These 15 side recipes are so great, they don’t just complement your meal; they completely steal the show. Picture this: you’ve put together the perfect dinner, but all anyone can talk about is the side dish. So, if you’re ready to give your mains a run for their money, make these recipes that promise to be more than just an afterthought on your plate.
Parmesan Crusted Potatoes
These Parmesan Crusted Potatoes are about to steal the show. Picture them coming out of the oven with a golden crust and a soft, fluffy inside. They’re coasted with a mix of garlic powder, bread crumbs, and Parmesan, and you can add a little lemon zest or a sprinkle of red pepper if you’re feeling adventurous. These potatoes are great for anyone who wants to make a side that’s just as memorable as the main dish without spending all day in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Parmesan Crusted Potatoes
Baked Sliced Zucchini
Baked Sliced Zucchini is the side that’ll make you forget about fries. It’s quick, taking just 20 minutes, and it’s super simple. You season these zucchini slices with Parmesan and Italian spices, bake them until they’re crispy on the outside but still tender inside, and finish with a sprinkle of cheese. This dish is a great pick for anyone trying to eat more veggies but still looking for something that’s full of flavor. It’s just as good for a weeknight dinner as it is for a dinner party.
Get the Recipe: Baked Sliced Zucchini
Halloumi Fries
Halloumi Fries are the side dish you didn’t know you needed, but once you try them, they’ll be the highlight of the meal. They’re simple: slice the halloumi, coat it, and bake it until golden. Quick to prep and great to eat, these fries are always a favorite.
Get the Recipe: Halloumi Fries
Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice
This Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice is a game changer. It’s a fresh and light side that’s going to make your main dish jealous. You just blitz some cauliflower in a food processor, cook it with onions and jalapeño for a bit of a kick, and add lime to finish it off. It’s a great choice for anyone who’s after something a bit different. Plus, it’s perfect for stuffing in tacos or serving next to whatever you’ve got cooking.
Get the Recipe: Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice
Creamy Dill Cucumber Onion Salad
Creamy Dill Cucumber Onion Salad is the refreshing side you need to complement any main dish. This salad features fresh cucumbers and red onions tossed in a light and creamy dill dressing made from sour cream, mayonnaise, and fresh dill. It’s crisp, light, refreshing, and ready to eat after just 30 minutes of chilling. This salad is a lifesaver on hot days or when you need something light yet filling to balance out a rich, heavy meal. It’s also great for meal prep, staying fresh and delicious for days.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Dill Cucumber Onion Salad
Golden Baked Jicama Fries
Golden-baked jicama Fries are an innovative side dish that’s sure to become a new favorite. These fries take just over an hour to make, most of which is hands-off baking time. Simply peel Jicama, slice, boil to soften, season with avocado oil, turmeric, and garlic powder to taste, and bake until perfectly crispy. These fries are perfect for anyone looking to introduce a healthier option into their diet without sacrificing flavor. They’re a fun, low-stress way to enjoy a healthier side that still feels decadent.
Get the Recipe: Golden Baked Jicama Fries
Twice Baked Potato Casserole
This casserole is always a favorite of everyone who tries it. Packed with potatoes, bacon, and cheese. Simple to make, it’s a great choice for a standout side. Just bake, mash, mix, and bake again until it’s golden and bubbly. Perfect for those who love a hearty addition to their meal.
Get the Recipe: Twice Baked Potato Casserole
Baked Tomatoes with Parmesan and Mozzarella Cheese
These Baked Tomatoes with Parmesan and Mozzarella are about to upstage everything else on the table. We’re talking ripe tomatoes topped with heaps of cheese, popping them in the oven until everything’s melted and bubbly, and then giving them a quick broil for that perfect golden touch. They’re ready in 25 minutes flat. With some fresh basil and Italian seasoning mixed in, you’ve got a side that’s just as bold and colorful as it is delicious.
Get the Recipe: Baked Tomatoes with Parmesan and Mozzarella Cheese
Buttery Whole Roasted Cauliflower
This Buttery Whole Roasted Cauliflower is going to be the new go-to at your dinner table. It’s not complicated: simmer the cauliflower, roast it with butter, Parmesan, and thyme, and then give it a quick broil to get that perfect crispiness. It’s ready in 30 minutes and doesn’t take much work, but it comes out looking and tasting incredible. This side is perfect when you’ve got a fancy main dish but don’t want to spend all day in the kitchen. It’s all about big flavor with little hassle.
Get the Recipe: Buttery Whole Roasted Cauliflower
Fried Cabbage with Bacon
Fried Cabbage with Bacon is the side that’ll have everyone asking for seconds. It’s simple: cabbage and bacon fried up until they’re just right. You can add a little vinegar or your favorite spices to make it even better. It’s ready in 25 minutes, making it a great choice for when you need something fast but still want to pack in the flavor. It’s a hearty addition to any meal that’s sure to be a hit.
Get the Recipe: Fried Cabbage with Bacon
Loaded Zucchini Boats
Loaded Zucchini Boats are here to turn your side dish game on its head. We’re loading up zucchini with bacon and cheese, baking them until they’re just right, and topping them off with a dab of sour cream. They’re the perfect mix of fresh and indulgent. Plus, they’re a great way to sneak more veggies onto your plate without skimping on flavor. These boats are more than just a side; they’re the kind of dish that could steal the spotlight from any main course.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Zucchini Boats
Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms
Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms are about to become your favorite side. They’re easy to make, just fill those mushroom caps with a mix of sausage, cream cheese, breadcrumbs, and a bit of garlic, then pop them in the oven. In less than an hour, you’ve got a side that’s packed with flavor and looks like you’ve worked way harder than you did. These are perfect for when you want a side that’s a little bit fancy but still quick to put together. They’re sure to get people talking and might just outshine the main dish.
Get the Recipe: Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms
Roasted Cubed Butternut Squash with Cauliflower and Bacon
Here comes a side that’s going to turn heads: Roasted Cubed Butternut Squash with Cauliflower and Bacon. This dish is all about the roast, getting those veggies perfectly tender and a little bit caramelized. Throw in some bacon for that extra kick, and you’ve got a side that’s hearty and delicious. It’s simple to get it all together on a baking sheet, toss it with a homemade dressing, and let the oven do the work. It’s a great match for pretty much any main dish and is sure to grab the spotlight at your table.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Cubed Butternut Squash with Cauliflower and Bacon
Cauliflower Risotto with Mushrooms
This Cauliflower Risotto with Mushrooms is going to grab all the attention at your dinner table. It’s a lighter version of the classic, made with cauliflower rice and packed with mushrooms. Throw in some Parmesan and a splash of cream, and you’ve got a side that’s creamy and full of flavor. It’s ready in just half an hour, which is great for a busy night when you want something that feels a bit fancy without all the carbs.
Get the Recipe: Cauliflower Risotto with Mushrooms
Creamy Broccoli with Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Creamy Broccoli with Sun-Dried Tomatoes is the side dish that’s going to make you look like a pro. Broccoli and sun-dried tomatoes come together with a creamy sauce that’s ready in no time. It’s the perfect side for when you’re in a rush but still want something that tastes like you spent all day on it. In just about 25 minutes, you’ve got a side that’s as good to look at as it is to eat, and it might just outshine the main course.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Broccoli with Sun-Dried Tomatoes