Sides dishes made simple: 23 effortless recipes to love

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Whether you’re hosting guests or just looking to jazz up your weeknight dinners, these simple side dishes are here to save the day! From refreshing salads to flavorful roasted veggies, discover quick and effortless recipes that will take your meals from ordinary to extraordinary.

Aloo Gobi Masala

Aloo gobi masala in skillet with naan bread.
Aloo Gobi Masala. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes

Try a tasty twist on a classic Indian dish. This aloo gobi masala side dish recipe is a delicious combination of potatoes, cauliflower and spices cooked in a flavorful curry-style sauce.
Grab The Recipe: Aloo Gobi Masala

Cheesy Loaded Twice Baked Potatoes

Four twice baked potatoes in a small baking dish.
Loaded twice-baked potatoes. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes

A cheesy and loaded twice-baked potato recipe that’s perfect for any night of the week. Find out how to make this delicious side dish with just a few simple ingredients!
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Loaded Twice-Baked Potatoes

Zucchini Bruschetta

Zucchini bruschetta on parchment paper.
Zucchini Bruschetta. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes

Load up oven-roasted zucchini slices with tomatoes, garlic, Parmesan, fresh basil, balsamic vinegar, and olive oil for a side dish bursting with flavor!
Get the Recipe: Zucchini Bruschetta

Red Skin Potato Salad

Red potato salad in bowl with bacon and parsley garnish.
Red Potato Salad. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes

This deliciously creamy red-skin potato salad is made with bacon for an extra savory kick. Enjoy this classic side dish at all your summer BBQs.
Get the Recipe: Red Skin Potato Salad

Roasted Cabbage Steaks

Roasted cabbage steaks on a platter.
Roasted cabbage steaks. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes

Warm and comforting, these roasted cabbage steaks are sure to become a favorite side dish! Topped with tasty seasonings, this healthy recipe is simple yet flavorful.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Cabbage Steaks

Air Fryer Potato Wedges

Fried potato wedges with ketchup and parsley.
Air Fryer Potato Wedges. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes

Upgrade your grilled meats by serving them with this irresistible side dish. Air fryer potato wedges are quick, hassle-free, and oh-so-satisfying. Get ready to enjoy pure potato perfection.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Potato Wedges

Vegan Mexican Rice

Mexican rice in small oval serving dish with spooon.
Vegan Mexican rice. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes

An easy and delicious side dish that can be whipped up in no time is vegan Mexican rice. It’s a great option to serve with your favorite Tex-Mex foods like tacos or burritos.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Mexican Rice

Bacon-Wrapped Air Fryer Cabbage

Bacon wrapped air fryer cabbage on white plate
Bacon Wrapped Air Fryer Cabbage. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes

Deliciously sweet and savory bacon wrapped air fryer cabbage is a flavorful side dish. You can even drizzle on your favorite sauces, such as ranch dressing or honey mustard sauce, for more flavor.
Get the Recipe: Bacon-Wrapped Air Fryer Cabbage

Air Fryer Home Fries

Air-fried potato cubes with diced green bell peppers on plate.
Air Fryer Home Fries. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes

Deliciously crispy air fryer home fries are easy to make without all the fat. Learn how to prepare this healthy side dish as an alternative to traditional fried potatoes!
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Home Fries

Green Bean Tomato Salad with Feta

Green beans and tomatoes on a white plate.
Green bean tomato salad. Photo Credit: Little Bit Recipes.

A fresh and flavorful side dish that you can enjoy year-round is green bean tomato salad. This delicious salad is easy to prepare and contains healthy ingredients that will make you feel great after eating it.
Get the Recipe: Green Bean Tomato Salad with Feta

Vegan Vegetable Ratatouille

Light blue bowl of ratatouille vegetables stew.
Ratatouille. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes

Discover the deliciousness of vegan ratatouille! Our easy-to-follow recipe will have you cooking up this flavorful French side dish in no time.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Vegetable Ratatouille

Southern Fried Cabbage with Bacon

Cabbage and bacon in white serving bowl.
Southern Fried Cabbage with Bacon. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes

Satisfy your cravings with a delicious, classic side dish of Southern fried cabbage with bacon. This easy recipe makes an incredibly flavorful side dish.
Get the Recipe: Southern Fried Cabbage with Bacon

Broccoli Salad with Bacon

Broccoli Salad with bacon on a plate.
Broccoli salad with bacon. Photo Credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Packed full of crunchy vegetables and savory bacon, this broccoli salad with bacon is sure to be a hit. It is an easy, delicious side dish for any meal.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Salad with Bacon

Air Fryer Corn on the Cob

Corn on the cob in a green corn dish in front of an air fryer.
Air Fryer Corn on the Cob. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Say goodbye to boiling pots and hello to Air Fryer Corn on the Cob! In just a few minutes, you’ll have juicy, perfectly cooked corn that’s bursting with flavor. It’s a classic side that the whole family will love, and it’s never been easier to make!
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Corn on the Cob

Air Fryer Broccolini

Air fried broccolini on a plate with lemons in the background.
Air Fryer Broccolini. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Air Fryer Broccolini is a quick, delicious, nutritious side dish that makes a perfect side for your Easter meal.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Broccolini

Rutabaga Fries

Rutabaga Fries serves in a glass.
Rutabaga Fries. Photo credit: Best Clean Eating.

Looking for a quick side dish that’s a bit different? Rutabaga fries are the answer. They’re a crunchy and satisfying alternative to regular fries, perfect for those evenings when simplicity is key.
Get the Recipe: Rutabaga Fries

Grilled Green Beans

Grilled Asian green beans on a plate with a lemon wedge.
Grilled Green Beans. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

These easy grilled green beans combine the perfect smoky char flavor with a tender bite . Tossed in a simple garlic soy sauce, they make a great side dish to almost any summer meal. Serves a family of 4 and ready in just about 15 minutes!
Get the Recipe: Grilled Green Beans

Cauliflower Pumpkin Puree

Cauliflower Pumpkin Puree in a bowl.
Cauliflower Pumpkin Puree. Photo credit: Low Carb – No Carb.

Need a simple side dish for a busy night? Look no further than this creamy cauliflower pumpkin puree. It’s a wholesome and velvety blend that adds comfort to any meal without the fuss. Just the thing to make your dinner complete!
Get the Recipe: Cauliflower Pumpkin Puree

Air Fryer Yellow Squash

Air fryer yellow squash on a fork with more squash pieces in the background on a plate.
Air Fryer Yellow Squash. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

If you’ve got some fresh yellow squash, pop it in the air fryer and watch the magic happen! In minutes, you’ll have a flavorful and nutritious side dish that adds a sunny touch to any meal. It’s like a little taste of summer, no hassle required!
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Yellow Squash

Creamy Coleslaw

low angled shot of coleslaw in a black bowl.
Creamy Coleslaw. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

This creamy coleslaw recipe is crisp and bright, tangy and a little sweet, and seasoned with just the right hit of spice and salt. It’s a quick and easy to make side dish that’s great with any meal.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Coleslaw

Coconut Cauliflower Rice

Coconut Cauliflower Rice inside golden plate with lime slices.
Coconut Cauliflower Rice. Photo credit: Best Clean Eating.

When your nights are busy, turn to coconut cauliflower rice for a hassle-free side dish. With a touch of tropical flair, this dish brings a subtle sweetness that perfectly complements your main course.
Get the Recipe: Coconut Cauliflower Rice

Stewed Okra & Tomatoes

Stewed okra and tomatoes on a plate with parsley garnish.
Stewed Okra & Tomatoes. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

The classic southern side dish of stewed okra and tomatoes is lightened up with an easy and refreshing spin in this recipe. Simplified to just a handful of ingredients, this comforting side dish is one you’ll fall back to time and time again.
Get the Recipe: Stewed Okra & Tomatoes

Crispy Red Potatoes

Air fried red potatoes in an air fryer basket.
Crispy Red Potatoes. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Give your meal a comforting touch with Crispy Red Potatoes. With a quick toss in olive oil and your choice of herbs, they roast to perfection. They’re a warm and satisfying side dish that feels homey without keeping you tied to the kitchen!
Get the Recipe: Crispy Red Potatoes

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