Got guests on the way and not sure what to serve? Side dishes can make any meal feel complete, and the right ones keep everyone coming back for seconds. The best part is that these recipes are easy to make, so you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying the company. These 19 easy and tasty side recipes are simple to put together and perfect for any get-together, big or small.
Lemon Kale Salad. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.
Avocado Tomato Salad
Creamy avocado and juicy tomatoes come together with a light dressing that lets every flavor shine. The mix is fresh, colorful, and adds a cool, smooth bite that balances other dishes on the table. Keep a big bowl out and don’t be surprised if everyone returns for seconds.
Get the Recipe: Avocado Tomato Salad
Bacon Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Brussels sprouts roast until tender inside with edges browned and crispy, then get tossed with smoky bacon bits for extra flavor. The salty crunch and natural sweetness combine in every bite to make them irresistible. Put them on the table once, and they will disappear fast.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Grilled Baby Bok Choy
Grilling gives baby bok choy a smoky flavor on the outside while keeping the middle tender with a light crunch. It adds color and texture to the plate without taking much time or effort. Stack a few spears on the tray and you’ll wish you had made double.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Baby Bok Choy
Sweet Potato Fries
Sweet potatoes bake until the edges are crisp and the centers stay soft, offering a sweet and salty contrast with every bite. A sprinkle of seasoning makes them even more irresistible for sharing. Keep extras handy because these always go fast.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Fries
Grown-Up Mac and Cheese
Creamy cheese sauce, smoky bacon, and juicy tomatoes come together in every spoonful for a rich, comforting dish. A golden, crisp topping adds just enough crunch to balance the smoothness underneath. Serve it at any gathering and someone will ask for the recipe.
Get the Recipe: Grown-Up Mac and Cheese
Tomato Quinoa Salad
Fluffy quinoa mixes with ripe tomatoes and crunchy cucumbers, all tied together with a light, flavorful dressing. Each bite is clean and refreshing without feeling heavy or soggy. Make a big bowl because it always disappears quickly at the table.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Quinoa Salad
Lemon Kale Salad
Crisp kale tossed with cucumbers, tomatoes, and a tangy lemon dressing keeps the leaves bright and crunchy. Herbs add extra flavor that makes each forkful lively and satisfying. This salad holds up well and stays tasty even if it sits out a bit.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Kale Salad
Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes
Thinly sliced potatoes bake in a rich cheese sauce until tender and bubbling under a crisp, golden top. Every spoonful is smooth, savory, and full of flavor that lingers on the plate. Expect the dish to be empty before anyone even finishes the first serving.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes
Soft Pretzels
Golden pretzels come out soft and chewy in the center, perfect for tearing, dipping, or eating on their own. They’re simple to make and fun to share around the table. Put a batch out and watch them disappear before the main dish even arrives.
Get the Recipe: Soft Pretzels
Mashed Potatoes
Fluffy mashed potatoes are rich, buttery, and perfect for soaking up sauces or gravies. The texture is smooth and comforting, making them a must-have for any meal. Make a generous bowl because everyone will want a second helping.
Get the Recipe: Mashed Potatoes
Brazilian Cheese Bread
These little rounds bake with crisp outsides and soft, cheesy centers that stretch just right when pulled apart. They’re full of flavor and fun to grab by the handful. Have a basket ready because they never stay on the plate for long.
Get the Recipe: Brazilian Cheese Bread
Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Pine Nuts
Roasted Brussels sprouts come out tender with golden, crispy edges, then get topped with toasted pine nuts for extra crunch. A sprinkle of Parmesan adds a savory finish that brings all the flavors together. Bring this dish to any table and it will be one of the first to disappear.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Pine Nuts
Baked Kale Chips
Kale becomes light, crispy, and flavorful with just a touch of oil and salt, turning it into a snack everyone can enjoy. They are easy to make and a hit with both kids and adults. Put a tray out and watch them vanish before the main course is served.
Get the Recipe: Baked Kale Chips
Mediterranean Cucumber Tomato Salad
Soft, golden challah has a lightly sweet flavor that makes it perfect for tearing apart and spreading with butter. It looks homemade without needing much work and pairs well with nearly any dish. Watch the basket empty fast once the first slice is gone.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Cucumber Tomato Salad
Challah Bread
Soft, golden challah has a lightly sweet flavor that makes it perfect for tearing apart and spreading with butter. It looks homemade without needing much work and pairs well with nearly any dish. Watch the basket empty fast once the first slice is gone.
Get the Recipe: Challah Bread
Harvest Quinoa Salad
Roasted squash, salty feta, and chewy dried cranberries mix with fluffy quinoa for a sweet, savory, and hearty combination. Each spoonful is full of texture and flavor without much effort. The first serving is good, but the second helping is what everyone really comes back for.
Get the Recipe: Harvest Quinoa Salad
Crockpot Applesauce
Apples cook down in the slow cooker until they are completely smooth, naturally sweet, and full of rich, comforting flavor. A touch of cinnamon adds gentle warmth that complements the apples without needing any extra sugar. This easy dish comes together with almost no effort, and a large batch is a good idea because it disappears fast once people start scooping from the bowl.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Applesauce
French Baguettes
A crusty baguette with a soft, airy middle pairs well with nearly anything on the table. It can be sliced, torn, or left whole so everyone can help themselves. The combination of a crisp outside and tender inside makes it the kind of bread that people keep coming back to.
Get the Recipe: French Baguettes
Buttery Crescent Rolls
Crescent rolls bake soft, flaky, and buttery, giving every bite a rich, comforting flavor. They pair well with everything from soups to roasted meats and take little effort to prepare. Serve a basket at the table and watch them disappear quickly before the main dish even arrives.
Get the Recipe: Buttery Crescent Rolls