Top Five Foods to Pair with Mashed Potatoes

To take a little break from the usual, I decided that for this post, instead of working my way through a new recipe, I'd give my two cents on some good oldies. Of course, this post centers around what dishes go best with one of my all-time favorite foods: mashed potatoes. And for easy reading, I've compiled it all into a top five list.


So, my top five things to eat with mashed potatoes are....

5. Fried chicken, corn, cheese, and country gravy

Now this may sound like multiple dishes, but all four of these things go into one bowl with a big, steamy helping of that fluffy white goodness. That's right--chicken bowls are my fifth favorite way to have mashed potatoes. The mix of creamy and crunchy, cheesy and sweet, is just heaven in a bowl. Well, the fifth best heaven anyway.

4. Country-fried steak and country gravy

I'm realizing that I could probably make a spot just for country gravy alone as an accompaniment to mashed potatoes, but that's not a real meal (I wish), so I won't. I first tried country-fried steak somewhat recently, within the last four years or so, but it was an instant classic. Once again, there's that element of juxtaposition: it's that creamy and crunchy combination that really brings out the best of both foods.

3. Turkey breast

As a Thanksgiving classic, who hasn't tried dipping their turkey into their mashed potatoes? You know exactly what I'm talking about here. On its own, turkey breast to me has always kind of blah (I'm a dark meat person), but paired with mashed potatoes, turkey magically becomes absolutely delicious!

2. Steak

I mean, was there any question as to whether this would be on the list? They just go together, like they were made for each other. Whenever I'm in the mood for either steak or mashed potatoes, a craving for the other is sure to follow. It's like a thick, medium-rare flank dripping in its own juices was just meant to cuddle up next to a creamy, buttery pile of mashed up spuds, flakes of red skin visible throughout the mound. This came very close to the coveted top spot, but ultimately I had to go with...

1. Chicken fettuccine alfredo

Starch upon starch! Sounds terribly bad for you, I know, but I swear the best meal I've ever had that involved mashed potatoes also included a heaping helping of this hearty pasta. And what's even stranger, is that it was from Hyvee catering. Who knew? But I highly recommend it if your taste buds have been anywhere close to mine thus far. The chicken helps to break up the starchiness, while you still get to enjoy two popular and tasty carb-loaded dishes in one sitting. Just remember to do some intense cardio the next day, because this meal will stick with you in the least flattering way possible.


Overall, I think this is a solid list. Eccentric, maybe, but solid. And now of course I'm dying to eat all of these, ranking system be damned.