Dinner Rescue! 17 Sidekicks To Save Any Boring Meal
Tired of the same old meals? Let’s shake things up with 17 sides that’ll bring some excitement back to your table. These aren’t your ordinary sides; they’re the kind that you’ll end up looking forward to more than the main dish. Easy to whip up and full of flavors that complement any main course, they’re your secret weapon for turning a bland meal into something everyone talks about.
Wild Rice Casserole
When your main dish needs a standout partner, Wild Rice Casserole comes to the rescue. This dish combines earthy wild rice with a mix of mushrooms and herbs, creating a side that’s both rustic and refined. It’s the hero your dinner table didn’t know it needed, effortlessly elevating any meal from mundane to memorable with its rich flavors.
Get the Recipe: Wild Rice Casserole
Air Fryer Glazed Carrots
If you’re looking to add a pop of color and sweetness to your dinner, Air Fryer Glazed Carrots are your go-to sidekick. These carrots emerge from the air fryer tender and slightly caramelized, offering a quick and easy way to brighten up your meal. They’re a simple solution to liven up a boring plate, making veggies the star of the show.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Glazed Carrots
Fluffy Thai Jasmine Rice
Fluffy Thai Jasmine Rice is the star of side dishes, ready to save any meal with its subtle floral aroma and soft texture. Perfectly paired with everything from spicy curries to grilled meats, it’s a versatile base that turns your average dinner into something special. This rice promises to be a dependable addition to your culinary arsenal.
Get the Recipe: Fluffy Thai Jasmine Rice
Egg Casserole – Make Ahead Breakfast
Even dinner can enjoy a breakfast twist with the Egg Casserole, a make-ahead hero that’s not just for the morning. Filled with your favorite breakfast fixings and easily customizable, it offers a comforting and hearty side or main. It’s an effortless way to add a bit of breakfast charm to your evening meal, proving that eggs aren’t just for the morning.
Get the Recipe: Egg Casserole – Make Ahead Breakfast
Yellow Lentil Dal
Experience the comforting embrace of Yellow Lentil Dal, a dish that brings a dash of global flair to any table. This simple yet profoundly flavorful side combines lentils with aromatic spices for a warm, comforting addition to your meal. It’s an easy way to introduce new tastes into your routine, making even the most ordinary dinner feel like an adventure.
Get the Recipe: Yellow Lentil Dal
Air Fryer Asparagus
When your meal lacks excitement, Air Fryer Asparagus steps in to add both nutrition and delight. This side dish comes out perfectly crispy, offering a new way to enjoy a familiar vegetable. It’s a quick and healthy addition that proves side dishes can be as compelling as the main event, ready to transform your dinner experience with minimal fuss.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Asparagus
Eggplant Casserole
Eggplant Casserole is here to bring a touch of comfort to any meal. Layered with savory sauces and cheese, this vegetarian-friendly dish is a hearty and flavorful rescue for dinner time. It’s a crowd-pleaser that effortlessly complements any main dish, ensuring that your search for the perfect side ends here with a satisfying and easy solution.
Get the Recipe: Eggplant Casserole
Refried Beans
This versatile side effortlessly enhances tacos, bowls, and more with its comforting texture and depth of flavor. It’s an easy, foolproof way to enrich your dinner spread, making every bite more enjoyable. Refried Beans are the side dish superhero, ready to save any Mexican-themed dinner or add a rich, creamy element to various meals.
Get the Recipe: Refried Beans
7 Layer Salad
Turn to the 7 Layer Salad when you need a side that’s as visually impressive as it is delicious. This layered beauty is a feast for the eyes and the palate, combining crisp veggies, creamy dressings, and more. It’s a surefire way to rescue any dinner from the doldrums, bringing a burst of color and flavor that promises to delight every guest.
Get the Recipe: 7 Layer Salad
Scalloped Potatoes
Scalloped Potatoes are the creamy, cheesy sidekick your dinner has been waiting for. Each slice of potato is smothered in a rich sauce, baked to perfection for a dish that’s impossible to resist. This is the ultimate comfort food side, ready to elevate any meal from simple to spectacular with its indulgent appeal.
Get the Recipe: Scalloped Potatoes
Asparagus Casserole
Brings a sophisticated touch to the table with minimal effort. Asparagus spears are enveloped in a creamy sauce and topped with a crispy breadcrumb layer, creating a side that’s as delicious as it is easy to prepare. Asparagus Casserole is a fresh way to enjoy spring’s bounty, offering up a dish that’s sure to be a hit at any dinner gathering.
Get the Recipe: Asparagus Casserole
Cauliflower Steaks
Shake up your side dish routine with Cauliflower Steaks, a bold and flavorful option that stands out on any plate. Seasoned and roasted until golden, these steaks offer a plant-based alternative that’s both satisfying and healthy. They’re a modern twist on traditional sides, ready to save dinner with their simplicity and impressive flavors.
Get the Recipe: Cauliflower Steaks
Stuffed Peppers
If you’re looking for a flavorful and vibrant side dish that can easily steal the spotlight, then Stuffed Peppers are a great option. These peppers are filled with a mixture of rice, spices, and sometimes meat, making them a colorful addition to any meal. They offer a delicious way to incorporate more vegetables into your dinner.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Peppers
Crispy Smashed Potatoes
Crispy Smashed Potatoes are here to turn any meal into a feast with their perfect blend of crunch and fluffiness. Boiled, smashed, and roasted until golden, they’re a side dish that’s as fun to make as it is to eat. They’re the ultimate sidekick for any dinner, ready to bring a satisfying crunch to your plate that no one can resist.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Smashed Potatoes
Minestrone Soup
Add a hearty, comforting element to your meal with its rich blend of vegetables, beans, and pasta with Minestrone Soup. This versatile soup can also stand alone as a light main, making it perfect for any dinner occasion. It’s a flavorful way to warm up your mealtime, offering a bowl of nourishing and satisfying comfort.
Get the Recipe: Minestrone Soup
Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole
Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole is a low-carb savior for any meal, blending the creamy texture of cheese with the mild taste of cauliflower. This dish is a crowd-pleaser, offering up a healthy alternative that doesn’t skimp on flavor. It’s a straightforward way to add a comforting side to your dinner, making it a go-to option for adding warmth to your meal.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole
Crispy Portobello Mushroom Fries Recipe
Offer a delicious twist on the traditional fry, bringing a burst of umami flavor to your dinner table. Breaded and fried to perfection, they’re a side dish that provides a satisfying crunch with every bite. These Crispy Portobello Mushroom Fries are a fun and flavorful way to shake up your side dish game, proving that dinner rescue can be both easy and tasty.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Portobello Mushroom Fries Recipe
