What to Serve with Meatloaf? 7 BEST Side Dishes

As the name suggests, Meatloaf is technically a loaf of ground meat.

The meat is first grounded and mixed with different kinds of flavors and spices and then either baked or smoked to perfection.

The Meatloaf made on loaf pans has a more loaf-like shape in comparison to the ones that are made on baking trays.

Meatloaf is usually made with ground beef and mixed with onions, breadcrumbs, and other seasonings.

Meatloaves are extremely juicy and tender.

The added flavors make these meatloafs extremely tempting.

Most people find Meatloaf to be an incredibly comforting food.

Some might even go as far as to prefer meatloaves to other kinds of processed meat.

Why Consider Serving Side Dishes with Meatloaf?

Meatloaf is wholly made out of meat and a few other added flavors; side dishes add a little life to the meal.

Meatloaf is usually served by cutting up the slices of meat and serving them with side dishes.

Much like a regular bread loaf, you need something to accompany your meat slice.

Side dishes will help better understand the flavors in the Meatloaf, and also, it is tradition to serve Meatloaf along with at least one side.

Generally, Meatloaf is served with some of the other kind of dish, to diversify the flavors of your meal.

Here, we have compiled a list of 7 side dishes that will make for excellent side dishes along with your Meatloaf.

What To Serve with Meatloaf? 7 Best Side Dishes

1 – Garlic Bread

Bread is always a no-brainer with meat dishes.

In the case of Meatloaf, garlic bread can be a pleasant addition.

The cheesy pull and garlicky aroma of the bread are sure to tempt you into making it your new favorite food combination.

You can always get ready-made garlic bread if you are short on time; however, you can also make them at home.

All you need is good quality bread, cheese, butter and garlic.

Add a few herbs to heighten the taste and aroma factor.

This also makes it more visually appealing.

2 – Potato Wedges

Potatoes are a man’s best friend in the food world.

You can always count on potatoes to deliver the best in taste and flavor when cooked in any way- and potatoes never disappoint.

For this particular case of Meatloaf, make some potato wedges instead of the usual mashed potatoes.

Potato wedges are pretty easy to make as well.

Make or get some dip or sauce for the potato wedges to make it more appealing.

Usually, ketchup works fine.

However, if you want something different, make some yogurt-based dipping sauce- add some spice if you wish.

3 – Creamed Spinach

Spinach always makes for amazing side dishes, whether sauteed or in a salad.

This particular creamed spinach recipe is a little different than the usual spinach dishes.

The creamy, rich texture of the spinach makes for an amazing side with Meatloaf.

Since this dish has a creamy texture but a lighter flavor- it balances out the flavors of the Meatloaf well.

Making the sauce with the right consistency can be tricky, but with the right idea and practice, you can get it right.

Make sure you get the freshest spinach available; see that none of the leaves are soggy before cooking.

4 – Sauteed Brussel Sprouts

Brussel Sprouts are, again, one of the best kinds of greens out there.

You can cook them in different kinds of ways, and they always feel hearty and delicious.

Sauteed Brussel sprouts are a good option with Meatloaf, and they are also quite easy to make.

The crunch factor of the Brussel sprouts is what makes them so appealing as a side dish.

To make them, all you have to do is halve them and toss them into a skillet with heated oil.

Season them with pepper and spices.

Make sure to toss them around while cooking otherwise, they might burn.

Perfectly cooked Brussel sprouts would be an excellent meal companion with your Meatloaf.

5 – Roasted Veggies

Roasted veggies are another dish that you can never go wrong with.

Veggies go extremely well with meat dishes.

Roasted vegetables like carrots, zucchini, bell peppers, sweet potato, etc.

, are a treat to the eyes as well as to the tongue.

For added appeal, choose colorful vegetables, and don’t use extremely mild or extremely spicy.

The key to the tastiest roasted vegetables lies in the seasoning.

Add a side of this colorful dish along with your Meatloaf, and enjoy the delightful combination.

6 – Spaghetti

Spaghetti is a wonderful side dish that goes well with almost anything.

You can safely add spaghetti as a side dish when eating any kind of meat dish.

Spaghetti is generally made with meat or meat sauces.

However, in the case of Meatloaf, go for a vegetarian spaghetti recipe so that the meat flavors aren’t too overpowering.

Spaghetti being a wheat flour-based dish, takes up external flavors well.

So if you are thinking of a mild side dish that lets you taste the flavors of your Meatloaf well, go for spaghetti.

7 – Sauteed Mushrooms

Mushrooms are an extremely loved food.

They are light, can take up other flavors well, and are highly nutritious.

Cut up the mushrooms and slice them well, add some butter in a skillet and add some seasonings, then toss the mushrooms into it.

The whole process takes even less than 15 minutes.

Consider this sauteed mushrooms recipe for the next time you make Meatloaf, and let the mushrooms charm your taste buds.

Conclusion

Meatloaf is a dish that comes with already compact flavors.

To better understand the flavor profile of Meatloaf, side dishes work wonders.

Vegetable-based side dishes work wonders with Meatloaf.

Also, dishes like spaghetti are like a blank slate that helps you taste the best of your Meatloaf.

The 7 side dishes mentioned above would make excellent sides with your Meatloaf.

However, you can always experiment with new ideas and find new combinations that work well with Meatloaf.