Need some tasty recipe ideas for what to serve with mashed potatoes? You’ve come to the right place! From company-worthy main courses to complementary side dishes, you’ll find 35-plus delicious ideas that perfectly pair with everyone’s favorite comfort food. Bring your appetite because this list will have you ready for dinner.

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Favorite Mashed Potato Recipes
First up is to share a couple of my favorite mashed potato recipes. Sure, you can go with classic mashed potatoes — they’re classic for a reason. But these potatoes deliver an extra boost of flavor that the whole family is sure to love.
- Brown butter mashed potatoes
- Smoked mashed potatoes with Gouda
- Gruyère mashed potatoes
- Roasted garlic mashed potatoes
- Crème fraîche mashed potatoes
- Parmesan cheese mashed potatoes
- Sour cream mashed potatoes
- Cheddar cheese mashed potatoes
And these are just a few ideas to grace your dinner table. Let me know if you have any other unique spins on this classic side dish.
Best Main Dishes
Of course, no meal is complete with a show-stopping main course. Our creamy mashed potatoes call for a hearty meal that’s sure to leave everyone full and happy. What a feast, huh?
1. Smoked Prime Rib


2. Apple Cider Pot Roast


3. Maple-Braised Turkey Legs and Thighs


4. Smoked Whole Chicken


5. Slow-Roasted Blood Orange Salmon


6. Smoked Duck


7. Coq Au Vin


8. Smoked Leg of Lamb


9. Beer-Brined Schnitzel


10. Braised Red Wine Short Ribs


11. Smoked Lobster Tails


12. Cheddar-Apple Stuffed Chicken Thighs


13. Pellet Grill Brisket


14. Smoked Turkey Legs


15. Braised Apple Cider Short Ribs


16. Slow Cooker Guinness Corned Beef


17. Smoked Turkey Thighs


18. Pellet Grill Ribs


19. Glazed Roast Duck


20. Orange-Ginger Roast Chicken


21. Smoked Tri Tip


22. Smoked Turkey Wings


23. Double-Smoked Ham


24. Smoked Spatchcock Chicken


25. Smoked Chuck Roast


26. Smoked Chicken Quarters


27. Smoked Chicken Breast


28. Smoked Spatchcock Turkey


29. Deep-Fried Duck


Best Side Dishes
Along with your main meal, you probably want some other tasty side dishes to go with those creamy potatoes. These sides are always a hit with our family.
30. Croissant Stuffing


31. Fresh Green Bean Casserole


32. Smoked Mac and Cheese


33. Sweet Potato Soufflé


34. Smoked Baked Beans


35. Brandied Cranberry Sauce


36. Pumpkin Mac and Cheese


37. Sweet Potato Cornbread


Mashed Potato FAQs
Go for Yukon gold or russet potatoes. These are starchy potatoes that will give you an ultra creamy texture. Avoid waxy varieties, such as red potatoes.
If you have leftover mashed potatoes, keep them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The potatoes should last for about three days with proper storage.
You bet. To freeze mashed potatoes, spoon them into an airtight, freezer-safe container, cool completely and then place in the freezer for up to two months. When you’re ready to thaw, move the potatoes to your refrigerator overnight or use the defrost setting on your microwave. As the potatoes thaw, they may seem a bit watery, but they should come together again as you reheat them and stir.
You can reheat mashed potatoes in the microwave in intervals, stirring after each interval, or by cooking them over medium-low heat on the stove. If necessary, add a little extra heavy cream or milk if they’ve thickened too much in the refrigerator.
Expert Cooking Tips
Peel the potatoes first: This ensures we get the smoothest, creamiest mashed potatoes to make one satisfying meal.
Mash just until it reaches the right consistency: We don’t want to overwork the potatoes. Otherwise, they can turn gluey.
Uniformly cut potatoes: If our potatoes are all different sizes, they won’t cook evenly. You don’t have to be exact here — we’re just looking for a rough match.
Keep cooked potatoes warm in a slow cooker: On big feasting nights, like Thanksgiving dinner, you can make your mashed potatoes a few hours before serving time and keep the potatoes on the warm setting for a couple hours. I recommend using a slow cooker liner to prevent the potatoes from sticking.
When mashed potatoes are on your dinner menu, I hope you also enjoy these delicious main courses and side dishes. No matter which recipes you decide to pair with your potatoes, you’re in for one tasty meal.
More Recipes for Potato Lovers
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