15 Sides So Good You’ll Forget About the Main Dish (And They’re a Breeze To Make!)

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15 Sides So Good You’ll Forget About the Main Dish (And They’re a Breeze To Make!)

These 15 side dishes are so good, they just might overshadow the main event. They’re not only great, they’re also super easy to whip up. Perfect for those who want to add some pizzazz to their meal without spending hours in the kitchen, these sides are about to become your go-to favorites.

Cucumber salad in a bowl with a wooden spoon.
Creamy Dill Cucumber Onion Salad. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Parmesan Crusted Potatoes

A plate of parmesan crusted potatoes with a sauce on top.
Parmesan Crusted Potatoes. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

These Parmesan Crusted Potatoes will steal the spotlight from any main dish. They have a golden crust and a soft, fluffy inside. Coated with garlic powder, bread crumbs, and Parmesan, they are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. You can add lemon zest or red pepper for extra flavor. Perfect for making a memorable side without spending all day in the kitchen. These potatoes are filling enough to skip dinner entirely. Plus, they are easy to make and ready in under an hour, so they are great for busy nights.
Get the Recipe: Parmesan Crusted Potatoes

Baked Tomatoes with Parmesan and Mozzarella Cheese

Baked tomatoes with Parmesan and mozzarella cheese garnished with parsley.
Baked Tomatoes with Parmesan and Mozzarella Cheese. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

These Baked Tomatoes with Parmesan and Mozzarella are here to upstage everything else on your table. You start with ripe tomatoes, top them with Parmesan and Mozzarella cheese, and bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly. It only takes 25 minutes, making it a quick and easy side dish that packs a punch. The added Italian seasoning and fresh basil give it a bold and fresh flavor. It’s the perfect side for any meal and can be so filling you might not need anything else. This dish is colorful and full of flavor.
Get the Recipe: Baked Tomatoes with Parmesan and Mozzarella Cheese

Baked Sliced Zucchini

Baked sliced zucchini with parmesan on a white plate.
Baked Sliced Zucchini. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Baked Sliced Zucchini will make you forget about fries. Ready in 20 minutes, these zucchini slices are seasoned with Parmesan and Italian spices, baked until crispy outside and tender inside, and finished with more cheese. They are perfect for anyone wanting flavorful veggies without spending much time cooking. This side dish is great for weeknight dinners or dinner parties. It is light yet filling enough that you might skip the main course. Easy to make and packed with flavor, they are a great way to eat more veggies.
Get the Recipe: Baked Sliced Zucchini

Halloumi Fries

Halloumi fries with dill dip on a plate.
Halloumi Fries. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Halloumi Fries are the side dish you didn’t know you needed. Slice the halloumi, coat, and bake until golden. These fries are quick to prep and always a hit, becoming the highlight of your meal. They are crispy on the outside and gooey on the inside, perfect for feeding that fry craving without the worries. Great for any occasion, they are a fun way to change up your usual side dishes. Filling and full of flavor, you might find yourself skipping dinner and just enjoying these fries.
Get the Recipe: Halloumi Fries

Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice

A bowl of cilantro lime cauliflower rice.
Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice is a fresh, light side that will make your main dish jealous. Blitz cauliflower in a food processor, cook with onions and jalapeño for a kick, and finish with lime. This side is great for anyone wanting something different from the usual rice or potatoes. It is light yet filling enough to be a meal on its own. Perfect for stuffing in tacos or serving with any meal, this dish is ready in about 20 minutes. It is an easy way to add more veggies to your diet without much effort.
Get the Recipe: Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice

Buttery Whole Roasted Cauliflower

Buttery whole roasted cauliflower on a baking sheet.
Buttery Whole Roasted Cauliflower. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

The Buttery Whole Roasted Cauliflower will be the new go-to side dish that always steals the spotlight at your dinner table. You simply simmer the cauliflower, then roast it with butter, Parmesan, and thyme. Finish it off with a quick broil to get that perfect crispiness. This side is ready in just 30 minutes and requires minimal effort, but it comes out tasting incredible. It’s perfect for when you have a fancy main dish but don’t want to spend all day in the kitchen. This flavorful and hearty side can fill you up enough to skip dinner.
Get the Recipe: Buttery Whole Roasted Cauliflower

Twice Baked Potato Casserole

Twice baked potato casserole with bacon and green onions.
Twice Baked Potato Casserole. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Twice Baked Potato Casserole always steals the spotlight with its rich flavors and hearty texture. It’s packed with potatoes, bacon, and cheese. To make it, you just bake the potatoes, mash them up, mix in the bacon and cheese, and bake again until everything is golden and bubbly. It’s perfect for those who love a hearty side that can fill you up enough to skip dinner. With its creamy and cheesy goodness, this casserole is a crowd-pleaser every time.
Get the Recipe: Twice Baked Potato Casserole

Creamy Dill Cucumber Onion Salad

A bowl of creamy cucumber salad with fresh dill and red onion, being lifted with a wooden spoon.
Creamy Dill Cucumber Onion Salad. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Creamy Dill Cucumber Onion Salad is the refreshing side that will outdo any main dish. Fresh cucumbers and red onions are tossed in a light, creamy dill dressing. Crisp and ready in 30 minutes, this salad is great on hot days or when you need something light to balance a rich meal. It is also perfect for meal prep, staying fresh and delicious for days. This salad is light yet filling enough that you can skip the main course. It is a great way to add a refreshing and easy side to any meal.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Dill Cucumber Onion Salad

Golden Baked Jicama Fries

Jicama fries on a plate with parsley.
Golden Baked Jicama Fries. Photo credit: Plays Well With Butter.

Golden Baked Jicama Fries is a new favorite side. These fries take just over an hour to make, mostly hands-off baking time. Peel, slice, boil to soften, season with avocado oil, turmeric, and garlic powder, and bake until crispy. These fries are perfect for anyone looking for a healthier option that still feels decadent. They are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Filling and full of flavor, these fries might make you forget about dinner entirely.
Get the Recipe: Golden Baked Jicama Fries

Fried Cabbage with Bacon

A pan full of bacon and cabbage with a wooden spoon.
Fried Cabbage with Bacon. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Fried Cabbage with Bacon is the side dish that’ll have everyone asking for seconds. It’s simple to make with just cabbage and bacon coming together until they’re perfectly cooked. You can add a little apple cider vinegar or your favorite spices to give it an extra kick. It’s ready in only 25 minutes, making it a great choice for when you need something fast but still want to pack in great flavor. This hearty and flavorful side can be filling enough to skip the main course. It’s a hit at any meal and always steals the spotlight.
Get the Recipe: Fried Cabbage with Bacon

Loaded Zucchini Boats

Three loaded zucchini boats on a plate.
Loaded Zucchini Boats. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Loaded Zucchini Boats will turn your side dish game around and steal the spotlight. You take zucchini, load them up with bacon and cheese, and bake until they’re perfectly cooked. Finish with a dollop of sour cream for a fresh yet indulgent touch. These boats are a great way to get more veggies on your plate without skimping on flavor. They’re easy to make and ready in just 30 minutes. This filling side can easily stand alone, making you forget about the main course. Loaded Zucchini Boats are perfect for adding variety to any meal.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Zucchini Boats

Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms

Stuffed mushrooms on a serving tray.
Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms are great for stealing the spotlight. Fill mushroom caps with sausage, cream cheese, breadcrumbs, and garlic then bake them. In under an hour, you get a flavorful side that looks impressive but is easy to make. These mushrooms add a touch of fancy to your meal without much effort and will get people talking. Perfect for busy nights, this dish is hearty enough that you might skip dinner entirely. They’re the side that can make your meal feel complete and special.
Get the Recipe: Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms

Roasted Cubed Butternut Squash with Cauliflower and Bacon

Roasted butternut squash with cauliflower and bacon and dollops of sour cream with a spoon.
Roasted Cubed Butternut Squash with Cauliflower and Bacon. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Roasted Cubed Butternut Squash with Cauliflower and Bacon is perfect for outshining any main dish. Roast these veggies until tender and caramelized, then add bacon for an extra kick. It’s simple to prepare on a baking sheet with a homemade dressing and let the oven do the work. This hearty side pairs well with almost any main dish and grabs attention at your table. It’s filling enough to make dinner optional and will make your meal memorable. You’ll love how easy and delicious it is.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Cubed Butternut Squash with Cauliflower and Bacon

Cauliflower Risotto with Mushrooms

Cauliflower risotto in a pan.
Cauliflower Risotto with Mushrooms. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Cauliflower Risotto with Mushrooms will grab all the attention at your dinner table. Made with cauliflower rice and mushrooms, this lighter version of the classic is creamy and full of flavor with Parmesan and a splash of cream. It’s ready in just half an hour, perfect for a busy night when you want something a bit fancy without the carbs. This dish is hearty enough to fill you up, so you might skip the main course. It’s a side that’s as good as the main dish.
Get the Recipe: Cauliflower Risotto with Mushrooms

Creamy Broccoli with Sun-Dried Tomatoes

A pan of creamy broccoli with sun-dried tomatoes with a wooden spoon.
Creamy Broccoli with Sun-Dried Tomatoes. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Creamy Broccoli with Sun-Dried Tomatoes makes you look like a pro and can outshine the main course. Broccoli and sun-dried tomatoes come together in a creamy sauce that’s ready in no time. In about 25 minutes, you’ve got a side that’s great to look at and eat and tastes like you spent all day making it. It’s so filling and flavorful that you might not even need a main dish. This side is perfect for those who want a quick and delicious meal.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Broccoli with Sun-Dried Tomatoes

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