27 Side Dishes That Totally Eclipse The Mains!

Side dishes you say? Well, these 27 recipes are anything but ordinary sides. Each one is so packed with flavor and personality that it can easily outshine the main. With these recipes, you’ll see side dishes in a whole new light — not as mere accompaniments, but as stars in their own right. So, get ready to experience side dishes like never before.

Egg Casserole – Make Ahead Breakfast

You’re sure to win the crowd over with the convenience and delectable taste of a Make Ahead Breakfast Egg Casserole. It’s a versatile and delicious option that could easily slide right into the spotlight at any brunch gathering. Why not elevate the morning mealtime with this tasty show-stopper?
Get the Recipe: Egg Casserole – Make Ahead Breakfast

Dauphinoise Potatoes

Feast your eyes on the creamy decadence that is Dauphinoise Potatoes. This side dish, full of thinly sliced potatoes bathed in a rich, creamy sauce, is hard to resist. It could easily give any main dish a run for its money.
Get the Recipe: Dauphinoise Potatoes

Spicy Korean Cucumber Salad

Get ready to spice things up with the Spicy Korean Cucumber Salad, a refreshing and fiery side dish. Its unique combination of flavors is set to bring an unexpected twist to the table. Is it possible that this side dish could outshine your main course? Only one way to find out.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Korean Cucumber Salad

Wild Rice Casserole

Who doesn’t love a robust Wild Rice Casserole? With its mix of delicious wild rice, vegetables, and a savory sauce, this dish could easily steal the show. It’s a hearty side that very well could outdo the main event.
Get the Recipe: Wild Rice Casserole

Sweet Potato Cubes

Bring the warmth and color of Sweet Potato Cubes to your dinner table. Slightly sweet, perfectly tender, and incredibly versatile, this side dish can easily compete with any main. It could just be the vibrant, flavorful addition that your meal needs.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Cubes

Egg Bites

Here’s a protein-packed side dish that could potentially steal the spotlight: Egg Bites. They’re fluffy, flavorful, and easy to customize, making them a cinch to adapt to your palate’s preference. A morning meal is so much more enjoyable with these delightful bites.
Get the Recipe: Egg Bites

Hash Browns

What’s a meal without crispy, golden Hash Browns as a side dish? These hash browns are a classic breakfast item that could give any main a run for its money. It might just be the side dish you need to complete your perfect meal.
Get the Recipe: Hash Browns

Waldorf Salad

Say hello to the refreshing crunch of a Waldorf Salad. Its delightful mix of fresh fruits, celery, and walnuts can offer a pleasing contrast to heavier mains. This classic salad could very well be the refreshing side that ends up stealing the show.
Get the Recipe: Waldorf Salad

Scalloped Potatoes

Imagine biting into creamy Scalloped Potatoes, a side dish that could potentially outshine any main. With a creamy sauce and tender potatoes, this dish brings comfort food to a whole new level. It’s the sort of dish that sets the bar high for the main course.
Get the Recipe: Scalloped Potatoes

Air Fryer Glazed Carrots

Brighten your meal with Air Fryer Glazed Carrots, a side dish that packs a sweet and savory punch. Their appealing color paired with a tempting glaze could easily give the main dish a run for its money. A vibrant, flavorful side dish might be just what you need to complete your meal.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Glazed Carrots

Copycat Chipotle Black Beans

If you’re after a side dish that stands out, consider whipping up some Copycat Chipotle Black Beans. They’re loaded with flavor and present a hearty addition that could steal the show. Going for these beans might be the best culinary decision you make.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Chipotle Black Beans

Hashbrown Casserole

Prepare to go for seconds once you taste a spoonful of Hashbrown Casserole. It’s a satisfying, hearty dish that might just outdo your main course. Could this be the star of your meal? You’ll have to try it to find out.
Get the Recipe: Hashbrown Casserole

Air Fryer Asparagus

This Air Fryer Asparagus adds a pop of color and a punch of flavor to any meal. It’s a nutritious and delicious side that can easily compete with any main. This is a dish that’s ready for the spotlight.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Asparagus

Cilantro Lime Rice

Brighten up your meal with this Cilantro Lime Rice. Its zesty and refreshing flavors can eclipse even the most elaborate main dishes. It’s the kind of side that’s destined to steal the show.
Get the Recipe: Cilantro Lime Rice

Southern Mash

These creamy Southern Mash potatoes are a comforting side that can stand with any main. They’re incredibly tasty and make for a hearty edge to any dish. This is a side that could become the star of the show.
Get the Recipe: Southern Mash

Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole

Experience the warmth of a casserole that turns cauliflower into the star of the show, smothered in a rich, cheesy sauce. It’s a dish that makes you reconsider everything you thought you knew about this humble vegetable. The golden, bubbly top conceals a creamy delight underneath, promising comfort in every bite.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole

Hasselback Potatoes

Imagine slicing into potatoes that have been transformed into an accordion of crispy edges and tender centers. Hasselback Potatoes are not just a side; they’re a conversation starter, offering the perfect blend of texture and flavor. Each slice is a little pocket ready to catch all the delicious toppings you can dream of.
Get the Recipe: Hasselback Potatoes

Stuffed Peppers

Bright, colorful peppers become edible bowls filled to the brim with a savory mixture that’s sure to satisfy. They’re a feast for the eyes as much as for the palate, proving that healthy can also be hearty. This dish brings a pop of color and a burst of flavor to any table, making it a favorite for both weeknights and special occasions.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Peppers

Asparagus Casserole

Transform asparagus into a dish that’s worthy of any holiday table or weekday feast. Layered with creamy sauce and topped with a crispy breadcrumb crust, Asparagus Casserole is a side that might just outshine the main. It’s a celebration of spring flavors, all cozied up in a comforting bake.
Get the Recipe: Asparagus Casserole

Sweet Potato Fries

Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, Sweet Potato Fries are the snack you didn’t know you needed until now. They come out perfectly seasoned, offering a sweet and savory treat that’s hard to stop eating. This side dish is a surefire way to make any meal feel a little more festive and a lot more flavorful.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Fries

Cauliflower Steaks

Thick slices of cauliflower turn into Cauliflower Steaks, roasted or grilled to perfection for a meaty texture without the meat. Seasoned and charred, they offer a surprising depth of flavor that’s both satisfying and wholesome. It’s a plant-based masterpiece that even meat lovers can get behind, proving cauliflower’s place in the spotlight.
Get the Recipe: Cauliflower Steaks

Baked Potato

There’s something deeply satisfying about breaking open a Baked Potato to reveal steamy, fluffy insides just waiting for your favorite toppings. This classic side is the ultimate comfort food, customizable and always welcoming. Whether loaded with cheese, bacon, and sour cream or kept simple with a pat of butter, it’s a testament to the potato’s humble perfection.
Get the Recipe: Baked Potato

Cheesy Zucchini Casserole

A light and flavorful side that can easily outshine any main dish. This Cheesy Zucchini Casserole pairs tender zucchini with ooey-gooey cheese in a healthy and satisfying dish. This is the kind of side dish that takes center stage.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Zucchini Casserole

Fingerling Potatoes

These Fingerling Potatoes are sure to impress. They’re crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and packed with flavor. Don’t be surprised if they steal the spotlight from your main dish.
Get the Recipe: Fingerling Potatoes

Refried Beans

With just the right amount of spice and a creamy texture, Refried Beans are a side that brings warmth and richness to any Mexican dish. They’re a staple that’s essential for taco night, burrito bowls, or simply enjoyed as a hearty dip. This dish is a humble reminder of the comforting power of well-cooked beans.
Get the Recipe: Refried Beans

Green Bean Casserole

Green Bean Casserole is the classic side that brings crunchy, creamy, and savory all in one bite. It’s a staple at many a gathering for good reason, turning green beans into a dish that’s eagerly anticipated. With its mix of tender beans, creamy mushroom sauce, and crispy fried onions, it’s a trio that’s hard to beat.
Get the Recipe: Green Bean Casserole

7 Layer Salad

Layer upon layer, the 7 Layer Salad is a spectacle of textures and tastes, beautifully presented in a clear bowl for all to admire. From the crisp lettuce foundation to the creamy dressing crown, it’s a side that’s as fun to assemble as it is to eat. This salad is a showstopper, proving that salads can be the centerpiece of any meal.
Get the Recipe: 7 Layer Salad