Sometimes the side dish ends up stealing the whole plate, and potatoes have a way of doing just that. These 19 recipes are rich, crispy, cheesy, or creamy, and sometimes all at once. They’re easy to make and hard to stop eating, no matter what else is on the table. Who needs a main when you’ve got potato sides this good?
Smoked Brie Potato Gratin. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.
Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes
These scalloped potatoes are baked in a thick cheese sauce that bubbles around the edges and melts into every layer. The potatoes turn soft and creamy while the top gets golden and rich with flavor. Put a big scoop on your plate and forget about needing anything else.
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Potato Gnocchi
These soft and pillowy potato gnocchi cook quickly and are great at soaking up butter, sauce, or melted cheese. They’re simple to make and taste like comfort in every bite, without needing much on the side. Let these little bites of goodness take over the whole meal.
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Sweet Potato Fries
These sweet potato fries are crisp on the edges and soft in the middle, making them easy to enjoy by the handful. Their light sweetness balances well with salty dips or any main dish you’re skipping tonight. Bake a tray and let these fries do all the work.
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Oven Roasted Potatoes with Spinach and Garlic
These oven-roasted potatoes turn golden and crisp, then get tossed with spinach, garlic, and bits of creamy feta. The mix of texture and flavor makes this dish feel fresh and hearty at the same time. Set the rest aside and let this be the main part of your plate.
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Mashed Potatoes
These mashed potatoes are fluffy, buttery, and smooth all the way through, with just the right amount of salt. They’re the kind of side that goes with everything but also never needs anything else to shine. Pile them high and enjoy them like the main event.
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Smoked Brie Potato Gratin
This gratin bakes thin-sliced potatoes with smoky brie until everything turns soft and full of bold flavor. The cheesy sauce is thick and rich, filling every layer with something warm and satisfying. Slice into it and let this one take up the center of your plate.
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Crock Pot Sweet Potato Casserole
This sweet potato casserole comes out creamy and smooth, topped with toasted marshmallows and crunchy pecans for extra texture. The slow cooker makes it easy, while the sweet and nutty mix makes each bite feel special. Set it in the middle of the table and call it the main dish.
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Oven Baked Potato Wedges
These potato wedges come out of the oven with crispy, golden edges and fluffy, soft centers that hold seasoning just right. They’re quick to prep, easy to season, and go with everything from dipping sauces to whatever else is on your plate. Make a tray and let these wedges take over dinner without needing a main.
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Easy Scalloped Potatoes
Thin slices of potato bake in a creamy cheese sauce that bubbles and thickens as it cooks, soaking into every layer. The texture turns soft and rich, and the flavors come together with just a few simple ingredients. Serve it hot from the oven and let it be the most filling thing on the table.
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Air Fryer Red Potatoes
These red potatoes cook fast in the air fryer, turning crisp on the outside while staying tender and soft inside. A little oil and seasoning go a long way to bring out their natural flavor and golden texture. Make a big bowl and let these be the only thing you need for dinner.
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Maple Garlic Sweet Potato Casserole
Creamy mashed sweet potatoes are flavored with maple syrup and garlic for a balance of sweet and savory that stands out. The smooth texture is rich but not too heavy, and each bite brings warmth and depth. Scoop it onto your plate and skip everything else.
Get the Recipe: Maple Garlic Sweet Potato Casserole
Air Fryer Baked Potato
These air fryer baked potatoes have crisp, golden skins and fluffy insides that are perfect for loading with your favorite toppings. They cook faster than the oven version and still feel hearty and satisfying. Bake a few, top them your way, and let that be your whole meal.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Baked Potato
Air Fryer Crispy Smashed Potatoes
These potatoes are smashed flat and cooked until the edges crisp up while the middle stays soft and buttery. Each bite gives you a crunchy shell with a warm, fluffy inside that holds seasoning well. Make a batch and let them carry the whole dinner plate by themselves.
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Mashed Potato Cakes
Mashed potatoes turn into crispy cakes with golden edges and a soft, cheesy middle that melts slightly as they cook. They’re easy to pan-fry and pack in flavor, texture, and just the right bit of crunch. Stack them high and let them be the only thing you serve.
Get the Recipe: Mashed Potato Cakes
Cheesy Loaded Twice Baked Potatoes
These potatoes are baked, scooped, and filled again with creamy mashed insides mixed with cheese, sour cream, and savory toppings. The skins stay crisp, while the filling is smooth, rich, and full of flavor. Serve them hot and skip the rest of the menu.
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Sweet Potato Guacamole Bacon Bites
These bite-sized rounds of roasted sweet potato are topped with smooth guacamole and salty, crisp bacon for a fun mix of flavor and texture. They’re simple to assemble and packed with contrast in every layer. Add a few to your plate and let them steal the show.
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Air Fryer Sweet Potato Tater Tots
These tater tots cook quickly in the air fryer until golden and crisp outside, while the inside stays soft and sweet. They’re bite-sized, easy to pop in your mouth, and full of bold flavor without needing extra help. Fill a big bowl and make it the best part of dinner.
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Cheesy Fiesta Potatoes
These crispy potatoes are coated in warm nacho cheese and spiced just enough to give every bite a little kick. They’re creamy, crunchy, and fast to make, which makes them perfect for last-minute meals. Skip the big main and let this one bring all the flavor.
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Air Fryer Baby Potatoes
These baby potatoes roast up with crispy skins and tender, buttery insides that feel rich without needing much seasoning. The air fryer cuts down on cook time but still delivers that oven-roasted taste. Pile them on your plate and forget about needing anything else.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Baby Potatoes