26 Easy Side Dishes That Make Your Main Course Look Boring

We’ve all been there spending so much effort on the main dish that the sides end up as an afterthought. But a great side can steal the show, adding fresh flavors, texture, and just the right balance to your plate. These easy side dishes come together fast and might just outshine whatever you planned for the main course!

Asparagus spears are topped with grated cheese on a white platter, surrounded by lemon slices. White serving tongs are holding some of the asparagus.

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Bacon Green Beans

Close-up of a plate with sautéed green beans and bacon pieces, with a fork spearing a few beans. — Bacon Green Beans. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Crisp green beans get a boost from smoky bacon, making this side dish anything but ordinary. It’s quick to prepare and pairs well with just about any main, adding both crunch and rich flavor to the plate. This is an easy way to turn a basic vegetable into something worth talking about.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Green Beans

Cheesy Loaded Twice Baked Potatoes

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

Packed with cheese, crispy bacon, and green onions, this side dish brings serious flavor to the table. It takes a little extra time but is mostly hands-off, making it perfect for meal prep or special occasions. Whether served alongside steak or grilled chicken, it holds its own as more than just a simple addition.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Loaded Twice Baked Potatoes

Dairy Free Mac and Cheese

A bowl of creamy penne pasta with a fork, placed on a textured surface. — Dairy Free Mac and Cheese. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

This creamy mac and cheese proves you don’t need dairy to make a rich and comforting side dish. It’s quick to put together and works well for anyone looking for a simple, flavorful addition to dinner. With its smooth texture and bold flavors, it’s anything but an afterthought.
Get the Recipe: Dairy Free Mac and Cheese

Oven Baked Asparagus with Parmesan

Tongs holding roasted asparagus with grated cheese on a white platter, surrounded by lemon slices. — Oven Baked Asparagus with Parmesan. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Roasting asparagus in the oven brings out its natural sweetness, while Parmesan adds a savory touch to this side dish. It’s an effortless way to add greens to your plate without much prep or cleanup. Even next to a hearty main dish, these crisp-tender spears hold their own.
Get the Recipe: Oven Baked Asparagus with Parmesan

Southern Fried Cabbage with Bacon

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

Hearty cabbage, smoky bacon, and a touch of seasoning make this side dish both rich and comforting. It cooks down into a tender, flavorful dish that pairs well with everything from pork chops to cornbread. This isn’t just filler on the plate—it’s a reason to go back for seconds.
Get the Recipe: Southern Fried Cabbage with Bacon

Roasted Cabbage Steaks

Sliced and roasted cabbage wedges seasoned with herbs on a white plate, garnished with black pepper and fresh herbs. — Roasted Cabbage Steaks. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Thick cabbage slices roast until caramelized and tender, bringing out their natural sweetness in this side dish. A few seasonings and a bit of olive oil are all it takes to make this a standout addition to the table. It’s a great alternative to heavier starches while still holding its own next to bold flavors.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Cabbage Steaks

Crab Fried Rice

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

This side dish is packed with crab and just enough seasoning to keep things interesting. It’s quick to make, filling enough to share space with the main course, and has the kind of bold flavors that don’t fade into the background. Serve it alongside grilled fish or chicken, or enjoy it as a meal on its own.
Get the Recipe: Crab Fried Rice

Braised Brussels Sprouts

Plate of roasted Brussels sprouts with lemon slices, served with a creamy sauce. A fork holds one sprout above the dish. — Braised Brussels Sprouts. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Slow-cooked until perfectly tender, these Brussels sprouts take on deep, rich flavors that make them a side dish to remember. A little patience goes a long way, making this an easy choice for anyone who wants something a step above basic steamed vegetables. Whether paired with roasted meats or served as part of a holiday spread, they never feel like an afterthought.
Get the Recipe: Braised Brussels Sprouts

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 in a creamy sauce make this side dish a comfort food staple. It takes a little time in the oven but is well worth the wait, especially when paired with roasted meats or poultry. Even with a simple ingredient list, it’s the kind of dish that can steal the spotlight.
Get the Recipe: Easy Scalloped Potatoes

Seafood Pasta Salad

A mix of seafood, pasta, and a light dressing makes this salad a fresh and filling side dish. It’s great for potlucks, weeknight dinners, or even meal prep since it holds up well in the fridge. With plenty of texture and bold flavors, it easily stands out next to whatever else is on the plate.
Get the Recipe: Seafood Pasta Salad

Air Fryer Frozen Sweet Potato Fries

Cooking frozen sweet potato fries in the air fryer gives them a crispy texture, making them a side dish that’s ready in minutes. They’re a great alternative to regular fries when you need something quick and flavorful. Whether paired with burgers, chicken, or seafood, they bring just the right amount of crunch and sweetness to the meal.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Frozen Sweet Potato Fries

Air Fryer Roasted Roma Tomatoes

Roasted tomatoes seasoned with herbs and spices, served on a white plate garnished with parsley. — Air Fryer Roasted Roma Tomatoes. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

This air fryer roasted Roma tomato side dish brings out deep, rich flavors with minimal effort. The slightly charred edges and tender texture make it a perfect complement to anything from grilled meats to pasta. With a side this bold, the main course might just fade into the background.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Roasted Roma Tomatoes

Bacon Wrapped Air Fryer Cabbage

Wrapping cabbage in bacon and cooking it in the air fryer turns a simple vegetable into a standout side dish. It’s crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and packed with smoky flavor that works with just about any main course. When a side dish has this much texture and taste, it’s hard not to let it steal the show.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Wrapped Air Fryer Cabbage

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.

These air fryer smashed potatoes with cheese offer a side dish that’s crispy, creamy, and packed with flavor. They’re simple to make yet bring a level of comfort that makes any main dish feel like an afterthought. With golden-brown edges and melted cheese, this side dish does more than just sit quietly on the plate.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes with Cheese

Maple Glazed Carrots in Air Fryer

Sliced glazed carrots garnished with herbs on a fork, with more on a plate in the background. — Maple Glazed Carrots in Air Fryer. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Carrots take on a rich, caramelized flavor when cooked in the air fryer with a maple glaze, making them a side dish worth remembering. They’re quick to prepare and bring a balance of sweetness and warmth to the table. A side dish this good can easily make the main course feel like it’s missing something.
Get the Recipe: Maple Glazed Carrots in Air Fryer

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.

This garlic mashed red potato side dish is creamy, smooth, and packed with flavor. It pairs well with anything, from roasted meats to lighter vegetable dishes, making it a versatile addition to the table. When a side dish is this rich and comforting, it’s easy to forget what else is on the plate.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Mashed Red Potatoes

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.

Air frying sweet potatoes creates a crisp exterior and soft interior, making them an easy and flavorful side dish. They require little prep time but bring a depth of taste that makes them more than just an afterthought. This is the kind of side dish that might make the main meal seem unnecessary.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes

Vegan Mexican Rice

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

This seasoned Mexican rice side dish adds color and texture to any plate with minimal effort. It pairs well with a variety of mains, but it’s flavorful enough to stand out on its own. With how well it complements everything, it might just be the most memorable part of the meal.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Mexican Rice

Ratatouille

This vegetable-packed ratatouille is a side dish that brings warmth and heartiness to any meal. Slow-cooked to enhance the natural flavors, it holds its own against even the most robust main courses. A side dish this good might just make the main meal seem like an extra.
Get the Recipe: Ratatouille

Aloo Gobi Masala

This spiced potato and cauliflower side dish is bold, flavorful, and easy to prepare. It’s packed with just the right blend of seasoning to make it a highlight on the table. With so much taste and texture, this side dish refuses to be overlooked.
Get the Recipe: Aloo Gobi Masala

No Knead Italian Artisan Bread

Italian artisan bread sliced on cutting board. — No Knead Italian Artisan Bread. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

A crusty, golden loaf of no-knead Italian bread makes for a side dish that’s as practical as it is flavorful. It requires little effort but has the perfect texture for pairing with soups, meats, and pasta. When a side dish is this good, the main course becomes secondary.
Get the Recipe: No Knead Italian Artisan Bread

Vegan Taco Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potato stuffed with black beans and corn. — Vegan Taco Stuffed Sweet Potatoes. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

These taco-stuffed sweet potatoes make for a hearty and filling side dish that’s easy to prepare. Packed with flavor and a satisfying mix of textures, they work well alongside a variety of main dishes. With a side dish this bold, it’s hard to focus on anything else.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Taco Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

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.

Slow-cooked mac and cheese is a side dish that delivers rich, creamy goodness without the need for constant stirring. It’s smooth, comforting, and impossible to ignore on the dinner table. A side dish this indulgent makes everything else on the plate seem less exciting.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Mac and Cheese

Air Fryer Potato Wedges

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

These air fryer potato wedges are crispy, perfectly seasoned, and make for a side dish that fits any meal. They come together quickly and have just the right balance of crunch and fluffiness. With a side dish this flavorful, the main course might struggle to keep up.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Potato Wedges

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 a slow cooker ensures a fluffy, hands-off side dish that pairs effortlessly with any main. It’s simple, reliable, and always turns out just right. When a side dish is this dependable, the rest of the meal feels less important.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Rice

Sweet Potato Casserole with Canned Yams

Close-up of a spoonful of sweet potato casserole with a topping of toasted pecans and marshmallows. — Sweet Potato Casserole with Canned Yams. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

This sweet potato casserole is a side dish that brings a smooth, creamy texture with a lightly crisp topping. It’s easy to put together yet delivers a warmth and depth that can overshadow the main course. A side dish this comforting has a way of stealing the spotlight.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Casserole with Canned Yams