Forget The Main Course! 21 Insanely Delicious Side Dishes That Steal The Show

Side dishes are now taking center stage, making meals exciting with their amazing tastes and looks. They’re not just extras anymore but are prepared with a lot of care, just like the main dishes. These 21 sides are so good they make you almost forget about the main course, turning a regular meal into a special food experience!

A plate of eggplant casserole with sauce and cheese.
Eggplant Casserole. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Spicy Korean Cucumber Salad

If you think salads are just fillers, our Spicy Korean Cucumber Salad will change your mind. It’s got a kick that livens up any meal, and it’s not just another side dish; it’s a conversation starter. Don’t be shocked if it gets more attention than the main course. It’s bold, it’s fresh, and it’s memorable.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Korean Cucumber Salad

Corn Casserole

Corn casserole in a casserole dish with a portion removed.
Corn Casserole. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Sometimes simplicity wins, and that’s what our Corn Casserole is all about. It’s creamy, it’s comforting, and it just might be the dish you’re remembered for. Don’t be surprised if friends skip the main dish to have more of this. It’s that kind of side that ends up stealing the show.
Get the Recipe: Corn Casserole

Scalloped Potatoes

Cheesy potato casserole in a white dish with a fork.
Scalloped Potatoes. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

There’s a reason our Scalloped Potatoes are a classic: they’re irresistibly creamy and cheesy. They have a way of making you forget about the main dish and focus on savoring every bite. It’s comfort food that always impresses.
Get the Recipe: Scalloped Potatoes

Yellow Lentil Dal

A bowl of yellow lentil dal with sour cream and a spoon.
Yellow Lentil Dal. Photo credit: Two City Vegans.

It’s simple, it’s hearty, and it’s full of flavor. Yellow Lentil Dal is one of those sides that might just upstage the main dish. Serve it up with some rice or bread, and watch it disappear from the table. It’s a winner every time.
Get the Recipe: Yellow Lentil Dal

Air Fryer Glazed Carrots

Air fryer glazed carrots in a bowl with parsley.
Air Fryer Glazed Carrots. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

With a sweet glaze, these carrots come out of the air fryer ready to compete with any main dish. They’re so easy to make, you’ll find yourself adding Air Fryer Glazed Carrots to your meal plans more often. Perfect for when you need something quick and delicious that everyone will love.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Glazed Carrots

Wild Rice Casserole

A bowl of pasta with lemon slices and parmesan cheese.
Wild Rice Casserole. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

This isn’t just another side dish; our Wild Rice Casserole has a way of becoming the star of the table. It’s full of flavor and hearty enough to keep everyone satisfied. When you serve this, don’t be surprised if guests are talking about it long after the meal is over.
Get the Recipe: Wild Rice Casserole

Crispy Smashed Potatoes

Smashed Red Skin Potatoes in a white bowl.
Crispy Smashed Potatoes. Photo credit: Two City Vegans.

Who knew potatoes could be this exciting? Our Crispy Smashed Potatoes offer that perfect crunch and a flavor that can stand up to any main dish. They’re so good, you might want to make extra because they won’t last long on the table.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Smashed Potatoes

Minestrone Soup

Two bowls of soup with pasta and vegetables.
Minestrone Soup. Photo credit: Two City Vegans.

This soup is a robust addition to any meal, packed with veggies and flavor. Minestrone Soup is so good, it might just overshadow the main dish you’ve spent hours preparing. It’s that bowl of comfort everyone will remember.
Get the Recipe: Minestrone Soup

Egg Casserole – Make Ahead Breakfast

A casserole dish containing egg casserole.
Egg Casserole – Make Ahead Breakfast. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Even though it’s great for breakfast, our Egg Casserole is versatile enough to be a hit at any meal. It’s flavorful, packed with ingredients, and can easily overshadow a main dish. Plus, making it ahead means you have more time to enjoy your meal.
Get the Recipe: Egg Casserole – Make Ahead Breakfast

Crispy Portobello Mushroom Fries

A bowl of crispy portobello mushroom fries with dipping sauce.
Crispy Portobello Mushroom Fries. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

These are not your typical fries. Our Crispy Portobello Mushroom Fries bring a unique and irresistible flavor to the table that can easily overshadow the main course. They’re the kind of side dish that guests will be asking about.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Portobello Mushroom Fries

Refried Beans

A bowl of homemade refried beans and lime wedges.
Refried Beans. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

A bowl of Refried Beans might not sound like a showstopper, but its creamy, rich flavor can easily steal the spotlight. It’s a versatile side that complements any main dish, yet it’s so good you might forget there was anything else to eat.
Get the Recipe: Refried Beans

Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole

Cheesy cauliflower casserole in a white dish with spoons.
Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

When you think side dishes can’t get any better, our Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole enters the scene. It’s so flavorful and wholesome that it could easily take center stage on your dining table. It’s a great way to enjoy cauliflower, and it might just overshadow the main course.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole

Egg Bites

Egg Bites on a board with a little parsley on top.
Egg Bites. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Who said sides can’t be the star? Egg Bites are small but mighty, packed with flavor, and customizable to your liking. They’re so good, that you might just forget about the main dish and fill up on these instead. Plus, they’re perfect for sharing, if you can manage to part with them.
Get the Recipe: Egg Bites

Asparagus Casserole

Cheesy asparagus casserole on a plate with a fork.
Asparagus Casserole. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

This isn’t just another vegetable dish, our Asparagus Casserole has a way of standing out, making you think twice about what’s a side and what’s the main event. It’s creamy, comforting, and has just the right touch of crunch. You might find yourself filling up on this before even touching the main course.
Get the Recipe: Asparagus Casserole

Cauliflower Steaks

Cauliflower steaks with pomegranate and pistachios on a plate.
Cauliflower Steaks. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Forget what you thought about sides being just sides, our Cauliflower Steaks are robust, flavorful, and wholesome enough to take center stage. They have a meaty texture that’s surprisingly filling, and their flavor profile is robust enough to make you pause and savor each bite.
Get the Recipe: Cauliflower Steaks

Southern Mash

Mashed potatoes on a white plate.
Southern Mash. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

When you bring out Southern Mash, you’re serving comfort in a bowl. It’s so rich and buttery that it often overshadows the main dish. It’s the kind of side that makes people ask for seconds before they’ve even touched anything else. In the world of sides, this one’s a keeper, making any meal feel like home.
Get the Recipe: Southern Mash

Broccoli Casserole with Crackers

Someone serving broccoli casserole.
Broccoli Casserole with Crackers. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Forget what you thought about broccoli being just a side; our Broccoli Casserole with Crackers turns it into the star. The crackers give it a crunch that’s just right. It’s the kind of dish that makes guests ask for the recipe before they leave. And yes, it’s that good to make people forget there’s a main dish.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Casserole with Crackers

Cilantro Lime Rice

Chipotle rice in a bowl with sliced lime and spoons.
Cilantro Lime Rice. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Our Cilantro Lime Rice is that light, refreshing side that ends up being the thing everyone talks about. It’s got a fresh zing that can brighten up any meal, making it more than just a side. Don’t be surprised if it’s the first dish to run out; it’s often the unsung hero of the dinner table.
Get the Recipe: Cilantro Lime Rice

Copycat Chipotle Corn Salsa

A bowl of freshly made Copycat Chipotle corn salsa with a serving spoon in it.
Copycat Chipotle Corn Salsa. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Making your own Copycat Chipotle Corn Salsa means you get all the flavor without leaving home. It’s a side that’s so good it often becomes the highlight of the meal. Bright, tangy, and with just the right kick, it’s a side that doesn’t know its place because it’s too busy being the center of attention.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Chipotle Corn Salsa

Eggplant Casserole

A plate of eggplant casserole with sauce and cheese.
Eggplant Casserole. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

When you bring Eggplant Casserole to the table, it’s bound to get attention. It’s rich, flavorful, and surprisingly satisfying. Even those who aren’t big on eggplant might find themselves coming back for seconds.
Get the Recipe: Eggplant Casserole

Crispy Shallots

A pile of crispy shallots on a plate.
Crispy Shallots. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

They’re so good, you might forget they’re just a side. Crispy Shallots bring a crunch that’s hard to resist, turning any ordinary dish into something memorable. They’re the kind of addition that makes you wonder why you haven’t been adding them to everything. By the end of the meal, they’re the part you’ll remember.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Shallots

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