is another great variation of meatloaf. Usually, we use pork or beef or a combination of both for making meatloaf.

Turkey meatloaf can be a change, and it tastes delicious as well if cooked well.

A common problem with turkey meatloaf is that grounded turkey becomes too dry when cooked. It’s because of the lack of fat in the meat. 

The good thing is that you can fix the problem by adding some ingredients while cooking. Cheese or breadcrumbs can be an option. Some cooking expert goes to the extent of recommending adding some crushed mushrooms to the meatloaf. 

Here are some side dishes to be served with a Turkey meatloaf.

4) Mashed Potatoes

Mashed potatoes are a pretty common dish to complement several meat dishes in our homes. However, you can take the ordinary mashed potatoes and give them a completely new look by making them the way you love. 

The basic recipe is versatile enough to allow lots of customization. I like mashed potatoes because they should be creamy and melt in a mouthful of flavor. 

You can boil some potatoes and mash them thoroughly. Use a frying pan to toss the mashed potatoes until all liquid dies off. 

In another pan, melt butter and add some milk. Add lots of cheese to make sure mashed potatoes are soft and delicious. Season the sauce with some black pepper and salt. If you want to add some herbs, feel free to put them in this stage.

Add mashed potatoes and mix them well. Don’t cook it, or it will become dry and too thick. Serve it hot, and you can decorate the dish with cheese or cream.

5) Tomato Kidney Beans and Onion Salad

The combination of kidney beans, onion, and tomatoes is too delicious. It’s a basic salad without too many ingredients. The kidney beans are packed with fiber and protein. Tomatoes and onions make the salad refreshing and it’s perfect for a summer evening. The salad is light and pairs perfectly with turkey meatloaf.

You can use canned kidney beans or cook them at home. It may take some time, but there’s nothing like fresh, plus it’s also cheaper. Drain the kidney beans. Cut onion and tomatoes into small chunks. 

Mix everything in a bowl add a dressing with lemon juice, pepper, salt, and olive oil. You can make dressing in different ways to add new flavors to the salad. 

You can even put a tablespoon of sugar to balance the taste. Mix everything and serve with fresh parsley on the top. This combination of green and red not only adorns your table but also flavors complement and contrast the turkey meatloaf.

6) Cheesy Cauliflower

This cauliflower recipe is a must-have with any type of meatloaf. Its all-white presentation gives a very formal and elegant look to your table. The recipe calls for fewer ingredients. 

Cover the cauliflower florets with loads of olive oil and seasoning. For seasoning, use some herbs with pepper and salt. Make sure you use enough olive oil to cover each floret. 

It gives a nice crunch and color to florets. Load the dish with loads of cheese. You can choose any cheese of your choice; cheddar, mozzarella, parmesan, feta, gouda, gruyere, or Havarti

Top the dish with lots of good cheese and leave it in the oven to bake. It will take 30-35 minutes or when you notice a brownish texture on the top. Take out the dish and serve it warm.

What Goes Good with Mexican Meatloaf? Side dishes

What Goes Good with Mexican Meatloaf

Mexican meatloaf is just another way of making traditional meatloaf. Ideally, I use a mix of pork and beef. You can use either one of them or both for excellent results. 

The meatloaf is seasoned with cumin and green peppers, and some other spices. Use chopped onion and egg to bind everything well together. Add a lot of cheese in the center so that it has a cheesy and juicy center. Top it with salsa and red sauce. Here are some dishes to be served with Mexican Meatloaf.

7) Mexican Salad

If the menu is Mexican, then how about adding a Mexican salad as an appetizer as well. This Mexican salad is full of good veggies that you should always have with a portion of meatloaf. 

The veggies should be fresh that adding lots of crispiness to this salad.  You can use onion, sweet peppers, corn, zucchini, and add jicama if you want a real Mexican flavor. It gives crunch and color to your Mexican salad.

Keep the dressing light and bright; add some spices with lime juice, olive oil, honey, cumin powder, and clove powder. The dressing gives it a punch, something very different from our regular salads.

Toss everything in a pan, give it a quick mix, and it’s ready to go on your table—no need to cook veggies.

Mix everything well and serve it with Mexican meatloaf. You can give it a twist by adding some boiled beans or peas as well. You can top the salad with some crispy nachos as well. 

8) Slow-Cooked Potatoes

Serving Italian meatloaf with mashed potatoes is nothing but a treat for guests. We can use a  crockpot for this recipe for slowly cooking the potatoes but you can roast it in an oven as well. 

The key is to slowly cook the potatoes for a long time until they are soft and mushy from the inside but crispy and brown from the outside.

Cut potatoes in bigger chunks, like two or four pieces depending on the size of potatoes.

Drizzle olive oil with the seasoning. Feel free to customize the seasoning, but we love having some oregano, thyme, basil, and rosemary on the top. Don’t overdo the herbs; just spread them here and there sporadically to add some flavor and aroma.

Season it with black pepper and salt and let it cook in a crockpot or oven. Ideally, it should be cooked on slow heat for an hour and a half. Take out when the potatoes look ready. Serve them with a little more olive oil on the top. These potatoes taste great when warm.

9) Garlic Bread

You can never go wrong with having garlic bread on the side with meatloaf. It’s easy to make and very simple. The focus remains on your main dish, and the good thing is that you can make it versatile in many ways. 

The basic way of making garlic bread is the same. Choose any bread of your choice. We love having those french bread loaves. Cut into equal size pieces and give it a nice topping of spread.

For spread, mix butter with lots of crushed garlic. Season it with salt and pepper along with some herbs. Spread it on your bread slices and leave it in the oven until they are crispy and ready to serve. It’s something both children and adults love having with the main dish.

What Vegetables to Serve with Meatloaf

What Vegetables to Serve with Meatloaf

A portion of veggies always looks colorful and fresh on your table, especially with a loaded dish like meatloaf. Having a side dish with a mix of veggies or even one veggie roasted or grilled changes your table’s look. Not to mention all the good nutrition it brings to your meal. 

Here are some veggies that go excellent in different salads:

  • Cucumber: Very fresh juicy, and perfect for various salads. You can dump it in pretty much any salad, and it blends well.
  • Tomato: Lots of freshness and good color. It adds lots of color and flavor to salsas, salads, and sauces.
  • Zucchini: Slightly roasted or pan-fry zucchini looks good and tastes heavenly. 
  • Asparagus: Lots of nutrition along with vibrant green color. Asparagus can be roasted with bacon or blanched and paired with other veggies.
  • Beans: Green beans go well with salads. The salad we have in this list is slightly different, but you can blanch them and keep them crisp. They taste well with the right seasoning and look refreshing as well.
  • Potatoes: It goes well with pretty much everything, including a meatloaf. Roast them, mash them, make chips, or use them in potato salads. Few things are easier to make than any potato side dish.
  • Spinach: Again, lots of good nutrition. Looks good, and you can pair it with other vegetables to make a mixed salad.

With vegetables, you have no limits; use broccoli, eggplant, and other seasonal veggies. Use them in exciting ways, and they are very presentable for dinners and lunches.

Final Words

Meatloaf is a traditional dish that is reserved for date nights, celebrations, and festivals. It’s a loaded dish, and you don’t need too much on sides other than some veggies, salad, or a helping of soup. Make it refreshing by adding different sauces and toppings. 

So, do you already know what goes good with meatloaf and what vegetables to serve? Please, feel free to use the comments below to share your opinion with us!

Amazing Side Dishes:

What Goes Good With Meatloaf? 9 Delicious Side Dishes and Vegetables!

What Goes Good With Meatloaf? 9 Delicious Side Dishes

The best meatloaf side dishes. What goes good and what to serve with turkey, Mexican and normal meatloaf.
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 People

Ingredients
  

  • Garlic Parmesan Potatoes
  • Mac and Cheese
  • Green Bean Salad
  • Mashed Potatoes
  • Tomato Kidney Beans and Onion Salad
  • Cheesy Cauliflower
  • Mexican Salad
  • Slow-Cooked Potatoes
  • Garlic Bread

Instructions
 

  • Prepare the meatloaf.
  • Prepare the side dishes.
  • Enjoy your meal!
Keyword meatloaf side dishes, what goes good with meatloaf, what to serve with meatloaf
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Candy Seideman has been cooking for most of her life. In fact she is referred to as "The Chef" by most of her close family not only because she attended culinary school and was an actual chef, but also because she has a passion for cooking for friends and family.