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When you need dinner in a flash, the sides need to be a snap as well. These easy side dishes will have your family eating in no time!
Gotta Love Easy Sides!
Whether it’s veggies, potatoes, rolls, or fruit – this collection of easy side dishes is perfect for even the most novice chef. These dishes do not skimp on flavor!! We’ve made meal planning easy, so go read a book.
- For easy side dish tips & tricks, scroll to the bottom of the post!
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Most Popular Easy Sides
Who doesn’t love a simple side? These classics may use common ingredients but they are still packed with flavor and variety. From tender carrots to fresh corn the cob with butter, these are fresh sides are among our favorites to take to BBQs, picnics, and potlucks!
Glazed Carrots
Tender, tasty, and ready in a flash, sweet glazed carrots are a four-ingredient side dish that's always a crowd-pleaser.
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Spanish Rice Recipe
Restaurant-Style Spanish Rice (aka Mexican Rice), that is easy to make and tastes like it came straight from the restaurant, and is the best side dish to any Mexican entree.
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How to Boil Corn on the Cob Recipe
Boiling corn on the cob is a cinch! You will love this juicy corn on the cob to put on the side of any summer meal.
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Roasted Red Potatoes Recipe
With a handful of ingredients, and 30 minutes bake time – crispy, seasoned oven roasted red potatoes will add flavor to any meal!
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Fruit Salad Recipe
This fruit salad recipe includes an array of colorful and healthy fruits, making it a delicious side dish for any meal.
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Easy Yeast Roll Recipe
These easy yeast rolls can be made in under an hour with just 4 ingredients! With how quick and simple they are, they will become your new go-to dinner rolls.
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Fresh Green Bean Casserole
Fresh green bean casserole is so easy to make and so delicious that it will become a holiday staple in your home.
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Pasta Salad Recipe
This easy pasta salad recipe takes minutes to make. It's a classic side dish, perfect for BBQs, picnics, or any night of the week!
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Easy Coleslaw Recipe
This quick and Easy Coleslaw makes the perfect side dish for any picnic or BBQ. It takes just minutes to put this classic coleslaw recipe together, and it can easily be customized with the spices and flavors you love most.
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Sweet Cornbread Recipe
Moist and fluffy Sweet Cornbread is perfect to enjoy all year long, but especially with soups in the fall.
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Easy Vegetables
Make sure to get your veggies! Parmesan topped asparagus or grilled red onion and bell pepper, these best sides are quick, and perfect for adding some color to your meal!
Roasted Broccoli Recipe
Delicious, tender Roasted Broccoli coated in olive oil and lemon juice and drizzled in Parmesan cheese. We love this recipe!
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Roasted Brussel Sprouts
Roasted brussels sprouts have a perfectly crispy outside and a melt-in-your-mouth center, and take just minutes to prep!
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Caramelized Brussel Sprouts Recipe
Fabulously sweet and a little crispy, these caramelized Brussel sprouts are one of our favorite side dishes! Even your pickiest eater will enjoy this recipe.
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Mashed Cauliflower Recipe
Creamy mashed cauliflower is undeniably delicious! It's simple to make and is such a great side dish for any dinner meal.
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Parmesan Crusted Zucchini Recipe
Delicious and Healthy Baked Parmesan Zucchini. These spears are crusted in Parmesan cheese and baked to perfection, making them a great side dish for any meal.
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Bacon Wrapped Asparagus Recipe
Bacon Wrapped Asparagus is a smoky and savory side dish. It is crispy, delicious, and takes about 20 minutes to prepare!
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Roasted Cauliflower
Roasted cauliflower is the perfect healthy side dish, it's simple to throw into the oven and comes out golden brown with a little crunch!
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Cauliflower Rice Recipe
This tasty low-carb side dish will knock your socks off with how yummy it is! Cauliflower rice will be your new go-to healthy side dish!
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Baked Parmesan Asparagus
Baked parmesan asparagus is the yummiest way to eat veggies! It takes just 10 minutes to prep and only a handful of seasonings.
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Roasted Green Beans Recipe
Roasted Green Beans are the easiest and most delicious healthy side dish that goes perfect with any dinner. Plus, they’re quick and great for holiday meals too.
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Asparagus Bundles
With few ingredients and just 5 minutes of prep, asparagus bundles are wrapped in bacon for unmatched flavor perfection and wow factor.
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Green Bean Bundles
Mouth-watering green bean bundles are wrapped in bacon and glazed in brown sugar for the ultimate side dish!
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Oven Roasted Vegetables Recipe
Simple, flavorful, and healthy Oven roasted vegetables take less than 10 minutes of prep work! Nothing beats yummy veggies roasted in the oven!
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Zucchini Fries Recipe
These baked zucchini sticks are crusted and baked in panko, parmesan cheese, oregano, and basil. Zucchini fries are healthy AND delicious!
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Green Bean Casserole with Bacon
Green bean casserole with bacon is an elevated classic with fresh green beans and lots of flavor making it a favorite holiday side!
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Honey Glazed Carrots
Sweet honey glazed carrots are simple and ready in 15 minutes, the perfect side dish for any meal, especially holidays!
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Yellow Squash Casserole
Dive into creamy, cheesy comfort with this yellow squash casserole, a holiday side dish boasting a deliciously crunchy, buttery topping.
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Microwave Corn
Did you know you can microwave corn on the cob? It's the quickest and easiest way to cook juicy, crispy corn on the cob.
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Grilled Asparagus
Sprinkled with salt, pepper, and a little parmesan cheese, grilled asparagus is a simply flavorful side for any dinner recipe!
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Brussel Sprouts and Bacon Recipe
Brussel sprouts with bacon has a delicious flavor that will make you come back for second and third helpings! Adding bacon is the perfect addition to this side dish recipe that is simple and loved by all.
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Fried Cauliflower Recipe
Crispy pan Fried Cauliflower is coated in an Asian sweet chili sauce for a tasty veggie appetizer that is sure to be a crowd favorite!
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Fried Corn Recipe
Flavorful fried corn is filled with bacon and flavor. It's a perfect pairing to your favorites and comes together in under 30 minutes!
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Fried Eggplant Recipe
With a crispy outside and tender middle, this fried eggplant dipped in marinara will be a favorite way to eat your veggies!
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Corn on the Cob on the Grill
Corn on the cob on the grill has become our new favorite summer side dish, and we can't get enough of that smoky char!
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Parmesan Brussel Sprouts Recipe
These Parmesan Brussel Sprouts are a new favorite side dish. The roasted parmesan makes a wonderful crunchy texture and adds a delicious layer of flavor!
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Fried Zucchini
Restaurant-style fried zucchini is a family favorite! It's simply addicting, especially dipped in ranch or marinara.
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Roasted Carrots Recipe
Easy roasted carrots are lightly seasoned for a simple healthy side that is on the table in only 30 minutes!
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Sauteed Green Beans Recipe
Sauteed green beans are a quick and easy stovetop side that is packed with flavor and comes together in minutes!
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Corn Casserole Recipe
Moist and tender corn casserole requires only a handful of ingredients for an easy side that is packed with flavor!
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Easy Green Bean Casserole
This easy green bean casserole is a holiday classic, featuring sauce-covered green beans and crispy onions baked to golden perfection.
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Creamed Corn Recipe
Better than the canned version, this smooth and buttery creamed corn recipe is easy, cheesy, and delicious!
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Mexican Corn on the Cob
Mexican corn on the cob is one of the best street foods in the world!! It's grilled in minutes and slathered in cheese, mayo, and spices.
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Crock Pot Creamed Corn
Dinner wouldn't be complete without rich, flavorful crock pot creamed corn! It's creamy, buttery, and preps in minutes – a holiday favorite!
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Easy Potatoes
Potatoes are extremely versatile. They can take on many flavor profiles, are filling, and pair well with any main dish! In our opinion, potatoes are perfect for protein like chicken, steak, ribs, and everything in between.
Cheesy Potatoes Recipe
Crockpot cheesy potatoes are the perfect, easy side dish for your next meal or holiday gathering. Just dump, cook, and enjoy!!
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Crock Pot Scalloped Potatoes Recipe
Creamy crock pot scalloped potatoes are a great side to any meal. You only need a few ingredients and the slow cooker!
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Best Slow Cooker Pork Chops
These Simple and delicious Slow Cooker Pork Chops are sure to become a family favorite. They are so tender and juicy and are topped with an amazing gravy that we love to serve over the chops and mashed potatoes!
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Mashed Potato Casserole
Deliciously cheesy mashed potato casserole is a comforting twist that takes a classic side dish to a whole new level!
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Parmesan Potatoes Recipe
Simple and delicious baked parmesan potatoes are the perfect side dish, made from cubed potatoes coated in parmesan and a few simple seasonings.
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Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole
Cheesy hashbrown casserole takes minutes to prep and is the perfect side dish for any dinner or holiday meal!
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Best Mashed Potatoes
These buttery smooth BEST mashed potatoes are our go-to potato side dish for every dinner and holiday get-together. They're my FAVORITE!!
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Crock Pot Baked Potatoes Recipe
The crock pot takes all the guess work out of baked potatoes. Simply prep and wrap your potatoes, throw them in the crock pot, and they come out perfectly ready to be topped with all your favorite fixings!
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Funeral Potatoes
This classic cheesy funeral potatoes recipe is a holiday favorite, perfect for feeding a crowd with its rich, comforting flavor!
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Herb Roasted Potatoes Recipe
Easy Lemon Herb Roasted Potatoes – A yummy side dish!! Golden potatoes in lemon juice, olive oil, and lots of seasonings!!
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Red Potatoes Recipe
These Brown Sugar Glazed Red Potatoes have become our new favorite side dish! With only FOUR ingredients required, this red potatoes recipe is so simple to make. Everyone loves red skin potatoes smothered in a buttery brown sugar glaze!
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Perfect Baked Potato
With crispy, seasoned skin, a tender inside, and all the best toppings this recipe always results in the perfect baked potato!
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Roasted Sweet Potato Cubes
Simple roasted sweet potato cubes are flavor bombs coated in cheesy, spiced magic that'll make them your new go-to.
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Candied Sweet Potatoes
Simply tasty candied sweet potatoes are caramelized in butter and brown sugar, making them a favorite side dish.
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Potato Wedges Recipe
Crunchy potato wedges are perfectly seasoned and garnished with parmesan. You won't be able to stop at one!
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Instant Pot Potato Salad
It may be quicker, but this creamy instant pot potato salad has all of the flavor and texture of the original.
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Mashed Sweet Potato Recipe
Buttery smooth mashed sweet potatoes that elevate any meal you’re making. With maple syrup, cinnamon, nutmeg, butter and more, you will love the combination of sweet and savory these potatoes have to offer.
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Parmesan Potatoes Recipe
Simple and delicious baked parmesan potatoes are the perfect side dish, made from cubed potatoes coated in parmesan and a few simple seasonings.
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Twice Baked Potato Casserole Recipe
Twice Baked Potato Casserole – the classic potato dish in casserole form filled with red potatoes, cheese, sour cream, bacon and more. It’s the perfect side dish to any holiday meal or dinner.
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Pommes Frites
Crispy seasoned pommes frites paired with a zesty Cajun remoulade create a flavor explosion in every bite.
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Easy Side Salads
Salads are always a go-to easy pairing. They whip up quickly and can lend themselves to so many different flavor profiles!
Macaroni Salad With Ham
A favorite for generations, our kid-approved macaroni salad with ham is a potluck winner made in only 20 minutes!
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Broccoli Cauliflower Salad
Simple broccoli cauliflower salad is packed with veggies and ready in 20 minutes for a creamy crunch that is sure to be a hit!
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Broccoli Salad
Simple broccoli salad recipe delivers a hearty and satisfying crunch with a vibrant mix of fresh ingredients smothered in a creamy dressing.
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Corn Salad
This vibrant corn salad is veggie-packed, lightly dressed for a fresh taste, and ready to brighten your plate in under 15 minutes!
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Quick Caprese Salad Recipe
Simple and Quick Caprese Salad is easy and delicious with pops of mozzarella, tomatoes, avocados and drizzled with a balsamic glaze!
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Kale Salad Recipe
Sweet Kale Salad is topped with chunks of apple, candied pecans, dried cranberries, and bacon, served with a homemade sweet dijon vinaigrette!
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Tomato Mozzarella Salad
Our favorite fresh tomato mozzarella salad delivers big flavors with just 4 simple ingredients in under 10 minutes!
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Greek Pasta Salad Recipe
Greek pasta salad is packed with traditional Greek flavors and covered in a tasty dressing! It's perfectly light and refreshing.
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Cucumber Tomato Avocado Salad Recipe
Tomato Cucumber Avocado Salad – a simple, delicious and quick salad perfect for dinner or for BBQs and get togethers. So many great flavors!
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Wedge Salad Recipe
This fresh wedge salad is a classic. It's crisp and refreshing, smothered in creamy dressing and topped with crumbles of cheese and bacon.
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Arugula Salad Recipe
Fresh Arugula salad is loaded with healthy greens, juicy tomatoes, and parmesan shavings with pine nuts and creamy avocado on top!
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Asparagus Salad Recipe
Filled with mozzarella cheese, and cherry tomatoes, seasoned with basil, and covered in a light balsamic vinaigrette, this asparagus salad is bursting with flavor! Best of all, it comes together in less than 10 minutes!
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Pistachio Salad Recipe
Pistachio salad dessert is always served at our family gatherings. With whipped cream and marshmallows, it's always a hit!
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Ambrosia Salad Recipe
Ambrosia Salad will take you straight back to your childhood. This Southern creamy fruit salad is filled with mini marshmallows!
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Asian Noodle Salad Recipe
Asian Noodle Salad – coleslaw, linguine, chicken, and fried wonton strips covered in a delicious homemade Asian dressing!
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Green Bean Salad Recipe
Crisp and flavorful green bean salad is seasoned with garlic, feta, and lemon for a tasty side, perfect to accompany any dinner!
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Broccoli Strawberry Salad Recipe
Strawberry broccoli salad is creamy and refreshing with pops of juicy fruit. It can easily be made ahead and enjoyed later!
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Mexican Corn Salad Recipe
Grilled Mexican corn salad is a quick, easy twist on Elote. It's a perfect side for pairing with your Mexican favorites!
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Broccoli Slaw Recipe
Broccoli slaw is layered with green onions, oriental ramen noodles, peanuts, and sunflower seeds in a delicious dressing!
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Sweet Coleslaw Recipe
Sweet and Tangy Coleslaw is a copycat of a tasty dish from Disneyland's Big Thunder ranch. It is a perfect side dish to any meal or BBQ.
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Pea Salad Recipe
Pea salad is made with a creamy mayo dressing, bacon, cheese, and bright pops of peas. It only requires a handful of ingredients and is easy to make!
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Brussel Sprout Salad Recipe
Full of shredded Brussel sprouts, pomegranate seeds, sliced almonds, and a little bit of shaved parmesan, this colorful salad has the perfect amount of crunch!
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Antipasto Salad
Quick and hearty antipasto salad is filled with cured meats and veggies and lightly dressed with your favorite Italian dressing!
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More Easy Dinner Sides
We have too many fabulous choices to share so enjoy this bonus list of even more tasty recipes to complete your meal!
Crock Pot Mac and Cheese
Everyone loves a good slow cooker recipe, and this crock pot mac and cheese is so simple, cheesy, and delicious!
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Mexican Street Corn Recipe
Made in under 20 minutes, this deliciously cheesy Mexican street corn recipe is a perfectly spiced complement to any Mexican dinner.
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Fruit Kabobs
Colorful fruit kabobs are the best appetizer or side for any occasion! Load up your favorite fruits and get snacking.
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How to Cook Rice in a Crock Pot
No need for a rice cooker, simply follow these steps for how to cook rice in a crock pot. It's the easiest method!
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Cilantro Lime Rice
Our 30-minute Cafe Rio cilantro lime rice tastes just like the original – perfect for a salad, burrito, or taco!
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Sour Cream Cornbread
On the table in about 30 minutes, this tender sour cream cornbread is the perfect side to your favorite bowl of chili.
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Canned Refried Beans
Get perfectly creamy restaurant-style beans by adding just THREE extra ingredients to your canned refried beans!
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Roasted Tomatoes Recipe
Juicy roasted tomatoes are the yummiest and easiest appetizer or side dish. Roasting them (with a little olive oil, basil and parmesan) brings out every delicious flavor!
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Coconut Rice Recipe
This easy, restaurant-style Coconut Rice is perfect for pairing with your favorite Asian dishes. Best of all, it's ready in 20 minutes!
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Garlic Knots Recipe
Buttery-soft homemade garlic knots whip up in under 20 minutes and make a perfect side for pizza, pasta, or salads!
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Instant Pot Brown Rice Recipe
Quickly and easily make fluffy instant pot brown rice in under 40 minutes. With step-by-step instructions, it's no fail!
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Garlic Bread Recipe
Unleash the garlicky goodness in 20 minutes with this easy, cheesy garlic bread recipe that elevates any meal!
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Garlic Bread Recipe
This is by far our favorite Garlic Bread recipe. It takes minutes to put together and is SO cheesy and delicious. It’s the perfect side dish for any meal, but especially for pasta and Italian dishes!
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Cheddar Bay Biscuit Recipe
These addicting copycat cheddar bay biscuits whip up in under 15 minutes, and they taste even better than the real thing!
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Baked Beans Recipe
Easy Homemade Baked Beans is a must-have at all of our BBQ's. Everyone who tries it agrees it's the best baked beans recipe!
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Crock Pot Pinto Beans Recipe
Nutrient-rich pinto beans are cooked to perfection. These make a great meal or a tasty side dish to any of your Mexican dishes.
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Spinach Artichoke Bread Recipe
Deliciously cheesy Spinach Artichoke Bread makes a perfectly yummy appetizer or side!! It whips up in only 20 minutes!
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Jiffy Corn Pudding
Jiffy corn pudding is a creamy, buttery, and sweet side dish perfect for any dinner or holiday, and comfort food at its finest.
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FAQS
What Sides Should I Put On My Dinner Party Menu?
- Pairings should complement your meal and provide additional flavors and textures. Serve both hot and cold sides.
- Try not to repeat ingredients in the main dish and side.
- Be sure to balance the amount of starch, vegetables, and other dishes you plan to serve.
How Many Side Dish Recipes Should I Use at Dinner?
- 3-4 side dishes for a smaller gathering (6-8 people)
- 4-5 side dishes for a medium-sized party (8-12 people)
- 5-6 side dishes for a larger party (12+ people)
Keeping Recipes Warm?
- crock pots and chafing dishes
- an insulated cooler with warm water bottles, or hot packs
- a gas grill with a thermometer (keep the internal temp around 200°F)
- insulated food carrier
How Much Should I Make?
- salad. ½-1 cup per person
- potato dish. 6 ounces per person
- rice. 1½ ounces per person
- pasta. 2 ounces per person
- vegetable dish. 4 ounces per person
- bread. 1½ rolls per person
I make your Spanish rice a few times each month. Love your baked beans as well. I often come to your site to find new recipes when I’m trying to change things up with our dinner rotation. This list makes it easy to decide what to try next.
I love all your side dishes! Simple and all delicious.
What a fabulous collection! I just made the asparagus bundles and can’t wait to make more. Thank you!
All of these recipes look AMAZING!!! Can’t wait to try the green beans! Thanks for the best roundup!!
These are such great ideas. I always struggle coming up with good sides!
You have so many delicious side dish recipes on your site!! I go to your site daily, because my family is never disappointed & the recipes are super easy to make.