A table full of hungry people needs side dishes that can hold their own beside the main course. These 21 recipes cover creamy potatoes, buttery breads, golden fritters, and vegetables that bring plenty of flavor to dinner. Some are quick enough for a busy evening, while others are worth making when there is more time to spend in the kitchen. Whether you’re serving a family meal or putting out extra dishes for guests, there are plenty of options for anyone coming back for another helping.
Irish Potatoes
Golden, lightly crisp edges and a soft potato center make Irish Potatoes an appealing addition to a hearty dinner. Grated and mashed potatoes are combined with flour and baking powder before cooking into small, filling portions. The recipe makes four servings and takes about 35 minutes, making it manageable on an ordinary evening. Set them beside roast chicken or a vegetable main, and bring out a little butter or sour cream for anyone who wants an extra topping.
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Marry Me Butter Beans
A creamy sauce with sun-dried tomato flavor gives Marry Me Butter Beans enough richness to share the plate with a simple main dish. Butter beans cook with shallots, garlic, tomato paste, and sun-dried tomatoes for a savory finish. The recipe makes four servings in about 30 minutes, so it fits an evening when dinner cannot take all night. Spoon the beans into a shallow bowl and serve with crusty bread to catch the sauce left behind.
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Conch Fritters
Crisp little bites with a savory seafood center make Conch Fritters a change from the usual potato and bread sides. Minced conch is mixed with chopped bell peppers, garlic, flour, and cornmeal before the fritters are cooked. The recipe makes 24 fritters in about 35 minutes, which gives everyone a chance to take a few. Arrange them on a platter with lemon wedges and a dipping sauce for a dinner where people are serving themselves.
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Honey Butter Skillet Corn
A glossy butter coating and tender kernels give Honey Butter Skillet Corn a sweet-savory finish that works beside everything from chicken to grilled vegetables. The corn cooks in a skillet with honey and butter, making it easy to serve straight from the pan once the rest of dinner is ready. Spoon it into a warm serving bowl and set out a large spoon for second helpings. The sweetness adds a welcome contrast when the main dish is salty or spicy.
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Buttery Southern Mashed Potatoes
Fluffy spoonfuls with a rich, buttery finish make Buttery Southern Mashed Potatoes the sort of side that leaves very little behind. Russet potatoes are cooked with garlic and onion, then combined with butter, half-and-half, and cream cheese for a smooth texture. The recipe makes eight servings in about 40 minutes, giving a larger table plenty to share. Add a little gravy at serving time, or let the potatoes stand beside a roast and soak up the juices.
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Zucchini Fritters
Golden edges and a tender vegetable center give Zucchini Fritters a welcome crunch next to a soft or saucy main dish. Shredded zucchini is mixed with panko, eggs, Parmesan, and mozzarella before being cooked in small portions. The recipe makes two servings in about 30 minutes, so double it if several people are coming to dinner. Put the fritters on a platter with a bowl of dip and let everyone take a few while they are still warm.
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French Dauphinoise Potatoes
Thin layers of potato baked until tender make French Dauphinoise Potatoes a rich side for a dinner that calls for something more substantial. Sliced potatoes are layered with cream, milk, garlic, Dijon mustard, and fresh herbs, creating a soft interior and a golden top. The recipe makes eight servings and takes about 65 minutes. Bring the baking dish to the table and let everyone scoop out a portion alongside roast meat or a hearty vegetable main.
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Copycat Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuits
A tender, cheesy center beneath a golden top makes Copycat Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuits hard to leave in the bread basket. The dough uses buttermilk, flour, cheddar, and garlic powder, with a buttery finish that suits the savory flavor. The recipe makes eight servings in about 30 minutes, so the biscuits can be baked while the main course finishes. Serve them warm beside soup or a saucy dinner, where they can pick up the last bit on the plate.
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Scalloped Potatoes
Soft potato slices tucked into a creamy cheese sauce give Scalloped Potatoes the kind of rich texture that earns a second spoonful. Potatoes are layered with a sauce made from butter, flour, milk, and sharp cheddar, then baked until tender. The recipe makes six servings and takes about 105 minutes, so it works well when dinner can be planned ahead. Place the baking dish beside the main course and let the top settle briefly before serving.
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Buttery Cheddar Biscuits
A golden crust that breaks open to reveal a soft crumb makes Buttery Cheddar Biscuits a welcome companion to a hearty dinner. Cheddar, cold butter, and fresh thyme give the dough a savory flavor, while buttermilk helps bring it together. The recipe makes 12 biscuits in about 30 minutes, enough to pass a full basket around the table. Serve them warm with soup, stew, or roasted vegetables, and put extra butter nearby for anyone who wants it.
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Vegetable Fritters
Little golden patties packed with vegetables make Vegetable Fritters a colorful addition when the dinner plate needs something crisp. Shredded zucchini, carrots, sweet corn, garlic, and flour come together in a batter that cooks in individual portions. The recipe makes six servings in about 25 minutes, leaving time to finish the main dish. Serve the fritters with a creamy dip or a squeeze of lemon, and make space for people to take another while they are warm.
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Charred Mexican Street Corn
Smoky, lightly charred kernels make Charred Mexican Street Corn a lively side next to grilled meats or a simple rice dish. Corn is finished with a creamy mixture of sour cream, mayonnaise, lime, and garlic, then topped with cotija, cilantro, and Tajín. The recipe takes about 30 minutes and brings both tang and spice to the plate. Set out extra napkins if serving the corn on the cob, and offer lime wedges for anyone who wants another squeeze.
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Sourdough Biscuits
Flaky layers and a slight sourdough tang make Sourdough Biscuits an easy way to bring homemade bread to the dinner table. Sourdough discard joins cold grated butter, flour, milk, and baking powder in a dough that bakes into tender biscuits. The recipe makes 12 biscuits in about 26 minutes, so it works even when the main course is already underway. Fill a basket while they are warm and serve them with butter, jam, or a bowl of soup.
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Twice Baked Potatoes
Crisp potato shells packed with a creamy, cheesy filling make Twice Baked Potatoes substantial enough to draw people back to the side-dish platter. Russet potatoes are baked, scooped, and mixed with butter, sour cream, mayonnaise, and cheddar before being filled again. The recipe makes eight servings and takes about 105 minutes. Set them beside steak or roasted vegetables, and add chopped green onions at serving time for a fresh finish.
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Creamed Spinach
A silky coating around tender greens makes Creamed Spinach a rich side that takes up little space on a crowded dinner plate. Fresh spinach cooks with butter, garlic, heavy cream, and Parmesan to create a smooth, savory sauce. The recipe makes six servings in about 13 minutes, making it useful when the rest of dinner needs most of your time. Serve it in a warm bowl beside roast chicken or potatoes and leave a spoon ready for another helping.
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Dinner Rolls
Soft pull-apart centers and lightly golden tops make Dinner Rolls worth passing around before the main course is finished. Milk, yeast, flour, egg, and butter form the dough, which needs rising time before the rolls can be baked. The recipe makes 12 servings and takes about 165 minutes, so plan the baking around the rest of dinner. Bring them to the table in a basket with butter, and save a few for soaking up sauce or gravy.
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Garlic Parmesan Smashed Potatoes
Crisp, craggy edges and tender middles give Garlic Parmesan Smashed Potatoes a different texture from ordinary roasted potatoes. Small red or yellow potatoes are cooked, flattened, and finished with butter, garlic powder, and Parmesan for a savory coating. The recipe makes six servings in about an hour, giving a family table plenty to share. Spread them on a serving platter rather than stacking them deeply, so everyone can reach a piece with those browned edges.
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Corn Fritters
Crisp little rounds with sweet kernels inside make Corn Fritters an appealing side when the rest of dinner is soft or saucy. Corn is folded into a batter of flour, milk, egg, baking powder, and chopped green onions before cooking. The recipe makes six servings in about 35 minutes, enough for a platter in the middle of the table. Serve them warm with a creamy dip, or place a few beside grilled chicken and a simple salad.
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Hasselback Potatoes
Fan-shaped slices with golden edges make Hasselback Potatoes a more decorative alternative to ordinary baked potatoes. Each potato is sliced almost all the way through, then brushed with olive oil, butter, and garlic as it cooks. The recipe makes six servings in about 75 minutes, making it a good choice for a dinner planned in advance. Bring them to the table whole and let everyone take one, with extra butter or sour cream available on the side.
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Southern Cornbread
A golden crust and a tender, slightly crumbly middle make Southern Cornbread a natural partner for a hearty bowl of chili or beans. Cornmeal, flour, butter, and buttermilk give the bread its familiar texture and savory richness. The recipe makes 16 servings in about 35 minutes, so there is plenty to cut into squares for the table. Serve the pieces warm with butter, or save an extra square for soaking up the sauce from dinner.
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Potatoes Au Gratin
Layers of tender potato beneath a bubbling cheese topping make Potatoes Au Gratin a rich centerpiece among the side dishes. Thinly sliced russet potatoes bake with heavy cream, onion, and Gruyère until the sauce thickens around them. The recipe makes eight servings and takes about 95 minutes, so allow enough time for the potatoes to become fully tender. Set the dish beside roast chicken or a simple vegetable main and let everyone scoop out a portion.
Get the Recipe: Potatoes Au Gratin