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    Home » Meal Planning

    What to Serve with Pot Roast: 40+ Best Side Dish Recipes

    Published: Jan 19, 2024 · Modified: Jan 19, 2024 by Jessica Fisher

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    Pot roast is one of the best comfort food meals you can serve, either for special occasions or a simple Sunday dinner. But what to serve with pot roast? We’ve got you covered with dozens of the best sides to serve up with your roast beef dinner.

    the completed dish on a platter with potatoes and fresh thyme. this …

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    Table of Contents
    • Why Serve Side Dishes with Pot Roast
    • Best Side Dishes for Pot Roast
      • Easy Potato Recipes
      • Rice Side Dishes
      • Noodles
      • Quinoa Side Dishes
      • Vegetable Side Dishes
      • Sauces for Pot Roast

    Making a savory pot roast in the slow cooker or dutch oven is a great way to prepare a hearty meal protein. Everyone loves a pot roast dinner!

    But what do you serve alongside the main dish? Here at Good Cheap Eats we think the best way to save money on food is to make homemade easy. That’s why we’ve rounded up the best pot roast sides that come together quickly and won’t break the bank.

    Whether you’ve got a craving for classic side dishes or want to keep things extra simple, you’ve come to the right place.

    slow cooker pot roast on a bed of mashed potatoes with green beans on the side.

    Why Serve Side Dishes with Pot Roast

    It’s true that a traditional pot roast cooked with root vegetables in the pan can be a complete meal on its own, but sometimes you want just a simple side dish or two to round things out. We prep our Slow Cooker Pot Roast recipe on its own, so it’s just asking for side of mashed potatoes, rice pilaf, or egg noodles to soak up the savory juices.

    ?Browse this list of 40+ recipes of what to serve with Pot Roast. You’re bound to find more than one perfect side dish to go with your perfect pot roast.

    Best Side Dishes for Pot Roast

    Easy Potato Recipes

    Whether you use russet potatoes or something else, you’re bound to find a tasty option. Potatoes are hearty and make a great side dish for a classic pot roast.

    scoop of sweet potatoes on a fork above a plate of food.
    Savory Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Garlic
    Enjoy this dairy-free alternative to sweet potato casserole. These savory sweet potatoes are mashed and dressed up with olive oil and garlic for a delicious side dish.
    Learn More
    tray of scalloped potatoes on the dinner table with other platters of food.
    Scalloped Potatoes Recipe
    Thinly sliced potatoes nestle in a bath of cream, half and half, and butter, resulting in the Best Scalloped Potatoes that are also naturally gluten-free.
    Learn More
    overhead shot of slow cooker potatoes on square white plate with small tongs.
    Slow Cooker Potatoes
    Slow Cooker Potatoes are absolutely delicious! Quick prep and hands-free cooking make for super simple crock pot potatoes you’ll want on repeat.
    Learn More
    spoon inserted in baking dish full of fluffy make-ahead mashed potatoes.
    Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes
    Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes for the freezer is a great recipe to save time, money, and kitchen clean-up. Stir up a few batches for comfort food in the bank!
    Learn More
    close up of curried potatoes on platter
    Curried Potatoes Recipe
    These curried potatoes are super simple to throw together and full of flavor! They are made with just five simple ingredients and ready in about 40 minutes.
    Learn More
    bite of potato on fork
    Cheesy Stuffed Potatoes Recipe
    Enjoy easy convenience with these Ultimate Cheesy Stuffed Potatoes. Loaded with creamy goodness, these spuds are freezer-friendly and very make-ahead.
    Learn More
    large serving bowl of roast potatoes with red checked cloth
    Easy Roast Potatoes
    Want an easy potato side dish? This is it. Easy Roast Potatoes are a great accompaniment to cooked meats and vegetable dishes. Perfect for a holiday dinner.
    Learn More
    alfredo mashed potatoes in a white bowl on a dinner table surrounded by other dishes.
    Easy Alfredo Mashed Potatoes
    Mashed potatoes can be a vehicle for gravy — or they can be a flavor experience all on their own. Make a batch of these Easy Alfredo Mashed Potatoes to make your taste buds sing!
    Learn More
    A plate of salad and baked potato with toppings
    Crockpot Baked Potatoes
    Recipes that let you “set it and forget it” are some of the best. These Crockpot Baked Potatoes are no exception. Come home to a pot full of baked potatoes all set for dinner!
    Learn More
    A close up of jalapeño poppers potatoes
    Jalapeno Popper Potatoes
    What happens when you combine Jalapeno Poppers with Potato Skins? You get these amazingly good Jalapeno Popper Potatoes, the perfect side dish for any occasion.
    Learn More
    sweet potato fries on sheet pan
    Sweet Potato Fries
    These Sweet Potato Fries are super simple make, and they taste great! Bake up a batch in about 30 minutes with no fuss or hassle.
    Learn More
    potatoes topped with bacon on a plate
    Burning Love Mashed Potatoes
    Burning Love Mashed Potatoes is an old Danish dish that uses simple ingredients: potatoes, milk, bacon, and onions, and transforms them into something amazing. These loaded mashed potatoes are a perfect main dish or decadent side.
    Learn More
    potatoes and green beans on plate
    Simple Dill Potatoes
    Looking for an easy side dish that takes little work, few ingredients, and still counts as real food? These Simple Dill Potatoes fit the bill.
    Learn More

    Rice Side Dishes

    While rice might not be the first thing you think of as classic sides for pot roast, it’s cheap and readily-available. Since it cooks quickly, it makes for a very easy side dish to slow-cooked meat.

    closeup of Spanish brown rice in white bowl.
    Spanish Brown Rice
    Sautéed brown rice and finely chopped onion simmer in a tomato-vegetable broth for an amazing Spanish Brown Rice to serve in burritos and bowls, and as a side for tacos, enchiladas, and tamales.
    Learn More
    wooden spoon scooping up rice from a pan of seasoned rice pilaf.
    Seasoned Rice Pilaf
    Boxed rice mixes are a thing of the past, especially when you know how to make a healthier, cheaper, and tastier seasoned rice pilaf yourself. Try this homemade rice-a-roni recipe today.
    Learn More
    with a fork fluffing the baked rice in the pan with steam rising.
    Baked Rice
    Learn to bake rice in the oven so that you have a quick and easy side dish without a lot of hassle. This method produces perfect rice every time!
    Learn More
    white bowl of mexican rice topped with chopped cilantro.
    Mexican Rice
    Mexican rice is a delicious and easy side dish to accompany tacos, fill burritos, or otherwise enhance your Mexican style meal.
    Learn More
    finished brown rice rice pilaf in a steel skillet with a red spoon.
    Brown Rice Pilaf Recipe
    Serve up an easy side dish tonight with this Simple Brown Rice Pilaf. Based on whole grain and packed with flavor, it’s a great supporting actor.
    Learn More
    stovetop rice in saucepan
    Easy Stovetop Rice
    Stovetop Rice comes together quickly and easily without a lot of hassle. It’s the perfect base for any number of meals and a super simple side dish.
    Learn More
    A plate of Chimichurri Rice and steak
    Chimichurri Rice
    Chimichurri Rice takes cilantro, garlic, and spicy pepper, and blends it into a delicious rice side dish, reminiscent of the Argentinian condiment.
    Learn More
    bowl of cooked rice
    Instant Pot Rice
    Make rice quickly and easily in your electric pressure cooker. Instant Pot Rice is a great budget-friendly side dish to include in your weekly meal rotation.
    Learn More
    Spoon sitting in a dish with baked rice
    Baked Rice with Lemon and Thyme
    If you’re already heating the oven, slide in a pan of this easy baked rice for a great side dish. It’s practically hands-free and produces perfect rice.
    Learn More
    Creamy Mushroom Rice Pilaf
    Creamy Mushroom Pilaf
    This Creamy Mushroom Pilaf is a quick and easy side dish to serve with your favorite meats and vegetable main dishes. It will put those boxed mixes to shame.
    Learn More
    A plate rice and broccoli, with tomatoes
    Lemon and Herb Rice Pilaf
    Why buy expensive packaged rice mixes when you can make your own seasoned herb rice pilaf at home for less money? This lemon rice pilaf is easy to make and uses minimal ingredients!
    Learn More
    A bowl of rice with a spoon
    Quick Seasoned Rice
    There’s no need for fancy sides when you can make quick seasoned rice. This Quick Seasoned Rice comes together with just a handful of ingredients, making for a super simple side dish any night of the week.
    Learn More
    the finished mac and cheese in the pot.

    Noodles

    ?Simple Buttered Noodles? Creamy Mac and Cheese? Either goes great with a Slow Cooked Chuck Roast.

    close up of spoonful of instant pot mac and cheese.
    Instant Pot Mac and Cheese
    The easiest Instant Pot Mac and Cheese recipe comes together in just minutes, tastes great, and feeds a crowd easily. With just three main ingredients, you really can't go wrong!
    Learn More
    close up of mac and cheese on white plate.
    Stovetop Mac and Cheese
    Ditch the boxed mac and cheese, you can make your own tastier and better version at home. Use this Stovetop Mac and Cheese and free yourself from mixes!
    Learn More
    close up of Mac and cheese on a black plate.
    3-Ingredient Mac and Cheese Recipe
    This is the easiest mac and cheese you'll ever make with just three ingredients – plus salt and pepper!
    Learn More
    red ramekins with macaroni
    Alfredo Mac and Cheese
    Mac and Cheese is a classic comfort food, particularly for these cold winter months. Try this version that has a garlicky, Alfredo twist.
    Learn More
    overhead shot of quinoa pilaf with side dishes in the edges of the shot.

    Quinoa Side Dishes

    Quinoa? Yep! Quinoa makes a tasty side dish that’s also high in protein.

    overhead closeup of quinoa cooked on stove.
    How to Cook Quinoa on the Stove
    Learn to cook quinoa on the stove so you can make it a regular part of your meal planning.
    Learn More
    spoon resting in a bowl of quinoa salad
    Quinoa Salad
    Want a Quinoa Salad that will make you swoon? This would be it. It’s one of my favorites to make for a hearty, protein-packed lunch.
    Learn More
    closeup of quinoa pilaf on dinner plate.
    Quinoa Pilaf Recipe
    Prep this easy quinoa pilaf recipe in less than 30 minutes in one pan on the stovetop. It's a hearty side dish or base for bowl meals.
    Learn More
    bowl of sautéed Brussels sprouts on a red cloth.

    Vegetable Side Dishes

    Don’t forget to include some fresh ingredients like veggies into your Pot Roast Meal! Keep a bag of frozen green beans in the freezer and you’ve got an easy side dish. Cooked veggies are a perfect accompaniment to your dinner.

    close up of air fryer asparagus on white platter.
    Air Fryer Asparagus
    Air Fryer Asparagus comes together in just minutes and tastes amazing with a sprinkle of Everything Seasoning.
    Learn More
    roasted asparagus on baking sheet
    Oven Roasted Asparagus Recipe
    Oven Roasted Asparagus comes together quickly and easily. Baked in foil packets, the tender shoots are infused with olive oil and lemon.
    Learn More
    Brussels sprouts and bacon in flowered bowl on red cloth.
    Sautéed Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Shallots
    A quick sauté of sprouts with bacon and shallots makes for a quick and flavorful side dish. Learn how to make Brussels sprouts good.
    Learn More
    A plate of veggies and chicken
    Lemon Broccoli and Peas
    Seasoning vegetables doesn’t have to be rocket science, but can be the difference between okay side dishes and fabulous feasts. With a combo of salt, lemon, olive oil, and just the right amount of heat, this Lemon Broccoli and Peas is out of this world.
    Learn More
    carrot salad in white ramekin
    Carrot Salad with Cilantro and Pepitas
    Shredded carrots get oomph from fresh cilantro, a simple dressing of orange juice and spices with pepitas adding some crunch.
    Learn More
    overhead shot of air fryer cauliflower on a white platter on a black table.
    Air Fryer Cauliflower
    Spice up your life — and your air fryer cauliflower with Cajun-inspired spices. It's an ideal side dish to meats or a fun addition to a Buddha bowl.
    Learn More
    hand dipping a baked zucchini fritter into a small white dish of ranch.
    Baked Zucchini Fritters
    Bake up a batch of zucchini fritters. Flavorful with shredded zucchini and green onions, they'll have you coming back for more.
    Learn More
    overhead closeup of roast vegetables on white platter on black table.
    Escalivada
    Enjoy a taste of the Mediterranean with this easy Escalivada, chock full of eggplant, zucchini, onion, tomato, and peppers, drizzled with olive oil.
    Learn More
    chuck roast in pot with gravy surrounding the meat.

    Sauces for Pot Roast

    Good gravy! Don’t forget the gravy. If your pot roast recipe doesn’t already having you making a gravy with the drippings, choose one of ours. They come together quickly and taste delicious.

    mushroom and onion gravy in a yellow gravy boat on the dinner table.
    Mushroom and Onion Gravy
    Let bottled and dry mix gravy be relics of the past! This recipe for Mushroom and Onion Gravy stirs up silky and delicious. It's also super freezer-friendly.
    Learn More
    gravy boat on table
    Easy Gravy Recipe
    This easy gravy recipe is the key to life. It comes together quickly and easily on the stove and is delicious on mashed potatoes, in pot pies, or a myriad of other tasty applications.
    Learn More
    white spoon and fork on a teal plate logo.

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