22 Potato Recipes That Are Too Good to Be Just a Side

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Get ready to experience potatoes like never before! These aren’t your typical sides—these recipes have enough flavor and flair to take center stage. Whether you’re indulging in Browned Butter Mashed Potatoes that are decadently creamy or savoring the bold and tangy Hearty Penna Dutch Potato Salad, you’re in for a treat. Take your taste buds on a global adventure with dishes like Aloo Tikki (Indian potato cakes) or the spicy-sweet Rajasthani Butternut Squash Curry, where potatoes are the star. And let’s not forget the Sweet Potato Lasagna—who knew sweet potatoes could be this comforting? From Perfectly Crispy Roasted Breakfast Potatoes to Buffalo Hasselback Potatoes, these recipes are so flavorful, they might just make you rethink what it means to have potatoes as a side. With these dishes, potatoes are never just a side—they’re the main event!

Browned Butter Mashed Potatoes

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A bowl of mashed potatoes is topped with melted butter and chopped chives, with a spoon inside. A checkered cloth is draped over the wooden surface.
Photo credit: Not Entirely Average

Turn plain mashed potatoes into nutty, buttery perfection with this Browned Butter Mashed Potatoes recipe. Ideal for Easter, weeknight dinners, or potlucks, these creamy potatoes are a flavorful upgrade to any meal!
Get the Recipe: Browned Butter Mashed Potatoes

Hearty Penna Dutch Potato Salad

Hearty Penna Dutch Potato Salad in a patriotic motif serving bowl with a spoon.
Photo credit: Not Entirely Average

Savor the hearty goodness of Penna Dutch Potato Salad, a creamy Amish recipe that’s perfect for any gathering! With its crunchy texture and unique hot dressing, it’s the nostalgic side dish your Easter buffet simply can’t do without!
Get the Recipe: Hearty Penna Dutch Potato Salad

Potato Skins Recipe

Two baked potato skins on a gray plate.
Photo credit: Culinary Hill

Looking for the perfect appetizer? These potato skins are loaded with all the toppings you love, like bacon, cheddar cheese, guacamole, and sour cream! This recipe is sure to be a crowd-pleaser and is naturally gluten-free.
Get the Recipe: Potato Skins Recipe

Warm German Potato Salad

Warm german potato salad.
Photo credit: The Big Man’s World

This Warm German Potato Salad is a hearty and creamy side dish that’s perfect for any occasion. It’s made without mayonnaise and is ready in just 15 minutes! Plus, it’s gluten-free and vegan, so everyone can enjoy it.
Get the Recipe: Warm German Potato Salad

Easy Slow Cooker Baked Potatoes

close up of a baked potatoes in a slow cooker.
Photo credit: The Magical Slow Cooker

These Slow Cooker Baked Potatoes are so easy and convenient! Prep takes just a few minutes, and you’ll come home to perfectly baked potatoes. Top with your favorite fixings for a simple, satisfying side dish.
Get the Recipe: Easy Slow Cooker Baked Potatoes

Sweet Potato Arugula Salad

sweet potato salad recipe in a bowl with roasted sweet potatoes
Photo credit: Carlsbad Cravings

This Sweet Potato Arugula Salad is a vibrant and crave-worthy dish that’s perfect for holidays or any day! The combination of sweet potatoes, apples, cranberries, and a tangy dressing creates a delightful flavor explosion. Plus, it can be made ahead of time for ultimate convenience.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Arugula Salad

Perfectly Crispy Roasted Breakfast Potatoes

crispy breakfast potatoes on a plate with ketchup and a fork
Photo credit: Ambitious Kitchen

These crispy roasted breakfast potatoes are seasoned to perfection with spices like garlic powder, cumin, and paprika. They’re a wonderful savory side dish that pairs perfectly with eggs, avocado, and bacon for a hearty breakfast or brunch. Plus, they’re gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan-friendly!
Get the Recipe: Perfectly Crispy Roasted Breakfast Potatoes

Simple Roasted Sweet Potatoes

Warm prepared roasted sweet potatoes
Photo credit: Sugar Spun Run

You can’t go wrong with this simple recipe for Roasted Sweet Potatoes. This classic side dish is easy to prepare and is perfect for any holiday dinner. It’s made with just a few simple ingredients that you likely already have on hand.
Get the Recipe: Simple Roasted Sweet Potatoes

Roasted Fingerling Potatoes with Romesco Sauce

A bowl of roasted vegetables coated in a rich, red sauce, garnished with chopped nuts and fresh thyme. A spoon rests in the bowl, partially visible on the left.
Photo credit: Feasting at Home

These Roasted Fingerling Potatoes with Romesco Sauce by Feasting at Home are a simple yet tasty side dish that’s both vegan and gluten-free. The flavorful Romesco Sauce comes together in just 5 minutes with pantry staples, making this a quick and easy Mediterranean-inspired dish. Perfect for a fast, fresh, and delicious addition to any meal!
Get the Recipe: Roasted Fingerling Potatoes with Romesco Sauce

Sweet Potato Lasagna

Grabbing a bite of gluten-free vegan Sweet Potato Lasagna for a delicious meal
Photo credit: Minimalist Baker

This noodle-free Sweet Potato Lasagna is a plant-based twist on a classic Italian dish. Thinly sliced sweet potatoes replace traditional pasta, layered with a flavorful tofu ricotta and topped with vegan parmesan for a comforting and healthy meal. Perfect for any season and dietary need!
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Lasagna

Aloo Tikki (Indian Potato Cakes with Green Chutney)

Stack of gluten-free vegan Samosa-Inspired Potato Cakes
Photo credit: Minimalist Baker

These vegan Aloo Tikki, or Indian Potato Cakes, are the perfect flavorful side dish or snack. Made with simple ingredients like potatoes, peas, and fragrant spices, they’re crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Serve them with a refreshing green chutney for the ultimate taste experience!
Get the Recipe: Aloo Tikki (Indian Potato Cakes with Green Chutney)

Grilled Potato Salad

Grilled potato salad with a black garlic vinaigrette...a flavorful, lightened-up potato salad to serve alongside grilled meat or fish! Serve this warm or chilled.  #grilled #potatosalad #blackgarlic #healthypotatosalad #vegan
Photo credit: Feasting at Home

This Grilled Potato Salad with Black Garlic Dressing is a delicious and fun twist on a classic side dish! Grilling the potatoes adds a smoky flavor that pairs perfectly with the unique, savory-sweet black garlic vinaigrette, making it a standout at any summer BBQ or potluck. Plus, it’s easily adaptable for vegan diets!
Get the Recipe: Grilled Potato Salad

Baked Sweet Potato

Baked sweet potatoes on a white plate.
Photo credit: Downshiftology

Looking for a simple side dish? These baked sweet potatoes are incredibly versatile and can be seasoned to your liking – whether you prefer them sweet or savory. With just a few ingredients and minimal effort, you’ll have perfectly baked sweet potatoes every time.
Get the Recipe: Baked Sweet Potato

Homemade French Fries

A pile of french fries on a baking sheet next to a cup of ketchup.
Photo credit: Culinary Hill

Craving crispy, golden fries? This recipe makes it easy to whip up a batch of homemade French fries using just potatoes, oil, and salt. Perfect as a crowd-pleasing appetizer or a simple side dish.
Get the Recipe: Homemade French Fries

Loaded Smashed Potatoes

Loaded Smashed Potatoes on a baking sheet
Photo credit: The Cookie Rookie

These Loaded Smashed Potatoes are the perfect side dish or appetizer for any gathering. Made with simple ingredients like crispy bacon, cheddar cheese, and sour cream, they’re sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Each bite delivers a burst of flavor and creamy texture!
Get the Recipe: Loaded Smashed Potatoes

Mediterranean Sweet Potatoes

Mediterranean baked sweet potatoes topped with tomatoes, cucumber, olives, roasted red peppers, fresh parsley, roasted chickpeas, and drizzled with lemon dressing on a plate.
Photo credit: Chelsea’s Messy Apron

Enjoy a healthy and flavorful meal with these Mediterranean Sweet Potatoes! They’re topped with roasted chickpeas, a vibrant bell pepper mix, and a creamy lemon dressing. This vegetarian dish is a delicious and easy dinner option.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Sweet Potatoes

Rajasthani Butternut Squash Curry

A soothing and comforting North Indian Butternut and Potato Curry hailing from Rajasthan, featuring winter squash and potatoes, using whole spices and ghee, served over fluffy basmati rice. | #pumpkincurry #potatocurry #aloo #butternutcurry #rajisthani #kaddu #curriedpotatoes #vegetarain #indianfood
Photo credit: Feasting at Home

Transport your taste buds to Northern India with this comforting Rajasthani Butternut Squash Curry. Featuring butternut squash, potatoes, and aromatic whole spices cooked in ghee, this authentic curry is best served over fluffy basmati rice for a complete and satisfying meal. It’s a delightful vegetarian dish that’s perfect for a cozy night in.
Get the Recipe: Rajasthani Butternut Squash Curry

Crockpot Cheesy Potatoes

The image features a plate of sliced potatoes baked with melted cheese and ground meat, garnished with a sprig of parsley.
Photo credit: Chelsea’s Messy Apron

This easy crockpot cheesy potato recipe by Chelsea’s Messy Apron is the perfect comfort food. Italian sausage, gold potatoes, and cheddar cheese combine for a delicious breakfast, dinner, or side dish. Simply throw everything in the slow cooker and enjoy!
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Cheesy Potatoes

Rosemary Roasted Potatoes

bowl of rosemary roasted potatoes with a sprig of rosemary
Photo credit: Salt and Lavender

These Rosemary Roasted Potatoes are an easy and delicious side dish that’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser. The potatoes are roasted to crispy perfection on the outside and remain fluffy on the inside, seasoned with rosemary, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning for a flavor-packed bite. This recipe is also vegan and vegetarian-friendly!
Get the Recipe: Rosemary Roasted Potatoes

Dilled Red Potatoes and Peas

Dilled Red Potatoes and Peas | foodiecrush.com #red #boiled #recipe
Photo credit: Foodie Crush

This simple side dish of Dilled Red Potatoes and Peas is perfect for a quick and easy spring lunch or dinner. With just a few ingredients like fresh dill, butter, and simple seasonings, it’s ready in three easy steps. It’s a family-friendly and healthy option to brighten up any meal.
Get the Recipe: Dilled Red Potatoes and Peas

Dill Roasted Sweet Potatoes + Warm Spinach Salad

Bowl of our Warm Sweet Potato Dill Spinach Salad recipe
Photo credit: Minimalist Baker

This simple side dish features roasted sweet potatoes with dill and a warm spinach salad. It’s a flavorful and nutritious vegan and gluten-free option that’s perfect for any meal. With just a handful of ingredients, this recipe is easy to make and ready in under 30 minutes!
Get the Recipe: Dill Roasted Sweet Potatoes + Warm Spinach Salad

Buffalo Hasselback Potatoes

Presenting a delicious Buffalo Hasselback Potatoes
Photo credit: Gimme Some Oven

Spice up your potato game with these Buffalo Hasselback Potatoes! This fun and easy recipe combines the classic Hasselback technique with the bold flavors of buffalo sauce, cheddar, and blue cheese. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that’s both gluten-free and vegetarian-friendly!
Get the Recipe: Buffalo Hasselback Potatoes

About Jenny deRemer

I am a Charleston, South Carolina-based culinary novice, an ardent authority on all things travel, a designer by trade, and the creator of Not Entirely Average. I have a weakness for farmers' markets, delight in adventures way off the beaten path, enjoy documenting my many moods through photography, and have been known to conquer the occasional yard sale with gusto!

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