Let’s talk about taking your menu to the next level with some standout side dishes. These 21 options aren’t just your average sides; they’re about bringing something extra to the table. They fit in with a variety of main dishes, making them ideal for any meal. Whether it’s a casual dinner or a fancy gathering, these sides are sure to impress.
Dauphinoise Potatoes
Imagine layers of thinly sliced potatoes, each layer embraced with cream and cheese, baked to a tender perfection. This dish isn’t just a side; it’s a conversation starter. Imagine the aroma wafting from the kitchen, promising something luxurious. Dauphinoise Potatoes are the side dish that could easily steal the spotlight from the main course.
Get the Recipe: Dauphinoise Potatoes
Egg Casserole – Make Ahead Breakfast
Imagine waking up to a casserole that’s ready to pop in the oven. Filled with eggs, cheese, and veggies, it’s a make-ahead wonder that saves you time and impresses your guests. It’s the kind of dish that says, ‘I thought of everything, so you can relax and enjoy’.
Get the Recipe: Egg Casserole – Make Ahead Breakfast
Sweet Potato Cubes
Think of sweet potatoes, but not as you know them. These cubes are roasted to bring out their natural sweetness, then seasoned to add that perfect savory edge. They’re so simple, yet so surprisingly full of flavor. These are the kind of side dishes that make your guests ask for the recipe.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Cubes
7 Layer Salad
Seven layers of color, texture, and flavor, all in one salad. It’s a visual feast as much as it is a culinary one. With lettuce, veggies, cheese, and bacon, all topped with a creamy dressing, it’s a salad that’s anything but ordinary. It’s the salad that gets talked about long after the meal is over.
Get the Recipe: 7 Layer Salad
Hashbrown Casserole
This isn’t just any casserole. It’s a delightful medley of shredded potatoes, a rich creamy mixture, and a generous sprinkle of cheese, all baked to a golden hue. It’s comfort food that elevates any meal to a feast. This casserole, my friend, is what breakfast dreams are made of.
Get the Recipe: Hashbrown Casserole
Green Bean Casserole
A classic that never fails. Green beans, mushroom soup, and crispy onions come together to create a dish that’s synonymous with comfort. It’s the casserole that brings back memories and creates new ones.
Get the Recipe: Green Bean Casserole
Hash Browns
Imagine the perfect hash browns: crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and seasoned to perfection. They’re not just a breakfast side; they’re the side that can accompany almost any meal, adding that much-needed crunch. They’re the unsung heroes of the side dish world.
Get the Recipe: Hash Browns
Balsamic Brussels Sprouts
Brussels sprouts reinvented. Roasted and glazed with balsamic, they transform into a dish with just the right balance of sweet and tart. It’s a modern take on a classic that can turn even the most skeptical into Brussels sprout believers.
Get the Recipe: Balsamic Brussels Sprouts
Scalloped Potatoes
Picture this: slices of potatoes bathed in a creamy sauce, each bite melting in your mouth. Scalloped potatoes bring a touch of elegance to your table. They’re rich, they’re indulgent, and they’re the kind of side that makes your guests feel like they’re dining in style.
Get the Recipe: Scalloped Potatoes
Air Fryer Glazed Carrots
These aren’t just carrots; they’re little sticks of joy. Glazed and cooked to perfection in an air fryer, they’re tender, sweet, and savory. They’re the side dish that makes people say, ‘I didn’t know I loved carrots until now’.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Glazed Carrots
Sweet Potato Fries
Sweet potato fries bring a sweet and savory flair to the classic fry. Whether baked or fried, they’re a crowd favorite, especially when paired with your favorite dipping sauces. They’re the side that makes guests say, ‘I’ll have just one more’ again and again.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Fries
Sweet Potato Fritters
Think of these as the fun cousin of traditional potato dishes. Grated sweet potatoes, fried to a perfect crisp, these fritters are a delightful mix of sweet and savory. They’re the side dish that adds a playful twist to your table.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Fritters
French Bread
Freshly baked French bread is more than just a side; it’s an experience. With its crispy crust and soft, fluffy interior, it’s perfect for mopping up sauces or just enjoying with a bit of butter. It’s the simple yet essential addition that completes any meal.
Get the Recipe: French Bread
Potato Casserole
This is the casserole that turns an ordinary meal into a feast. Layers of potatoes, cheese, and creamy sauce come together in a hearty, comforting dish. It’s the kind of side that fills your home with warmth and your guests with happiness.
Get the Recipe: Potato Casserole
Baked Sweet Potato
Baked sweet potatoes are a canvas for flavor. Soft, sweet, and versatile, they can be dressed up with a variety of toppings to suit any taste. They’re the side dish that lets you get creative and lets your guests customize their experience.
Get the Recipe: Baked Sweet Potato
Stuffed Peppers
Stuffed peppers are a feast for the eyes as much as for the palate. Filled with a savory mix of rice, meat, and spices, they’re nutritious, flavorful, and sure to impress. They’re the side that can easily take center stage.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Peppers
Baked Potato
A baked potato is the ultimate comfort food. Fluffy inside with a crispy skin, it’s a blank canvas for a myriad of toppings. It’s the simple, customizable side that everyone loves.
Get the Recipe: Baked Potato
Cheesy Zucchini Casserole
This casserole takes zucchini to a whole new level. Combined with cheese and a creamy sauce, it’s baked until bubbly and delicious. It’s a great way to sneak in some veggies while giving your guests something to rave about.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Zucchini Casserole
Refried Beans
Refried beans are the heart of any Mexican cuisine-inspired meal. Creamy, rich, and packed with flavor, they complement a variety of dishes. They’re the side that brings comfort and a touch of authenticity to your table.
Get the Recipe: Refried Beans
Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole
Cauliflower in a cheesy sauce is a revelation. It’s a low-carb alternative to traditional casseroles, but with all the comfort and flavor. It’s the side dish for those who want to indulge without the guilt.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole
Crispy Shallots
Crispy shallots are the finishing touch that elevates any dish. They add a crunch and a burst of flavor, making them an elegant addition to salads or as a standalone garnish. They’re the little detail that makes a big impression.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Shallots