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Impress your guests with these easy side dishes that don’t require a ton of effort. This list includes flavorful options like rice, casseroles, and salads.
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Tired of plain rice and overused salads? These sides pair well with many of your favorite hearty meals.
Whether you’re going for something creamy, crunchy, savory, or a little sweet, these recipes will help you serve something memorable.
Deviled Eggs with Relish
These deviled eggs are a fresh take on a classic party favorite!
You only need a few simple ingredients, like mayo, yellow mustard, and sweet relish.
Get The Recipe: Deviled Eggs with Relish
Sweet Potato Bites
These bite-sized treats are perfect for holiday tables or casual dinners.
You can also use marshmallow fluff instead of marshmallows. Even the kids will love this!
Get The Recipe: Sweet Potato Bites
Baked Brie with Garlic
Cheese lovers, this side dish is for you.
The brie is soft and melty, while the garlic adds depth and a mild, savory punch.
Get The Recipe: Baked Brie with Garlic
Slow Cooker Hoppin John
Slow cooker dishes are the best option for big gatherings.
This one is shareable and easy, with smoked sausage, black-eyed peas, tomatoes, bell peppers, and seasonings.
Get The Recipe: Slow Cooker Hoppin John
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Crockpot Green Bean Casserole
This casserole is made with green beans, milk, French fried onions, and condensed cream of mushroom soup.
Combine everything in your slow cooker, cook it for a few hours, and top it with more onions before serving.
Get The Recipe: Crockpot Green Bean Casserole
Paula Deen Sweet Potato Casserole
You don’t need a holiday as an excuse to whip up this rich, dessert-like casserole.
It’s smooth and buttery, with just the right amount of sweetness.
Get The Recipe: Paula Deen Sweet Potato Casserole
Copycat Sweetgreen Harvest Bowl
This dish is a nourishing and colorful side that works well with lighter mains or as a meal on its own.
Enjoy it with grilled salmon or balsamic-glazed chicken thighs.
Get The Recipe: Copycat Sweetgreen Harvest Bowl
Sausage Balls with Cream Cheese
Sausage balls are a crowd-pleasing favorite, but the addition of cream cheese takes this version to a whole new level.
Go ahead and add your favorite herbs and seasonings, like rosemary and oregano.
Get The Recipe: Sausage Balls with Cream Cheese
Gluten Free Stuffed Mushrooms
In search of something healthier? These stuffed mushrooms are full of irresistible flavors.
They also have a dressing made with olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic, and lemon zest.
Get The Recipe: Gluten Free Stuffed Mushrooms
No Boil Mashed Potatoes
Craving the best mashed potatoes? This version is so rich and buttery (without actual butter—it’s vegan!).
Garnish it with chopped chives and then pair it with sautéed garlic green beans.
Get The Recipe: No Boil Mashed Potatoes
Herb and Garlic Mashed Cauliflower
Looking for something lighter than mashed potatoes but still warm and comforting?
This cauliflower recipe is full of garlicky goodness and fresh herbs.
Get The Recipe: Herb and Garlic Mashed Cauliflower
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Chickpea Kale Salad
This salad is proof that a side dish can be fresh, filling, and full of bold flavors all at once.
Main ingredients include chickpeas, maple syrup, kale, and hemp hearts.
Get The Recipe: Chickpea Kale Salad
No Egg Potato Salad
Prepare this potato salad for your potlucks, picnics, or anytime you need a no-fuss side.
It’s so creamy, savory, and tangy, no one will suspect it’s vegan!
Get The Recipe: No Egg Potato Salad
Purple Sticky Rice
This sticky rice recipe only requires four simple ingredients.
It has a naturally sweet, nutty flavor that you’ll want to have again and again. Serve it on banana leaves or in a small ramekin.
Get The Recipe: Purple Sticky Rice
Orzo Rice Pilaf with Garlic and Herbs
This rice pilaf is the kind of side that works with just about anything.
It’s made with orzo pasta, basmati rice, butter, onions, and garlic.
Get The Recipe: Orzo Rice Pilaf with Garlic and Herbs
Caprese Pasta Salad
You don’t need to spend hours in the kitchen to make delicious Italian-inspired dishes.
Check out this salad! It includes farfalle pasta, basil pesto, grape tomatoes, and mozzarella.
Get The Recipe: Caprese Pasta Salad
Healthy Lentil Patties
Looking for a new way to enjoy lentils? Make these patties and share them with everyone.
It’s a mouthwatering plant-based side that you can also enjoy on the go.
Get The Recipe: Healthy Lentil Patties
Baked Beans with Ground Beef
This hearty baked beans dish gets an upgrade with savory ground beef, making it more filling and flavorful than your average can of beans.
It’s packed with sweet, smoky, and tangy flavors.
Get The Recipe: Baked Beans with Ground Beef
Loaded Potato Casserole
If you love the flavor of a loaded baked potato but want to serve a crowd with zero stress, this casserole is for you.
It’s loaded with potatoes, bacon bits, onions, and cheeses.
Get The Recipe: Loaded Potato Casserole
Sauteed Cabbage Lavash Wraps
These wraps are made of cabbage, carrots, onions, tomato paste, and other simple ingredients.
You can also enjoy them as a snack and serve them with a small bowl of yogurt or herbed dip on the side.
Get The Recipe: Sauteed Cabbage Lavash Wraps
5-Minute Coleslaw
This coleslaw is cool, crunchy, and has just the right mix of creamy and tangy flavors.
Toss everything together in a bowl, chill it if you have time, and it’s ready to serve.
Get The Recipe: 5-Minute Coleslaw
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Crispy Air Fryer Eggplant
Use your air fryer to make the most flavorful dishes.
This one is made with just a few simple ingredients: eggplant, avocado oil, and kosher salt — plus a few optional flavorings.
Get The Recipe: Crispy Air Fryer Eggplant
Roasted Broccoli
Don’t underestimate the power of simple roasted broccoli — this one is crispy, slightly caramelized, and loaded with garlicky flavor.
This side dish comes together in just around 30 minutes.
Get The Recipe: Roasted Broccoli
Sautéed Green Beans with Shallots
If you want to get better at cooking, start with easy side dishes.
This one pairs with just about anything! You only need four simple ingredients to make this.
Get The Recipe: Sautéed Green Beans with Shallots
Lemon Orzo Salad
This salad is like sunshine in a bowl—bright, zesty, and full of fresh flavors.
It’s made with orzo, cucumbers, tomatoes, olives, lemon juice, and some herbs.
Get The Recipe: Lemon Orzo Salad
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You can pull these off even if you’re still learning your way around the kitchen.
Start with ingredients that are familiar, budget-friendly, and easy to prepare. Rice, potatoes, pasta, garlic, and frozen veggies are good options!
25 Best Side Dishes That Belong in Every Recipe Book
If you’re looking for the best side dishes, this recipes have you covered for every meal. If these aren’t already in your recipe collection, they’re worth checking out!
Read it here: 25 Best Side Dishes That Belong in Every Recipe Book
25 Soup Side Dishes That’ll Help Make A Complete Meal
Bread and salads are two of the most popular soup side dishes that you’ll often see but you don’t have to stick with just those. You can really get creative with your favorite pairings.
Read it here: 25 Soup Side Dishes That’ll Help Make A Complete Meal
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Looking for more recipes? These options are great for family dinners, gatherings, or solo nights in: