Mashed potatoes are the ultimate comfort food. Creamy and fluffy, they’re a favorite side dish for both holiday meals and easy weeknight dinners. Once you’ve made the perfect bowl, the big question is: what goes well with it?

This guide shares many tasty main dishes, sides, and sauces that go well with mashed potatoes. From classic meats to seafood and vegetarian choices, you’ll find lots of ideas to make mashed potatoes a regular favorite. There’s so much more to try than just the usual Thanksgiving turkey.

Meaty Main Dishes

The rich, savory flavors of meat are a classic complement to the creamy texture of mashed potatoes. This combination creates a hearty and satisfying meal that feels both traditional and indulgent.

Poultry

• Easy Roast Turkey: A juicy, well-seasoned roast turkey is a Easy Roast Turkey: Juicy, well-seasoned roast turkey is a classic choice. It’s a Thanksgiving favorite for a reason and pairs perfectly with mashed potatoes. A savory Italian cream sauce. This dish is practically begging to be served over a generous pile of mashed potatoes to soak up every last drop.
• Chicken Thighs: Boneless or bone-in chicken thighs are juicy and full of flavor. Try them with a honey garlic lemon pepper glaze or a simple garlic ginger sauce for an easy meal.
• BBQ Oven Chicken Legs: The sweet and smoky taste of barbecue chicken legs goes well with creamy mashed potatoes for a comforting meal.

Beef, Pork, and Lamb

• The Ultimate Meatloaf: A savory meatloaf pairs naturally with mashed potatoes. For extra flavor, top your potatoes with homemade brown gravy.
• Steak with Green Sauce: A tender filet mignon or juicy rib-eye steak is great with creamy mashed potatoes. Add a fresh aji verde sauce to balance the flavors.
• A Succulent Rib Roast: For special occasions, a perfectly cooked rib roast is a holiday treat that goes well with fluffy mashed potatoes.
• Pork Chops: Try honey-mustard baked pork chops or pork chops with onion and mushroom sauce. The tender meat and savory sauces make a comforting meal.
• Ham: The classic pairing of ham and potatoes never disappoints. For a quick option, an InstHam: Ham and potatoes are a classic combination. For a quick meal, try making ham in the Instant Pot for juicy, tender meat. Atos. Consider honey garlic spare ribs, grilled Korean short ribs, or sticky chipotle barbecue ribs.
• Veal Scallopini: This veal cutlet with lemon caper butter sauce tastes great served over mashed potatoes.

Seafood Pairings

If you want something lighter, seafood is a tasty choice that pairs well with rich mashed potatoes.

• Baked Salmon with Mayo: Baked salmon is a healthy option and goes well with mashed potatoes. A simple mayo-based sauce keeps the fish moist and tasty.
• Panko-Crusted Cod: Flaky cod with a crunchy panko crust and a simple sauce is a quick and tasty weeknight dinner with mashed potatoes.
• Cajun Honey Butter Salmon: The sweet and spicy flavors of this salmon go well with creamy mashed potatoes. Serve the salmon on top and add fresh herbs.

Vegetarian Mains and Sides

Mashed potatoes can be the main part of a vegetarian meal. Pair them with filling plant-based dishes or colorful vegetable sides.

Vegetarian Mains

• Comforting Creamy French Lentils: These creamy lentils are perfect served over mashed potatoes for a comforting vegetarian meal.
• Vegetarian Cottage Pie: Replace the usual meat filling with lentils and mixed vegetables, then top with mashed potatoes and bake until golden.

Vegetable Sides

• Crisp Green Beans or Asparagus: Asparagus or green beans add freshness and crunch to your meal. Pan-fry them for a simple side.
• Air Fryer Eggplant: Air frying makes eggplant crispy outside and creamy inside, which goes well with mashed potatoes.
• Sautéed Mushrooms: Mushrooms sautéed with garlic and herbs add rich flavor to your meal.
• Caramelized Onions: Sweet caramelized onions make a simple and tasty topping for mashed potatoes.

Sauces and Gravies

A good sauce can turn mashed potatoes into a standout dish.

• Brown Gravy: Gravy is a classic with mashed potatoes. A rich brown gravy adds great flavor.
• Turkey Giblet Gravy (Without Drippings!): This easy, make-ahead turkey gravy is great for holidays or whenever you roast poultry.
• Garlic-Herb Butter: For a lighter choice, try melted butter with garlic and fresh herbs to add flavor to your potatoes.
• Creamy Cheese Sauce: Cheddar or Gruyère cheese sauce makes mashed potatoes rich and flavorful, similar to gourmet mac and cheese.

What to Do With Leftover Mashed Potatoes

Don’t let leftovers go to waste. Mashed potatoes are versatile and can be used in many new dishes.

• Potato and Cod Cakes: Mix leftover mashed potatoes with flaked cod or salmon, fresh herbs, and an egg, then pan-fry into crispy cakes.
• Turkey Stew with Mashed Potato Dumplings: Use leftover turkey and mashed potatoes in a stew. Add spoonfuls of mashed potatoes to make soft dumplings.
• Indian-Inspired Dishes: Use leftover mashed potatoes in Indian recipes like Potato Samosas, Aloo Naan, or Malai Kofta (potato and paneer dumplings in creamy tomato gravy).
• Thanksgiving Leftovers Casserole: Make a post-holiday meal with a stuffing crust, leftover filling, and mashed potato topping.

Reheat and Store Your Potatoes

Want to enjoy your mashed potatoes again? Store and reheat them the right way to keep their creamy texture and flavor.

Leftover mashed potatoes can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. (How Long Do Mashed Potatoes Last In Fridge?, n.d.) If you need to keep them longer, you can freeze them for up to two months. (Freezing Homemade Mashed Potatoes: A Comprehensive Guide, 2025)

To reheat mashed potatoes, you have a few options:

• Stovetop: Heat the potatoes in a pot over low heat, stirring often. Add cream, milk, or broth if they seem dry to bring back their creamy texture.
• Microwave: Warm the potatoes in a microwave-safe dish at 50% power, stirring every so often until heated through.

Unlock Your Next Favorite Meal

There are so many ways to enjoy mashed potatoes. From roasts and seafood to vegetarian dishes, you’ll find a pairing for any meal. Next time you make mashed potatoes, try one of these tasty ideas.