What to Serve with Roasted Root Vegetables: 11 Easy Sides

At my family dinner table, I always make sure to add a side dish to go with the main course, but I have always been left with a dilemma: what should I serve?

Read Also: What To Serve With Roasted Vegetables – 10 Best Side Dishes

Roasted root vegetables are all the rage right now, but no one ever seems to have a recipe for what they should eat alongside it.

I’ve asked countless friends and various strangers on the internet, but none of them could provide a simple answer.

I have found a list of suggestions from various sources so that you don’t have to.

So, in this article I will be answering the question: what to serve with roasted root vegetables?

Let’s jump straight into it!

11 Easy Side Dishes To Serve with Roasted Root Vegetables

Keep in mind: You can use any of the following sides to go with any roasted root vegetable recipe.

These can also be used to go alongside other dishes, like the ever popular roast chicken!

1. Mashed Potatoes

Nothing goes better with roast vegetables than mashed potato. You can make these in one pot by parboiling, draining and ricing the potatoes before mashing them with butter and milk.

One of the things that I personally love about mashed potatoes is that you can make them well in advance and then either re-heat or serve them cold.

See Also: 15 Sauces for Mashed Potatoes I Can’t Resist

Here are a few tips:

• If serving them cold, bring them out of the fridge and let them come up to room temperature before serving. This will ensure that you don’t wind up with cold lumps of potato that taste like feet.
• If you want to speed up the cooling process, spread them out in an even layer in a baking tray and place in the fridge uncovered.

2. Corn on the Cob

You know when you have friends or family over and they pick the husk off their corn straight from under your nose?

That’s one of those things that makes you die a little inside.

Make sure you don’t wind up doing that by serving the corn on the cob alongside your roasted root vegetables.

Anyway, the reason that corn on the cob goes so well with roasted root vegetables is because they both have that earthy taste to them.

Here are a few tips:

• If you buy the corn on the cob from a farmer’s market or your local grocery store, make sure not to husk it until it’s time to serve. This will ensure that the corn stays sweet and delicious until you are ready to eat it. You can husk your corn up to three days in advance, just remember to seal the husks with an elastic band.
• If you don’t feel like serving them on the cob, you can always cut them off and mix them in with your roasted root vegetables.

3. Brussel Sprouts

If you’ve never tried roasted brussels sprouts, then you are missing out.

These are another vegetable that have that earthy flavour to them, so they really go well with roasted root vegetables.

Brussel sprouts are also incredibly healthy due to the high amount of fibre and vitamin C, so you can serve them with your meal guilt free!

Some people claim that roasting brussels sprouts enhances their flavour.

Give it a try and let me know!

Here are a few tips:

• If you can’t get a hold of brussels sprouts, don’t fret! You can use cabbage or broccoli to make up for them.
• When preparing the brussels sprouts for roasting, just remember to halve or quarter them so that they cook evenly.

4. Rice Pilaf

Another side dish that goes really well with roasted root vegetables is rice pilaf.

Rice pilaf originates from the Middle East and it traditionally contains a mix of rice, spices and onion.

I usually serve this side when I want something that’s hearty and nutty.

Here are a few tips:

• If you don’t want to use the traditional version, you can always switch up the spices. I love making variations that are South East Asian inspired, just by swapping out the onion with lemongrass and spices like cumin and coriander.
• Don’t be afraid to try a few variations. This is a great way to clean out your spice rack!

5. Mashed Butternut Squash

I like to think of this as a popular fall and winter substitute for mashed potatoes. And why no swap out the carbs for something that’s just as hearty and delicious?

Mashed butternut squash is also really easy to make. You just need a blender or food processor.

Here are a few tips:

• If you want a little crunch to your mashed butternut squash, you can always chop up some pecans and mix them in.
• If you are feeling lazy, you can always just roast the butternut squash along with your other root vegetables.

6. Chicken Casserole

Here’s another staple that is perfect for winter.

If you’re hosting a dinner party and want to make sure all your guests are well fed, you can always make a chicken casserole.

Chicken casseroles are pretty easy to make too. You just need some chopped up vegetables (like carrots or corn), mushrooms, chicken and a can of cream of mushroom soup.

You can mix in some cooked egg noodles or cooked spaghetti if you want something a little more hearty.

Here are a few tips:

• If you don’t feel like using cream of mushroom soup, you can always use tomato soup.
• If you want to make your chicken casserole spicier, try adding in some crushed red pepper.

7. Steak Kabobs

Finally, if you want to make sure that your guests are well fed, why not serve steak kabobs?

Not only are they delicious, but they are also really easy to make. All you need is some steak, mushrooms and your favourite veggies.

I usually serve mine with a side of potatoes in my dinner parties, but you can also serve yours over rice.

Here are a few tips:

• If you want to make your steak kabobs more flavourful, try marinating it in garlic, soy sauce and worcestershire sauce for 30 minutes to an hour.
• You can also try adding in some balsamic vinegar as a marinade. This is great because it will make your steak extra tender.
• If you want a little something crisp, serve your steak kabobs with a side of oven fries.

8. Quesadilla

If there is one thing I like to make for dinner parties, it’s quesadillas.

Not only are they quick and easy to make, but you can also prepare them ahead of time and just heat them up when your guests arrive.

Quesadilla is basically a tortilla with cheese, salsa and some sort of meat.

Here are a few tips:

• For your quesadillas, try using smoked paprika for an extra smokey flavour. You can also try adding in some fresh jalapenos for a little spice.
• If you have any leftover fried rice, put it on your quesadillas.

9. Quinoa Salad

This is another great option for vegetarians especially if you are serving goat cheese on the side.

Quinoa salad is quick and easy to make and you can keep it in the fridge for a few days before serving it.

Oh, and why not try making this salad in the summer time? It’s light and refreshing.

Here are a few tips:

• If you want to make your quinoa salad more filling, try adding some grilled chicken or tuna.
• You can spice up your quinoa salad by using curry powder instead of oregano.

10. Baked Sweet Potatoes

Sometimes, you just have to serve a vegetable with dinner and one of the best options is baked sweet potatoes.

All you have to do is poke some holes in them and bake them for about an hour or so. If you don’t feel like baking them, you can always microwave them.

Here are a few tips:

• If you want your sweet potatoes to be sweeter, try drizzling some maple syrup over them before you bake them.
• You can also try adding in some balsamic vinegar for extra flavour.
• However, if you want to get fancy, you can always make some orange-infused balsamic vinegar.

11. Soup

A bowl of soup is always a good option for dinner parties because you can serve it in little cups and since it’s warm, your guests will love it.

You can make pretty much any kind of soup for your dinner party – chicken noodle, minestrone, roasted red pepper and lemongrass.

Here are a few tips:

• If you’re having trouble making the soup broth flavourful enough, try adding in some salt or bouillon cubes.
• If you’re serving a cream soup, you can always use milk instead of heavy cream. This is a great option if you want to make your soup a little lighter.

Why Consider Serving a Side Dish for Roasted Root Vegetables?

Roasted root vegetables are some of the simplest and most nutritious dishes out there.

They’re filling, easy to prepare, and often go together very well with many other meals.

However, they don’t always have a lot of flavor on their own.

Therefore, serving side dishes with them can make the entire meal more interesting and enjoyable.

Serving root vegetables as side dishes gives them a bit of a kick that they wouldn’t have otherwise.

By combining them with different flavors, you can bring out the best in these foods.

There are plenty of side dishes that work well with roasted root vegetables.

Consider serving some type of salad, such as a fruit and vegetable salad.

This type of dish will be a good complement to your roasted root vegetables since it adds an extra dose of vegetables to the meal.

Another great option is to serve mashed potatoes or even mashed cauliflower.

Mashed potatoes and mashed cauliflower add a fun element of texture to your meal and help to fill you up even more.

FAQ

What Meat Goes Well with Roasted Vegetables?

The most popular meat to serve with roasted vegetables is chicken, but you could also try serving roasted root vegetables with pork or beef.

It depends on the flavor of the roasted root vegetables.

If you’re making a dish with rosemary and thyme, for instance, chicken would be a good option.

However, if you’re making a dish with ginger and garlic, pork or beef would be a good option.

Can You Reheat Roasted Root Vegetables?

Yes, you can reheat roasted root vegetables.

Roasted root vegetables are some of the easiest dishes to reheat because they can handle a higher temperature.

Here is how you easily reheat roasted root vegetables:

You can use the oven or the microwave to reheat roasted root vegetables. The oven will take longer, but you won’t have to worry about making sure you don’t overcook them.

To use the oven, simply bake them at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for a few minutes.

To use the microwave, reheat them for a few minutes and check on them every 30 seconds.

If they feel warm after being microwaved, then they’re ready to eat.

Can You Freeze Roasted Root Vegetables?

Likewise, you can also freeze roasted root vegetables.

To do this, simply put them in a freezer-safe Tupperware container and cook them in your oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 20 minutes.

After that, let the roasted root vegetables cool down to room temperature and freeze them for up to one month.

What Type of Sauce Goes with Roasted Root Vegetables?

The best sauce to serve with roasted root vegetables is a tasty sauce that will enhance the flavors of these root vegetables.

Consider serving a cranberry cream sauce or a sweet red pepper sauce with your roasted root vegetables.

Cranberry cream sauce is a simple creamy sauce that pairs well with roasted root vegetables.

For the red pepper sauce, you can add different ingredients to make the sauce taste unique.

Options include roasted peppers, curry powder, or even mustard.

It depends on what you have in your pantry.

Should I Cover My Roasted Vegetables?

I recommend covering your roasted root vegetables when you are cooking them in the oven.

By covering them, they’ll retain moisture and cook evenly throughout.

In addition, they won’t burn or darken as quickly.

Covering them with aluminum foil is a good option that helps to protect them.

While it might keep out some of the flavor, covering your roasted root vegetables will help them to cook evenly throughout with less burning or overcooking.

What Vegetables Taste Good Together?

Vegetables that taste good together are usually vegetables that are in the same family.

This means that they have similar flavors, so combining them will help these flavors to shine.

For example, consider combining green beans and asparagus.

These vegetables both come from the lily family, so they will complement each other nicely.

Are Roasted Root Vegetables Healthy?

Yes, roasted root vegetables are often considered healthy.

They contain a high amount of vitamins and nutrients that can help your body and they also taste delicious.

For example, potatoes and carrots both contain a lot of Vitamin A and Vitamin C.

In addition, these carbohydrates will fuel you throughout the day so you don’t get too hungry while studying or at work.

They’re also low in fat and cholesterol, so they can help you to reach your weight loss goals and maintain a healthy heart.

Conclusion

Roasted root vegetables are healthy and delicious side dishes that are perfect for Thanksgiving dinner.

You’ll want to make sure to serve them with a nice, healthy side dish.

One of the best ways to make roasted root vegetables stand out is by serving them with a simple vegetable soup.

But no matter what kind of side dish you choose, there are a ton of options.

Try some of these side dishes when you’re serving roasted root vegetables.