25 Side Dishes Everyone Will Rave About and Want More Of

Side dishes can make or break a meal, and I've gathered ones that are guaranteed to steal the spotlight. These recipes are easy to make yet packed with flavors everyone will remember and keep coming back for. Whether you're hosting a big dinner or just adding something special to a weeknight meal, these side dishes are here to take things up a notch.

Bowl of Mexican rice mixed with tomato sauce and garnished with a sprig of cilantro, with a fork inserted into the rice. — Vegan Mexican Rice. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

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Bacon Wrapped Air Fryer Cabbage

This savory side dish brings together smoky bacon and tender cabbage, creating a combination that everyone will love. Quick to prepare in the air fryer, it offers a unique twist on cabbage, with flavors that’ll have guests reaching for seconds. Ideal for gatherings, it’s a satisfying way to add a bit of flair to a familiar vegetable. Serve this as a side to any main for an unforgettable meal.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Wrapped Air Fryer Cabbage

Green Beans with Garlic Butter

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

Garlic butter brings out the freshness of green beans, making them an easy, go-to side dish. Perfectly cooked and packed with flavor, this dish is one that will impress without taking much time. Serve it alongside your favorite proteins for a side everyone will rave about. With its simplicity and taste, it’s bound to become a favorite.
Get the Recipe: Green Beans with Garlic Butter

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.

Sweet and comforting, this casserole is a must for any gathering, delivering a perfect balance of soft yams and a hint of sweetness. Using canned yams makes it easy to whip up, saving time without sacrificing flavor. This dish is a crowd-pleaser that pairs well with a variety of main courses. Ideal for holidays or any special meal, it’s one everyone will ask for more of.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Casserole with Canned Yams

Air Fryer Frozen Sweet Potato Fries

Quick, crispy, and full of flavor, these air fryer sweet potato fries make a great side for busy nights. Using frozen fries keeps prep simple, while the air fryer gives them a perfect crisp. They add a satisfying contrast to burgers, sandwiches, or any main dish. Serve them with your favorite dipping sauce, and watch them disappear.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Frozen Sweet Potato Fries

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.

These air-fried maple-glazed carrots bring a natural sweetness to the table, making them an instant hit. With minimal prep and cooking time, they’re ideal for busy days when you want something special. The hint of maple makes them feel warm and inviting, perfect for family meals. A great way to bring out the best in carrots that everyone will enjoy.
Get the Recipe: Maple Glazed Carrots in Air Fryer

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.

Rich, creamy, and comforting, this crock pot mac and cheese is perfect for gatherings. With a slow cooker, it’s easy to let the flavors blend without needing much attention. It’s a side dish that’s guaranteed to be popular, appealing to both kids and adults alike. Pair it with a variety of mains for a well-rounded meal.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Mac and Cheese

No Knead Italian Artisan Bread

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

This crusty Italian bread is as easy as it is impressive, requiring no kneading and only a handful of ingredients. Its crisp crust and soft inside make it a perfect companion to soups, stews, and pasta dishes. Homemade bread always leaves an impression, and this one’s simplicity ensures everyone can enjoy fresh-baked flavor. It’s sure to be the talk of the table.
Get the Recipe: No Knead Italian Artisan Bread

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 and creamy sauce make these scalloped potatoes a beloved classic that fits any occasion. This dish is simple to prepare and bakes to golden perfection. It’s an ideal side for dinners that need a little extra heartiness and warmth. Serve it up, and watch it quickly become a favorite.
Get the Recipe: Easy Scalloped Potatoes

Zucchini Bruschetta

Fresh and light, this zucchini bruschetta combines seasonal flavors with a crisp texture that’ll keep everyone reaching for more. Easy to assemble, it’s a great side that pairs well with any summer meal. The zucchini adds a twist to traditional bruschetta, making it a refreshing option that’s sure to impress. Perfect for warm-weather gatherings.
Get the Recipe: Zucchini Bruschetta

Seafood Pasta Salad

This seafood pasta salad brings together tender pasta and seafood for a refreshing, crowd-pleasing dish. Its flavors are balanced and bright, making it perfect for outdoor gatherings or as a unique side for fish or chicken mains. Easy to make and serve, it’s a go-to side that complements any warm-weather meal. Ideal for those who enjoy lighter, flavorful sides.
Get the Recipe: Seafood Pasta Salad

Green Bean Casserole

This classic green bean casserole combines a creamy sauce with tender green beans and a crisp topping that everyone enjoys. Perfect for holiday gatherings or weeknight meals, it’s a comforting side that pairs well with a variety of main courses. Easy to make, this dish is a reliable favorite that brings warmth to any meal. A timeless choice that keeps everyone happy.
Get the Recipe: Green Bean Casserole

Air Fryer Home Fries

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

Golden and crispy, these air fryer home fries are the perfect side for any main dish, from breakfast to dinner. They’re easy to prepare with minimal oil, and the air fryer gives them a great crunch that’s hard to resist. Serve them warm as a tasty companion to meats or eggs. They’re bound to become a new staple at the table.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Home Fries

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.

Creamy and flavorful, these garlic mashed red potatoes are an ideal side for any dinner, bringing comfort and rich flavor to the table. Easy to make and always a hit, they pair well with a wide range of main dishes. The garlic adds a special touch that will have everyone asking for seconds. Perfect for family meals or special occasions alike.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Mashed Red Potatoes

Green Bean Tomato Salad

A plate of green beans tossed with cherry tomatoes and crumbled feta cheese, accompanied by a fork, on a white surface. — Green Bean Tomato Salad. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Fresh and vibrant, this green bean tomato salad is a refreshing addition to any meal. Quick to prepare, it combines crisp green beans with juicy tomatoes, offering a balance of textures. Ideal as a side for grilled meats or pasta, it’s light yet satisfying, making it a perfect summer choice. This salad is bound to impress at any gathering.
Get the Recipe: Green Bean Tomato Salad

Crab Fried Rice

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

This crab fried rice brings a satisfying mix of rice, crab, and seasonings, ideal for adding a bit of excitement to the meal. It’s easy to make and offers a seafood twist that pairs well with lighter main dishes. Its combination of flavors will keep everyone coming back for more. Perfect for when you want a unique side that stands out.
Get the Recipe: Crab Fried Rice

Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts

Air-fried brussels sprouts with grated parmesan cheese on a white plate. — Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, these air fryer Brussels sprouts are a side dish everyone will love. Quick to prepare with minimal oil, they come out golden and perfectly roasted. Serve them with your favorite meats or as part of a veggie spread. A flavorful way to get everyone enjoying their greens.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts

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.

With their natural sweetness and soft texture, these air fryer sweet potatoes make an easy and satisfying side. Quick to prepare, they complement a variety of main dishes, from roasted meats to salads. They’re a great option when you need something warm and filling. A simple and crowd-pleasing choice for any meal.
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.

Packed with flavor, this vegan Mexican rice is an easy side dish that fits with tacos, burritos, or any Tex-Mex meal. It’s a no-fuss dish that’s ideal for serving at gatherings or adding to weeknight dinners. The blend of spices makes it a flavorful addition that everyone can enjoy. A versatile side that’s sure to be popular.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Mexican Rice

Cheesy Loaded Twice Baked Potatoes

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

These twice-baked potatoes are packed with cheese and toppings, making them a rich and comforting side dish. Perfect for serving with steaks, chicken, or even on their own, they’re a great choice for gatherings. Easy to prepare ahead of time, they’re sure to be a hit at any table. A flavorful option that everyone will reach for.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Loaded Twice Baked Potatoes

Aloo Gobi Masala

This flavorful aloo gobi masala brings together potatoes and cauliflower in a blend of spices that will complement a variety of main dishes. It’s a great side for Indian-inspired meals, offering a balance of warmth and flavor. Simple to prepare, it adds a unique twist to the table. Ideal for when you want something different yet familiar.
Get the Recipe: Aloo Gobi Masala

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.

These roasted cabbage steaks offer a tender texture and bold flavors, making them a memorable addition to any meal. Easy to prepare, they pair well with both vegetarian and meat-based mains. Perfect for when you want something hearty yet light, they’re sure to impress. Serve them warm for a side that stands out.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Cabbage Steaks

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 are topped with cheese and come out perfectly crispy, making them a flavorful side dish. They’re easy to prepare, and the air fryer gives them a nice golden texture. Perfect for weeknight dinners or gatherings, they add a comforting element to any plate. A dish that’s sure to be a hit with all ages.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes with Cheese

Southern Fried Cabbage with Bacon

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

This Southern classic combines cabbage and bacon for a side dish that’s packed with flavor. Easy to make and full of comforting flavors, it pairs well with roasted meats and other hearty mains. It’s a simple way to bring a little Southern charm to your table. Everyone will be reaching for seconds of this warm, flavorful dish.
Get the Recipe: Southern Fried Cabbage with Bacon

Ratatouille

A medley of vegetables, this ratatouille brings color and flavor to any meal, making it a standout side dish. Easy to prepare, it pairs well with a variety of main dishes, from grilled meats to pasta. Its combination of textures and tastes makes it an appealing choice for any table. A classic side that’s bound to impress.
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 crispy air fryer potato wedges make a great side, adding a satisfying crunch to any meal. They’re easy to prepare and seasoned to perfection, making them a popular choice for all ages. Serve them with burgers, sandwiches, or on their own as a fun addition. Everyone will enjoy this simple, flavorful side.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Potato Wedges