Sides often get the short end of the stick, but let’s be honest — most main dishes are totally overrated anyway. Like, who needs a big hunk of meat when you can have a plate full of perfectly seasoned, mouthwatering sides? Enter: 16 side dishes that are so great, they’ll make you wonder why you ever bothered with anything else. Honestly, even your main course might start feeling a bit insecure.
Loaded Zucchini Boats
Loaded Zucchini Boats are the key to a no-stress, impressive side that’s as fun to make as it is to eat. Scoop out some zucchini, stuff them with crispy bacon and finely shredded cheddar cheese, bake, and boom — you’ve got a dish bursting with flavor, all in just 30 minutes. Top with a dollop of sour cream and some chives for that final touch. It’s the perfect pick for adding more veggies to your life without boring your taste buds to tears.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Zucchini Boats
Halloumi Fries
If you’ve never tried Halloumi Fries, you’re in for a treat because these aren’t your ordinary fries. Slices of halloumi cheese are seasoned with smoked paprika and garlic and then baked until they have just the right amount of crispiness. Ready in just 25 minutes, they deliver all the satisfaction of a great fry but with a cheesy version bound to get people talking. They’re melty, flavorful, and delicious on their own and go well with any dipping sauce.
Get the Recipe: Halloumi Fries
Buttery Whole Roasted Cauliflower
Buttery Whole Roasted Cauliflower might just be the easiest way to get everyone at the table excited about a vegetable. This dish involves simmering a whole cauliflower head in chicken stock until tender, then roasting it with butter, Parmesan and thyme. The result? A crispy, golden exterior with a melt-in-your-mouth center. It’s a straightforward dish that feels a bit fancy without hassle. Perfect for those evenings when you want to appear a bit gourmet but can’t deal with actually being gourmet.
Get the Recipe: Buttery Whole Roasted Cauliflower
Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms
Forget what you thought about sides — Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms are here to steal the show. This dish pairs the earthy flavor of mushrooms with the heartiness of sausage, all rounded off with the creamy richness of cheese. It’s a symphony of flavors baked into one little cap. And really, when these come out of the oven, who’s even looking at the main dish anymore? They’re a great conversation starter, perfect for when you want to impress without the stress.
Get the Recipe: Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms
Twice Baked Potato Casserole
Twice Baked Potato Casserole takes everything good about a baked potato and doubles it. First, you bake the potatoes, mash and combine them with all the best fixings — crispy bacon, heaps of cheese, milk, and sour cream — and bake them twice until everything’s golden and bubbly. It’s comfort food that fills the belly and will topple any main dish on its pedestal.
Get the Recipe: Twice Baked Potato Casserole
Parmesan Crusted Potatoes
Parmesan Crusted Potatoes is absolutely where it’s at. These potatoes are tossed with garlic and bread crumbs, then topped with Parmesan before being baked to crispy perfection. Ready in less than an hour, these potatoes are a solid go-to for any meal needing a sidekick with a bit of flair. Plus, they save the day when you’re trying to impress but don’t actually want to work too hard in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Parmesan Crusted Potatoes
Creamy Dill Cucumber Onion Salad
Creamy Dill Cucumber Onion Salad is an easy side dish that’s even easier to love. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s packed with crisp cucumbers and sharp red onions, all tossed in a cool, creamy dressing that’s seasoned with fresh dill and pepper. This salad epitomizes not bothering with a hot stove or complex recipes — just mix everything, and you’re set. This one’s so good, you might just forget about the main dish.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Dill Cucumber Onion Salad
Fresh Corn Salad
Fresh Corn Salad is your new go-to when you need something light but still flavorful. You’ll start by dicing or chopping up cherry tomatoes, red bell pepper, English cucumber, red onion, and basil before boiling the corn and then cutting the kernels off the cob. Then, you’ll mix everything together with a simple lime dressing. For extra flavor and texture, add chopped cilantro, diced avocado, and crumbled feta cheese or cotija cheese. Once everything is combined, you’ll chill the salad in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes, and then you’re all set to serve. Ready in 40 minutes, you’ll wonder why you ever bothered with anything more complicated.
Get the Recipe: Fresh Corn Salad
Baked Tomatoes with Parmesan and Mozzarella Cheese
Baked Tomatoes with Parmesan and Mozzarella Cheese is another simple yet surprisingly delicious side dish. Ready in 25 minutes, it features juicy Roma tomatoes topped with a gooey layer of Parmesan and mozzarella, baked and finished with fresh basil. It’s the kind of dish that makes you feel like a kitchen genius without actually needing to be one. Perfect for those evenings when you want to impress but not invest hours in cooking.
Get the Recipe: Baked Tomatoes with Parmesan and Mozzarella Cheese
Cauliflower Risotto with Mushrooms
You don’t always need rice to make a risotto. Cauliflower Risotto with Mushrooms is here to challenge the norm. This dish is all about keeping things light without skimping on flavor. It features mushrooms and cauliflower simmered in a creamy sauce for a new take on the traditional risotto. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s perfect for a lazy night in, especially when you want to feel fancy without doing the legwork. Plus, it keeps things light, so you can enjoy your night without the carb aftermath.
Get the Recipe: Cauliflower Risotto with Mushrooms
Baked Sliced Zucchini
Spending hours in the kitchen is overrated, and this Baked Sliced Zucchini shows you can do better with less. Seasoned with Parmesan and Italian spices, these zucchini slices crisp up perfectly in the oven and can be served in just 20 minutes. It’s the perfect dish for adding a bit of class and sass to your meal without any of the hassle. Serve it up and watch it disappear — it’s that good.
Get the Recipe: Baked Sliced Zucchini
Golden Baked Jicama Fries
Golden Baked Jicama Fries are the underdog of side dishes. Made from jicama, which is sliced, boiled, and seasoned before being baked, these fries are a fun and lighter take on the classic. They come out of the oven crispy and golden, perfect for those who want something different from the usual potato routine. Plus, they’re a great conversation starter — how many of your friends have tried jicama fries? Less common? Sure. Less delicious? Definitely not.
Get the Recipe: Golden Baked Jicama Fries
Roasted Cubed Butternut Squash with Cauliflower and Bacon
If you think sides are just fillers, let Roasted Cubed Butternut Squash with Cauliflower and Bacon change your mind. This combo brings the sweet, nutty flavors of squash and the rustic charm of cauliflower together, with bacon adding a punch of saltiness and depth. Roasted to perfection, these veggies develop a deep caramelized exterior that’s hard to resist. It’s easy to make, cooks by itself in the oven, and is ready in about 45 minutes. Perfect for those who need a solid dish without babysitting the stove.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Cubed Butternut Squash with Cauliflower and Bacon
Creamy Broccoli with Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Creamy Broccoli with Sun-Dried Tomatoes is not your average side dish. Broccoli and sun-dried tomatoes are cooked in a creamy, cheesy sauce that could almost make you forget there’s a main dish. Ready in just 25 minutes, this side is a savior on busy weeknights. It’s the kind of dish that brings everyone to the table and keeps them happy and satisfied. After all, why spend hours cooking when you can whip up something this good in less time than it takes to watch your favorite TV show’s episode?
Get the Recipe: Creamy Broccoli with Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Fried Cabbage with Bacon
Fried Cabbage with Bacon is where it’s at if you want flavor without the effort. Combining sweet onions, bacon, and cabbage, this dish is ready in just 25 minutes and is a game-changer for your dinner routine. It’s the ultimate “looks like I tried hard but really didn’t” kind of side, perfect for those evenings when you’re too tired to attempt anything more. Plus, cleaning up is easy, which means more time to kick back and relax after dinner.
Get the Recipe: Fried Cabbage with Bacon
Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice
Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice is the kind of side that sneaks into your weekly meal rotation and steals the show. It’s made by pulsing cauliflower into rice-sized bits, then sautéing it with a mix of fresh onions and jalapeño. Top it off with a splash of lime, and have a light, refreshing dish at your table. And let’s be honest, who doesn’t want to feel a bit better about their veggie intake without sacrificing taste?
Get the Recipe: Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice