22 Side Dish Recipes That Elevate Everyday Dining

In this collection of 22 side dish recipes, you’ll find plenty of inspiration to upgrade your meals with dishes that range from light and fresh to hearty and comforting. Each recipe is easy to follow, making it simple to bring variety and balance to your everyday dining. Perfect for weeknight dinners, weekend gatherings, or festive celebrations, these side dishes are designed to fit seamlessly into any menu. With so many options to choose from, you’ll never run out of ways to make your meals more complete, flavorful, and satisfying.

Air Fryer Frozen Brussel Sprouts

Brussel Sprouts in a white bowl with a spoon. — Air Fryer Frozen Brussel Sprouts. Photo credit: Lara Clevenger.

Making frozen Brussel sprouts in the air fryer is so easy you won’t even believe it! In about 15 minutes from freezer to air fryer, you'll have perfectly cooked Brussel sprouts!
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Frozen Brussel Sprouts

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

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

Sheet Pan Sausage & Roasted Vegetables

Air Fryer Peppers and Onions. Photo credit: Lara Clevenger.

Sheet Pan Sausage & Roasted Vegetables is a simple, nutrient-packed meal that’s as flavorful as it is easy to prepare. Juicy sausage pairs perfectly with a medley of colorful vegetables, all roasted together to bring out their natural sweetness and depth of flavor.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Sausage & Roasted Vegetables

Air Fryer Spaghetti Squash

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

Aloo Gobi Masala

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.
Get the Recipe: Aloo Gobi Masala

Cheesy Loaded Twice Baked Potatoes

Four twice baked potatoes in a small baking dish. — Cheesy 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

Easy Scalloped Potatoes

Small baking dish with scalloped potatoes. — Easy Scalloped Potatoes. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

This recipe for easy scalloped potatoes is perfect for a cozy dinner for two. It's a simple and delicious side dish that is always a hit.
Get the Recipe: Easy Scalloped Potatoes

Green Beans with Garlic Butter

Green beans with pine nuts on a plate. — Green Beans with Garlic Butter. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Upgrade your veggie game with this easy garlic butter green bean recipe. Perfectly seasoned and full of flavor, it's a side dish you won't be able to resist.
Get the Recipe: Green Beans with Garlic Butter

How to Rice Cauliflower

Cauli rice in a golden bowl with cauliflower head on the side. — How to Rice Cauliflower. Photo credit: Best Clean Eating.

Learn How To Rice Cauliflower in Under a Minute using a food processor or a blender as the best tip one can give you. Making cauliflower rice that looks identical to regular rice will help you cook cauliflower recipes more often than you used to.
Get the Recipe: How to Rice Cauliflower

Coconut Cauliflower Rice

Try this delicious Coconut Cauliflower Rice recipe, perfect for those following a keto, low carb, paleo, or whole30 diet. This flavorful and healthy side dish recipe will quickly become a staple in your meal rotation using our cauliflower rice recipe, coconut milk, toasted coconuts, and a squeeze of lime juice.
Get the Recipe: Coconut Cauliflower Rice

Almond Flour Dumplings

A plate of cooked dumpling balls garnished with chopped parsley. — Almond Flour Dumplings. Photo credit: Tiny Batch Cooking.

These almond flour dumplings are the perfect way to curb your cravings in under 20 minutes. Gluten free and full of flavor, you can boil, fry, or even use those keto dumplings in a comforting soup. A quick and healthy option for small servings that’s sure to please.
Get the Recipe: Almond Flour Dumplings

How To Make Mashed Cauliflower

A bowl of mashed cauliflower and parsley leaves on the side. — How To Make Mashed Cauliflower. Photo credit: Tiny Batch Cooking.

If you like mashed potatoes, this easy mashed cauliflower recipe is for you. Use it to change the side dishes you make at home. Simple yet flavorful, creamy mashed cauliflower is just as good as the classic potato mash.
Get the Recipe: How To Make Mashed Cauliflower

Cheesy Fiesta Potatoes

Make Cheesy Fiesta Potatoes at home in just minutes with this tasty Taco Bell copycat recipe! Enjoy crispy, spicy potatoes covered with nacho cheese sauce.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Fiesta Potatoes

Air Fryer Red Potatoes

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

Air fryer red potatoes are almost effortless to make, healthy, delicious, and the perfect side dish for your next meal.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Red Potatoes

Air Fryer Acorn Squash

Acorn squash after air frying with some of the insides scooped up on a fork. — Air Fryer Acorn Squash. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Air fryer acorn squash is delicious & simple to prepare. Perfect fall side dish for anyone looking for simple, low effort dish. Ready in about 25 minutes!
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Acorn Squash

Roasted maple root vegetables

Roasted carrots, beets and Brussels sprouts on a tinfoil lined pan topped with sesame seeds. — Roasted maple root vegetables. Photo credit: Fitasamamabear.

Tossed in a maple ginger dressing and roasted to caramelized perfection, these paleo-roasted root vegetables are the perfect side dish!
Get the Recipe: Roasted maple root vegetables

Gluten-Free Sweet potato casserole

Sweet potato casserole with pecan topping in a glass baking dish with a spoon in the dish. — Gluten-Free Sweet potato casserole. Photo credit: Fitasamamabear.

Creamy mashed sweet potatoes in a cinnamon maple flavor topped with a candied pecan crumble. This gluten-free sweet potato casserole is a scrumptious addition to any dinner table.
Get the Recipe: Gluten-Free Sweet potato casserole

Air Fryer Broccoli and Cauliflower

If you love crisp and tender roasted broccoli and cauliflower but don't have the time to preheat the oven, this Air Fryer Broccoli and Cauliflower offers an easy, delicious alternative.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Broccoli and Cauliflower

Mexican Cauliflower RIce

Teal bowl of cauliflower rice. — Mexican Cauliflower RIce. Photo credit: Ginger Casa.

This Mexican Cauliflower Rice or Mexican Caulirice is out of this world and so good! Great for swapping veggies in for carbs!
Get the Recipe: Mexican Cauliflower RIce

Green Beans Almondine with Bacon

Green beans with bacon and almonds on a red plate. — Green Beans Almondine with Bacon. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

Green Beans Almondine with Bacon is a savory side dish with a buttery and lemony finish. They are the perfect side dish for any occasion.
Get the Recipe: Green Beans Almondine with Bacon

Sweet Potato Puffs

A plate with a bite out of a sweet potato puff. — Sweet Potato Puffs. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

These delightful sweet potato puffs feature a crunchy Corn Flake coating that gives way to a creamy, sweet interior, offering a playful and unique take on a timeless favorite, all thanks to the addition of cereal.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Puffs