17 easy sides that taste better than Grandma’s cooking

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We’re diving into a world of flavorful simplicity, offering sides that not only bring a touch of modern flair to your table but also surpass the nostalgic charm of Grandma’s classic recipes. Whether you’re a busy home cook or just looking to add a delicious twist to your meals, these easy sides promise a delightful journey where convenience meets unmatched taste, making every dinner feel like a heartwarming celebration of good food and great memories.

Aloo gobi masala in skillet with naan bread.
Aloo Gobi Masala. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes

Sweet Potato Casserole with Canned Yams

A skillet with a sweet potato casserole in it.
Sweet Potato Casserole with Canned Yams. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Immerse yourself in the savory sweetness of this heavenly sweet potato casserole featuring canned yams. The irresistible taste and simplicity make it an excellent choice for easy sides that surpass even Grandma’s cooking, adding a flavorful twist to complete your dinner plate.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Casserole with Canned Yams

Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts

Roasted Brussels sprouts on a white plate.
Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Revolutionize your Brussels sprouts game with the perfect air fryer roast, achieving crispy and delicious results effortlessly. Bid farewell to soggy sprouts and embrace the delight of perfectly crisp bites—a superb addition to your dinner plate that outshines Grandma’s cooking with ease.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts

Aloo Gobi Masala

Aloo gobi masala in skillet with naan bread.
Aloo Gobi Masala. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Elevate your dinner plate with the delectable twist of aloo gobi masala, featuring a delightful combination of potatoes, cauliflower, and spices in a flavorful curry-style sauce. This easy and satisfying side dish is a fantastic choice that brings a touch of homemade goodness to rival even Grandma’s cooking.
Get the Recipe: Aloo Gobi Masala

Ratatouille

A blue Bowl of Vegan Ratatouille.
Ratatouille. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Embark on a culinary journey with vegan ratatouille, a flavorful French dish blending zucchini and eggplant. This unique and satisfying side dish adds a touch of sophistication, making it an excellent choice for easy sides that exceed Grandma’s cooking, completing your dinner plate with a burst of happiness.
Get the Recipe: Ratatouille

Zucchini Bruschetta

Zucchini bruschetta on parchment paper.
Zucchini Bruschetta. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Explore a unique and delightful appetizer with this zucchini bruschetta recipe, adding flair to your gatherings and making it a perfect choice for easy sides that surpass Grandma’s cooking. This dish brings a delectable twist to traditional bruschetta, completing your dinner plate with a burst of happiness and flavor.
Get the Recipe: Zucchini Bruschetta

Cheesy Loaded Twice Baked Potatoes

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

Indulge in the simplicity and richness of cheesy loaded twice-baked potatoes—an easy and delicious side dish that effortlessly completes your dinner plate with just a few simple ingredients. A practical choice for easy sides that outshine Grandma’s cooking, providing a delightful addition to your meal with minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Loaded Twice Baked Potatoes

Southern Fried Cabbage with Bacon

Cabbage and bacon in white serving bowl.
Southern Fried Cabbage with Bacon. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Satisfy your cravings with classic Southern fried cabbage with bacon—an incredibly flavorful side dish that’s easy to make. This recipe is a comforting and savory addition to complete your dinner plate, offering the taste of tradition that rivals even Grandma’s cooking.
Get the Recipe: Southern Fried Cabbage with Bacon

Green Bean Tomato Salad

Green beans and tomatoes on a white plate.
Green Bean Tomato Salad. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Fresh and flavorful, the green bean tomato salad is a summer-perfect side dish that pleases your taste buds and contributes healthy ingredients. This quick and easy preparation ensures a delightful addition to your dinner plate, surpassing Grandma’s cooking with a burst of happiness and wholesome goodness.
Get the Recipe: Green Bean Tomato Salad

Air Fryer Home Fries

Air-fried potato cubes with diced green bell peppers on plate.
Air Fryer Home Fries. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Enjoy deliciously crispy air fryer home fries, a healthier alternative to traditional fried potatoes. Quick to prepare without sacrificing flavor, these home fries are the perfect side dish that completes your dinner plate with a touch of homemade goodness surpassing even Grandma’s cooking.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Home Fries

Vegan Mexican Rice

Mexican rice in small oval serving dish with spoon.
Vegan Mexican Rice. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Whip up an easy and delicious side dish in no time with vegan Mexican rice, adding a burst of flavor to complete your dinner plate with minimal effort. This recipe is a practical choice for easy sides that bring happiness, rivaling even Grandma’s cooking with its delightful taste and simplicity.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Mexican Rice

Bacon Wrapped Air Fryer Cabbage

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

Try the delicious combination of sweet and salty flavors with bacon-wrapped air fryer cabbage wedges. A delightful addition to complete your dinner plate, this recipe offers a unique twist on traditional cabbage, surpassing even Grandma’s cooking in both taste and innovation.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Wrapped Air Fryer Cabbage

Green Bean Casserole

Two bowls of green bean casserole on a cutting board.
Green Bean Casserole. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

This easy green bean casserole, perfectly sized for two, offers a taste of tradition without leftovers. A quick and delicious side dish that completes your dinner plate with the comforting flavors of a classic, surpassing even Grandma’s cooking with its practicality and homely goodness.
Get the Recipe: Green Bean Casserole

Roasted Cabbage Steaks

Roasted cabbage steaks on a platter.
Roasted Cabbage Steaks. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Warm and comforting, these roasted cabbage steaks are sure to become a favorite side dish. Topped with tasty seasonings, this simple yet flavorful recipe effortlessly completes your dinner plate with a healthy and satisfying option that rivals even Grandma’s cooking in both taste and wholesome goodness.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Cabbage Steaks

Maple Glazed Carrots in Air Fryer

Air fried glazed carrots in a white bowl next to a checkered tablecloth.
Maple Glazed Carrots in Air Fryer. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Indulge in the delectable flavor of maple-glazed carrots made in the air fryer. With a touch of caramelization, these carrots add a hint of sweetness to your meals, making them a perfect completion to your dinner plate and surpassing Grandma’s cooking with their delightful taste and modern cooking technique.
Get the Recipe: Maple Glazed Carrots in Air Fryer

Green Beans with Garlic Butter

Green beans with pine nuts on a plate.
Green Beans with Garlic Butter. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Elevate your veggie game with green beans drenched in flavorful garlic butter. Quick to prepare and seasoned to perfection, this side dish effortlessly adds a burst of flavor to your dinner plate without any fuss, surpassing even Grandma’s cooking with its simplicity and homely goodness.
Get the Recipe: Green Beans with Garlic Butter

Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes with Cheese

Cheesy smashed potatoes on a plate next to Christmas decor.
Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes with Cheese. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Indulge in the crunch and creamy goodness of air fryer smashed potatoes topped with melted cheese. A delicious side dish that’s easy to prepare, this recipe adds a delightful touch to make your dinner plate complete, surpassing even Grandma’s cooking with its irresistible taste and modern cooking convenience.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes with Cheese

Easy Scalloped Potatoes

Small baking dish with scalloped potatoes.
Easy Scalloped Potatoes. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Perfect for a cozy dinner for two, these easy scalloped potatoes are a simple and delicious side dish that guarantees to be a hit. With minimal effort and maximum taste, it’s an ideal addition to round out your dinner plate, surpassing even Grandma’s cooking with its practicality and homely goodness.
Get the Recipe: Easy Scalloped Potatoes

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