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Home » Trending

13 Sides That Turn Average Meals Into Delicious Dinners

Published: Sep 23, 2024 by Lara Clevenger, Registered Dietitian This post may contain affiliate links - read my disclaimer for full details... Leave a Comment

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Boring meals be gone! Check out these 13 sides that will transform your average dinners into flavor-packed adventures. You’ll love the difference!

Mac and Cheese with Roasted Poblanos

A close-up view of a dish of macaroni and cheese garnished with chopped herbs, presented in a rectangular white baking dish, joins the ranks of our 21 roasted dishes.
Mac and Cheese with Roasted Poblanos. Photo Credit: The Crumby Kitchen.

Fresh jalapenos heat up this Mac and Cheese with Roasted Poblanos – but delicious, creamy layers of cheese cool it all down, making this side dish perfect for all ages & palates! 
Get the Recipe: Mac and Cheese with Roasted Poblanos

Sauteed Cast Iron Brussel Sprouts with Bacon

Sauteed Cast Iron Brussels Sprouts with Bacon in a white bowl with red pepper flakes, a spoon, and a fork.
Sauteed Cast Iron Brussel Sprouts with Bacon. Photo credit: Lara Clevenger.

Sautéed Cast Iron Brussels Sprouts with Bacon is a quick and easy side dish that's full of flavor! With only 5 ingredients and a cast iron skillet, clean up and prep is a breeze!
Get the Recipe: Sauteed Cast Iron Brussel Sprouts with Bacon

Mexican Street Corn Salad

A bowl of Mexican street corn salad featuring corn kernels, diced red bell peppers, green onions, cilantro, cotija cheese, and sliced jalapeños, garnished with lime wedges on the side—one of the 13 sizzling Fourth of July recipes you'll love.
Creamy Mexican Street Corn Salad. Photo Credit: The Crumby Kitchen.

When you’re tired of the same old thing, a bowl of Creamy Mexican Street Corn Salad will spice up your menu! This fun summer side dish is loaded with freshly grilled corn, chunks of ripe avocado, juicy tomatoes, and all the street corn toppings you want!
Get the Recipe: Creamy Mexican Street Corn Salad

Easy Blackstone Broccoli Recipe

Easy Blackstone Broccoli Recipe in a white bowl with a spoon.
Easy Blackstone Broccoli Recipe. Photo credit: Lara Clevenger.

Making broccoli on the Blackstone Griddle is incredibly easy to do! Have deliciously tender broccoli ready in no time at all. Broccoli is a great keto Blackstone recipe that pairs easily with many proteins.
Get the Recipe: Easy Blackstone Broccoli Recipe

Blackstone Corn on the Cob

Close-up of three buttered corn cobs sprinkled with herbs, with one cob partially eaten, against a white background.
Blackstone Corn on the Cob. Photo Credit: Lara Clevenger.

Blackstone Corn on the Cob is a delicious and easy-to-make side dish. Cook sweet and juicy corn on your Blackstone griddle in no time. Perfect for any occasion!
Get the Recipe: Blackstone Corn on the Cob

Roasted Potatoes and Green Beans

Roasted Potatoes and Green Beans with parsley, salt, and pepper.
Roasted Potatoes and Green Beans. Photo credit: Lara Clevenger.

Roasted potatoes and green beans make for a delicious and easy side dish! Complex carbs and a starch, all you need to do is add your favorite protein! These roasted vegetables are vegan and gluten-free!
Get the Recipe: Roasted Potatoes and Green Beans

Blackstone Brussel Sprouts with Bacon

Blackstone Brussel Spouts with bacon in a white bowl with a fork.
Blackstone Brussel Sprouts with Bacon. Photo credit: Lara Clevenger.

Make delicious Brussel sprouts with bacon on your Blackstone Griddle. This is a delicious side dish that the whole family will love!
Get the Recipe: Blackstone Brussel Sprouts with Bacon

Zucchini on the Blackstone Griddle

Zucchini on the Blackstone Griddle on a white plate.
Zucchini on the Blackstone Griddle. Photo credit: Lara Clevenger.

Make perfectly cooked zucchini on the Blackstone Griddle. Quick and easy, these make for a healthy side dish! These Blackstone zucchini are low in carbs and great for a keto or paleo diet!
Get the Recipe: Zucchini on the Blackstone Griddle

Easy Baked Skillet Mac and Cheese

A bowl of macaroni and cheese garnished with a small parsley leaf.
Easy Baked Skillet Mac and Cheese. Photo Credit: The Crumby Kitchen.

Skillet Mac and Cheese baked in the oven is the ultimate comfort food that’s perfect in any dinner situation! Whether you’re serving up a dozen people at a holiday potluck or four at a summer cookout, this easy side dish is always a crowd pleaser.
Get the Recipe: Easy Baked Skillet Mac and Cheese

Asparagus on the Blackstone Griddle

Blackstone Asparagus on white plate.
Asparagus on the Blackstone Griddle. Photo credit: Lara Clevenger.

Making asparagus on the Blackstone Griddle is insanely easy to do! Crunchy delicious grilled asparagus is a healthy side dish. Minimal ingredients of garlic, salt, pepper and oil, this dish is done in no time at all!
Get the Recipe: Asparagus on the Blackstone Griddle

Air Fryer Radishes

Air Fryer Radishes with parsley, salt, and pepper in a white bowl with a spoon.
Air Fryer Radishes. Photo credit: Lara Clevenger.

These Air Fryer Radishes are incredibly easy to make and require only a few ingredients. They're a great low carb and low calorie side dish. They also spruce up your plate with color!
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Radishes

Air Fryer Peppers and Onions

Air Fryer Peppers and Onions in an air fryer basket.
Air Fryer Peppers and Onions. Photo credit: Lara Clevenger.

Air Fryer Peppers and Onions are so sweet and flavorful! They are incredibly easy to make and done in about 10 minutes! Cooking peppers and onions in the Air Fryer is so easy!
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Peppers and Onions

Air Fryer Spaghetti Squash

Air Fryer Spaghetti Squash on a white plate with parsley, salt, and pepper.
Air Fryer Spaghetti Squash. Photo credit: Lara Clevenger.

Air Fryer Spaghetti Squash is a delicious side dish and easy low carb recipe. It's a good low carb alternative to pasta and great for those following a keto or paleo diet! BONUS it's super easy to make and done in less than 20 minutes!
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Spaghetti Squash

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Hi, I’m Lara, a Registered Dietitian and Personal Trainer with a passion for food and travel.

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