Some side dishes know their place — these don’t. They’re the ones people keep scooping onto their plate like it’s their last chance. When the main dish becomes an afterthought, you know you’ve done something right. These sides have that kind of pull — crowd-pleasers that quietly (or not-so-quietly) steal the spotlight.
Parmesan Crusted Potatoes
Parmesan Crusted Potatoes are a great side dish for when you want something crispy, flavorful, and easy to make. The potatoes get coated in garlicky breadcrumbs and Parmesan, then baked until they’re golden and crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. Ready in under an hour, they’re perfect for weeknight meals or when you want to add something special to your dinner. These potatoes show that sides can outshine the main dish, making them a great choice for any meal.
Get the Recipe: Parmesan Crusted Potatoes
Buttery Whole Roasted Cauliflower
Buttery Whole Roasted Cauliflower is a side dish that’s comforting and easy to make. With just a bit of butter, chicken stock, and Parmesan, this cauliflower turns into a golden, flavorful dish that works for any meal. It bakes in about half an hour, but the prep is simple, so you can get other things done while it cooks. This side can easily stand up to any main dish, making your whole meal feel complete without being complicated. It’s a great side that requires little effort but brings big results.
Get the Recipe: Buttery Whole Roasted Cauliflower
German Potato Salad
This German Potato Salad is great for hearty, comforting dishes. Popular in the Midwest, especially at potlucks and family gatherings, it features tender potatoes, crispy bacon, and a tangy dressing. Ready in under an hour, it’s served warm with a vinegar-based dressing instead of a cold mayo-based potato salad. Just boil the potatoes, cook the bacon, and toss with apple cider vinegar, mustard, and bacon drippings. Perfect for dinner or a family barbecue. Leftovers keep well for days.
Get the Recipe: German Potato Salad
Cheesy Garlic Pull Apart Bread
This Cheesy Garlic Pull Apart Bread is perfect for sharing and ready in 30 minutes. Great as a party appetizer or as a side dish for family pasta night. It’s as simple as slicing a loaf of bread, loading it up with homemade garlic butter, and stuffing it with mozzarella and Parmesan. Bake it until it’s crispy, then just pull apart and enjoy those melty, cheesy bites.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Garlic Pull Apart Bread
Jiffy Corn Casserole
This Jiffy Corn Casserole is always a favorite that’s simple to put together with just a few pantry staples. Great for holiday gatherings or whenever you’re craving a warm, easy side dish. The combination of whole corn, creamed corn, and Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix gives it a soft, spoonable texture with just the right touch of sweetness. No need for complicated steps here — just whisk the eggs, mix in the ingredients, and bake. Bake it for 40–50 minutes, and you’ll have a casserole with a light golden top and a smooth, creamy interior.
Get the Recipe: Jiffy Corn Casserole
Cheddar and Chive Mashed Potatoes
These Cheddar and Chive Mashed Potatoes are creamy, cheesy, and packed with flavor. They’re perfect as a quick side dish for family dinners or holiday gatherings. You’ll have them ready in 30 minutes, making them a great go-to when you need something simple but delicious. Boil the potatoes, mash them with butter and milk, and fold in sharp cheddar and fresh chives for brightness. It’s a comfort food classic — easy enough for weeknights but also great for special meals.
Get the Recipe: Cheddar and Chive Mashed Potatoes
Honey Butter Skillet Cornbread
This Honey Butter Skillet Cornbread is a great side for family dinners, holiday spreads, or just a cozy meal at home. Its buttery crust and subtle honey sweetness make it unforgettable. And since it comes together in only 35 minutes, it’s perfect for last-minute gatherings or weeknight dinners.
Get the Recipe: Honey Butter Skillet Cornbread
Loaded Zucchini Boats
Loaded Zucchini Boats are a fun and flavorful way to add some veggies to your meal. Stuffed with crispy bacon, sharp cheddar, and topped with sour cream and chives, these boats are as filling as they are quick to make. They’re ready in just 30 minutes, making them great for weeknight dinners or when you need a simple but appetizing side.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Zucchini Boats
Italian Orzo Pasta Salad
This Italian Orzo Pasta Salad is a great side dish for family dinners or your next barbecue. You’ll start by cooking the orzo until it’s tender, then set it aside to cool. Next, whisk together the dressing. Once everything is prepped, toss the orzo, vegetables, and dressing together until well combined. Let the salad chill in the fridge for a bit to bring out the flavors, and then it’s ready to serve. This dish also stores great in the fridge, making it perfect for meal prep. You can enjoy it over the next few days without worrying about losing flavor or texture.
Get the Recipe: Italian Orzo Pasta Salad
Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms
Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms are a great way to add some hearty flavor to your table without much effort. The combination of flavorful sausage, juicy mushrooms, and melted cheese creates a side that’s filling and quick to make. They’re ready in about 45 minutes and are perfect for busy nights when you still want to serve something special. These mushrooms show that a side can easily be the star of the meal — they’re that good. Just pop them in the oven, and you have a great dish that complements any meal.
Get the Recipe: Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms
Baked Tomatoes with Parmesan and Mozzarella Cheese
These Baked Tomatoes with Parmesan and Mozzarella bring together fresh ingredients in a way that’s easy but feels special. Juicy tomatoes topped with gooey mozzarella and a bit of sharp Parmesan create a great side ready in just 25 minutes. Perfect for serving something quick yet flavorful to serve with your meal. This dish shows that sides can be just as impressive as the main course, sometimes even more. These baked tomatoes are a great option when you’re short on time but don’t want to compromise on taste.
Get the Recipe: Baked Tomatoes with Parmesan and Mozzarella Cheese
Twice Baked Potato Casserole
Twice Baked Potato Casserole is the kind of comforting side that everyone loves. Creamy mashed potatoes combined with crispy bacon and topped with cheese make this a filling and flavorful addition to any meal. It’s simple to prepare and bakes up perfectly, giving you time to relax while the oven does the work. This casserole shows that side dishes can often be the most memorable part of the meal. Whether you’re making dinner for the family or hosting friends, this is a great side to serve.
Get the Recipe: Twice Baked Potato Casserole
Quinoa Chickpea Salad
This Quinoa Chickpea Salad is a great dish that’s perfect for any occasion. Packed with fresh vegetables and a lemon-garlic dressing, it’s healthy, flavorful, and surprisingly filling. Best of all, it comes together with minimal effort, so it’s a great option for a quick lunch, light dinner, or potluck side. The key components of the recipe include cooking the quinoa, tossing it with a mix of fresh veggies, then drizzling a homemade lemon-garlic dressing on top to bring all the flavors together.
Get the Recipe: Quinoa Chickpea Salad
Creamy Dill Cucumber Onion Salad
Creamy Dill Cucumber Onion Salad is a great way to turn simple cucumbers into something special. With crisp cucumbers and sharp onions tossed in a smooth dill dressing, this side comes together in just 30 minutes. It’s light and refreshing, perfect for hotter days when you want to keep things cool. You don’t need a main dish when this salad brings so much flavor to the table. This salad shows that sides can be the star of any meal. It’s a simple, reliable dish you’ll turn to again and again.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Dill Cucumber Onion Salad
Loaded Tater Tots
Loaded Tater Tots are a great side that doesn’t mess around. Crispy tots topped with melted cheddar, sour cream, bacon, and green onions make for a crowd-pleaser that’s ready in just 35 minutes. Whether it’s for a game day or a family dinner, this dish brings comfort without the hassle. The best part? You won’t need to worry about leftovers. These tots make mains feel unnecessary and will keep everyone at the table happy. This one is a winner when you’re in the mood for something easy but full of flavor.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Tater Tots
Fresh Corn Salad
Fresh Corn Salad is a bright, colorful dish that’s perfect when you want something fresh and light. In 40 minutes, you’ll have a mix of corn, avocado, tomatoes, cucumbers, red bell pepper and crumbled cheese, all tossed in a lime dressing. It’s a great side for any meal, and it doesn’t take a lot of effort to make. This salad shows that sides can be just as important as mains, if not more so. Perfect for when you need something quick, flavorful, and hearty.
Get the Recipe: Fresh Corn Salad
Halloumi Fries
Halloumi Fries are a great side that brings both crunch and cheesy goodness. Thick slices of halloumi cheese are seasoned and baked until golden in just 25 minutes. Whether you’re making them for a snack or as part of a meal, these fries add something special to the table. They’re quick to make and deliver big on flavor without any hassle. If you’re looking for a side that can hold its own, these fries will easily do the trick. It’s a simple way to bring something extra to the meal.
Get the Recipe: Halloumi Fries
Baked Sliced Zucchini
Baked Sliced Zucchini is a quick and easy side that’s ready in just 20 minutes. Slices of zucchini are coated in Parmesan and Italian spices and then baked until crispy. This dish is a great choice for busy nights when you want something simple but still flavorful. It’s a no-stress side that can easily take center stage. Perfect for when you’re looking for something light, quick, and reliable. This zucchini dish will make you forget you need anything else on the table.
Get the Recipe: Baked Sliced Zucchini
Creamy Broccoli with Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Creamy Broccoli with Sun-Dried Tomatoes is more than just a side — it’s the kind of dish that makes you feel like you’ve made something special without all the effort. In just 25 minutes, you get broccoli mixed with creamy cheese and a pop of flavor from sun-dried tomatoes, all in one pan. It’s perfect when you need something quick but still want it to feel comforting and a little bit fancy. This side easily takes center stage. Plus, fewer dishes to wash means more time to enjoy dinner with your family.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Broccoli with Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Roasted Cubed Butternut Squash with Cauliflower and Bacon
Roasted Cubed Butternut Squash with Cauliflower and Bacon brings together everything you love in a side dish — sweet butternut squash, cauliflower, and crispy bacon. With just 45 minutes in the oven, it caramelizes perfectly without much effort from you. This dish has a way of being hearty without feeling heavy, making it perfect for those times when you need something filling but don’t want to spend all day cooking. It’s one of those sides that can easily steal the spotlight and may be all you need to complete the meal.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Cubed Butternut Squash with Cauliflower and Bacon
Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice
Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice is a quick, light side that still manages to pack in plenty of flavor. The fresh cilantro and lime brighten up the cauliflower rice, and it comes together in no time, which is great for busy evenings. This dish is perfect for anyone looking to keep things light while enjoying a refreshing side. It’s the kind that slays harder than the main dish, and it’s easy enough to whip up on a weeknight. Great for meal prepping, this one’s sure to become a regular in your kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice
Fried Cabbage with Bacon
Fried Cabbage with Bacon takes just 25 minutes to combine the crunch of cabbage, sweet onions, and crispy bacon in one pan. It’s perfect for when you need a quick, flavorful side that doesn’t take much effort but still feels like a real treat. This side easily holds its own and can be a go-to for any meal where you want something simple yet filling. Sides like this show that you don’t need fancy ingredients to make something great. Perfect for weeknights when time is tight but you still want a special meal.
Get the Recipe: Fried Cabbage with Bacon
Golden Baked Jicama Fries
Golden Baked Jicama Fries are a healthier alternative to regular fries with a light, delicious crunch. These crispy fries take about 40 minutes to bake, seasoned simply with sea salt and paprika. They’re perfect when you want something fun and different to serve on the side without the heaviness of traditional fries. Sides like this can really take your meal up a notch, showing that even a simple side can be the star of the show. They’re great for anyone looking to mix things up while keeping the meal light and fresh.
Get the Recipe: Golden Baked Jicama Fries