Don’t let your main dish hog the spotlight—these 21 sidekicks are ready to steal the show. From creamy, dreamy classics to bold, flavorful twists, these recipes prove that sides can be the real MVP of any meal. Whether you’re planning a big spread or just mixing up dinner, these sides are guaranteed to wow the crowd.
Cabbage Apple Salad
Ditch the fancy salads—this Cabbage Apple Salad steals the spotlight! With crunchy cabbage, sweet apples, and a tangy dressing that’s downright addictive, it’s the perfect mix of fresh and flavorful. Easy to whip up for weeknight dinners or a no-fuss side dish that’s guaranteed to disappear fast. Once you try it, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it!
Get the Recipe: Cabbage Apple Salad
Creamy Macaroni and Cheese
Whip up this creamy mac and cheese with cheddar, Gruyere, and a buttery panko-Parmesan topping for any occasion, and get ready to impress your friends! It’s cozy, cheesy, and so good you’ll probably see everyone going back for seconds (or thirds).
Get the Recipe: Creamy Macaroni and Cheese
Carrot Raisin Salad
This carrot raisin salad is so easy to toss together and tastes super fresh! You’ve got shredded carrots and cabbage, sweet raisins, and a tangy lemon-mayo dressing that just works. It’s the perfect side for any meal, and the best part? It’s ready in no time and always a hit!
Get the Recipe: Carrot Raisin Salad
Sweet Potato Puffs
These Sweet Potato Puffs are sure to be a hit! Crispy on the outside, soft and sweet on the inside—what’s not to love? They’re the perfect snack or side dish for any meal. Plus, they’re super easy to make and disappear fast!
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Puffs
Mexican Macaroni Salad
Sick of the same old salads? Try Grandma’s Mexican Macaroni Salad! It’s creamy, packed with flavor, and super easy to make. Your family will be going for seconds, and it goes great with pretty much anything! Plus, it’s a simple way to mix things up without any extra effort.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Macaroni Salad
Stuffed Baked Potatoes
Whip up some loaded baked potatoes for the coziest side dish! Creamy potatoes, melty cheese, and super easy to make—you’ll be chilling in no time. Perfect for pairing with all any main dish!
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Baked Potatoes
Layered Salad
This layered salad is a total crowd favorite! It’s got crunchy lettuce, fresh veggies, crispy bacon, and a creamy dressing that make it super tasty. It’s filling enough to be a meal and so easy to make. Plus, it’s always the first thing to disappear at dinner!
Get the Recipe: Layered Salad
Orange Rice
Hey citrus lovers! This easy oven-baked orange rice is a total crowd-pleaser—perfect for any dinner. It’s super tender, packed with bright orange flavor, and goes great with pretty much anything on the table. Everyone will be asking for the recipe!
Get the Recipe: Orange Rice
Almond, cranberry and sweet potato stuffing casserole
This almond, cranberry, and sweet potato stuffing with a berry granola topping is the ultimate sweet and salty combo. It’s the kind of side dish that’ll totally steal the spotlight, and that crunchy granola on top? So good—everyone will be asking for the recipe!
Get the Recipe: Almond, cranberry and sweet potato stuffing casserole
Cowboy Caviar
Impress your friends with some Cowboy Caviar! This tasty mix of beans and veggies is perfect for dipping with chips, tossing in a salad, or just grabbing a spoon and digging right in. It’s simple, fresh, and everyone will love it. Trust me, it won’t last long!
Get the Recipe: Cowboy Caviar
Surprise Potatoes
Looking for a new favorite? Grandma’s Surprise Potatoes are a total crowd-pleaser! Cheesy, creamy, and seriously delicious—everyone will be going back for seconds. Plus, they’re super easy to whip up and always disappear fast!
Get the Recipe: Surprise Potatoes
Green Beans Almondine with Bacon
Want something quick that still feels fancy? Give our Green Beans Almondine a try! With crispy bacon, creamy almonds, and fresh green beans, it’s so easy and full of flavor. Perfect for dinner when you want a little something extra!
Get the Recipe: Green Beans Almondine with Bacon
Grape Salad
Who needs fancy dishes when you’ve got this creamy grape salad? It’s super easy, super tasty, and perfect for just about any occasion. Once you try it, you’ll be hooked and want it on the table all the time. Plus, it’s always a crowd-pleaser! Seriously, everyone will ask for the recipe.
Get the Recipe: Grape Salad
Brocolli Salad with Bacon
This Broccoli Salad with Bacon is a tasty, low-carb, keto-friendly, and gluten-free dish. It combines crunchy broccoli, crispy bacon, and a creamy dressing, with cheese and nuts adding extra flavor and crunch. It’s super easy to whip up in about 15 minutes, making it a perfect side for any meal.
Get the Recipe: Brocolli Salad with Bacon
Cauliflower Risotto with Mushrooms
This Cauliflower Risotto with Mushrooms is a super simple, one-pot meal that’s ready in 30 minutes! It’s creamy, tasty, and packed with nutrients—perfect for busy weeknights. Plus, it’s a sneaky way to get in some veggies without anyone noticing!
Get the Recipe: Cauliflower Risotto with Mushrooms
Orange Fluff Salad
This orange fluff is super light and totally melts in your mouth. It tastes just like an orange creamsicle, but without the mess—so you can enjoy all the flavor, no cleanup required! Perfect for any time you want a sweet, refreshing treat.
Get the Recipe: Orange Fluff Salad
Pineapple Rice
This pineapple rice is super sweet, spicy, and packed with tropical flavor, plus just the right savory kick. It’s naturally gluten-free and vegan, so it works for pretty much any crowd. Serve it as a side or enjoy it on its own for a tasty, light meal!
Get the Recipe: Pineapple Rice
Slow Cooker Boston Baked Beans
Dig into some classic Boston Baked Beans, slow-cooked to perfection. With a perfect mix of savory and sweet, they make the ultimate comfort food. Whether as a side or the main event, this dish is sure to hit the spot!
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Boston Baked Beans
Easy Chinese Chives Recipe: Stir Fry With Eggs
This Chinese chives recipe is super simple to make and packed with garlicky goodness. The soft, fluffy texture makes it perfect for a quick meal, and it’s one of those dishes you can whip up when you’re craving something tasty but don’t have much time. Plus, it’s so easy, you’ll find yourself making it again and again.
Get the Recipe: Easy Chinese Chives Recipe: Stir Fry With Eggs
Green Bean Tomato Salad
Green bean tomato salad is a super fresh and tasty side dish you can enjoy all year long. It’s easy to whip up and full of healthy ingredients that’ll have you feeling awesome. Plus, it’s the perfect dish to bring to any get-together!
Get the Recipe: Green Bean Tomato Salad
Low Carb Tabbouleh Salad
This easy, refreshing Lebanese Low Carb Tabbouleh Salad is ready in just 10 minutes, making it a perfect healthy addition to your day. It’s a twist on the classic Mediterranean tabouli—gluten-free, grain-free, low carb, vegetarian, and diabetic-friendly with hemp seeds instead of bulgur wheat.
Get the Recipe: Low Carb Tabbouleh Salad