Sometimes the best part of a meal isn’t the main course but the sides that bring everything together. This list of 31 side dishes is packed with easy and tasty ideas that can turn a simple dinner into something worth remembering. These recipes are simple to make, full of flavor, and so good you’ll wonder why you didn’t try them before.
Mashed Potatoes. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.
French Baguettes
A crusty baguette with a soft and airy middle pairs easily with almost anything on the table, from meats to spreads. It can be sliced, torn, or left whole for everyone to serve themselves without fuss. This simple bread is a side dish that keeps people coming back for more because it works with every meal.
Get the Recipe: French Baguettes
Cinnamon Apples
Apples cook down until they are soft, sweet, and coated in warm cinnamon that gives every spoonful a comforting flavor. They are simple to serve warm or chilled, making them fit with breakfast, dinner, or dessert. This is one of those side dishes that disappear fast because people always ask for another serving.
Get the Recipe: Cinnamon Apples
Mediterranean Cucumber Tomato Salad
Grilling gives baby bok choy a smoky flavor on the outside while the inside stays tender with a slight crunch. It adds variety and texture to the plate without taking much effort. This is an easy side dish that often runs out before the main course is finished.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Cucumber Tomato Salad
Grilled Baby Bok Choy
Grilling gives baby bok choy a smoky flavor on the outside while the inside stays tender with a slight crunch. It adds variety and texture to the plate without taking much effort. This is an easy side dish that often runs out before the main course is finished.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Baby Bok Choy
Mashed Potatoes
Creamy mashed potatoes come out smooth, fluffy, and buttery, soaking up sauces and gravies with ease. The texture is rich yet comforting, making them a must-have next to any main dish. This side dish is always one of the first to be finished because people go back for more.
Get the Recipe: Mashed Potatoes
Grown-Up Mac and Cheese
A creamy cheese sauce with smoky bacon and juicy tomatoes makes each spoonful rich and hearty. A golden crust on top adds a layer of crunch that balances the soft pasta underneath. This is a side dish so good, you’ll wonder why you didn’t try it before.
Get the Recipe: Grown-Up Mac and Cheese
Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes
Thin potato slices bake in a creamy cheese sauce until bubbling under a crisp, golden top. Each bite is smooth and full of flavor, which makes this side dish impossible to resist. It is one of those recipes that always empties fast at the table.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes
Brazilian Cheese Bread
These small, round breads bake with a crisp outside and soft, cheesy inside that stretches perfectly when pulled apart. The flavor is rich and savory, making them fun to eat by hand and easy to share. This is a side dish that disappears quickly because people keep reaching for more.
Get the Recipe: Brazilian Cheese Bread
Ratatouille with an Italian Flair
Zucchini, squash, and tomatoes simmer with herbs until tender and filled with natural flavor. The texture is hearty but still light, which makes it simple to pair with almost any main dish. This is a tasty side dish that quickly becomes a favorite once it’s served.
Get the Recipe: Ratatouille with an Italian Flair
Sweet Potato Fries
Sweet potatoes roast until the edges crisp while the centers stay soft, creating a sweet and salty mix in every bite. A touch of seasoning makes them even more tempting and perfect for sharing. These fries are a side dish that never lasts long because they get eaten right away.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Fries
Dinner Roll Knots
Soft knots bake until golden, pulling apart with a warm, homemade feel that fits any table. They taste great plain, with butter, or alongside a main dish without stealing the show. This easy side dish empties fast because people always reach for another.
Get the Recipe: Dinner Roll Knots
Harvest Quinoa Salad
Roasted squash, tangy feta, and chewy cranberries mix with fluffy quinoa for a side that blends sweet and savory flavors. Each bite is full of texture yet light enough to enjoy with other plates. This is one of those side dishes that disappear quickly once the bowl is set out.
Get the Recipe: Harvest Quinoa Salad
Baked Kale Chips
Kale crisps up in the oven with just a little oil and salt, turning into a light and crunchy bite. They are quick to make and add texture that works well with many meals. This is a side dish that vanishes fast because everyone grabs a handful.
Get the Recipe: Baked Kale Chips
Oven Roasted Potatoes with Spinach and Garlic
Golden roasted potatoes mixed with spinach and garlic for a side full of flavor in every bite. The crispy outside and soft middle make them comforting without being heavy. This is a delicious side dish that people ask for seconds of right away.
Get the Recipe: Oven Roasted Potatoes with Spinach and Garlic
Crockpot Applesauce
Apples simmer slowly until they turn smooth, naturally sweet, and full of flavor without needing much work at all. A touch of cinnamon adds warmth and depth, making the taste rich without extra sugar. This is one of those classic side dishes that people scoop up quickly, and it always runs out fast once it’s served on the table.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Applesauce
Buttery Crescent Rolls
Crescent rolls bake soft, flaky, and golden with a buttery taste that pairs with nearly any dish. They are easy to serve and bring a comforting bite to the table. This is a classic side dish that disappears quickly because everyone wants another.
Get the Recipe: Buttery Crescent Rolls
Pulled Pork French Fry Nachos
Crispy fries get topped with pulled pork, melted cheese, and bold toppings that turn them into a rich side. Each bite mixes crunch, softness, and flavor in a way that feels fun at the table. This side dish is so good, it never lasts long once served.
Get the Recipe: Pulled Pork French Fry Nachos
Tomato Quinoa Salad
Juicy tomatoes and crunchy cucumbers mix with fluffy quinoa in a light, refreshing dressing. Every spoonful feels fresh while still being filling enough to pair with heavier dishes. This is one of those easy side dishes that people scoop up fast.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Quinoa Salad
Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad
Thin Brussels sprouts stay crisp when tossed in a simple dressing that highlights their nutty flavor. The texture makes this salad different from the usual greens without much effort. This side dish goes quickly because it adds variety to the table.
Get the Recipe: Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad
Bacon Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Brussels sprouts roast until tender with crisp, caramelized edges, then mix with smoky bacon for bold flavor. The salty crunch and natural sweetness make every bite satisfying. This is a side dish so good that it’s usually the first one gone.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Avocado Tomato Salad
Dig into this fresh and colorful salad loaded with creamy avocado and juicy tomatoes that shine in a light dressing. The smooth bite of avocado balances with the sweet tomatoes, making it cool and refreshing. Make a big bowl because it always gets emptied fast once people start serving themselves.
Get the Recipe: Avocado Tomato Salad
Lemon Kale Salad
Add some crunch to your table with this bright kale salad tossed with cucumbers, tomatoes, and lemon dressing. Fresh herbs bring a pop of flavor that makes every bite lively and crisp. Put it out and watch it vanish quickly because it stays crunchy and full of flavor.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Kale Salad
Soft Pretzels
Warm, golden pretzels come out soft in the middle with just the right chew, perfect for dipping or pulling apart. They are simple to bake and always fun to share when a crowd gathers. Set them out early because they usually disappear before the main dish even arrives.
Get the Recipe: Soft Pretzels
Corn Casserole
This creamy casserole mixes sweet corn, crispy bacon, and melted cheese into a dish that feels rich but not too heavy. Each bite is full of flavor and texture that pairs well with almost anything. Spoon it out fast because it is often the first pan to empty at the table.
Get the Recipe: Corn Casserole
Spinach and Parmesan Quinoa
Give dinner a boost with this quinoa dish loaded with spinach and plenty of parmesan for a rich, savory flavor in every bite. It tastes light but still feels filling, which makes it easy to pair with chicken, fish, or even a simple soup. Bring it to the table and expect it to be one of the first bowls gone because everyone will want a scoop.
Get the Recipe: Spinach and Parmesan Quinoa
Challah Bread
Soft and golden, this challah is slightly sweet and perfect for spreading with butter or jam. It feels homemade without being difficult to make, so it fits into any meal. Keep the basket full because slices disappear fast as everyone comes back for more.
Get the Recipe: Challah Bread
Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Pine Nuts
These Brussels sprouts roast until tender with crisp edges and are topped with crunchy toasted pine nuts. A touch of Parmesan brings everything together for a savory bite. Put it on the table, and it will vanish fast because it is always a crowd favorite.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Pine Nuts
Buttery Dinner Rolls
These rolls bake golden on the outside and soft in the center, giving a rich buttery flavor with every bite. They pair with anything from soups to roasts and fit on any table. Keep a basket close by because everyone grabs seconds before the meal is done.
Get the Recipe: Buttery Dinner Rolls
Smoked Brie Potato Gratin
Thin potato slices bake in creamy sauce with melted smoked brie for rich, comforting flavor. The top browns beautifully while the inside stays tender and smooth. Serve it hot and watch it go fast because everyone wants a spoonful right away.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Brie Potato Gratin
Scallion Pancakes
These scallion pancakes fry up golden and crisp outside while staying soft and chewy inside. The onion flavor blends with the dough for a tasty side that matches many mains. Serve them fresh and warm because they always disappear in minutes.
Get the Recipe: Scallion Pancakes
Festive Mexican Rice Salad
This rice salad mixes beans, corn, and a tangy dressing into a colorful side full of flavor. Each scoop is hearty and textured, making it a fun dish next to other plates. Set it out and expect it to be one of the first bowls finished.
Get the Recipe: Festive Mexican Rice Salad