If you’re obsessed with fluffy mash, dive into this collection of the top, most popular recipes for what to eat with mashed potatoes and buckle up for comfort food bliss!

The best things to eat with mashed potatoes are juicy roasted or fried meats, slow-braised beef and pork, flaky baked fish, and a good gravy to soak into every bite. Mashed potatoes are a blank canvas, so I pair them with anything saucy.

Here are my favorite dinners to serve with mashed potatoes:

• Meat mains: Crispy Chicken Schnitzel, Stuffed Pork Chops, Chuck Roast in the Crock Pot
• Comfort food: Salisbury Steak, Turkey Meatloaf
• Seafood: Grilled Salmon, Salmon Patties
• Sauces: Silky Pork Gravy

 

The Best Mashed Potatoes Recipe

I’ve used my food science background and all my cooking knowledge to create the best mashed potatoes recipe ever. This mashed potatoes recipe is super creamy, fluffy, and perfect not just for Thanksgiving, but for any day of the year. Plus, I’ve also spilled the beans on how to make them light and creamy, not gooey like glue. Give it a shot – you won’t be disappointed!

What Goes with Mashed Potatoes

Mashed potatoes are a stand-out delicious side dish and a shining star for major holiday feasts. But if you love them as much as I do, you’re probably looking beyond Thanksgiving for dinner ideas to serve with mashed potatoes. Luckily, they complement all manners of hearty proteins from roasted chicken, grilled steak, and lamb chops to pan-seared fish. There are even a host of cozy vegetarian mains that provide a creamy counterpoint to fluffy taters.

If you’ve tried my crazy-good creamy Mashed Potatoes recipe, you’re almost definitely looking for ways to eat them every day. 

There are so many cozy options from simple weeknight dinners to fancy showstoppers to create a well-rounded, satisfying meal with fluffy mashed russets as your anchor.

(PS. The fact that you’re here reading this means you are my people).

Meaty Main Dish Ideas

1. Easy Roast Turkey: A juicy, well-seasoned roast turkey is an age-old pairing with mashed potatoes. There’s a reason mashed potatoes and Thanksgiving dinner are a match made in heaven.
2. Steak with Green Sauce: Whether it’s a filet mignon or a rib-eye, a good steak goes hand in hand with the creaminess of mashed potatoes. The bright aji verde sauce cuts through the richness.
3. Pork Chops: I love these Honey-Mustard Baked Pork Chops or these Onion and Mushroom Smothered Pork Chops with a big mound of mashed potatoes.
4. Veal Scallopini: This scrumptious veal cutlet recipe has a delicious lemon caper butter sauce that would be delicious with mashed potatoes.
5. A Succulent Rib Roast: This roast beef recipe is the ultimate holiday indulgence.
6. Creamy Tuscan Chicken: Tender chicken in the tastiest Italian cream sauce. You’ll swoon for this with a plate of mashed potatoes.
7. Ham: Ham and potatoes are a natural pairing. Short on time? Try my Instant Pot Ham Recipe for juicy, fall-apart ham in a fraction of the time.
8. Ribs: I love the pairing of succulent ribs with mashed potatoes. A few of my go-to recipes include Honey Garlic Spare Ribs (Dry Garlic Ribs), Grilled Korean Short Ribs, Sticky Spicy Ribs and Baked Cranberry-Chipotle Barbecue Ribs.
9. Chicken Thighs (boneless or bone in): Honey Garlic Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs or Garlic Ginger Chicken are delicious options.
10. Stuffed Pork Tenderloin: Tender pork with a creamy Mediterranean filling. The savory juices soak right into the mash.
11. Chuck Roast in the Crock Pot: Fall-apart beef in rich gravy. Spoon it straight over a pile of buttery mashed potatoes.
12. Instant Pot Roast Beef: Melt-in-your-mouth roast beef in a fraction of the time. Pile it on mash and add the jus.
13. Dutch Oven Pot Roast: Classic Sunday pot roast with vegetables and gravy. Mashed potatoes are the only side it needs.
14. Dutch Oven Beef Stew: A hearty, slow-braised stew. Serve it over mashed potatoes instead of bread for pure comfort.
15. Tender Pork Stew: A cozy, brothy stew. Ladle it over mashed potatoes to soak up every drop.
16. Crispy Chicken Schnitzel: Golden, crispy cutlets. Add a scoop of mash and a squeeze of lemon for an easy dinner.
17. Stuffed Pork Chops: Juicy chops with the tastiest pan sauce, made for drizzling over creamy mash.
18. Tender Beef Ribs: Sticky, fall-off-the-bone beef ribs. The rich sauce and mashed potatoes are a perfect match.

Seafood to Pair with Mashed Potatoes

1. Baked Salmon with Mayo: For a healthier pairing, baked salmon with an easy sauce brings a touch of lightness and a burst of omega-3 fatty acids.
2. Panko-Crusted Cod: This cod recipe, coated with panko breadcrumbs, features an incredibly flavorful 3-ingredient sauce that locks in moisture for consistently tender and flaky fish. The mixture of breadcrumbs and butter creates a golden, crunchy crust, making this a fantastic 20-minute dish.
3. Cajun Honey Butter Salmon: This salmon dish pairs perfectly with creamy mashed potatoes, providing a delicious balance of flavors and textures. Simply serve it over a bed of mashed potatoes and garnish with freshly chopped chives, thyme, or oregano.
4. Grilled Salmon: Moist, flaky salmon. Its clean flavor balances rich, buttery mashed potatoes beautifully.
5. Salmon Patties: Crisp, golden salmon patties. They pair well with mash and a squeeze of lemon.

 

Classic Comfort Food That Goes With Mashed Potatoes

1. The Ultimate Meatloaf Recipe: Meatloaf’s savory flavors are a natural fit for mashed potatoes and this recipe is the one that’ll turn you into a meatloaf lover.
2. Meatloaf with Brown Gravy: Smother those ‘taters in rich homemade gravy if you know what’s good.
3. Crispy Fried Chicken: If you’re looking for a classic Southern meal, pair your mash with perfectly seasoned and crisped fried chicken.
4. BBQ Oven Chicken Legs: The ultimate comforting dinner if you ask me. 
5. Turkey Meatloaf: The juiciest turkey meatloaf. Meatloaf and mashed potatoes are a classic comfort-food plate.
6. Salisbury Steak: Old-fashioned beef patties in mushroom gravy. Spoon it all over mashed potatoes for a retro favorite.

Vegetables and Vegetarian Mains

1. Crisp Green Beans or Asparagus: With its distinct flavor, asparagus brings a note of elegance to your plate. Here’s How to Cook Perfect Pan-Fried Asparagus on the Stove
2. Air Fryer Eggplant: The crispy-meets-creamy vibe will have you inhaling the whole basket.
3. Comforting Creamy French Lentils: They’re made for a mound of mashed potatoes. The ultimate vegetarian comfort food.
4. Glazed Carrots: Sweet, buttery glazed carrots. They add color and balance next to creamy mash.
5. Air Fryer Broccoli: Crispy, quick broccoli. A fresh green side to round out a mashed-potato dinner.

Sauces and Delicious Sides

1. Brown Gravy: You can’t talk about what to eat with mashed potatoes without mentioning gravy. A well-made brown gravy can elevate the humble spud to something sublime.
2. Turkey Giblet Gravy (Without Drippings!): A super-easy make-ahead turkey gravy.
3. Garlic-Herb Butter: For those who prefer a lighter option, melted herb butter (like the one I use on my viral Butter Naan recipe) can make your mashed potatoes simply irresistible.
4. Apple Turkey Stuffing: It’s technically “unstuffing” because it doesn’t go inside the bird. So you can enjoy it with simple baked chicken thighs as much as big turkey roasts.
5. Silky Pork Gravy: A smooth, savory gravy. Pour it generously over mashed potatoes for instant comfort.

Leftover Mashed Potato Recipe Ideas

Got leftovers to use up? Here’s how to put your pillowy russet potatoes to delicious use the next day.

• Potato and Cod Cakes: Merge your leftover mash with chosen fish (such as cod, salmon, or tuna), toss in some fresh herbs, and use an egg for binding. Shape into patties and pan fry until they get a crispy exterior and a heated middle.
• Turkey Stew with Mashed Potato Dumplings: ransform your remaining turkey and mashed potatoes into a cozy stew. Introduce scoops of mashed potatoes to the bubbling stew, letting them double as soft, fluffy dumplings.
• Vegetarian Cottage Pie: For a vegetarian twist on the classic shepherd’s pie, swap the meat filling with a robust combination of lentils and assorted veggies. Crown with a generous spread of your remaining mashed potatoes and bake until it sports a golden hue.
• Potato Samosas, Aloo Naan or Samosa Pie: Make one of these super-tasty Indian recipes. Dive into these irresistible Indian recipes face first. Bypass the potato boiling step and use your pre-made mash.
• Thanksgiving Leftovers Casserole:  It’s got a stuffing crust and a fluffy mashed potato topping. YUM.
• Malai Kofta: This Indian curry is crazy delicious. It’s got dumplings made of mashed potato and paneer in a creamy spiced tomato gravy.

How Long Are Leftover Mashed Potatoes Good For?

Leftover mashed potatoes are good to enjoy for up to 3 days when stored in an airtight container in the fridge.

If you don’t plan to eat your leftover mashed potatoes within 3 days, you can freeze them for later. To freeze mashed potatoes, transfer them to a freezer-safe container and label it with the date. Mashed potatoes can be frozen for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to eat them, thaw them in the fridge overnight and then reheat them in the oven or on the stovetop.

Just keep in mind that while mashed potatoes can be stored safely for several days, it’s always best to use your best judgment and check for any signs of spoilage before eating them. If they look or smell off, it’s better to err on the side of caution and throw them out.

How To Reheat Mashed Potatoes

Reheating mashed potatoes is a breeze, and you have a couple of options:

Stovetop Method:

• Start by placing your thawed mashed potatoes into a large pot.

• Warm them up over low heat on the stove, stirring frequently to prevent sticking.

• Sometimes, freezing can alter the texture slightly. To restore that creamy consistency, consider adding a touch of cream, a pat of butter, or even a splash of chicken or vegetable broth during reheating. Begin with a small amount and adjust to your preferred thickness.

• After reheating, give your mashed potatoes a taste test. You might want to fine-tune the seasoning with a bit of salt or enrich the flavor with thicker dairy options like sour cream or cream cheese if they turn a tad watery.

Microwave:

• Transfer the mashed potatoes to a microwave-safe dish.

• Heat the mashed potatoes for 5 minutes at 50% power, stirring the mixture between every interval.

• Keep heating and stirring until the mashed potatoes are warmed up evenly throughout.

These simple methods ensure your leftover mashed potatoes taste just as delicious as when they were freshly made.

Mashed Potato FAQs

Just skimming through? Here are some quick answers to the commonly-asked questions.

Conclusion

When it comes to what to eat with mashed potatoes, the possibilities are endless! Mashed potatoes can be a versatile addition to any meal, and there are many different options for what to serve alongside them.

Whether you prefer meaty mains, seafood, classic comfort food, vegetables, and salads, or delicious sauces and sides, there is sure to be a perfect pairing for your mashed potatoes. So next time you’re making mashed potatoes, get ready to explore all these delicious possibilities!

I’d love to hear from you! What’s your favorite dish to pair with mashed potatoes? Share your go-to recipes and creative ideas in the comments below.