Cheesy potatoes are one of my dearests and have been a staple side dish in households across the country for decades.
This classic choice never disappoints you; Whether you’re making them for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion or just a side dish or the main meal is never a bad idea.
Finding a good side that complements each other, that’s quite tricky. I’ve compiled a list of popular-recommended dishes that pair perfectly with this comfort food favorite.
Let’s get started…
For a real quick list, here you know What to serve with Cheesy Potatoes- Grilled Chicken Breasts, Roasted Vegetables, Salad, Baked Beans, Protein-Based Main Courses, Vegetable Dishes, Grains & Legumes, Baked Chicken Legs, Grilled Asparagus, Sauteed Spinach, Baked Tomatoes, Roasted pork tenderloin, Cornbread, Garlic Bread, Green Bean Casserole, Glazed Ham, Stuffed Mushrooms, Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Butternut Squash Soup, Broccoli Casserole, Coleslaw, Corn on the Cob, Buttered Noodles, Potato Skins, Mashed Sweet Potatoes, Rice Pilaf, Green Beans Almondine.
What are cheesy potatoes? What do cheesy potatoes taste like?
Cheesy potatoes are a delectable side dish or appetizer with a smorgasbord of flavors. It consists of diced potatoes and melted cheese.
It can be cooked in the oven, on the stove, or even in an air fryer. The combination of creamy melted cheese and softened potatoes creates an irresistibly delicious flavor profile.
Cheesy potatoes have a sublime creamy texture with flavors such as cheddar, Parmesan, and garlic, tingling the taste buds.
There is also a hint of onion mingling through the delicious concoction to give it even more depth. Other seasonings, such as paprika and white pepper, can be added for an extra punch.
They make an excellent accompaniment for steak or grilled chicken, or tenderloin that will tantalize everyone’s taste buds!
Top 27 Side dishes To serve with Cheesy Potatoes at Any Events
1. Grilled Chicken Breasts
Nothing pairs better with cheesy potatoes than grilled chicken breasts. The salty flavor of the cheese complements the juicy texture of the chicken, while the herbs and spices used to season the dish bring out its natural flavors.
For an extra zip of flavor, try adding a few slices of bacon or jalapenos to your grilled chicken breasts before serving.
2. Roasted Vegetables
Cheesy potatoes are also delicious when served alongside roasted vegetables like carrots, onions, and bell peppers.
The vegetables are lightly coated in olive oil and seasoned with salt and pepper before being placed in the oven to roast.
When served alongside cheesy potatoes, this provides a great balance between savory and sweet flavors.
Additionally, it makes for a healthier side dish option that won’t leave your guests feeling weighed down after their meal.
Read Also: What to Serve with Roasted Potatoes
3. Salad
Serve with cheesy potatoes, and a salad is always a great option. Salads provide a fresh counterpoint to the rich flavors of the casserole while still providing plenty of nutrients from leafy greens like spinach or kale.
You can also add some crunchy croutons or creamy avocados for additional texture and flavor.
Broccoli salad
Broccoli salad is the perfect mix of sweet and savory flavors that pairs perfectly with cheesy potatoes.
Just mix together broccoli florets, bacon bits (or chopped bacon), raisins or craisins, red onion slices, and mayonnaise for a delicious side dish.
Read More: What Salad Goes with Lobster Ravioli
Macaroni Salad
Macaroni salad is another classic side dish that goes amazingly well with cheesy potatoes!
Just mix together cooked macaroni noodles with mayonnaise or Greek yogurt for added creaminess, along with diced celery, bell peppers, and onions if desired, before seasoning everything up with salt & pepper.
4. Baked Beans
Baked beans make an excellent side dish for cheesy potatoes at any BBQ or potluck dinner.
Baked Beans help cut through some of its richness without overpowering it. And because there are so wide varieties available—from smoky barbecue-style beans to classic Boston-style beans—you can easily find one that fits your tastes and preferences.
You can use canned beans or make your own from scratch using dried beans and spices like cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and chili powder. It is inexpensive and easy to prepare!
5. Protein-Based Main Courses
The most popular choice of main course to serve with cheesy potatoes is probably something protein-based, like steak, chicken, pork chops, or fish.
Steak and roasted chicken are especially classic combinations for cheesy potatoes; the salty flavor and creamy texture of the potatoes balance out the savoriness of the meat perfectly.
The same goes for pork chops and fish! Just make sure that whichever protein you choose is cooked simply so that it doesn’t overpower your cheesy spuds.
6. Vegetable Dishes
If you don’t eat meat or just want to switch things up once in a while, vegetables can make an excellent accompaniment to cheesy potatoes as well!
Roasted vegetables like carrots, Brussels sprouts, beets, and squash all bring sweetness and earthy flavor that will pair nicely with the richness of the cheese.
You could also try stir-frying some broccoli or bok choy in garlic and oil — their crunchy texture will add an interesting contrast to the creaminess of your dish! And if all else fails, you can always go correct with a simple green salad on the side.
7. Grains & Legumes
For a heartier take on cheesy potatoes (and to make them more of a complete meal), why not try adding some grains or legumes?
Rice pilaf mixed with mushrooms and peas would be a great way to add extra depth of flavor to your dish.
Or how about serving it over quinoa instead? It would provide an interesting texture contrast while still allowing you to get some extra nutrition from this ancient grain.
You could even mix in some black beans for added protein and fiber!
8. Grilled Asparagus
Grilling asparagus is an easy way to bring out its smoky flavor without having to do much work.
Simply brush it with olive oil, season it with salt and pepper, and then grill it until it’s tender-crisp.
9. Sauteed Spinach
Sauteed spinach packs in plenty of nutrients while still providing some tasty flavor too! It is an easy way to get some greens in a while, also adding some color to your plate.
Heat up some butter in a pan over medium heat before adding the spinach leaves until they wilted but still bright green in color before seasoning them with salt and pepper (and maybe even some garlic).
Pair it up with mashed potato dishes like cheese taters or scalloped spuds for something healthy AND delicious that everyone can enjoy!
10. Baked Tomatoes
Baked tomatoes are simple yet incredibly flavorful when done right!
Just halve cherry tomatoes before topping them off with bread crumbs mixed with Parmesan cheese before baking them until golden brown perfection.
11. Cornbread
Cornbread makes an excellent complimentary side dish because of its sweetness which helps balance out the savoriness of cheesy potatoes.
12. Garlic Bread
Garlic bread is always a surefire crowd-pleaser, especially alongside something as comforting as cheesy potatoes!
13. Green Bean Casserole
Green bean casserole is one of those dishes that everyone loves regardless of age group!
14. Stuffed Mushrooms
Stuffed mushrooms make excellent appetizers, but they also make great hearty sides too!
15. Butternut Squash Soup
Butternut squash soup makes for an ideal starter but can also be served alongside other savory dishes like cheesy potatoes.
16. Creamy Coleslaw
Creamy coleslaw adds another interesting layer of crunchy texture element which goes really nicely against all the cheese found on top of those creamy, cheesy potato layers!
The cool tanginess of this classic side balances out all that melty cheese perfectly!
17. Broccoli Casserole
Broccoli casserole is a classic side dish that will please everyone at your table! This creamy combination of broccoli and cheese makes an excellent accompaniment for cheesy potatoes.
18. Corn on the Cob
Corn on the cob is always a crowd-pleaser! This sweet summer vegetable tastes delicious when paired with cheesy potatoes, especially when grilled or roasted in buttery garlic goodness!
19. Buttered Noodles
Buttered noodles are a simple but tasty side dish that goes well with nearly anything- including cheesy potatoes! Serve up this comforting favorite for an easy addition to any mealtime spread.
20. Potato Skins
Potato skins make a great appetizer or snack- but they also pair surprisingly well with mashed potato dishes like cheesy potatoes! Serve these crispy treats up alongside your main course for something truly special (and delicious!).
21. Mashed Sweet Potatoes
For something totally different- try pairing mashed sweet potatoes with your favorite cheesy potato recipe!
The sweet notes from this vibrant orange vegetable complement all those savory flavors nicely, creating an unexpected flavor combo worthy of any holiday meal or dinner party spread!
22. Rice Pilaf
Rice pilaf is another versatile side dish that goes well with nearly anything- including mashed potato dishes like cheesy potatoes!
Cook up some long grain rice and toss it together with sautéed onions, celery, mushrooms, garlic powder, salt & pepper for an easy yet flavorful addition to your mealtime lineup!
23. Green Beans Almondine
Green beans almondine makes another delectable side dish option when it goes alongside creamy mashed potato recipes like cheesecake taters or loaded twice-baked spuds!
Do you really need side dishes to enjoy cheesy potatoes?
Cheesy potatoes make for a delicious side dish that can be served with many types of entrees. But there are plenty of ways to enjoy them as a main course or part of a larger meal.
Cheesy potatoes also provide the perfect backdrop when creating unique dishes like potato casseroles or baked fries. So, yeah! You need some great side dishes to enjoy this food.
What are the best flavors to go with cheesy potatoes?
When it comes to cheesy potatoes, there are so many delicious flavors that you can explore.
While classic toppings like bacon, green onions, and sour cream offer wonderful options for a hearty, savory finish, exploring other flavors is always encouraged.
Try experimenting with spices like chili powder or smoked paprika for a bit of smoky heat.
Or add color and flavor with something like pesto and tomatoes – the perfect mix of sweetness and tartness!
Meanwhile, herbs are also great when combined with potatoes and cheese – rosemary is especially popular!
However you decide to top your potato dish off, always make sure that the cheese takes center stage. It’s the star ingredient, after all!
FAQs
What meat goes well with scalloped potatoes?
Scalloped potatoes pair wonderfully with almost any type of meat — from poultry to beef to pork. Chicken is a perfect match for the creamy and flavorful potatoes, as it offers something light and juicy to contrast against the dish.
Consider serving it with juicy, tender beef steak or chops for intimate dinner parties or flavorful roasted chicken for family get-togethers.
Roasted pork tenderloin will provide texture and depth that perfectly complements the scalloped potatoes.
Slow-cooked brisket or braised short ribs could be better: the savory richness of the meat against the silky potatoes is a great combination.
Complement your dish further by adding in a selection of hearty mushrooms or veggies like spinach or celery – they’ll provide vital texture contrast while helping to fill out your plate’s nutrition content.
What is the difference between scalloped potatoes and cheesy potatoes?
Scalloped potatoes and cheesy potatoes offer two delicious side dishes, but they are quite different when it comes to preparation and ingredients.
Scalloped potatoes consist of thinly-sliced potato layers that are nestled together with a creamy sauce made from milk, butter, flour, and other seasonings. The slices of potato absorb the flavor as they bake in the oven for a delightful end result.
Cheesy potatoes are a mix of diced or shredded potatoes with various cheeses, vegetables, herbs, and spices before being baked in the oven to golden perfection. This difference in ingredients makes each one unique.
Scalloped potatoes take on the flavor of the creamy sauce they’re swimming in, usually milk, butter, and flour blended together.
Cheesy potatoes, on the other hand, absorb flavors from cheese and seasonings more intensely than scalloped varieties do.
