Side dishes can make or break a meal, and the right ones bring flavor, color, and texture to the table. These 35 tasty side dishes are easy to make and pair well with just about any main course. From fresh salads to warm, comforting bites, each one adds something special that will have everyone reaching for seconds.
Smoked Brie Potato Gratin. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.
Brazilian Cheese Bread
These little rounds bake until the outside is crisp and the inside is soft and cheesy, stretching perfectly when pulled apart. The rich, savory flavor makes them fun to eat by hand and easy to share with everyone at the table. Place a basket out and watch them disappear quickly because people keep reaching for more.
Get the Recipe: Brazilian Cheese Bread
Harvest Quinoa Salad
Roasted squash, salty feta, and chewy dried cranberries combine with fluffy quinoa to create a sweet and savory mix that is full of texture. Each bite is packed with flavor and feels satisfying without being heavy. Set a bowl out, and it will be one of the first dishes to get scooped up again and again.
Get the Recipe: Harvest Quinoa Salad
Dinner Roll Knots
Soft, golden knots bake until they pull apart easily, giving a warm, homemade feel to the meal. They taste great on their own, with butter, or alongside any main dish you serve. Keep a basket on the table and it will empty fast as everyone grabs second and third servings.
Get the Recipe: Dinner Roll Knots
Soft Pretzels
Golden pretzels come out soft in the center and chewy in just the right way, making them perfect for tearing, dipping, or enjoying plain. They are simple to make and fun to share with a group. Put a batch out, and it will disappear before the main course even arrives because people keep going back for more.
Get the Recipe: Soft Pretzels
Oven Roasted Potatoes with Spinach and Garlic
Potatoes roast to a golden, crisp finish and get tossed with wilted spinach and garlic for extra flavor in every bite. The contrast between the crunchy outside and soft middle makes them satisfying without complicated preparation. Set this dish on the table and you’ll hear multiple requests for seconds in no time.
Get the Recipe: Oven Roasted Potatoes with Spinach and Garlic
Smoked Brie Potato Gratin
Layers of thinly sliced potatoes bake in creamy sauce with smoked brie melting into every bite for a rich, indulgent flavor. The top browns to a golden crisp while the inside stays smooth and tender. Place it on the table and watch it disappear because everyone will want a serving right away.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Brie Potato Gratin
Grilled Baby Bok Choy
Grilling gives baby bok choy a smoky, flavorful exterior while keeping the inner leaves tender with a light crunch. It adds color, texture, and a mild, savory taste to the plate with very little effort. Serve a tray, and you may wish you doubled the recipe because it goes fast.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Baby Bok Choy
Buttery Crescent Rolls
Crescent rolls bake soft, flaky, and buttery, giving every bite a rich and comforting flavor that pairs with almost any dish. They are simple to make and match well with soups, roasted meats, and vegetables. Hand out a basket and it will be empty quickly as people reach for seconds before the main dish is served.
Get the Recipe: Buttery Crescent Rolls
Challah Bread
Soft, golden challah has a lightly sweet flavor that makes it perfect for tearing apart and spreading with butter or jam. It feels homemade without requiring much effort and fits on any table with ease. The basket will empty fast as everyone reaches for a slice and comes back for more.
Get the Recipe: Challah Bread
French Baguettes
A crusty baguette with a soft, airy center pairs with almost anything you serve, from meats to spreads. It is easy to slice, tear, or leave whole for people to help themselves. This simple bread keeps bringing everyone back for seconds because it works with every dish on the table.
Get the Recipe: French Baguettes
Baked Kale Chips
Kale becomes light, crispy, and full of flavor with just a touch of oil and salt, turning it into a snack everyone can enjoy. They are easy to make and add a healthy crunch that pairs well with any main dish. Put a tray out and watch them disappear fast because people keep coming back for more.
Get the Recipe: Baked Kale Chips
Ratatouille with an Italian Flair
Zucchini, squash, and tomatoes simmer together with herbs until tender and full of natural flavor. Each bite is hearty and satisfying without feeling heavy or complicated. Serve it once, and it will quickly become a favorite that people want to scoop up again and again.
Get the Recipe: Ratatouille with an Italian Flair
Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad
Thinly sliced Brussels sprouts stay crisp when tossed in a light dressing that highlights their nutty flavor. The texture adds interest and makes it feel different from other greens without extra effort. Bring it to the table, and it will likely be one of the first bowls emptied.
Get the Recipe: Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad
Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes
Thin slices of potato bake in a creamy cheese sauce until tender and bubbling under a golden, crisp top. Every bite is smooth, rich, and full of flavor that keeps people coming back for more. Put this dish out, and it will be gone quickly because it is hard to resist.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes
Corn Casserole
Sweet corn mixes with crispy bacon and melted cheese in a creamy casserole that is rich but not heavy. Every bite has a balance of flavor and texture that pairs well with any main course. Spoon it out early because it disappears fast once people start serving themselves.
Get the Recipe: Corn Casserole
Crockpot Applesauce
Apples cook down in the slow cooker until smooth, naturally sweet, and packed with flavor. A touch of cinnamon adds gentle warmth that enhances the apples without extra sugar. Make a large batch because it disappears quickly once people start scooping from the bowl.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Applesauce
Sweet Potato Fries
Sweet potatoes bake until the edges are crisp and the centers stay soft, giving a perfect balance of sweet and salty in every bite. A little seasoning makes them even more tempting and easy to share. Keep extras ready because they always go fast when served on a tray.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Fries
Bacon Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Brussels sprouts roast until tender inside with crispy, browned edges, then get tossed with smoky bacon for extra flavor. The mix of natural sweetness and salty crunch makes each bite satisfying. Place them on the table and watch them disappear quickly because everyone will want seconds.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Mediterranean Cucumber Tomato Salad
Fluffy, buttery mashed potatoes are perfect for soaking up sauces and gravies, adding richness to every bite. The smooth, comforting texture makes them a favorite at any meal. Make a large bowl because people will want second and third servings before it is gone.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Cucumber Tomato Salad
Mashed Potatoes
Fluffy, buttery mashed potatoes are perfect for soaking up sauces and gravies, adding richness to every bite. The smooth, comforting texture makes them a favorite at any meal. Make a large bowl because people will want second and third servings before it is gone.
Get the Recipe: Mashed Potatoes
Buttery Dinner Rolls
These rolls bake soft in the center and golden on the outside, giving a rich, buttery flavor with every bite. They are simple to serve and pair well with almost any main dish, from soups to roasted meats. Keep a basket on the table, and it will empty quickly as everyone grabs seconds before the main course.
Get the Recipe: Buttery Dinner Rolls
Lemon Kale Salad
Crisp kale tossed with cucumbers, tomatoes, and a tangy lemon dressing stays fresh and crunchy while adding bright flavor to the table. Herbs enhance every forkful and make the salad lively and satisfying. This dish holds up well and disappears quickly once people start serving themselves.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Kale Salad
Tomato Quinoa Salad
Fluffy quinoa mixes with juicy tomatoes and crunchy cucumbers, all tied together with a light, flavorful dressing. Each bite is refreshing and satisfying without feeling heavy. Make a large bowl because it will be one of the first dishes to be scooped up at the table.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Quinoa Salad
Grown-Up Mac and Cheese
Creamy cheese sauce, smoky bacon, and juicy tomatoes combine in each bite for a rich, comforting dish that pairs well with almost anything. A golden, crisp topping adds texture and balances the smoothness underneath. Set it on the table and it will disappear quickly as everyone wants a serving.
Get the Recipe: Grown-Up Mac and Cheese
Spinach and Parmesan Quinoa
Quinoa mixes with cooked spinach and plenty of parmesan to create a side that is both filling and light. Every bite is flavorful and textured, making it easy to enjoy alongside other dishes. Bring it to the table, and it will likely be one of the first bowls to empty.
Get the Recipe: Spinach and Parmesan Quinoa
Avocado Tomato Salad
Creamy avocado and ripe tomatoes are tossed in a light dressing that highlights the fresh flavors. The combination adds color and a cool, smooth bite that balances other dishes. Keep a big bowl out because people will come back for seconds before it is gone.
Get the Recipe: Avocado Tomato Salad
Pulled Pork French Fry Nachos
Crispy fries get topped with tender pulled pork, gooey cheese, and flavorful toppings that create a fun, messy dish. Every bite combines textures and bold flavors that feel playful on the table. Serve it once, and it will disappear fast because everyone wants a portion.
Get the Recipe: Pulled Pork French Fry Nachos
Cinnamon Apples
Apples cook down until soft and sweet, coated in warm cinnamon that fills the kitchen with flavor. They are easy to serve warm or chilled and pair well with breakfast, dinner, or dessert. Once people try a spoonful, they will go back for seconds without thinking twice.
Get the Recipe: Cinnamon Apples
Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Pine Nuts
Brussels sprouts roast until tender with golden, crispy edges, then get topped with toasted pine nuts for crunch. A sprinkle of Parmesan adds savory flavor that pulls everything together. Bring this dish to the table, and it will be gone quickly because it is always a favorite.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Pine Nuts
Mexican Corn Salad
Sweet corn mixes with lime juice, creamy butter, diced jalapeños, chili flakes, and crumbled cheese for a side packed with flavor. Every bite is rich, tangy, and just a little spicy, which keeps it interesting without being overwhelming. Set it out early because it will be gone before the meal even starts.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Corn Salad
Scallion Pancakes
Scallion pancakes cook until golden and crispy on the outside while staying tender inside, giving each bite a satisfying chew. The onion flavor blends perfectly with the simple dough for a dish that works well alongside many mains. Serve them fresh and hot because they are one of those dishes that disappear quickly at the table.
Get the Recipe: Scallion Pancakes
Festive Mexican Rice Salad
This rice salad combines beans, corn, and a zesty dressing for a colorful and flavorful dish everyone can enjoy. Each spoonful is hearty, vibrant, and full of texture that keeps it interesting alongside other plates. Set a bowl out, and it will be one of the first dishes to get scooped up again.
Get the Recipe: Festive Mexican Rice Salad
Air Fryer French Onion Baked Potatoes
Twice-baked potatoes get a rich, savory filling with caramelized onions and creamy cheese for a satisfying side. The exterior is crisp while the inside stays soft and flavorful in every bite. Bring them to the table, and they will disappear fast because people keep going back for more.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer French Onion Baked Potatoes
Aloo Gobi Masala
Potatoes and cauliflower cook together in a spiced sauce that soaks up every bit of flavor and keeps each bite tender. The spices are bold without being overpowering, making it a dish that pairs easily with rice, meats, or breads. Place it on the table, and people will keep scooping until the bowl is empty.
Get the Recipe: Aloo Gobi Masala
Scrumptious Blistered Tomatoes
Cherry tomatoes blister in garlic, salt, pepper, and herbs until they are juicy and full of flavor. Each bite is slightly sweet, tangy, and rich, giving a simple side a special touch. Serve it with any main dish, and it will quickly become a favorite that disappears fast.
Get the Recipe: Scrumptious Blistered Tomatoes