Sides are usually the sidekicks of a meal, but these 19 recipes are here to steal the show. Who needs a main course when you have sides that are this great? These dishes are so perfect, they make the main dish feel like an afterthought. Get ready to rethink your meal planning because once you try these, you might just skip the main course altogether.
Baked Sliced Zucchini
You won’t need a main dish because Baked Sliced Zucchini can do all the heavy lifting. Lightly seasoned with Parmesan and Italian herbs, these zucchini slices bake into crispy, golden perfection in just 20 minutes. They’re not only quick and easy, but they also bring a touch of class to your dinner without any of the hassle. Pair them with, well, anything really, or let them shine on their own. Perfect for those nights when you want to seem effortlessly skilled in the kitchen. It’s like magic but, you know, the edible kind.
Get the Recipe: Baked Sliced Zucchini
Baked Tomatoes with Parmesan and Mozzarella Cheese
These Baked Tomatoes with Parmesan and Mozzarella are the heroes of the side dish world. You just layer some juicy tomatoes with heaps of mozzarella and Parmesan, add a sprinkle of Italian herbs, and bake until everything’s golden and bubbling. Ready in just 25 minutes, these tomatoes are easy to prepare and a crowd-pleaser at any dinner. Forget about those over-complicated main dishes; who needs them when you have something this good? This side dish will definitely make you question why mains were ever the highlight.
Get the Recipe: Baked Tomatoes with Parmesan and Mozzarella Cheese
Quinoa Chickpea Salad
This Quinoa Chickpea Salad is a powerhouse side that often outshines any main dish. It’s a full meal by itself, loaded with protein-packed quinoa and chickpeas, crisp fresh veggies, and tossed with a tangy lemon-garlic dressing. Whether you’re whipping it up for a quick lunch or bringing it to steal the show at a potluck, it’s ready in no time. Plus, it’s a great way to feel like you’re eating healthily without sacrificing flavor. Mains? Never heard of them when you’ve got a salad this good.
Get the Recipe: Quinoa Chickpea Salad
Parmesan Crusted Potatoes
Let’s face it, sometimes the sides steal the show, and these Parmesan Crusted Potatoes are no exception. Coated in a rich mix of garlic, herbs, and Parmesan, then baked until they’re irresistibly crispy, these potatoes are a guaranteed hit. They’re ready in under an hour and are perfect for impressing guests without looking like you tried too hard. Plus, these potatoes have your back on those nights when even microwaving a main dish seems like too much. They’re not just a side dish; they’re the main event. Say goodbye to boring dinners with this standout side.
Get the Recipe: Parmesan Crusted Potatoes
Loaded Tater Tots
Loaded Tater Tots are here to save the day, showing once and for all that sides can indeed be the main star. Think of crispy tater tots loaded with melted cheddar, creamy sour cream, crispy bacon, and fresh green onions. Ready in just 35 minutes, they’re the perfect side for any party or casual gathering. And let’s be real: when you have a dish packed with all the good stuff, who even remembers what the main course was supposed to be? They’re so good that you might just make a meal out of them — no main dish is necessary.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Tater Tots
Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice
A main dish is unnecessary when you have Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice. Whip this up in just 20 minutes for a dish that’s bursting with flavors. Finely chopped cauliflower, crispy onions, and a hint of spicy jalapeños are all brought together with a fresh splash of lime. It’s low on carbs but high on flavor. Pair it with tacos or let it stand alone — either way, it’s a side that might just make you forget about any other part of the meal. It’s great for keeping things light and delicious without chaining you to the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice
Creamy Dill Cucumber Onion Salad
Here’s the lowdown on the Creamy Dill Cucumber Onion Salad: you take crisp cucumbers and sharp red onions, toss them with a creamy dill dressing, and what you get is nothing short of spectacular. It only takes 30 minutes to put together. It’s the perfect side dish for those scorching days when the idea of standing by a hot stove is a definite no. Plus, it’s so refreshing and filling that it’ll make you wonder why you ever bothered with main dishes in the first place. Great for a quick lunch or a light dinner.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Dill Cucumber Onion Salad
Fresh Corn Salad
Forget about chasing down a main course; this Fresh Corn Salad is all you need. This salad is packed with fresh corn, ripe cherry tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, and smooth avocados, bursting with fresh flavors in every bite. Topped off with crumbled feta cheese and mixed with a lively lime dressing, it’s both refreshing and filling. Ready in just 40 minutes, it’s the perfect choice for a light yet filling meal on those hot summer days. And really, with a side this good, who’s even looking for a main dish anymore? It’s a perfect way to keep your kitchen cool and your belly full.
Get the Recipe: Fresh Corn Salad
Tuna Macaroni Salad
If you’re looking for a dish that screams ‘easy and awesome’, this Tuna Macaroni Salad has got you covered. Throw together some elbow macaroni, tuna, and hard-boiled eggs, mix them up with a creamy dressing, and chill. That’s it — 40 minutes tops, and you have a hearty dish that can stand alone and outshine any main. It’s especially perfect for those hectic days when even assembling a bunch of ingredients seems like climbing Everest. This salad brings all the flavor and none of the drama of a typical main dish.
Get the Recipe: Tuna Macaroni Salad
Golden Baked Jicama Fries
Switch up your fry game with Golden Baked Jicama Fries. Just slice up that jicama, toss it with some turmeric and garlic for a kick, and bake until they’re perfectly crispy. About 25 minutes is all it takes to create a side that not only rivals traditional fries but might make you forget about the main dishes forever. They’re a stellar option for keeping things light and stress-free. Serve these at your next gathering, and watch them disappear faster than the idea of needing a main course. Who said sides couldn’t be the star of the meal? Not us, that’s for sure.
Get the Recipe: Golden Baked Jicama Fries
Halloumi Fries
Halloumi Fries are here to rock your side dish expectations. Cut some halloumi cheese into fries, dust them with a bit of spice, and bake until they’re irresistibly crispy. In just 25 minutes, you create something that’s a great conversation starter and mouth-watering good. They’re so great that you’ll forget why you ever thought you needed another dish on the table. Perfect for those evenings when you want something quick and impressive without breaking a sweat. Main dishes can take a back seat because these fries are taking over.
Get the Recipe: Halloumi Fries
Buttery Whole Roasted Cauliflower
This Buttery Whole Roasted Cauliflower isn’t just a side dish; it’s the main event disguised as one. Bathe a whole head of cauliflower in chicken stock and butter, season with Parmesan and thyme, and roast until it’s perfectly tender. About 30 minutes is all you need to turn this veggie into a showstopper. It’s perfect for when you want something simple yet spectacular, showing that sometimes the best flavors come from the most unexpected places. Plus, it’s a total conversation starter — everyone will be asking how you made cauliflower the star of the show.
Get the Recipe: Buttery Whole Roasted Cauliflower
Twice Baked Potato Casserole
Let’s talk about a real showstopper: Twice Baked Potato Casserole. This dish is not just a side; it’s a full-on feast that could make any main dish jealous. Loaded with russet potatoes that get mashed and mixed with crispy bacon, sour cream, milk, and butter, then topped with a generous helping of cheese and baked again until it’s gloriously creamy. This casserole takes a bit of time to bake, but the results are worth it. It’s the perfect comfort food for gatherings, guaranteed to make your guests forget there was supposed to be a main course.
Get the Recipe: Twice Baked Potato Casserole
Loaded Zucchini Boats
Loaded Zucchini Boats are not your average veggie dish. These little beauties are hollowed-out zucchini halves packed with a rich filling of bacon, cheese, and sour cream and then baked to perfection. They’re super quick to make, taking less than 30 minutes from start to finish. Perfect for a busy weeknight, these boats are a lifesaver when you want something special without spending hours in the kitchen. And honestly, with all that cheesy bacon goodness, who will miss a main dish? They’re a great way to make dinner a little more exciting and a lot more filling.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Zucchini Boats
Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms
Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms are little bombs of flavor that are sure to light up any meal. Stuffed with a mix of sausage, cream cheese, bread crumbs, and Parmesan and spiced with just the right amount of garlic, these mushrooms are baked for 45 minutes until they’re perfectly golden and delicious. They’re a great choice for turning a regular dinner into something special. Plus, they’re great for parties since they’re easy to share and always a hit. When these stuffed mushrooms hit the table, who cares about a main dish? These guys pack all the punch you need.
Get the Recipe: Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms
Roasted Cubed Butternut Squash with Cauliflower and Bacon
Roasted Cubed Butternut Squash with Cauliflower and Bacon is a dish that’ll make you forget all about main courses. Cubes of sweet butternut squash and hearty cauliflower are tossed with crispy bacon, all seasoned with garlic and a hint of Dijon mustard. This mix goes into the oven for about an hour, coming out perfectly roasted and packed with flavors. It’s a great set-it-and-forget-it option for busy nights when you want a delicious meal without the hassle. Seriously, with a side this good, who even needs a main?
Get the Recipe: Roasted Cubed Butternut Squash with Cauliflower and Bacon
Cauliflower Risotto with Mushrooms
Cauliflower Risotto with Mushrooms is the perfect trick to have up your sleeve when you want to impress without the stress. This dish uses chopped cauliflower instead of rice for a clever, lighter version. Throw in some earthy mushrooms and a bit of Parmesan, and you’ve got yourself a creamy, dreamy risotto. It comes together in about 30 minutes, making it a genius move for a fancy-ish dinner on a tight schedule. Who said sides can’t be stars? Certainly not anyone who’s tried this dish. It’s perfect for those nights when you need a little luxury without much work.
Get the Recipe: Cauliflower Risotto with Mushrooms
Fried Cabbage with Bacon
Fried Cabbage with Bacon is a simple, straightforward dish that’s big on flavor. It’s all about crispy bacon and sweet cabbage fried up in a pan, ready in just 25 minutes. It’s the kind of dish that shows that sometimes the best flavors come from the simplest ingredients. This side is so good it often ends up being the main attraction. Great for when you’re trying to keep dinner easy but still want something that tastes like you went all out. And let’s face it, adding bacon to anything pretty much guarantees no one will miss the main course.
Get the Recipe: Fried Cabbage with Bacon
Creamy Broccoli with Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Creamy Broccoli with Sun-Dried Tomatoes is your ticket to a quick, impressive side dish that easily steals the spotlight. This dish pairs broccoli’s creamy texture with sun-dried tomatoes’ intense flavor, all brought together by a rich cream sauce. Ready in just 25 minutes, it’s a lifesaver on busy nights when you need something a bit fancy but don’t have the time to mess around. Plus, with a side this good, who needs to worry about what’s supposed to be the main dish? It’s the perfect way to keep everyone at the table happy and well-fed.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Broccoli with Sun-Dried Tomatoes
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