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    Home » Dinner

    30 Dinner Ideas with Mashed Potatoes as a Side

    Published: Sep 19, 2025 by Cara Lanz · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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    collage of dinner ideas to serve with mashed potatoes.
    collage of dinner ideas to serve with mashed potatoes.
    collage of dinner ideas to serve with mashed potatoes.
    collage of dinner ideas to serve with mashed potatoes.

    Looking for dinner ideas with mashed potatoes as a side? This roundup has everything from juicy chicken and pork chops to tender ribs, turkey, and beef recipes, plus homemade gravy recipes to tie it all together.

    For the creamiest, most flavorful mashed potatoes, check out my Garlic Red Skin Mashed Potatoes recipe. They're delicious with Ham in a Roaster Oven, Lipton Onion Soup Mix Pot Roast, or any of these easy recipes that go with mashed potatoes.

    collage of dinner ideas to serve with mashed potatoes.

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    All of the recipes in this roundup are pure comfort food, perfect for pairing with creamy mashed potatoes on a weeknight or special occasion.

    You'll find hearty favorites like Salisbury steak, Swedish meatballs, chicken paprikash, and French onion pot roast, along with quick main course options such as smothered pork chops, skillet meatballs, and lemon garlic chicken thighs.

    Each recipe comes from trusted bloggers, so you know they're tested, tasty, and ready for your dinner table.

    Dinner Ideas with Mashed Potatoes as a Side

    1

    Oven Baked Teriyaki Chicken Thighs (Boneless or Bone-in)

    Oven Baked Teriyaki Chicken Thighs are sticky, sweet, and savory with a flavorful glaze that makes weeknight dinners feel special. Serve them with rice or mashed potatoes as a side for a comforting dinner. 

    2

    How to Cook Ribs in a Roaster

    Ribs in a Roaster are fall-off-the-bone tender ribs with a rich barbecue sauce. A hearty main dish like this is perfect for family dinners and pairs beautifully with creamy mashed potatoes.

    3

    Slow Cooker Hunter’s Chicken

    Photo Credit: www.thepyperskitchen.com

    Slow Cooker Hunters Chicken simmers chicken with bacon, mushrooms, and barbecue sauce. This hearty dish is a stress-free dinner that fills the kitchen with an incredible aroma.

    4

    Easy Buttermilk Fried Chicken Tenders (Crispy Recipe!)

    Photo Credit: thebutteryfairytale.com

    Buttermilk Fried Chicken Tenders are golden and crispy on the outside with tender, juicy chicken inside. A classic dish like this is the perfect meal for weekend dinners or casual entertaining.

    5

    Lipton Onion Soup Meatloaf

    Photo Credit: www.iheartnaptime.net

    Lipton Onion Soup Meatloaf mixes ground beef with onion soup mix for an easy, delicious dinner. This tried-and-true family recipe tastes even better with mashed potatoes and gravy.

    6

    Baked Pork Chops with Mushroom Gravy

    Baked Pork Chops with Cream of Mushroom Soup Recipe creates tender chops smothered in a creamy, savory mushroom sauce. This delicious recipe is cozy, budget-friendly comfort food that tastes great with mashed potatoes or egg noodles.

    7

    Smothered Cheesy Sour Cream Chicken

    Photo Credit: mariasmixingbowl.com

    Smothered Cheesy Sour Cream Chicken is baked in a creamy sauce with plenty of melty cheese. It’s an easy recipe that delivers big flavor and makes a delicious centerpiece for any dinner table.

    8

    Crockpot Swedish Meatballs

    Photo Credit: belleofthekitchen.com

    Crockpot Swedish Meatballs simmer in a creamy sauce until tender and flavorful. This easy recipe is a comforting dinner that works for weeknights or holidays.

    9

    Roasted Chicken

    Photo Credit: www.smalltownwoman.com

    Roasted Chicken is simple, juicy, and seasoned to perfection. This classic recipe is perfect for Sunday dinner and makes wonderful leftovers.

    10

    Mustard Pork Tenderloin

    Mustard Pork Tenderloin roasts to perfection with a tangy, savory mustard glaze. Simple yet elegant, this dish is great for family meals or special occasions.

    11

    Super Crunchy Potato Chip Chicken

    Photo Credit: www.bakingbeauty.net

    Potato Chip Chicken bakes up crispy and crunchy thanks to a coating of crushed potato chips. It’s a fun and kid-friendly recipe that puts a twist on classic baked chicken.

    12

    Crockpot Beef Tips

    Photo Credit: www.ihearteating.com

    Slow Cooker Beef with Mushroom Gravy cooks tender beef in a rich, savory sauce. This set-it-and-forget-it meal is comfort food at its best.

    13

    Copycat Shake 'N Bake Chicken

    Photo Credit: www.inthekidskitchen.com

    Copycat Shake n Bake Chicken gives you crispy, flavorful baked chicken without the mess of frying. Served with creamy mashed potatoes, it's a great option for quick weeknight dinners.

    14

    Italian Short Ribs

    Photo Credit: www.therusticfoodie.com

    Dutch Oven Braised Italian Short Ribs Recipe delivers tender, fall-apart beef in a rich tomato and herb sauce. It’s a cozy dish that feels special enough for entertaining.

    15

    Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak

    Photo Credit: theshortordercook.com

    Creamy mashed potatoes are the perfect side dish for Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak. It's made with juicy beef patties simmered in onion and mushroom gravy until tender for a classic comfort food dinner never disappoints.

    16

    Crockpot Smothered Pork Chops

    Photo Credit: thecookinchicks.com

    Crockpot Smothered Pork Chops cook low and slow in a savory onion and mushroom gravy. This hands-off recipe is perfect for busy nights when you still want a hearty family meal.

    17

    Lemon Garlic Chicken Thighs

    Photo Credit: tessiestable.com

    Lemon Garlic Chicken Thighs are juicy and flavorful with a zesty marinade. Quick to prepare and easy to cook, they’re perfect for busy weeknight dinners.

    18

    Best Air Fryer Meatloaf with Tangy Sauce

    Photo Credit: gritsandgouda.com

    This Air Fryer Meatloaf with Tangy Sauce recipe makes two small loaves that are crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. This quick and easy meatloaf recipe is a fun way to reinvent a weeknight staple, made even better served with creamy potatoes. 

    19

    Lemon Chicken Piccata

    Photo Credit: belleofthekitchen.com

    Lemon Chicken Piccata features chicken cutlets in a lemony caper sauce for a bright, flavorful meal. It’s quick to cook and elegant enough for date night.

    20

    Recipe for Giblet Gravy

    Photo Credit: www.plattertalk.com

    This easy recipe for Giblet Gravy is rich, savory, and packed with flavor from pan drippings. It’s a Thanksgiving dinner essential that turns turkey, chicken, or mashed potatoes into something unforgettable.

    21

    French Onion Pot Roast

    Photo Credit: www.troprockin.com

    French Onion Pot Roast is slow-cooked with onions and beef broth until it’s melt-in-your-mouth tender. This hearty dish is perfect for Sunday supper and a delicious meal to serve with mashed potatoes as a side.

    22

    Open Faced Turkey Sandwich

    Photo Credit: crayonsandcravings.com

    Open Faced Turkey Sandwich piles juicy turkey and gravy over thick bread slices for a warm, satisfying meal. It’s an easy way to use leftovers and makes a cozy weeknight dinner the whole family will devour. 

    23

    Herb Roasted Turkey Breast

    Photo Credit: www.livingchirpy.com

    Herb Roasted Turkey Breast is juicy, flavorful, and perfect for smaller gatherings. Pair it with classic sides like mashed potatoes, stuffing, and vegetables for a comforting dinner that tastes like your favorite holiday meal. 

    24

    Homemade Brown Gravy Recipe

    Photo Credit: inthekitch.net

    This Brown Gravy recipe is smooth, savory, and simple to make from scratch. Perfect over mashed potatoes, meatloaf, or roast beef, it’s a versatile recipe every cook should know.

    25

    French Onion Chicken

    Photo Credit: getinspiredeveryday.com

    French Onion Chicken bakes chicken breasts in caramelized onion gravy topped with gooey cheese. It’s a restaurant-worthy dish that’s perfect served with mashed potatoes and surprisingly easy to make at home.

    26

    Pineapple Pork Chops - A Sweet & Savory 30 Minute Meal

    Photo Credit: thesoccermomblog.com

    Pineapple Pork Chops are sweet and tangy with a rich, savory flavor. They’re simple to make, perfect with mashed potatoes, and add a burst of flavor to any family meal.

    27

    Easy Hungarian Chicken Paprikash Dinner Recipe

    Photo Credit: www.ourhomemadeeasy.com

    This Hungarian Chicken Paprikash Recipe features tender chicken in a creamy paprika sauce. Serve with fluffy mashed potatoes for a traditional comfort food dinner that's hearty and satisfying.

    28

    Meatloaf Meatballs

    Photo Credit: disheswithdad.com

    Meatloaf Meatballs are tender, juicy, and baked in a savory glaze. This recipe takes the comfort of classic meatloaf and turns it into bite-sized form.

    29

    Baked Hamburger Steak

    Photo Credit: lowcalorieeating.com

    Baked Hamburger Steak with seasoned ground beef patties smothered in onion gravy is practically begging to be served with mashed potatoes. This classic Southern is a comforting dish that's hearty, affordable, and filling.

    30

    Authentic Swedish Meatball Recipe - Kottbullar

    Photo Credit: www.wildnordickitchen.com

    Authentic Swedish Meatball Recipe (Kottbullar) is tender, flavorful, and served with creamy gravy. These traditional meatballs are perfect with lingonberry jam and mashed potatoes.

    31

    Muffin Pan Turkey Meatloaf

    Photo Credit: parsleyandparm.com

    Muffin Pan Turkey Meatloaf bakes individual meatloaves in a muffin tin for perfectly portioned servings. It’s a fun twist on classic meatloaf and great for meal prep.

    Tips for the Best Mashed Potatoes

    • Start with the right potato. Russets give you fluffy mash, Yukon Golds are creamy and buttery, and red potatoes have tender skins that can be left on for rustic, flavorful mashed potatoes.
    • Cut evenly. Chop potatoes into similar-sized pieces so they cook at the same rate.
    • Start the potatoes in cold water. This will help them cook evenly for the creamiest, lump-free mashed potatoes.
    • Salt the water. Add plenty of salt to the cooking water-it seasons the potatoes from the inside out.
    • Use room temperature dairy. Let your whole milk, cream, or butter come to room temperature before adding to prevent the potatoes from cooling down and absorbing unevenly.
    • Mash gently. For smooth, fluffy potatoes, use a potato masher or ricer. Overmixing with a hand mixer or food processor can make them gummy.
    • Make them rich. A little sour cream, cream cheese, or roasted garlic cloves take mashed potatoes to the next level.
    • Keep them warm. Hold mashed potatoes in a slow cooker on the warm setting or in a covered oven-safe dish until ready to serve.

    Mashed Potato FAQs

    What type of potatoes are best for mashed potatoes?

    Russet potatoes are light and fluffy, Yukon Gold potatoes are naturally creamy and buttery, and red potatoes are smooth with tender skins that don't need peeling. Many cooks like to mix varieties for the perfect texture and flavor.

    How do you keep mashed potatoes from being gummy?

    Don't overmix or overprocess the potatoes, as that can make them gluey. Mash by hand or with a ricer and add warm dairy gradually.

    Can mashed potatoes be made ahead of time?

    Yes! Make them a day in advance and store covered in the fridge. Reheat gently on the stove or in the oven with a little extra butter or cream stirred in.

    How do you keep mashed potatoes warm for serving?

    Keep them in a slow cooker on the warm setting or place them in a covered dish over a pan of simmering water. This keeps them hot and creamy without drying out.

    Can leftover mashed potatoes be frozen?

    Yes, but only if they're made with plenty of fat like butter and heavy cream, which helps preserve the creamy texture of the mashed potatoes. Freeze in portions in an airtight container and reheat slowly.

    What can I add to mashed potatoes for more flavor?

    Mix in roasted garlic, sour cream, cream cheese, or fresh parsley or other fresh herbs. Toppings like gravy, caramelized onions, or shredded cheddar cheese also make them extra delicious.

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    Hi, I'm Cara!

    I love sharing easy, delicious everyday recipes from the heartland.

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