Show-stopping sides can turn any meal into something special, making the main dish feel more like a bonus. These recipes aren’t just there to fill the plate; they bring something extra to the table. Whether you’re serving up a roast or a simple weeknight dinner, these sides will step up and shine.
Honey Butter Skillet Cornbread
With a buttery crust and a hint of honey, this skillet cornbread is ready in 35 minutes. It’s an easy, memorable side that works for family dinners, holiday spreads, or even casual meals. Quick to make but packed with flavor, it’s a reliable option for any table.
Get the Recipe: Honey Butter Skillet Cornbread
Buttery Whole Roasted Cauliflower
Buttery Whole Roasted Cauliflower is a great option for a hearty, flavorful side that doesn’t need a lot of prep. Roasting the whole cauliflower with butter, chicken stock, Parmesan, and thyme brings out deep flavors. This dish is ready in 30 minutes, perfect for when you want something substantial without feeling overwhelmed by a complicated recipe. It’s also filling enough to easily take center stage at the table, leaving the main dish feeling like an afterthought. Simple, full of flavor, and easy to make.
Get the Recipe: Buttery Whole Roasted Cauliflower
Creamy Dill Cucumber Onion Salad
Creamy Dill Cucumber Onion Salad is a side dish that’s perfect when you need something light and refreshing. It comes together quickly, using crisp cucumbers, sharp onions, and a creamy dill dressing. In 30 minutes, you’ve got a fresh, crunchy salad that feels just right on hot days or when you need something easy. It’s also simple enough that you don’t have to worry about complicated steps. This dish brings a cool, fresh flavor to the table; it might steal the spotlight from the main course.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Dill Cucumber Onion Salad
Cheesy Garlic Pull Apart Bread
Ready in just 30 minutes, this bread is a side that might steal the show from your main dish. Perfect for gatherings or pasta night, it’s made by slicing a loaf, brushing it with garlic butter, and stuffing it with mozzarella and Parmesan. Baked until crisp on the outside and gooey on the inside, it’s a pull-apart crowd-pleaser.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Garlic Pull Apart Bread
Jiffy Corn Casserole
This casserole is simple to prepare with pantry staples and always makes an impression. A mix of whole corn, creamed corn, and Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix creates a spoonable texture with just the right amount of sweetness. Whisk, combine, and bake for about 40–50 minutes for a golden top and creamy center. Perfect for holidays or whenever you need a comforting side.
Get the Recipe: Jiffy Corn Casserole
Cheddar and Chive Mashed Potatoes
Rich and creamy, these mashed potatoes are ready in 30 minutes, making them great for weeknights or special occasions. Boil and mash the potatoes, mix in butter and milk, then fold in sharp cheddar and fresh chives. Simple to prepare but full of flavor, they’re a versatile side that can hold its own at the table.
Get the Recipe: Cheddar and Chive Mashed Potatoes
Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice
Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice is a side full of flavor and ready in just 20 minutes. With cauliflower, onions, jalapeños, and a touch of lime, this dish brings a bright, tangy feel to your meal without much time or effort. It’s perfect for busy evenings when you want something quick but still filling. The cauliflower keeps it light, while the lime adds a fresh kick that pairs well with anything. If you’re looking for a healthy and flavorful side, this option could easily outshine the main dish.
Get the Recipe: Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice
Parmesan Crusted Potatoes
Parmesan Crusted Potatoes are crispy, cheesy, and sure to become a favorite at the table. With garlic, herbs, and Parmesan giving them a crunchy outside and a soft inside, these potatoes are ready in under an hour and pair well with just about anything. They’re great for a filling side that’s simple to make but still feels special. These potatoes are hearty enough to stand on their own, making the main course less of a focus. This is a perfect choice if you’re looking for something easy that everyone will love.
Get the Recipe: Parmesan Crusted Potatoes
Baked Tomatoes with Parmesan and Mozzarella Cheese
Baked Tomatoes with Parmesan and Mozzarella Cheese are a great choice when you want a quick, comforting side packed with flavor. Ready in 25 minutes, this dish uses fresh tomatoes topped with mozzarella and Parmesan, baked until the cheese is golden and bubbling. It’s a simple side that brings a lot to the table, with the rich flavors of melted cheese complementing the fresh tomatoes. This side is so good it might just be the star of the meal, leaving the main dish in the background.
Get the Recipe: Baked Tomatoes with Parmesan and Mozzarella Cheese
Tuna Macaroni Salad
Tuna Macaroni Salad is a filling and reliable side that comes together in about 40 minutes. Made with elbow macaroni, tuna, and hard-boiled eggs in a creamy dressing, it’s perfect for busy days when you need something simple and filling. You can put this salad together without any stress with easy ingredients and minimal effort. It’s hearty enough that you might not even need a main dish, making it a great option when you want to keep things low-key.
Get the Recipe: Tuna Macaroni Salad
Golden Baked Jicama Fries
Golden Baked Jicama Fries are a great way to bring something different to the table that can easily steal attention from the main dish. These fries are light but still give you that delicious crunch. All it takes is slicing jicama, boiling it to soften, then tossing it with avocado oil, turmeric, and garlic powder. They come out crispy and golden after about 40 minutes in the oven. This side is easy enough for any weeknight. Still, it’s also perfect for gatherings when you want something special without much effort.
Get the Recipe: Golden Baked Jicama Fries
Halloumi Fries
Halloumi Fries are a side that will stand out, even when paired with something big. Halloumi doesn’t melt like other cheeses, so you get a crisp outside with a chewy center. With just a little spice and about 15 minutes in the oven, these fries are ready to serve. They’re perfect for those days when you need something quick but still want it to feel special. Great for casual dinners or when you have guests, these fries are filling enough to be the star if you’re not in the mood for a big main dish.
Get the Recipe: Halloumi Fries
Twice Baked Potato Casserole
Twice Baked Potato Casserole is a comforting side that’s rich, creamy, and flavorful. It’s packed with potatoes, bacon, sour cream, butter, and cheese, making it a perfect option for something hearty and filling. The casserole bakes in under an hour and can easily feed a group; it makes great leftovers. You can prepare it ahead of time, which is helpful when you need to focus on other parts of your meal. Its comforting flavors could easily take over as the meal’s star.
Get the Recipe: Twice Baked Potato Casserole
Baked Sliced Zucchini
Baked Sliced Zucchini is a quick, light side perfect for those busy nights when you need something easy but still flavorful. The zucchini slices crisp up in just 10 minutes in the oven with a simple sprinkle of Parmesan and herbs. It’s fresh and light, making it a great option when you don’t want something heavy. This side is perfect for keeping things simple without sacrificing taste. It works well with various meals, and the quick cooking time is perfect for weeknights when you’re short on time.
Get the Recipe: Baked Sliced Zucchini
Loaded Zucchini Boats
Loaded Zucchini Boats are a great choice when you want a side that’s filling and easy to make. The zucchini is stuffed with bacon, cheese, and sour cream, giving it a hearty, comforting flavor. This dish is ready in under an hour, so it’s perfect for busy nights when you need something quick but still homemade. The zucchini stays tender, and the toppings are hearty enough to even skip the main dish if you want. It’s a simple way to bring a little more fun and flavor to your table.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Zucchini Boats
Roasted Cubed Butternut Squash with Cauliflower and Bacon
Roasted Cubed Butternut Squash with Cauliflower and Bacon is a comforting dish that’s packed with flavor. The sweet squash, roasted cauliflower, and crispy bacon come together perfectly, with garlic and Dijon mustard adding just the right touch. It’s a side that’s easy to make, with most of the time spent roasting in the oven, which means you can take care of other things while it cooks. Great for nights when you want something filling and flavorful. It’s the kind of side that can easily outshine the main dish.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Cubed Butternut Squash with Cauliflower and Bacon
Cauliflower Risotto with Mushrooms
Cauliflower Risotto with Mushrooms is a great way to enjoy a creamy, comforting dish without feeling weighed down. Using cauliflower instead of rice gives you a light yet hearty dish that’s still full of flavor. The mushrooms add a deep, earthy taste, while the Parmesan brings it all together. Ready in just 30 minutes, this dish is perfect for when you need something quick that still feels special. Whether you serve it with a main or on its own, this risotto will make any meal feel a bit more complete and comforting.
Get the Recipe: Cauliflower Risotto with Mushrooms
Fried Cabbage with Bacon
Fried Cabbage with Bacon is a simple, quick side that’s big on flavor. The cabbage stays light, while the bacon adds a nice richness. It’s ready in just 25 minutes, so it’s perfect for those nights when you need something easy but still want to put a homemade dish on the table. Whether you serve it alongside a main dish or let it take center stage, this dish is a great way to add vegetables to your meal without any extra hassle. Perfect for when you want something filling but don’t have much time to cook.
Get the Recipe: Fried Cabbage with Bacon
Creamy Broccoli with Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Creamy Broccoli with Sun-Dried Tomatoes is a side that feels special but is really easy to make. In just 25 minutes, you’ve got tender broccoli coated in a creamy sauce, with sun-dried tomatoes adding a burst of flavor. It’s a perfect side for when you want something a little more interesting than your usual veggies but don’t have much time. Either way, it’s a side that will leave everyone happy and satisfied.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Broccoli with Sun-Dried Tomatoes