Mashed potatoes are a staple of many home-cooked meals. They are a classic side dish that makes an appearance on many tables.
But what do you serve with them when you’re looking for something that is vegetarian or vegan-friendly? So, what to serve with mashed potatoes vegetarian?
Fear not, because in this post, we will look into some delicious and creative sides to pair with mashed potatoes.
Whether you’re a vegetarian or just looking for something a little bit different, there are plenty of delicious and creative sides that pair perfectly with mashed potatoes.
Let’s take a look at a few of the best vegetarian and vegan side dishes that will pair perfectly with mashed potatoes.
What is mashed potatoes? What do mashed potatoes taste like?
Mashed potatoes are a classical dish made by mashing boiled potatoes until they have a smooth, creamy consistency.
They are usually served with butter, cream, or milk and often seasoned with salt and pepper.
Mashed potatoes taste creamy and starchy, with savory flavors from the seasonings used. Depending on the type of potato used, they can also be slightly sweet in taste.
For extra flavor, herbs such as dill, parsley, or chives can be added to the mashed potatoes for additional depth of flavor.
Best Sides to serve with mashed potatoes vegetarian
1. Roasted Vegetables
One of the easiest and most versatile ways to make a delicious side dish is to roast vegetables.
Simply cut up your favorite veggies—we recommend bell peppers, squash, carrots, and sweet potatoes—toss them onto a baking sheet, spritz them with olive oil.
Sprinkle on some herbs or spices of your choice (garlic powder, smoked paprika, thyme, and oregano all work great), and bake until golden brown.
Roasted vegetables add flavor, texture, and color to any meal.
2. Vegetarian Chili
If you’re craving something warm and comforting but still want to keep it vegetarian-friendly, try making a batch of vegetarian chili!
Start by sautéing onions in olive oil until they become translucent. Add garlic cloves and mix together until fragrant.
Then add your favorite beans (any combination of black beans, pinto beans, or kidney beans will do).
Throw in some diced tomatoes with their juices, as well as some corn kernels for sweetness.
Finally, add chili powder (or cumin) for flavor, along with salt and pepper for seasoning. Let the chili simmer for about 30 minutes before serving it over the mashed potatoes – yum!
3. Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette
A light salad is always a great way to round out a meal — especially if you’re feeling like getting creative!
Start by washing and chopping up your favorite greens (romaine lettuce works great here). Then, mix together shredded carrots or red radishes for added color and crunch.
For extra protein, you can also throw in some cooked quinoa or chickpeas – both are excellent sources of plant-based protein that will help fill you up without weighing you down.
Finally, top off the salad with balsamic vinaigrette dressing for an extra burst of flavor – perfect when served alongside mashed potatoes!
Discover More: Quick and Perfect Dishes to Serve with Salad for Dinner
4. Green Beans with Almonds
Green beans are ideally packed with nutrients and are incredibly versatile.
For this dish, blanch green beans until they’re just tender but still have a crunch. Then sauté them in butter or olive oil along with slivered almonds for added crunch.
Toss everything together until it’s all coated evenly in butter or oil, and season with salt and pepper to taste. This side dish is sure to be a hit with all types of diners!
5. Cornbread Stuffing
Stuffing isn’t just for Thanksgiving anymore!
This classic side dish can easily be adapted to be vegetarian-friendly by omitting the sausage (or using vegan sausage) and substituting vegetable broth for chicken broth.
Make sure you use cornbread instead of traditional white bread, so it has an added touch of sweetness that pairs perfectly with mashed potatoes.
Top off this comfort food favorite with some melted butter before serving!
Main course to eat with mashed potatoes
A classic and comforting main course to eat with mashed potatoes is a lovely meatloaf.
Meatloaf is made of minced or ground meat mixed with other ingredients, such as eggs, onions, breadcrumbs, garlic, spices, and herbs.
It is often shaped into a loaf and baked in an oven to create a delicious meal that pairs perfectly with mashed potatoes.
The texture of the meatloaf combined with the creamy mashed potatoes makes for a truly scrumptious dish.
For an extra-special meal, try adding some sautéed mushrooms or bacon to the meatloaf before baking – the added flavors will really bring this comforting combination to life!
Learn More: Delicious Side Dishes to Serve with Twice-Baked Potatoes
Vegetarian main dish to go with potatoes
A delicious vegetarian main dish to pair with potatoes is a ratatouille. This traditional French dish consists of stewed vegetables such as tomatoes, eggplants, squash, bell peppers, and onions.
It’s seasoned with garlic, fresh herbs like basil and oregano, and a splash of white vinegar.
Ratatouille is nutrient-packed and full of flavor – each vegetable lends its own unique taste when cooked together in one dish.
It can also be served hot or cold, depending on your preference. Serve it over mashed potatoes for an absolute meal that’s both healthy and delicious!
Appetizers to serve with mashed potatoes
1. Bacon-Wrapped Mushrooms
Biting into a bacon-wrapped mushroom is like tasting an explosion of flavor. The salty, smoky bacon combined with the earthy mushrooms will tantalize your taste buds.
To make this tasty treat, simply wrap button or cremini mushrooms in bacon strips and bake for about 25 minutes at 375°F.
2. Potato Skins
What better way to serve mashed potatoes than to pair them with potato skins? This classic appetizer is delicious and simple to prepare.
You can use leftover mashed potatoes to stuff potatoes that have been scooped out and filled with cheese, bacon, green onions, and other desired toppings. Bake for 15 minutes at 400°F and serve as a side or appetizer.
Try More: 39 Delicious Pairs to Serve Potato Skins
3. Spanakopita
Spanakopita is a savory Greek pastry filled with spinach, feta cheese, onion, dill weed, parsley, salt, pepper, and eggs, all wrapped in phyllo dough and baked until golden brown.
Serve this flaky bite with creamy mashed potatoes for contrast in texture and flavor.
4. Meatballs
Mashed potatoes are just begging to be served alongside some meatballs!
Whether you opt for a traditional Italian-style recipe or something more creative, such as barbecue-glazed meatballs or teriyaki ginger-garlic meatballs, there’s no shortage of delicious options when it comes to this classic appetizer.
5. Fried Ravioli
A plate of fried ravioli can be the perfect accompaniment to mashed potatoes. (Recipe)
Deep fry wonton wrappers stuffed with your favorite filling, such as ricotta cheese mixed with fresh herbs, before serving them with a side of creamy mashed spuds – yum!
6. Spring Rolls
Crispy spring rolls make a great addition to any meal, including mashed potatoes!
Use store-bought spring roll wrappers for easy preparation, or make your own from scratch using rice paper wrappers if you’re feeling adventurous!
Stuff them with various vegetables such as carrots, cabbage, or peppers, then serve alongside a scoop of mash for the complete treat!
7. Cheese Fondue
Who doesn’t love cheesy fondue? Melt cubes of cheddar or Swiss cheese in white wine before adding garlic powder and nutmeg for flavor, then dip crusty bread pieces into the cheesy mixture for an ultimate comfort food experience – especially when paired with warm mashed potatoes!
What else is served with mashed potatoes
Drinks to pair with mashed potatoes
1. Sparkling White Wine
A dry, sparkling white wine with low acidity, such as Champagne or Prosecco, can be a great accompaniment to mashed potatoes.
Its effervescence and light body help cut through the creamy richness of the potatoes, and its subtle sweetness adds depth and complexity to the dish.
2. Zinfandel
This medium-bodied red wine has a spicy character that pairs excellently with mashed potatoes.
Its tannic structure helps balance out the fat content of the potatoes, while its fruit notes add an ideal additional layer of flavor to the meal.
3. Beer
An amber ale or lager is an excellent partner to mashed potatoes because of its maltiness and hoppy bitterness that contrasts nicely against the creamy texture of the dish.
Find Out More: Best Food to Pair with Beer| The Ultimate Guide to Perfect Pairing
The beer’s carbonation also helps provide refreshment between bites.
4. Apple Cider
Apple Cider is a light-bodied beverage that has a nice tartness that matches well with rich mashed potatoes.
The acidity from the cider helps break up some of the fat in the dish while also adding a bit of sweet complexity to every bite.
5. Root Beer Float
The silky creaminess of root beer pairs perfectly with mashed potatoes’ smooth texture and buttery taste.
It’s also a fun way to enjoy this classic comfort food in a more playful way!
6. Juice
A glass of freshly squeezed juice can be an excellent complement to your mashed potatoes, as it balances out their richness with its natural sweetness and acidity levels depending on your choice of juice (think apple, orange, or grapefruit). Plus, it packs in some extra vitamins too!
7. Hot Cocoa
Rich hot cocoa is another great way to enjoy your mashed potatoes – its intense chocolate flavor pairs beautifully with buttery spuds for a mouthwatering combination that’s sure to satisfy any sweet tooth!
Desserts to go with mashed potatoes
Mashed potatoes are an ideal classic side dish that pairs wonderfully with a variety of desserts.
Apple pie is a quintessential American dessert that pairs perfectly with mashed potatoes. The sweet and tart flavor of the pie complements the creamy texture of the mashed potatoes.
Another delicious option is banana pudding, which works well as both an accompaniment to mashed potatoes and as a stand-alone treat.
The smooth, creamy texture of the pudding pairs nicely with the fluffy texture of mashed potatoes, while its sweet flavoring adds a hint of sweetness to the savory side dish.
You could also pair mashed potatoes with more traditional desserts like crème brûlée or tiramisu for sumptuous flavors and textures that will please and delight everyone at your dinner table.
What are the best flavors to go with mashed potatoes?
When it comes to mashed potatoes, the options for complementary flavors are almost endless.
One of the classic combinations is adding butter and cream or whole milk to give the mashed potatoes a smooth, creamy texture.
Fresh herbs such as chives, parsley, sage, and thyme all add lovely flavor notes and color.
Garlic can also be added to give savory depth; bacon or ham can be used for additional texture and flavor.
If you’re looking for a bit of sweetness, try adding in small amounts of nutmeg or cinnamon.
Of course, there are always traditional accompaniments, such as gravy, that pair wonderfully with mashed potatoes.
For something a bit more interesting, try adding small amounts of roasted vegetables like mushrooms, onion, or squash into your mash – this will add depth and complexity in both flavor and texture.
Another great way to dress up your mashed potatoes is to use different types of cheese; Gorgonzola or Parmesan are delicious options if you’re looking for a punchier flavor.
Lastly, don’t forget about the topping! Adding a dollop of fresh cream cheese, crumbled feta cheese, or crunchy breadcrumbs can take your mashed potatoes from ordinary to extraordinary!
How do you jazz up mashed potatoes?
To jazz up mashed potatoes, try adding ingredients such as roasted garlic, grated cheese, sautéed mushrooms, steamed broccoli, crumbled bacon or ham, diced bell peppers, chives, or parsley for extra flavor.
You can also incorporate different types of milk, like almond milk or coconut milk, to make them creamier.
You can even add some Greek yogurt for a tangier version.
For a more indulgent option, top your mashed potatoes with a dollop of butter and enjoy!
How do you display mashed potatoes on a platter?
Mashed potatoes can be displayed on a platter in an aesthetically pleasing way to create a beautiful centerpiece for any meal.
To achieve this, first prepare the mashed potatoes according to recipe instructions and spoon them onto the platter in a circular shape.
Create small mounds of potatoes with the spoon, giving the overall display an even, uniform look.
For added texture, try garnishing the dish with herbs such as parsley or rosemary or fresh vegetables like diced onions and bell peppers.
Use different colors and shapes to add visual interest to the platter.
Finally, drizzle melted butter over the top of the mashed potatoes for a finishing touch that will give your dish an irresistible golden-brown hue and extra flavor!
Wrap up on what to serve with mashed potatoes vegetarian.
Mashed potatoes are a classic side dish that can be served in so many different ways!
Whether you’re looking for something light like roasted vegetables or hearty like vegetarian chili, these simple recipes will help take your mashed potato game up a notch!
So, get creative and enjoy these tasty vegetarian-friendly side dishes alongside your next helping of mashed potatoes – bon appétit!
FAQs
How many mashed potatoes per person?
For a typical holiday gathering, it is recommended to serve about 1/2 cup of mashed potatoes per person.
If you are expecting more than four people, it is best to plan for at least 3/4 cup of mashed potatoes per person.
In order to ensure that there are enough mashed potatoes for everyone, it is recommended to prepare 2-3 times the amount you anticipate needing.
For example, if you are hosting 8 people, it would be wise to make 6 cups of mashed potatoes.
Additionally, if your guests prefer more generous portions, plan on doubling the amount suggested per person.
How to serve mashed potatoes for a dinner party?
Serving mashed potatoes for a dinner party is an easy and perfect way to impress your guests. When preparing mashed potatoes, it’s important to start with high-quality ingredients.
Choose russet or Yukon Gold potatoes that are fresh and free of blemishes.
Boil the potatoes in salted water until they are fork-tender, then drain them well and mash with butter and cream or milk until smooth and creamy.
Make sure to season with salt and pepper to taste before serving.
For added flavor, try adding garlic, chives, Parmesan cheese, rosemary, or other herbs and spices for a more complex flavor profile.
To make the dish even more special, serve mashed potatoes in their own individual casserole dishes with garnishes like melted butter, parsley flakes, fresh herbs, cracked black pepper, or bacon bits.
Your guests will love the presentation as much as the flavor!
