Wave goodbye to mundane meals and embrace the extraordinary with side dishes that are too good to stay on the side. These 17 crafty creations are all set to make a leap into the limelight, offering up flavors and textures that you just can’t get from the usual mains. It’s not just about eating differently; it’s about experiencing meals in a whole new way.
Egg Casserole – Make Ahead Breakfast
Wake up to the savory flavors of this make-ahead breakfast that’s not just your average morning fare. Loaded with eggs, your choice of veggies, and plenty of cheese, it’s hearty enough to keep you going all morning long. The convenience of prepping the night before makes mornings a breeze, ensuring a delicious start to any day.
Get the Recipe: Egg Casserole – Make Ahead Breakfast
Scalloped Potatoes
Imagine layers of thinly sliced potatoes, smothered in a creamy sauce and baked until golden brown. Scalloped Potatoes are that indulgent side dish that’s so rich, it easily takes center stage on your dinner table. Each bite melds the comforting taste of potatoes with a velvety texture, making it hard to stop at just one serving.
Get the Recipe: Scalloped Potatoes
Yellow Lentil Dal
Bringing a touch of Indian cuisine to your kitchen, this dish combines yellow lentils with aromatic spices for a comforting bowl of goodness. It’s so full of flavor and nutrition, you’ll want to make it the main star of your meal. Plus, it’s a versatile dish that pairs wonderfully with rice or naan, satisfying hunger in the most delightful way.
Get the Recipe: Yellow Lentil Dal
Wild Rice Casserole
This isn’t just any rice dish; it’s a hearty casserole that combines wild rice, mushrooms, and a creamy sauce under a crispy topping. It’s so satisfying and full of earthy flavors, it demands to be more than just a side. Perfect for those looking for a comforting meal, it brings warmth and richness to every forkful.
Get the Recipe: Wild Rice Casserole
Baked Sweet Potato
Baked to perfection, these sweet potatoes are a simple, nutritious base ready to be loaded with your favorite toppings. Whether it’s a dollop of sour cream, a sprinkle of cinnamon, or even a heap of pulled pork, they transform into a meal that’s both wholesome and hearty. They’re so versatile and filling, you’ll forget you ever thought of them as just a side dish.
Get the Recipe: Baked Sweet Potato
Cheesy Zucchini Casserole
Dive into layers of sliced zucchini, rich cheese, and herbs baked until bubbly and golden. This casserole is a light yet decadent way to enjoy your vegetables, making it a dish that easily stands alone. It’s so good, it’ll have you rethinking the role of zucchini in your meals.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Zucchini Casserole
Crispy Smashed Potatoes
With their crispy edges and fluffy centers, these potatoes are a revelation. Perfectly seasoned and roasted until golden, they’re a side dish that often steals the show. Whether served alongside a main or enjoyed on their own with a dip, they’re undeniably moreish and satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Smashed Potatoes
Refried Beans
This staple of Mexican cuisine is so much more than a side. Creamy, rich, and packed with flavor, they’re a base that complements a variety of dishes or shines on its own with a side of tortilla chips. Once you’ve had homemade, you’ll see just how versatile and delicious refried beans can be.
Get the Recipe: Refried Beans
Baked Potato
The classic Baked Potato is a blank canvas for an array of toppings, transforming it from a simple side to a hearty meal. Whether loaded with chili and cheese or broccoli and a dollop of Greek yogurt, it’s a satisfying dish that caters to all tastes. It’s proof that sometimes the simplest dishes can be the most satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Baked Potato
Air Fryer Glazed Carrots
These aren’t your ordinary carrots. Glazed to perfection with a hint of sweetness, they come out of the air fryer with a caramelized exterior that’s hard to resist. They’re so delicious and easy to make, you’ll want them as a main course, not just a side.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Glazed Carrots
Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole
Imagine cauliflower transformed into a creamy, cheesy casserole that’s so good, you forget all about meat. This dish is a testament to how satisfying vegetables can be when given the spotlight. It’s a crowd-pleaser that’s bound to become a favorite, proving that cauliflower can indeed be the star of the show.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole
Stuffed Peppers
Filled to the brim with a mixture of grains, proteins, and spices, these peppers are a meal in themselves. They’re colorful, nutritious, and bursting with flavors that meld together inside a tender bell pepper. It’s a dish that’s as pleasing to the eye as it is to the palate, proving that sides can be just as exciting as the main event.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Peppers
Crispy Portobello Mushroom Fries
These aren’t your typical fries; they’re Portobello mushrooms sliced and coated in a crispy batter, fried to perfection. Served with your favorite dipping sauce, they’re a side that could easily take center stage at any meal. They offer a meaty texture and rich flavor that even meat lovers will appreciate.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Portobello Mushroom Fries
7 Layer Salad
Packed with layers of veggies, cheese, and a creamy dressing, this salad is a colorful addition to any table. It’s more than just a side; it’s a full-on feast for the senses that’s both nutritious and satisfying. This salad challenges the notion that greens are just an accompaniment, proving they can be the highlight of the meal.
Get the Recipe: 7 Layer Salad
Asparagus Casserole
Tender asparagus, creamy sauce, and a crispy topping come together in this dish that’s too good to sideline. It’s a celebration of spring flavors baked into a casserole that could easily command the dinner table. This Asparagus Casserole is a delicious way to enjoy a vegetable that’s often relegated to the side.
Get the Recipe: Asparagus Casserole
Cauliflower Steaks
Thick slices of cauliflower roasted until tender and served with a flavorful sauce turn this vegetable into a hearty main dish. Cauliflower Steaks are a testament to the versatility and satisfaction that can come from plant-based dishes. They’re so rich and flavorful, you won’t miss the meat.
Get the Recipe: Cauliflower Steaks
Minestrone Soup
Packed with vegetables, beans, and pasta, this Minestrone Soup is a robust and hearty dish that serves as a meal in a bowl. It’s a comforting, nourishing option perfect for any day of the week. With its rich broth and variety of ingredients, it’s a soup that eats like a main and leaves everyone feeling satisfied.
Get the Recipe: Minestrone Soup