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!
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!
1 Glazed Carrots
Side Dish
Glazed Carrots
Total Time: 20 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
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2 Spanish Rice Recipe
Side Dish
Spanish Rice Recipe
Total Time: 45 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
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3 How to Boil Corn on the Cob Recipe
Side Dish
How to Boil Corn on the Cob Recipe
Total Time: 15 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
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4 Roasted Red Potatoes Recipe
Side Dish
Roasted Red Potatoes Recipe
Total Time: 35 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
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5 Fruit Salad Recipe
Side Dish
Fruit Salad Recipe
Total Time: 1 hour hour 20 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
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6 Easy Yeast Roll Recipe
Bread
Easy Yeast Roll Recipe
Total Time: 50 minutes minutes
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7 Fresh Green Bean Casserole
Side Dish
Fresh Green Bean Casserole
Total Time: 45 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
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8 Pasta Salad Recipe
Side Dish
Pasta Salad Recipe
Total Time: 2 hours hours 15 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
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9 Easy Coleslaw Recipe
Side Dish
Easy Coleslaw Recipe
Total Time: 10 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
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10 Sweet Cornbread Recipe
Bread
Sweet Cornbread Recipe
Total Time: 40 minutes minutes
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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!
11 Roasted Broccoli Recipe
Side Dish
Roasted Broccoli Recipe
Total Time: 25 minutes minutes
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12 Roasted Brussel Sprouts
Side Dish
Roasted Brussel Sprouts
Total Time: 40 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
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13 Caramelized Brussel Sprouts Recipe
Side Dish
Caramelized Brussel Sprouts Recipe
Total Time: 30 minutes minutes
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14 Mashed Cauliflower Recipe
Side Dish
Mashed Cauliflower Recipe
Total Time: 30 minutes minutes
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15 Parmesan Crusted Zucchini Recipe
Appetizer, Side Dish
Parmesan Crusted Zucchini Recipe
Total Time: 16 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
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16 Bacon Wrapped Asparagus Recipe
Appetizer, Side Dish
Bacon Wrapped Asparagus Recipe
Total Time: 22 minutes minutes
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17 Roasted Cauliflower Recipe
Side Dish
Roasted Cauliflower Recipe
Total Time: 25 minutes minutes
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18 Cauliflower Rice Recipe
Side Dish
Cauliflower Rice Recipe
Total Time: 10 minutes minutes
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19 Baked Parmesan Asparagus Recipe
Side Dish
Baked Parmesan Asparagus Recipe
Total Time: 25 minutes minutes
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20 Roasted Green Beans Recipe
Side Dish
Roasted Green Beans Recipe
Total Time: 17 minutes minutes
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21 Asparagus Bundles Recipe
Side Dish
Asparagus Bundles Recipe
Total Time: 25 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
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22 Green Bean Bundles
Side Dish
Green Bean Bundles
Total Time: 30 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
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23 Oven Roasted Vegetables Recipe
Side Dish
Oven Roasted Vegetables Recipe
Total Time: 35 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
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24 Zucchini Fries Recipe
Side Dish
Zucchini Fries Recipe
Total Time: 30 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
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25 Green Bean Casserole with Bacon
Side Dish
Green Bean Casserole with Bacon
Total Time: 45 minutes minutes
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26 Honey Glazed Carrots
Side Dish
Honey Glazed Carrots
Total Time: 15 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
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27 Yellow Squash Casserole
Main Course, Side Dish
Yellow Squash Casserole
Total Time: 35 minutes minutes
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28 Microwave Corn
Side Dish
Microwave Corn
Total Time: 10 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
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29 Grilled Asparagus
Side Dish
Grilled Asparagus
Total Time: 8 minutes minutes
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30 Brussel Sprouts and Bacon Recipe
Side Dish
Brussel Sprouts and Bacon Recipe
Total Time: 35 minutes minutes
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31 Fried Cauliflower Recipe
Appetizer, Side Dish
Fried Cauliflower Recipe
Total Time: 25 minutes minutes
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32 Fried Corn Recipe
Salad, Side Dish
Fried Corn Recipe
Total Time: 30 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
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33 Fried Eggplant Recipe
Appetizer, Side Dish
Fried Eggplant Recipe
Total Time: 20 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
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34 Corn on the Cob on the Grill
Side Dish
Corn on the Cob on the Grill
Total Time: 17 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
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35 Parmesan Brussel Sprouts Recipe
Appetizer, Side Dish
Parmesan Brussel Sprouts Recipe
Total Time: 25 minutes minutes
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36 Fried Zucchini
Appetizer, Side Dish
Fried Zucchini
Total Time: 10 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
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37 Roasted Carrots Recipe
Side Dish
Roasted Carrots Recipe
Total Time: 30 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
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38 Sauteed Green Beans Recipe
Side Dish
Sauteed Green Beans Recipe
Total Time: 12 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
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39 Corn Casserole Recipe
Side Dish
Corn Casserole Recipe
Total Time: 50 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
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40 Easy Green Bean Casserole
Side Dish
Easy Green Bean Casserole
Total Time: 30 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
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41 Creamed Corn Recipe
Side Dish
Creamed Corn Recipe
Total Time: 20 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
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42 Mexican Corn on the Cob
Appetizer, Side Dish
Mexican Corn on the Cob
Total Time: 14 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
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43 Crock Pot Creamed Corn
Side Dish
Crock Pot Creamed Corn
Total Time: 2 hours hours 10 minutes minutes
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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.
44 Cheesy Potatoes Recipe
Side Dish
Cheesy Potatoes Recipe
Total Time: 4 hours hours 5 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
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45 Crock Pot Scalloped Potatoes Recipe
Side Dish
Crock Pot Scalloped Potatoes Recipe
Total Time: 4 hours hours 15 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
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46 Best Slow Cooker Pork Chops
Main Course
Best Slow Cooker Pork Chops
Total Time: 2 hours hours 15 minutes minutes
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47 Mashed Potato Casserole
Side Dish
Mashed Potato Casserole
Total Time: 55 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
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48 Parmesan Potatoes Recipe
Side Dish
Parmesan Potatoes Recipe
Total Time: 30 minutes minutes
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49 Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole
Side Dish
Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole
Total Time: 48 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
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50 Best Mashed Potatoes
Side Dish
Best Mashed Potatoes
Total Time: 55 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
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51 Crock Pot Baked Potatoes Recipe
Main Course, Side Dish
Crock Pot Baked Potatoes Recipe
Total Time: 5 hours hours 10 minutes minutes
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52 Funeral Potatoes Recipe
Side Dish
Funeral Potatoes Recipe
Total Time: 1 hour hour
Recipe Video
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53 Herb Roasted Potatoes Recipe
Side Dish
Herb Roasted Potatoes Recipe
Total Time: 30 minutes minutes
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54 Red Potatoes Recipe
Side Dish
Red Potatoes Recipe
Total Time: 30 minutes minutes
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55 Perfect Baked Potato
Main Course
Perfect Baked Potato
Total Time: 1 hour hour 15 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
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56 Roasted Sweet Potato Cubes
Side Dish
Roasted Sweet Potato Cubes
Total Time: 30 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
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57 Candied Sweet Potatoes
Side Dish
Candied Sweet Potatoes
Total Time: 18 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
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58 Potato Wedges Recipe
Side Dish
Potato Wedges Recipe
Total Time: 40 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
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59 Instant Pot Potato Salad
Side Dish
Instant Pot Potato Salad
Total Time: 40 minutes minutes
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60 Mashed Sweet Potato Recipe
Side Dish
Mashed Sweet Potato Recipe
Total Time: 55 minutes minutes
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61 Parmesan Potatoes Recipe
Side Dish
Parmesan Potatoes Recipe
Total Time: 30 minutes minutes
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62 Twice Baked Potato Casserole Recipe
Side Dish
Twice Baked Potato Casserole Recipe
Total Time: 1 hour hour 5 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
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63 Pommes Frites
Side Dish
Pommes Frites
Total Time: 35 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
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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!
64 Macaroni Salad
Salad, Side Dish
Macaroni Salad
Total Time: 20 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
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65 Broccoli Cauliflower Salad
Salad, Side Dish
Broccoli Cauliflower Salad
Total Time: 20 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
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66 Broccoli Salad Recipe
Salad
Broccoli Salad Recipe
Total Time: 2 hours hours 10 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
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67 Summer Corn Salad Recipe
Salad
Summer Corn Salad Recipe
Total Time: 7 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
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68 Quick Caprese Salad Recipe
Salad
Quick Caprese Salad Recipe
Total Time: 5 minutes minutes
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70 Tomato Mozzarella Salad
Salad
Tomato Mozzarella Salad
Total Time: 8 minutes minutes
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71 Greek Pasta Salad Recipe
Salad
Greek Pasta Salad Recipe
Total Time: 20 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
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72 Cucumber Tomato Avocado Salad Recipe
Salad
Cucumber Tomato Avocado Salad Recipe
Total Time: 10 minutes minutes
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73 Wedge Salad Recipe
Salad
Wedge Salad Recipe
Total Time: 4 hours hours 15 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
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74 Arugula Salad Recipe
Main Course, Salad, Side Dish
Arugula Salad Recipe
Total Time: 10 minutes minutes
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75 Asparagus Salad Recipe
Salad
Asparagus Salad Recipe
Total Time: 10 minutes minutes
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76 Pistachio Salad Recipe
Salad
Pistachio Salad Recipe
Total Time: 35 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
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77 Ambrosia Salad Recipe
Salad, Side Dish
Ambrosia Salad Recipe
Total Time: 1 hour hour 15 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
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78 Asian Noodle Salad Recipe
Salad
Asian Noodle Salad Recipe
Total Time: 10 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
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79 Green Bean Salad Recipe
Side Dish
Green Bean Salad Recipe
Total Time: 15 minutes minutes
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80 Broccoli Strawberry Salad Recipe
Salad
Broccoli Strawberry Salad Recipe
Total Time: 7 minutes minutes
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81 Mexican Corn Salad Recipe
Appetizer, Side Dish
Mexican Corn Salad Recipe
Total Time: 25 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
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82 Broccoli Slaw Recipe
Salad, Side Dish
Broccoli Slaw Recipe
Total Time: 10 minutes minutes
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83 Sweet Coleslaw Recipe
Salad
Sweet Coleslaw Recipe
Total Time: 10 minutes minutes
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84 Pea Salad Recipe
Salad, Side Dish
Pea Salad Recipe
Total Time: 45 minutes minutes
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85 Brussel Sprout Salad Recipe
Salad
Brussel Sprout Salad Recipe
Total Time: 25 minutes minutes
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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!
87 Crock Pot Mac and Cheese
Main Course
Crock Pot Mac and Cheese
Total Time: 2 hours hours 15 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
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88 Mexican Street Corn Recipe
Side Dish
Mexican Street Corn Recipe
Total Time: 13 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
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90 How to Cook Rice in a Crock Pot
Side Dish
How to Cook Rice in a Crock Pot
Total Time: 2 hours hours 5 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
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91 Cilantro Lime Rice Recipe
Side Dish
Cilantro Lime Rice Recipe
Total Time: 30 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
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92 Sour Cream Cornbread
Bread
Sour Cream Cornbread
Total Time: 35 minutes minutes
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93 Canned Refried Beans
Appetizer
Canned Refried Beans
Total Time: 10 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
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94 Roasted Tomatoes Recipe
Side Dish
Roasted Tomatoes Recipe
Total Time: 22 minutes minutes
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95 Coconut Rice Recipe
Side Dish
Coconut Rice Recipe
Total Time: 20 minutes minutes
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96 Garlic Knots Recipe
Side Dish
Garlic Knots Recipe
Total Time: 20 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
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97 Instant Pot Brown Rice Recipe
Side Dish
Instant Pot Brown Rice Recipe
Total Time: 35 minutes minutes
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98 Garlic Bread Recipe
Bread
Garlic Bread Recipe
Total Time: 20 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
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99 Garlic Bread Recipe
Bread
Garlic Bread Recipe
Total Time: 20 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
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100 Cheddar Bay Biscuit Recipe
Bread
Cheddar Bay Biscuit Recipe
Total Time: 14 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
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101 Baked Beans Recipe
Side Dish
Baked Beans Recipe
Total Time: 4 hours hours 5 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
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102 Crock Pot Pinto Beans Recipe
Side Dish
Crock Pot Pinto Beans Recipe
Total Time: 12 hours hours
Recipe Video
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103 Spinach Artichoke Bread Recipe
Appetizer, Bread
Spinach Artichoke Bread Recipe
Total Time: 20 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
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104 Jiffy Corn Pudding
Side Dish
Jiffy Corn Pudding
Total Time: 1 hour hour
Recipe Video
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FAQS
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