A great meal isn’t just about the main dish. The right side can steal the show and turn an ordinary dinner into something special. These 23 side dishes do more than fill the plate—they bring big flavors, rich textures, and just the right balance to any meal. Whether you’re looking for something creamy, crispy, or packed with fresh ingredients, these dishes prove that sides deserve just as much attention as the main course.
Smoked Brie Potato Gratin. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.
Bacon Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Bring bold flavors to the table with crispy bacon and perfectly roasted Brussels sprouts. The smoky crunch of bacon balances the caramelized sweetness of the sprouts, creating a side that’s packed with flavor in every bite. This is one of those side dishes that’s too good to be called an extra.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Baked Kale Chips
Swap out boring sides for something light, crispy, and packed with flavor. These baked kale chips roast to perfection, giving them a satisfying crunch while keeping things simple and delicious. They’re a fun and easy way to add greens to your plate without feeling like you’re eating a salad.
Get the Recipe: Baked Kale Chips
Sweet Potato Fries
Shake up your side dish routine with crispy sweet potato fries that bring both flavor and texture. Their natural sweetness pairs with a golden, crunchy exterior to create a side that works with everything from burgers to grilled chicken. These fries are a crowd-pleaser that makes any meal more exciting.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Fries
Challah Bread
Fill your kitchen with the rich aroma of freshly baked challah bread that’s soft, fluffy, and perfect for any meal. The golden crust gives way to a light, airy texture that’s just right for dipping, spreading, or enjoying on its own. Whether served alongside dinner or toasted for breakfast, this bread is always a good idea.
Get the Recipe: Challah Bread
Corn Casserole
Give your meal a rich and creamy upgrade with this cheesy corn casserole that’s packed with comforting flavors. Sweet corn, crispy bacon, and a velvety sauce come together for a side that’s both hearty and satisfying. This is the kind of dish that keeps everyone coming back for more.
Get the Recipe: Corn Casserole
Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Pine Nuts
Add a touch of elegance to dinner with roasted Brussels sprouts tossed with toasted pine nuts and parmesan. Crispy edges, nutty flavors, and a savory finish make this a side that pairs well with just about anything. Simple yet full of flavor, this dish proves that Brussels sprouts deserve a place on every table.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Pine Nuts
Grilled Baby Bok Choy
Fire up the grill for a quick and flavorful side that brings smoky, charred goodness to the plate. Tender baby bok choy caramelizes beautifully over the heat, adding depth to any meal without much effort. This is an easy way to switch up your usual vegetable sides with something fresh and exciting.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Baby Bok Choy
Smoked Brie Potato Gratin
Treat yourself to layers of rich, creamy potatoes baked with smoky brie cheese for the ultimate comfort side. Every bite is packed with bold flavors that make this dish both cozy and sophisticated. Whether for a special occasion or a casual dinner, this gratin always steals the spotlight.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Brie Potato Gratin
French Baguettes
Add the perfect crunch to any meal with a warm, golden French baguette fresh from the oven. Its crisp crust and soft, chewy inside make it an ideal match for soups, sandwiches, or simply enjoying with butter. This classic bread is a must-have side that disappears fast.
Get the Recipe: French Baguettes
Buttery Crescent Rolls
Make every meal feel special with flaky, buttery crescent rolls that melt in your mouth. Their rich flavor and soft texture make them perfect for dipping, spreading, or enjoying on their own. These rolls are a comforting side that pairs well with everything from salads to roasted meats.
Get the Recipe: Buttery Crescent Rolls
Ratatouille with an Italian Flair
Brighten up your plate with a colorful mix of zucchini, squash, and tomatoes in this flavorful ratatouille. Each bite is packed with fresh, bold flavors that complement pasta, roasted meats, or crusty bread. This is a vegetable-packed side that’s both delicious and beautiful.
Get the Recipe: Ratatouille with an Italian Flair
Brazilian Cheese Bread
Shake up your bread game with these crispy, cheesy Brazilian cheese breads that are impossible to resist. The golden exterior gives way to a soft, gooey center that adds just the right amount of richness to any meal. Whether served with soup, stew, or on their own, they bring something special to the table.
Get the Recipe: Brazilian Cheese Bread
Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes
Dig into layers of thinly sliced potatoes baked in a creamy, cheesy sauce for the ultimate comfort food side. The golden, bubbling top gives way to rich, melt-in-your-mouth goodness that pairs well with roasted meats or vegetables. This is one of those side dishes that always has people reaching for seconds.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes
Lemon Kale Salad
Brighten up dinner with a fresh lemon kale salad that packs a punch of flavor. The tangy dressing, crisp greens, and parmesan come together to create a light but satisfying side. It’s an easy way to add something fresh and zesty to the plate without much effort.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Kale Salad
Mashed Potatoes
Creamy, buttery, and smooth, these mashed potatoes are a side that never goes out of style. Their rich texture and comforting flavor make them the perfect match for almost any meal. Whether served plain or with gravy, they always belong on the table.
Get the Recipe: Mashed Potatoes
Oven Roasted Potatoes with Spinach and Garlic
Bring bold, savory flavors to dinner with crispy roasted potatoes mixed with tender spinach and garlic. The crispy edges and soft centers create the perfect balance of texture, while the garlic adds just the right amount of bite. This is a hearty and versatile side that works with just about any main dish.
Get the Recipe: Oven Roasted Potatoes with Spinach and Garlic
Cinnamon Apples
Add a touch of sweetness to your meal with tender cinnamon-spiced apples that bring warmth and flavor to the plate. Cooked until soft and rich with natural sugars, they’re a side that pairs well with breakfast, dinner, or dessert. Simple but packed with flavor, these apples always hit the spot.
Get the Recipe: Cinnamon Apples
Avocado Tomato Salad
Freshen up your plate with a bright and creamy avocado tomato salad that’s full of simple, delicious flavors. Juicy tomatoes and rich avocado come together with a light dressing for a side that’s both refreshing and satisfying. This is a go-to dish for adding something fresh and easy to any meal.
Get the Recipe: Avocado Tomato Salad
Spinach and Parmesan Quinoa
Pack in both flavor and protein with this simple yet satisfying spinach and parmesan quinoa. The nutty grains soak up the cheesy, savory flavors, making this a great side for any main course. Light yet filling, it’s an easy way to add something wholesome to the table.
Get the Recipe: Spinach and Parmesan Quinoa
Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad
Give Brussels sprouts a fresh and crunchy twist with this bright and tangy salad. Tossed in a flavorful dressing, this dish brings a crisp texture and bold flavors that pair well with grilled meats, seafood, or vegetarian mains. It’s a fun way to mix up your usual greens with something a little different.
Get the Recipe: Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad
Soft Pretzels
Bring something fun and homemade to the table with warm, golden soft pretzels that are impossible to resist. Their chewy inside and crispy outside make them the perfect side for dipping or enjoying on their own. Whether paired with mustard or served plain, these pretzels add a unique and satisfying touch to any meal.
Get the Recipe: Soft Pretzels
Grown-Up Mac and Cheese
Upgrade a classic favorite with this grown-up mac and cheese packed with crispy bacon and juicy tomatoes. The creamy, cheesy sauce and crispy baked topping make this dish rich, comforting, and full of flavor. It’s a fun twist on mac and cheese that turns any meal into something special.
Get the Recipe: Grown-Up Mac and Cheese
Buttery Dinner Rolls
Make any meal better with warm, soft, buttery dinner rolls that melt in your mouth. Their golden crust and pillowy inside make them perfect for soaking up sauces, spreading with butter, or enjoying on their own. These rolls are the kind of side that always disappears fast.
Get the Recipe: Buttery Dinner Rolls