35 Sides for Meat Loaf That Make It a Meal
Updated: Sep. 15, 2023
Is meat loaf a staple at your dinner table? Then check out these sides for meat loaf that pair great with this American classic.
When it comes to comfort food, it doesn’t get much better than meat loaf! Whether your loaf is from grandma’s recipe box, a copycat Cracker Barrel recipe, the Pioneer Woman’s recipe or a Taste of Home meat loaf recipe, it’s going to need some hearty sides.
Browse this list of sides for meat loaf that are the perfect supporting acts. Mix-and-match veggies, rolls, salads, beans and noodles for a perfectly balanced meal.
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Loaded Mashed Potatoes
Tired of the same old sides for meat loaf, I whipped up this new family favorite. We can’t get enough of these loaded mashed potatoes at our house. Often, I’ll prepare this casserole ahead and refrigerate it. Then I bake it just before serving. —Dawn Reuter, Oxford, Wisconsin
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Air-Fryer Roasted Green Beans
Our family loves roasted green beans, but they can take a long time in the oven. I tried these air-fryer green beans and we loved them! —Courtney Stultz, Weir, Kansas
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Freeze-and-Bake Rolls
These homemade rolls are fancy enough for a feast but handy enough for almost any occasion. —Jayne Duce, Raymond, Alberta
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Homemade Baked Beans
These hearty homemade baked beans are a super side for meat loaf. The ingredients blend perfectly for a wonderful from-scratch taste. The old-fashioned flavor will have people standing in line for more. —Jesse and Anne Foust, Bluefield, West Virginia
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Two-Cheese Mac 'n Cheese
A lot of stories claim that bechamel mac and cheese was created by Thomas Jefferson, Marco Polo or the cooks of China. My favorite theory? An Italian housewife invented it to introduce non-Italian Americans to the joys of macaroni. —Stephanie Sorbie, Glendale, Arizona
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Dill & Chive Peas
Growing my own vegetables and herbs helps keep things fresh in the kitchen, but frozen peas make this side is a breeze to prepare. —Tanna Richard, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
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Honey-Glazed Carrots
My mother used sugar in this side for meat loaf, but a local man who keeps bees on our farm shares honey with us so I use that instead to make honey-glazed carrots. —Julie Anglen, Riverton, Wyoming
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Amish Buttered Noodles
These are the best buttered noodles ever! They are easy to make and kid-friendly, and they pair nicely with lots of main dishes. —Angela Lively, Conroe, Texas
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Easy Caesar Salad
Fans of Caesar salad will find the dressing used in this tasty version one of the best. My sister, Jan, developed this Caesar salad recipe and was nice enough to share her secret with me.—Dianne Nash, Kaslo, British Columbia
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Onion Potato Pancakes
I make these pancakes for my family as a side for meat loaf often, and sometimes even serve them on their own for light suppers. —Joan Hutter, Warwick, Rhode Island
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Lemon-Scented Broccolini
Even the most finicky eaters will eagerly eat this vegetable seasoned with lemon pepper, lemon zest and lemon juice. If you prefer, use broccoli instead. —Kim Champion, Phoenix, Arizona
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Creamed Peas
I can still taste these wonderful creamed peas in Mama’s delicious white sauce. Our food was pretty plain during the week, so I thought this white sauce made the peas “extra fancy” and fitting for a Sunday meal.
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Grandpa's Party Potatoes
My grandpa, who gave me this recipe, liked the way the cream cheese and onion dip created a wonderful velvety texture. I often assemble these potatoes the night before, then pop them in the oven the next day. —Mary Kay Elert, St. Paul Park, Minnesota
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Cranberry Almond Spinach Salad
If you want a new side for meat loaf, toss this salad together. Fresh spinach leaves are tossed with toasted almonds and dried cranberries and drizzled with poppy seed dressing. It’s likely to become a tradition at your house, too. —Michelle Krzmarzick Torrance, California
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Skillet Potatoes with Red Pepper and Whole Garlic Cloves
You'll be surprised that a skillet potato recipe this simple has so much flavor. I love how the whole garlic cloves turn sweet after being caramelized. Yum! —Anita Osborne, Thomasburg, Ontario
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Herb-Buttered Baby Carrots
The herb butter can be used for everything from vegetables to roast chicken, turkey, game hens—let your imagination be your guide.—Sandra Corey, Caldwell, Idaho
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Easy Potato Rolls
After I discovered this side for meat loaf, it became a mainstay for me. I make the dough ahead of time when company is coming, and I try to keep some in the refrigerator to bake for our ranch hands. Leftover mashed potatoes are almost sure to go into these rolls. —Jeanette McKinney, Belleview, Missouri
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Oven-Roasted Asparagus
Asparagus never tasted so good! Simply seasoned with butter and green onions, they taste fresh and keep their bright green color, too. They're so good, you might want to make extra. This is how to cook asparagus in the oven. —Jody Fisher, Stewartstown, Pennsylvania
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Grandma's Spinach Salad
With all its fresh ingredients, this pretty spinach salad was my grandma’s favorite. Even my little ones like it (but don’t tell them spinach is good for them)! —Shelley Riebel, Armada, Michigan
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Lemon Rice Pilaf
No need to buy premade pilaf mix as a side for meat loaf when you can easily make your own in 20 minutes. The lemon zest adds a welcome burst of tang. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Creamed Corn
Five ingredients are all you'll need for my popular creamed corn recipe. It's wonderful no matter what the occasion is. Try it on a barbecue buffet or holiday menu. —Barbara Brizendine, Harrisonville, Missouri
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Baked Parmesan Broccoli
I began making this creamy side dish years ago as a way to get my kids to eat broccoli. They have since grown up but still request this satisfying casserole. It's truly a family favorite. —Barbara Uhl, Wesley Chapel, Florida
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Crescent Dinner Rolls
These light, golden rolls have a heavenly homemade flavor and aroma. Mom never hesitates to whip up a batch of these from-scratch rolls, since they’re a delightful side for meat loaf. —Debra Falkiner, St. Charles, Missouri
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Skillet Mac & Cheese
This creamy mac and cheese is so simple it’s almost too easy! Kids always go for the rich cheese flavor, but I’ve never met an adult who didn’t love it just as much. —Ann Bowers, Rockport, Texas
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Apple-Feta Tossed Salad
A friend of mine shared this recipe with me after I raved about the delightful salad at dinner. I have served it for years now, and no matter where i take it, I have to bring along copies of the recipe to hand out. -Marlene Clark Apple Valley, California
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Brown Sugar-Glazed Baby Carrots
These delicious glazed carrots are the best side for meat loaf. They cook while I prepare the other dishes, and the slow-cooker simmering saves me precious oven space. —Anndrea Bailey, Huntington Beach, California
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Cheesy Bacon Spaghetti Squash
This quick casserole is called "cheesy" for a reason. Stir in any kind you've got. —Jean Williams, Stillwater, Oklahoma
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Fried Cabbage
When I was young, my family grew our own cabbages. It was fun to put the cabbage to use in the kitchen, just as I did with this comforting side. With potatoes, deviled eggs and cornbread, fried cabbage tastes like home. —Bernice Morris, Marshfield, Missouri
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New England Baked Beans
You can’t beat this classic side for meat loaf. Molasses and maple syrup give it a slight sweetness. —Pat Medeiros, Tiverton, Rhode Island
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Garlic Mashed Cauliflower
I order cauliflower mash every time we visit our favorite restaurant. Lucky us; one night, I figured out how to make it at home. It was so easy! —Jean Keiser, West Chester, Pennsylvania
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Honey-Butter Peas and Carrots
This classic combination of peas and carrots is enriched with a handful of flavor enhancers. Slow cooking allows the ingredients to meld for maximum richness. —Theresa Kreyche, Tustin, California
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Moist Corn Spoon Bread
Enjoy this easy side for meat loaf that utilizes the convenience of a slow cooker. It’s an excellent side dish for your next summer party or any special feast. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Slow-Cooked Bean Medley
I often change the variety of beans in this classic recipe, using whatever I have on hand to total the five cans called for. The sauce makes any combination delicious! It's a gluten-free side dish that's popular with just about everyone. —Peggy Gwillim, Strasbourg, Saskatchewan
Originally Published: September 30, 2019
