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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