17 Sides So Addictive, The Mains Will Be An Afterthought
Ever think a side dish could outdo the main course? With these 17 recipes, it’s a reality. Each recipe is crafted to complement any main dish while shining on its own with unique flavors and textures. Get ready to surprise and delight dinner guests or family with sides that turn every meal into a memorable feast. Whip these up and watch as they become the talk of the table, making everything else seem like an opening act.
Yellow Lentil Dal
When you’re craving something warm and comforting, there’s nothing quite like a bowl of Yellow Lentil Dal. This dish is rich in flavors, with spices that warm you from the inside out. It’s so good that you might forget you were supposed to eat something else with it.
Get the Recipe: Yellow Lentil Dal
Eggplant Casserole
Bringing together layers of eggplant, sauce, and cheese, Eggplant Casserole is a dish that can stand alone on any dinner table. It’s hearty and filled with comforting flavors that make you want to reach for seconds. This casserole might just make the main dish feel a bit jealous.
Get the Recipe: Eggplant Casserole
Air Fryer Asparagus
Air Fryer Asparagus turns these green stalks into a crispy, tender side dish that’s hard to stop eating. The edges get just a bit crispy while the inside stays perfectly tender. It’s a quick and healthy option that could easily take center stage.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Asparagus
Sweet Potato Cubes
Roasted until they’re caramelized on the outside and soft on the inside, Sweet Potato Cubes are a side dish that often steals the show. With just the right touch of sweetness, they complement any meal. These cubes are so addictive, you’ll be making them just to snack on.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Cubes
Egg Casserole – Make Ahead Breakfast
Egg Casserole is the perfect way to start your day, packed with your favorite breakfast ingredients. It’s a make-ahead miracle that’s as satisfying as it is convenient. Come morning, you might just wonder why you even bothered with other breakfast options.
Get the Recipe: Egg Casserole – Make Ahead Breakfast
Air Fryer Glazed Carrots
Carrots get a whole new lease on life when they’re made into Air Fryer Glazed Carrots. Sweet, tender, and slightly caramelized, they’re a side that outshines many main dishes. This dish proves that sometimes, simple ingredients can be transformed into something extraordinary.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Glazed Carrots
Fluffy Thai Jasmine Rice
There’s something about Fluffy Thai Jasmine Rice that makes it impossible to have just one serving. Its aromatic fragrance and perfect texture make it an ideal companion to any dish, or even just on its own. This rice might just become the reason you’re excited for dinner.
Get the Recipe: Fluffy Thai Jasmine Rice
Wild Rice Casserole
Imagine a side dish so hearty and flavorful, it could easily be mistaken for the main event. In the middle of your table, Wild Rice Casserole combines nutty wild rice with creamy mushrooms and crunchy almonds, making it a must-have for any meal. This casserole is the kind that makes guests ask for seconds before they’ve even finished their first serving.
Get the Recipe: Wild Rice Casserole
Stuffed Peppers
Bursting with a mix of savory fillings, Stuffed Peppers bring a pop of color and a load of flavor to your meal. These peppers are filled to the brim with a hearty blend of rice, meat, or beans, and spices, then baked until perfectly tender. They’re a standalone marvel that often becomes the talk of the table.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Peppers
Cauliflower Steaks
Cauliflower Steaks are changing the game, turning a humble vegetable into a dish that’s both elegant and satisfying. Sliced thick and roasted until golden, they’re seasoned to perfection, offering a meaty texture that surprises and delights. This dish easily becomes a centerpiece, proving that sides can be the star of any meal.
Get the Recipe: Cauliflower Steaks
Minestrone Soup
On a chilly day, a bowl of Minestrone Soup is like a warm embrace, filled to the brim with veggies, beans, and pasta in a rich tomato broth. It’s the kind of soup that fills you up and warms you from the inside out, making it a perfect start or side to any meal. This soup has a way of becoming a meal’s highlight, no matter what it’s paired with.
Get the Recipe: Minestrone Soup
Scalloped Potatoes
Scalloped Potatoes are a creamy dream, with layers of thinly sliced potatoes enveloped in a cheesy, garlicky sauce. Each bite is a perfect blend of soft potato and rich, velvety sauce, making it impossible to stop at just one serving. This dish is often the first to disappear, overshadowing even the most tantalizing mains.
Get the Recipe: Scalloped Potatoes
7 Layer Salad
7 Layer Salad is not just a feast for the eyes with its vibrant layers but a delight to the palate as well. This salad stacks greens, veggies, cheeses, and a creamy dressing in a clear bowl, creating a masterpiece of textures and flavors. It’s a dish that often becomes a talking point, with guests digging in eagerly to uncover each layer.
Get the Recipe: 7 Layer Salad
Refried Beans
Refried Beans are the unsung heroes of the side dish world, with their creamy texture and deep, savory flavor. This dish is so versatile and delicious, it often upstages the main course, becoming a must-have on any plate. Whether scooped up with tortilla chips or served alongside your favorite entree, they’re a humble side that always makes a big impact.
Get the Recipe: Refried Beans
Crispy Smashed Potatoes
Imagine potatoes that are perfectly crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. Crispy Smashed Potatoes achieve just that, with a golden crust that’s irresistibly crunchy. They’re a simple side that packs a punch of texture and flavor, often becoming the most talked-about dish of the meal.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Smashed Potatoes
Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole
Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole takes the beloved cauliflower and drenches it in a sea of creamy, cheesy goodness. Baked until bubbly and golden, this dish is a warm, comforting hug in casserole form. It’s so rich and satisfying, it often overshadows the main dish, making everyone come back for more.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole
Crispy Portobello Mushroom Fries
For a twist on traditional fries, Crispy Portobello Mushroom Fries offer a meaty, satisfying crunch. These fries are coated in a crispy batter and fried to perfection, creating a side that’s both unique and addictive. They’re a fun and flavorful way to shake up your side dish game, often stealing the show from more traditional fare.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Portobello Mushroom Fries
