17 Comfort Sides That’ll Make You Forget the Main

Side dishes bring extra flavor, texture, and comfort to the table. I’ve rounded up options that are rich, satisfying, and so good they might just steal the spotlight from the main course. Whether you’re planning a feast or just need something hearty to round out a meal, these sides are guaranteed to be the ones you keep coming back to.

Close-up of a spoon holding fried rice with crab meat, green onions, and red bell peppers. — Crab Fried Rice. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

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Green Bean Casserole

A rich and comforting dish, this casserole brings creamy texture and deep flavor that stands out at any meal. It bakes in one dish, making prep and cleanup simple. The combination of tender green beans and a crisp topping makes it hard to focus on anything else on the plate.
Get the Recipe: Green Bean Casserole

Green Beans with Garlic Butter

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

These green beans are cooked just enough to be tender yet still have a bit of bite, with a buttery finish that adds extra warmth. They come together fast, making them an easy side for any meal. The simple yet bold flavors make them feel like more than just a side.
Get the Recipe: Green Beans with Garlic Butter

Crock Pot Mac and Cheese

A bowl of macaroni and cheese in front of a slow cooker. — Crock Pot Mac and Cheese. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Creamy, rich, and cooked to perfection, this mac and cheese is made in the slow cooker for ultimate ease. It stays warm and ready to serve, making it ideal for gatherings or relaxed meals. The smooth texture and bold flavor make it hard to pay attention to whatever else is on the table.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Mac and Cheese

Crab Fried Rice

A bowl of fried rice with vegetables and crab meat. — Crab Fried Rice. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

This fried rice is packed with deep flavors that bring warmth and satisfaction in every bite. The mix of tender crab and perfectly cooked rice makes it feel like the highlight of the meal. A great option when you want something hearty and filling without extra effort.
Get the Recipe: Crab Fried Rice

Teriyaki Noodles

A bowl of stir-fried noodles with vegetables, topped with sesame seeds, placed on a brown cloth napkin. Chopsticks rest on the bowl's edge, and a small dish is visible in the background. — Teriyaki Noodles. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

These noodles bring a balance of sweet and savory flavors in a dish that’s quick to prepare and easy to enjoy. The sauce coats each bite, making it feel more like a main than just a side. Whether served with protein or on its own, it’s hard to look at anything else on the plate.
Get the Recipe: Teriyaki Noodles

Slow Cooker Rice

A spoonful of slow-cooked white rice held above a bowl, with a fresh green parsley leaf in the background. — Slow Cooker Rice. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Cooking rice in the slow cooker ensures perfectly fluffy grains with no guesswork involved. It stays warm and ready, making it an easy addition to any meal. With a soft texture and comforting simplicity, it’s easy to get caught up in every bite.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Rice

Easy Scalloped Potatoes

Close-up of a cheesy scalloped potatoes dish in a white baking dish, garnished with parsley. — Easy Scalloped Potatoes. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Layers of tender potatoes baked until golden create a dish that brings depth and warmth to the table. The rich, creamy texture makes it feel more special than just a basic side. A great way to make any meal feel more complete and satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Easy Scalloped Potatoes

Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes with Cheese

A spoon lifting a smashed potato garnished with rosemary, with a festive table setting in the background. — Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes with Cheese. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Crispy on the edges and soft inside, these potatoes get extra flavor from melted cheese. The air fryer keeps prep simple while delivering a great texture. They easily hold their own against anything else on the plate.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes with Cheese

Garlic Mashed Red Potatoes

A bowl of mashed potatoes garnished with parsley, set on a pink cloth napkin, with whole potatoes and a grater in the background. — Garlic Mashed Red Potatoes. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Smooth yet slightly textured, these mashed potatoes balance creaminess with just the right amount of garlic. The red potatoes bring extra depth, making them feel like more than just another side. A simple but standout addition to any meal.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Mashed Red Potatoes

Cheesy Loaded Twice Baked Potatoes

Four twice baked potatoes in a small baking dish. — Cheesy Loaded Twice Baked Potatoes. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Baked once for tenderness and again for crisp edges, these potatoes are packed with flavor in every bite. The filling is rich enough to make it feel like more than just a side dish. They’re a great way to add a bit of comfort and warmth to any plate.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Loaded Twice Baked Potatoes

Vegan Mexican Rice

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

This rice brings a blend of spices and bold flavors that make it easy to enjoy on its own. It cooks up quickly and holds plenty of warmth with each bite. A reliable side that easily draws attention at the table.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Mexican Rice

Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes

Two halves of baked sweet potato topped with butter and garnished with herbs on a white plate, with a red checkered napkin on the side. — Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

These sweet potatoes get crispy on the outside while staying soft inside, thanks to the air fryer. They’re easy to prepare and bring natural sweetness that pairs well with any meal. A simple yet standout choice that holds its own against anything else being served.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes

Ratatouille

Packed with slow-cooked vegetables that build deep flavors, this dish brings warmth to every bite. It works as a side but has enough richness to feel like the centerpiece of a meal. Perfect for when you want something hearty but simple.
Get the Recipe: Ratatouille

Air Fryer Potato Wedges

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

These wedges come out crisp on the outside while staying soft in the center, making them easy to enjoy with any meal. The air fryer makes them quick and hassle-free without sacrificing texture. A great way to bring extra comfort to any plate.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Potato Wedges

Air Fryer Home Fries

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

Crisp edges and soft centers make these home fries a solid addition to any meal. Cooking them in the air fryer keeps things simple while delivering great texture. They’re easy to enjoy and don’t feel like just another side.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Home Fries

Southern Fried Cabbage with Bacon

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

The mix of soft cabbage and crispy bacon creates a dish that brings both texture and flavor. It cooks up fast while delivering the warmth that makes a meal feel complete. Whether served alone or with a main, it easily steals attention.
Get the Recipe: Southern Fried Cabbage with Bacon

Aloo Gobi Masala

Potatoes and cauliflower absorb deep spices in this warm and comforting dish. It has enough bold flavors to stand out, making it feel like more than just an addition to a meal. A great way to bring depth and richness to the table.
Get the Recipe: Aloo Gobi Masala