• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Parallel Plates
  • About
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Breakfast
    • Soups
    • Sides
    • Desserts
  • Resources
menu icon
go to homepage
  • About
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Breakfast
    • Soups
    • Sides
    • Desserts
  • Resources
search icon
Homepage link
  • About
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Breakfast
    • Soups
    • Sides
    • Desserts
  • Resources
×
Home » Sides

24 potato sides that never wait for the main dish

Published: Nov 3, 2025 by Shruthi · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

Some potato sides never sit quietly waiting for the main dish—they steal the spotlight before it even hits the table. From creamy classics to crisped-up favorites, these recipes prove that potatoes can carry a meal all on their own. They’re easy to master, full of crowd-pleasing comfort, and perfect to have on repeat for weeknights or holidays. Once you nail these, you’ll wonder why you ever treated potatoes like a sidekick in the first place.

Twice baked potato casserole with bacon and green onions.

Twice Baked Potato Casserole. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Easy, Creamy Microwave Mashed Potatoes

An image of microwave mashed potatoes in a bowl with fresh herbs on top and a fork resting on the right side of the bowl.
Easy, Creamy Microwave Mashed Potatoes. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Creamy mashed potatoes made in the microwave come together with just a few ingredients and no hassle. They’re a quick way to perfect a side that proves potatoes can easily stand on their own.
Get the Recipe: Easy, Creamy Microwave Mashed Potatoes

Funeral Potatoes (with Real Potatoes)

A close up image of cheesy potatoes in a casserole, garnished with parsley.
Funeral Potatoes (with Real Potatoes). Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Cheesy potatoes baked with a crunchy topping and creamy chive sauce turn into a 35-minute comfort classic. This dish reminds you why potatoes never need to wait their turn on the plate.
Get the Recipe: Funeral Potatoes (with Real Potatoes)

Easy Microwave Baked Potato

An overhead image of microwave baked potato on a plate with a fork.
Easy Microwave Baked Potato. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

A fluffy baked potato ready in 15 minutes shows how effortless great comfort food can be. It’s a fast favorite that proves potatoes don’t need company to shine.
Get the Recipe: Easy Microwave Baked Potato

Classic American Potato Salad

An overhead image of the classic American potato salad in a white serving dish.
Classic American Potato Salad. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Classic American potato salad with creamy dressing and boiled eggs keeps things simple and satisfying. This easy recipe highlights how potatoes bring flavor and heart to any meal.
Get the Recipe: Classic American Potato Salad

Smoky and Crispy Air Fryer Potato Wedges

A plate of Smoky and Crispy Air Fryer Potato Wedges and a dip.
Smoky and Crispy Air Fryer Potato Wedges. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

Golden air fryer potato wedges crisp up fast and disappear even faster. With their easy prep and big payoff, they’re the kind of side that steals attention from the main dish.
Get the Recipe: Smoky and Crispy Air Fryer Potato Wedges

Stuffed Baked Potatoes

A close-up image of stuffed baked potatoes.
Stuffed Baked Potatoes. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Stuffed baked potatoes with mushrooms, spinach, and cheddar create a filling and flavorful plate. These are the kind of potatoes that make dinner feel complete all by themselves.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Baked Potatoes

Instant Pot Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Close up of mashed potatoes with a slice of butter and a golden spoon.
Instant Pot Garlic Mashed Potatoes. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Garlicky, creamy mashed potatoes come together effortlessly and deliver pure comfort. It’s the type of side that earns top billing on any menu.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Best Roasted Potato Salad

A close-up of the best roasted potato salad.
Best Roasted Potato Salad. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

Roasted potato salad with herbs, dressing, and pistachios gives a bright twist to a familiar favorite. This dish proves that potatoes can be both fresh and full of character.
Get the Recipe: Best Roasted Potato Salad

Easy Scalloped Potatoes

Small baking dish with scalloped potatoes.
Easy Scalloped Potatoes. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Creamy scalloped potatoes for two make an easy, cozy meal that’s big on flavor. It’s the perfect recipe to master when you want potatoes that stand out with minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Easy Scalloped Potatoes

Roasted Fingerling Potatoes

Overhead image of roasted fingerling potatoes on a plate on top of a woodden board.
Roasted Fingerling Potatoes. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Roasted fingerling potatoes, crisp outside and fluffy inside, show off just how good simple cooking can taste. They’re proof that potatoes need no extra help to impress.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Fingerling Potatoes

Twice Baked Potato Casserole

Twice baked potato casserole with bacon and green onions.
Twice Baked Potato Casserole. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Twice-baked potato casserole with bacon, sour cream, and cheese bakes up rich and hearty. It’s a comfort dish that reminds everyone why potatoes never play second fiddle.
Get the Recipe: Twice Baked Potato Casserole

Cheesy Mashed Potatoes

Close up of mashed potatoes in a Dutch oven, with wooden spoon.
Cheesy Mashed Potatoes. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Cheesy mashed potatoes, finished in under an hour, make a smooth, indulgent side worth repeating. They’re simple proof that potatoes deserve the spotlight.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Mashed Potatoes

Potato Casserole

Potato Casserole being served.
Potato Casserole. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Creamy baked potato casserole topped with golden cheese is a crowd favorite that works with anything. It’s one of those dishes that always grabs attention first.
Get the Recipe: Potato Casserole

Green Beans and Potatoes

An image of green beans in a serving bowl with a spoon resting on it.
Green Beans and Potatoes. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Tender green beans paired with perfectly cooked potatoes create balance in every bite. It’s a quick, wholesome recipe that makes potatoes feel right at home on any table.
Get the Recipe: Green Beans and Potatoes

Potato Leek Gratin

An overhead image of servings of potato leek gratin on two plates.
Potato Leek Gratin. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Layers of tender potatoes and leeks baked in cheesy sauce bring comfort in every forkful. This gratin makes it clear why potatoes earn their place front and center.
Get the Recipe: Potato Leek Gratin

Crispy Sweet Potato Wedges

Sweet potato wedges in a bowl.
Crispy Sweet Potato Wedges. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Crispy sweet potato wedges seasoned just right turn into an instant favorite snack or side. Their bold flavor makes them hard to ignore before the main dish arrives.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Sweet Potato Wedges

Cheesy Loaded Potato Skins

Several vegetarian potato skins on a brown surface.
Cheesy Loaded Potato Skins. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Cheesy loaded potato skins with crisp edges and creamy topping are always a hit at gatherings. They’re proof that potatoes can be both the starter and the show.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Loaded Potato Skins

Lemon Greek Potatoes

Close-up image of lemon greek potatoes in a dish.
Lemon Greek Potatoes. Photo credit: Parallel Plates.

Greek-style potatoes baked with olive oil, garlic, and lemon deliver bold flavor in every bite. This recipe lets potatoes shine with a vibrant, crowd-pleasing flair.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Greek Potatoes

Crispy Vegan Roasted Potatoes

Close-up image of cripsy vegan roasted potatoes.
Crispy Vegan Roasted Potatoes. Photo credit: Two City Vegans.

Roasted potatoes with lemon-thyme dressing add brightness that lifts any meal. Their simplicity and flavor make them a go-to before anything else hits the table.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Vegan Roasted Potatoes

Oven Roasted Potatoes with Spinach and Garlic

This photo shows a cast iron skillet with oven roasted potatoes with spinach and garlic on a blue wooden background.
Oven Roasted Potatoes with Spinach and Garlic. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

Potatoes paired with spinach create a balanced, hearty side that’s quick to prepare. It’s the kind of recipe that keeps potatoes in the spotlight where they belong.
Get the Recipe: Oven Roasted Potatoes with Spinach and Garlic

Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes

Smashed potatoes on a wooden board, crispy and golden, topped with fresh herbs.
Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Crispy smashed potatoes with garlic deliver a satisfying mix of crunch and softness. With minimal effort, they show just how easy it is for potatoes to be the main event.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes

Garlic Butter Fondant Potatoes

A plate with three Garlic Butter Fondant Potatoes.
Garlic Butter Fondant Potatoes. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Fondant potatoes with crisp edges and buttery flavor bring a touch of richness and elegance. They’re proof that potatoes can turn any meal into something special.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Fondant Potatoes

Easy Air Fryer Hasselback Potatoes

An overhead image of air fried hassel back potatoes on a plate with parsley on top and a fork and knife on the right side.
Easy Air Fryer Hasselback Potatoes. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Hasselback potatoes, with their golden layers and crisp edges, feel fancy but stay simple. This recipe shows that potatoes don’t wait for attention—they take it.
Get the Recipe: Easy Air Fryer Hasselback Potatoes

Air Fryer Baby Potatoes

Golden roasted air fryer baby potatoes on a serving plate with a wooden and metal spoon.
Air Fryer Baby Potatoes. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Air fryer baby potatoes with rosemary come out golden, crisp, and perfectly seasoned. They’re a reliable go-to that proves potatoes always hold their own at the table.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Baby Potatoes

More Sides

  • Someone holding a plate of Southern Mash Potato.
    20 holiday mashed potatoes that feel like pure comfort on a cold night
  • A close up image of creamed spinach in a bowl.
    29 Christmas side dishes everyone notices even without comments
  • A close-up image of stuffed baked potatoes.
    27 foolproof Christmas sides everyone keeps piling on their plate
  • A bowl of Super Crispy Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts With Feta, Pomegranate, and Balsamic.
    21 Christmas sides hosts rely on when plans fall apart

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Close up headshot

Hi, I'm Shruthi! I am the owner and blogger at Parallel Plates. I love everything about food, and I hope that you can find the best recipe inspiration, trends, hacks, and more here.

More about me →

Popular

  • Three Spooky Halloween Cookies.
    25 unique Halloween recipes that will totally steal the show
  • Air fryer vegan buffalo cauliflower bites in a bowl with dip nearby, placed under a wooden board.
    Looking for fast appetizers? These 29 recipes have you covered
  • Overhead shot of three chickpea shawarma tacos on a white tray.
    20 dinner recipes that transformed my weeknight routine
  • An overhead image of bisquick apple cobbler in a skillet pan topped with vanilla ice cream.
    14 apple desserts that’ll make you ditch pumpkin for good

Footer

↑ back to top

About

  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclosure & Terms of Use
  • Cookie Policy
  • Accessibility Policy

Newsletter

  • Sign Up!

Contact

  • Contact

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2024 Black Bicycle LLC