Go-to side dishes are a great addition to any meal, especially when you’re looking for something easy and quick to prepare. These 13 recipes, perfect for busy days, use common ingredients to effortlessly complement a variety of main dishes. They save you time and reduce effort, making them a practical choice for everyday cooking.
Parmesan Crusted Potatoes
This impressive yet simple side dish takes less than an hour to prepare and uses ingredients you likely have in your kitchen. Perfect for complementing a protein-rich main course, these potatoes bake to a golden crispness on the outside while remaining soft and fluffy inside. They’re a versatile option that pairs perfectly with a variety of main dishes, making them a reliable favorite for any dinner occasion.
Get the Recipe: Parmesan Crusted Potatoes
Buttery Whole Roasted Cauliflower
In this recipe, you’ll start by simmering the cauliflower in chicken stock and then popping it in the oven until roasted to a tender-crisp perfection. Ready in 30 minutes, this side is a budget-friendly and elegant addition to your meal, pairing perfectly with a variety of main dishes.
Get the Recipe: Buttery Whole Roasted Cauliflower
Cauliflower Risotto with Mushrooms
If you’re looking for a nutritious twist on a classic, this cauliflower risotto is a great pick. You’ll enjoy the creaminess of risotto but with the health benefits of cauliflower and mushrooms. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s a straightforward one-pot meal that’s perfect for both daily dinners and special occasions.
Get the Recipe: Cauliflower Risotto with Mushrooms
Baked Tomatoes with Parmesan and Mozzarella Cheese
For a side that’s both simple and impressive, try these oven-baked tomatoes. Slice up Roma tomatoes and top them with a mix of shredded Parmesan and mozzarella, herbs, and a drizzle of oil, and then bake until the cheese is golden and bubbly. Ready in just 25 minutes, this easy-to-make recipe is perfect for any gathering and is guaranteed to be a favorite.
Get the Recipe: Baked Tomatoes with Parmesan and Mozzarella Cheese
Halloumi Fries
In just 25 minutes, you can create this dish, perfect as a side dish alongside your main meal. Originating from Cyprus, halloumi is a cheese traditionally made from goat’s and sheep’s milk, sometimes blended with cow’s milk. Its high melting point lets you bake, grill, or fry it without losing shape, perfect for creating these crispy fries. They’re an excellent choice for adding a cozy, flavorful touch to your meals, easy to make, and delicious either solo or dipped in your favorite sauce.
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Baked Sliced Zucchini
For a quick and effortless addition to your dinner table, try a dish of oven-baked zucchini slices. Ready in just 20 minutes, this recipe transforms simple zucchini into a flavorful side with a tender inside and crispy Parmesan-coated exterior. Perfect for busy weeknights, this side dish is easy to prepare and a great way to round off a meal with minimal fuss.
Get the Recipe: Baked Sliced Zucchini
Golden Baked Jicama Fries
Shake up your side dish game, with these oven-baked jicama fries. Jicama is a root vegetable with a crisp texture and mild flavor and a great alternative to traditional potato fries. After a quick boil to soften them, these fries are seasoned and baked to achieve a golden, crispy finish. Ready in just a little over an hour, these fries make for a delicious side to any main course, offering a new way to add more veggies to your meals.
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Twice Baked Potato Casserole
Combining potatoes with the rich flavors of bacon, sour cream, and cheddar cheese, this casserole brings all the comfort of a twice-baked potato in a convenient, one-dish bake. Perfect for casual family dinners and larger gatherings, you can make it the day of, or in advance and reheat it when you’re ready to serve. It pairs perfectly with the rest of your holiday table or is even a great meal prep side for family dinner.
Get the Recipe: Twice Baked Potato Casserole
Fried Cabbage with Bacon
This easy one-skillet side dish takes simple ingredients like cabbage, bacon, and onion, and turns it into a warm and flavorful meal. Ready in 25 minutes, this side is perfect for those evenings when you need something quick and comforting, but just don’t have the energy to spend hours cooking.
Get the Recipe: Fried Cabbage with Bacon
Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms
In this recipe, mushroom caps are stuffed with seasoned sausage mixture and then baked in the oven until golden brown. Perfect for those who love a touch of creativity in the kitchen, they come together in under 30 minutes and are great as a side to a wide variety of main dishes.
Get the Recipe: Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms
Roasted Cubed Butternut Squash with Cauliflower and Bacon
On those nights when you crave a cozy side dish to your meals, this combination of butternut squash, cauliflower, and bacon is a winner. It’s a dish that requires minimal effort – just chop, season, and let the oven do the rest. The result is a blend of sweet, savory, and smoky flavors, ready to complement your main course. Perfect for those evenings when you want a warming, nutritious addition to your meal with minimal fuss.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Cubed Butternut Squash with Cauliflower and Bacon
Loaded Zucchini Boats
Take a lighter approach to a classic favorite with these stuffed zucchini boats. These boats are a creative, lighter alternative to traditional potato side dishes. Packed with cheese and bacon, they come together in about 30 minutes and add a playful yet comforting touch to any meal.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Zucchini Boats
Creamy Broccoli with Sun-Dried Tomatoes
For a quick and comforting side, this creamy broccoli and sun-dried tomato dish is your go-to. Ready in 25 minutes, it brings together sun-dried tomatoes and broccoli in a creamy sauce with Parmesan cheese.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Broccoli with Sun-Dried Tomatoes