21 simple sides that will totally upgrade your fall dinners

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If you’re looking to make your fall dinners a bit more special without spending hours in the kitchen, you’re in the right place. This season is all about cozy, comforting meals, and adding a few standout side dishes can make all the difference. These simple sides are designed to complement your main dishes perfectly while saving you time and effort.

With these easy-to-make sides, you’ll be able to enhance your fall dinners with flavors that feel both familiar and exciting. From quick prep options to dishes that are just as delicious as they are simple, these recipes will help you add a touch of variety and richness to your meals. They’re perfect for busy weeknights or when you want to impress without stressing.

What’s great about these sides is that they don’t just taste amazing—they also fit seamlessly into your fall meal planning. You can focus on the main course while these sides take care of themselves, making meal prep easier and more enjoyable. Dig in and discover how these simple sides can elevate your fall dinners and become your new favorites.

A bowl of macaroni and cheese in front of a slow cooker.
Crock Pot Mac and Cheese. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Crock Pot Mac and Cheese

This crock pot mac and cheese is a fantastic choice for enhancing your fall dinners with minimal effort. It’s rich and creamy, offering a comforting addition to any meal. The slow cooker does all the work, making it perfect for busy evenings. With just a few ingredients and an easy prep, it’s a reliable side that pairs well with various main dishes.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Mac and Cheese

Seafood Pasta Salad

Seafood pasta salad is a versatile side that brings a touch of elegance to your fall dinners. The combination of fresh seafood and pasta makes it a light yet filling choice. It’s easy to prepare ahead of time, allowing for a stress-free meal. This salad is perfect for adding variety and flavor to your fall menu.
Get the Recipe: Seafood Pasta Salad

Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes

Air fryer sweet potatoes offer a quick and easy way to enjoy a classic fall side. They come out crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, adding a delicious element to your dinners. The air fryer ensures they cook evenly with minimal oil, making them a healthier and convenient choice.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes

Bacon wrapped air fryer cabbage on white plate.
Bacon Wrapped Air Fryer Cabbage. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Bacon Wrapped Air Fryer Cabbage

Bacon wrapped air fyer cabbage is an exciting way to elevate your fall dinners with minimal effort. The air fryer ensures the cabbage gets perfectly crisp while the bacon adds a savory touch. It’s a simple side that brings a great combination of textures and flavors to your table.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Wrapped Air Fryer Cabbage

Ratatouille

Ratatouille is a wonderful addition to your fall dinners, offering a hearty and flavorful vegetable medley. This dish is easy to prepare and provides a colorful, nutritious option that complements a variety of mains. Its rich flavors make it a standout side that adds depth to your meal.
Get the Recipe: Ratatouille

Aloo Gobi Masala

Aloo Gobi Masala is a flavorful and warming side that’s ideal for adding a touch of spice to your fall dinners. This easy-to-make dish combines potatoes and cauliflower in a savory sauce, making it a comforting choice. It pairs well with many entrees and adds a satisfying element to your meal.
Get the Recipe: Aloo Gobi Masala

A spoon lifting a smashed potato garnished with rosemary, with a festive table setting in the background.
Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes with Cheese. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes with Cheese

Air fryer smashed potatoes with cheese are a delightful side that’s both easy and indulgent. The air fryer gives them a crispy texture, while the cheese adds a creamy richness. This dish is quick to prepare and perfect for rounding out your fall dinners with a bit of comfort and flavor.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes with Cheese

Vegan Mexican Rice

Vegan Mexican rice is a fantastic option for adding a flavorful and filling side to your fall dinners. The blend of spices and veggies makes it a vibrant addition to your meal plan. It’s easy to prepare and pairs well with a variety of dishes, offering a tasty and satisfying choice.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Mexican Rice

Maple Glazed Carrots in Air Fryer

Maple glazed carrots in air fryer are a quick and sweet side that enhances your fall dinners. The air fryer cooks them to a perfect tenderness while the maple glaze adds a delightful touch of sweetness. They’re simple to make and provide a tasty contrast to heartier main dishes.
Get the Recipe: Maple Glazed Carrots in Air Fryer

Four twice baked potatoes in a small baking dish.
Cheesy Loaded Twice Baked Potatoes. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Cheesy Loaded Twice Baked Potatoes

Cheesy loaded twice baked potatoes are a hearty side that adds a rich and comforting touch to your fall dinners. They’re easy to prepare and offer a satisfying combination of creamy cheese and crispy potato. This dish is perfect for pairing with a variety of mains, making it a versatile addition to your fall menu.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Loaded Twice Baked Potatoes

Vegan Taco Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

Vegan taco stuffed sweet potatoes bring a fun and flavorful twist to your fall dinners. The sweet potatoes are filled with a savory vegan taco mix, making for a hearty and satisfying side. They’re easy to prepare and offer a great balance of flavors and textures.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Taco Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

Southern Fried Cabbage with Bacon

Southern fried cabbage with bacon is a savory side that brings a comforting touch to your fall dinners. The combination of cabbage and bacon creates a flavorful and hearty dish. It’s easy to make and pairs well with a variety of main courses, adding a satisfying element to your meal.
Get the Recipe: Southern Fried Cabbage with Bacon

Fried potato wedges with ketchup and parsley.
Air Fryer Potato Wedges. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Air Fryer Potato Wedges

Air fryer potato wedges are a quick and easy way to enjoy crispy, flavorful potatoes with minimal effort. The air fryer ensures they are evenly cooked and perfectly crispy. They make a great side that complements a range of main dishes, making your fall dinners both simple and satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Potato Wedges

Zucchini Bruschetta

Zucchini bruschetta offers a fresh and light side that brightens up your fall dinners. It’s quick to prepare and provides a tasty way to enjoy seasonal vegetables. The dish adds a burst of flavor and a touch of elegance to your meal, making it a great choice for various entrees.
Get the Recipe: Zucchini Bruschetta

Green Beans with Garlic Butter

Green beans with garlic butter are a flavorful and easy side that complements fall dinners perfectly. The garlic butter adds a rich taste while keeping the green beans crisp and tender. It’s a straightforward dish that enhances your meal with minimal preparation.
Get the Recipe: Green Beans with Garlic Butter

Close-up of a spoonful of sweet potato casserole with a topping of toasted pecans and marshmallows.
Sweet Potato Casserole with Canned Yams. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Sweet Potato Casserole with Canned Yams

Sweet potato casserole with canned yams is a comforting side that adds a touch of sweetness to your fall dinners. It’s easy to prepare and offers a creamy, flavorful dish that pairs well with a variety of mains. This casserole is a reliable option for making your meals a bit more special.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Casserole with Canned Yams

Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts

Air fryer brussels sprouts are a quick and easy side that adds a crispy, flavorful touch to your fall dinners. The air fryer ensures they cook evenly with a perfect texture. They’re a versatile and tasty addition that pairs well with many main dishes.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts

Air Fryer Roasted Roma Tomatoes

Air fryer roasted Roma tomatoes are a simple yet flavorful side that complements fall dinners beautifully. The air fryer brings out the tomatoes’ natural sweetness while giving them a nice roasted flavor. They’re easy to prepare and make a great addition to any meal.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Roasted Roma Tomatoes

Sliced and roasted cabbage wedges seasoned with herbs on a white plate, garnished with black pepper and fresh herbs.
Roasted Cabbage Steaks. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Roasted Cabbage Steaks

Roasted cabbage steaks offer a hearty and flavorful side that’s perfect for your fall dinners. The roasting process brings out the cabbage’s natural sweetness and creates a satisfying texture. It’s an easy and tasty option that pairs well with a range of main dishes.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Cabbage Steaks

Easy Scalloped Potatoes

Easy scalloped potatoes are a comforting and classic side that enhances your fall dinners. They’re creamy, cheesy, and baked to perfection, adding a rich and satisfying element to your meal. This dish is straightforward to prepare and makes a great accompaniment to various mains.
Get the Recipe: Easy Scalloped Potatoes

Crab Fried Rice

Crab fried rice is a flavorful side that adds a touch of elegance to your fall dinners. The combination of crab and rice creates a delicious and satisfying dish. It’s easy to make and pairs well with many entrees, providing a great way to upgrade your meal.
Get the Recipe: Crab Fried Rice

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