Sides often get overlooked like the middle child at a family reunion, but not these 18 superstars. These recipes are so great, your guests will be shamelessly angling for seconds and pestering you for the details. Prepare yourself for the inevitable barrage of compliments and recipe requests.
Buttery Whole Roasted Cauliflower
Buttery Whole Roasted Cauliflower brings a whole head of cauliflower simmered in chicken stock, coated with butter, and topped with Parmesan and thyme. Roasted to golden perfection, it takes about an hour with minimal hands-on time.
Get the Recipe: Buttery Whole Roasted Cauliflower
Baked Sliced Zucchini
Baked Sliced Zucchini is the side you didn’t know you needed. These zucchini slices, coated with Parmesan and Italian spices, bake to perfection in just 20 minutes. They bring a touch of elegance to your table without any hassle, making them ideal for nights when you want something quick and impressive. Serve them up and watch everyone dig in.
Get the Recipe: Baked Sliced Zucchini
Parmesan Crusted Potatoes
These Parmesan Crusted Potatoes are sure to be a hit. Tender potato slices are tossed in garlic and breadcrumbs, then topped with a crispy layer of Parmesan. Baked to golden perfection in under an hour, these potatoes are both easy to prepare and packed with flavor. They make dinner both simple and impressive, leaving everyone reaching for seconds. Great for any gathering or weeknight meal.
Get the Recipe: Parmesan Crusted Potatoes
Creamy Dill Cucumber Onion Salad
Creamy Dill Cucumber Onion Salad is your go-to for keeping things simple and quick. Combine crunchy cucumbers and sharp onions with a creamy dill dressing, and you’re done in just 30 minutes. Great for hot days when you can’t even think about turning on the stove, this refreshing salad is a side dish staple.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Dill Cucumber Onion Salad
Fresh Corn Salad
Fresh Corn Salad brings together cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, cucumbers, onions, avocado, and crumbled cheese with a lime dressing. Ready in 40 minutes, it’s an easy, flavorful addition to any meal. Toss it together, let it chill, and you’re good to go. Perfect for a no-stress, all-flavor dish.
Get the Recipe: Fresh Corn Salad
German Potato Salad
German Potato Salad is a great pick for hearty meals. This dish is popular in the Midwest, especially at potlucks and family gatherings. It features tender potatoes, crispy bacon, and a tangy dressing. Ready in under an hour, it’s served warm with a vinegar-based dressing instead of the usual cold mayo. Boil the potatoes, cook the bacon, and mix with apple cider vinegar, mustard, and bacon drippings. Any leftovers can be enjoyed for a few days.
Get the Recipe: German Potato Salad
Italian Orzo Pasta Salad
This Italian Orzo Pasta Salad is always great for family dinners or your next barbecue. Start by cooking the orzo until it’s tender, then let it cool. Whisk together the dressing ingredients, then mix the orzo, vegetables, and dressing until everything is well combined. Chill the salad in the fridge to let the flavors come together, and then it’s ready to serve. This dish keeps well in the fridge, making it great for meal prep. You can enjoy it over the next few days without worrying about losing flavor or texture.
Get the Recipe: Italian Orzo Pasta Salad
Baked Tomatoes with Parmesan and Mozzarella Cheese
These Baked Tomatoes with Parmesan and Mozzarella Cheese make a great side dish. Juicy tomatoes topped with mozzarella and Parmesan, then baked until golden and bubbly. Add fresh basil for a finishing touch. Ready in 25 minutes, they’re perfect for quick dinners. Simple and flavorful, they’re sure to complement any meal.
Get the Recipe: Baked Tomatoes with Parmesan and Mozzarella Cheese
Loaded Zucchini Boats
Loaded Zucchini Boats are bringing the flavor. Start by hollowing out some zucchini and filling them with crispy bacon and sharp cheddar. Bake them to perfection, then top with sour cream and chives. Ready in just 30 minutes, these little boats are so fun for when you want something impressive without the hassle.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Zucchini Boats
Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms
Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms are here to take center stage. With seasoned sausage and melty cheese, these mushrooms are anything but ordinary. Perfect for any gathering and ready in about 45 minutes, they’re a great option for last-minute plans or when you want to impress without too much effort. Once you taste one, you might forget about the main dish altogether.
Get the Recipe: Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms
Halloumi Fries
These Halloumi Fries are the kind of side dish that will have everyone asking for seconds and the recipe. Thick slices of halloumi cheese are seasoned with garlic and smoked paprika, then baked in just 25 minutes. These cheesy, crispy fries are sure to be a hit. Simply coat the halloumi in a seasoned flour mix, bake, flip, and broil for a golden finish. Serve with your favorite dip, and watch them disappear. Perfect for impressing guests without the hassle.
Get the Recipe: Halloumi Fries
Cauliflower Risotto with Mushrooms
Cauliflower Risotto with Mushrooms shows that you don’t need rice for a great risotto. Chopped cauliflower and earthy mushrooms come together in a creamy garlic sauce. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s perfect for when you want something classy without spending all night in the kitchen. Serve it up and enjoy.
Get the Recipe: Cauliflower Risotto with Mushrooms
Twice Baked Potato Casserole
Twice Baked Potato Casserole is a no-brainer. Baked potatoes mashed with bacon, cheese, milk, and sour cream, then baked again until golden and bubbly. This hearty dish is great for gatherings or a cozy night in. Simple to make and sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
Get the Recipe: Twice Baked Potato Casserole
Golden Baked Jicama Fries
Golden Baked Jicama Fries are here to switch things up. Made from jicama, these fries are boiled and baked to perfection. Sprinkled with sea salt and paprika, they’re a lighter take on regular fries. Ready in about 45 minutes, they add something fresh to your meal, making you forget about needing a main dish. Always fun for those who want a light option without the usual heaviness.
Get the Recipe: Golden Baked Jicama Fries
Creamy Broccoli with Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Creamy Broccoli with Sun-Dried Tomatoes takes your side dish game up a notch. Combining cheesy goodness with crisp broccoli and flavor-packed sun-dried tomatoes, this dish comes together in about 25 minutes. Perfect for nights when you’re too tired to make a main dish but still want something special, this side dish has everything you need.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Broccoli with Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Roasted Cubed Butternut Squash with Cauliflower and Bacon
Roasted Cubed Butternut Squash with Cauliflower and Bacon is here to step up your meal game. Sweet squash, earthy cauliflower, and crispy bacon come together, roasted just right. In 45 minutes, you’ve got a dish that looks and tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen. With caramelized edges and bold flavors, this trio is great for a hearty meal. Let this side dish shine and keep things simple and flavorful.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Cubed Butternut Squash with Cauliflower and Bacon
Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice
Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice is a fresh, quick meal option. Cauliflower, onions, and jalapeño are sautéed with a splash of lime for a refreshing kick. Light and ready in no time, it’s great for days when you don’t feel like making a main course. The bright flavors turn this side into the star of the meal. Ready fast and eaten even faster, it’s perfect for when you want to kick back and relax. Skip the main and enjoy this vibrant side.
Get the Recipe: Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice
Fried Cabbage with Bacon
Fried Cabbage with Bacon can totally hold its own as a main dish. Sweet onions and crispy bacon make cabbage something special in just 25 minutes. It’s an easy dish that makes you look like a kitchen wizard with zero stress. Full of flavor and quick to make, it’s great for nights when you want something simple but good. Serve it up and watch it vanish.
Get the Recipe: Fried Cabbage with Bacon
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