21 Side Dishes So Irresistible, You’ll Wish You Made Extra

I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve made a side dish, only to wish I had doubled the recipe. Some dishes are just too good to last, and no matter how much I make, they always disappear before the meal is over. If you’ve ever found yourself scraping the bottom of the serving dish, these sides are exactly what you need to keep everyone happy. So, consider having a little left for seconds.

A baking dish containing four twice-baked potatoes topped with melted cheese and diced ham, garnished with herbs. — Cheesy Loaded Twice Baked Potatoes. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Want to save this post?

Enter your email below and get it sent straight to your inbox. Plus, I'll send you the latest recipes and tips every week!

Longhorn Steakhouse Mac and Cheese

Baked macaroni and cheese topped with breadcrumbs and bacon in a white dish, with a serving on a plate beside it. — Longhorn Steakhouse Mac and Cheese. Photo credit: Easy Made Dishes.

This mac and cheese brings restaurant-style comfort to your table without the hassle. The creamy blend of cheeses and perfectly cooked pasta make it an instant favorite for any meal. With a rich texture and a crispy topping, it’s one of those sides that disappears fast. Whether paired with steak or served alongside weeknight dinners, it never sticks around for leftovers.
Get the Recipe: Longhorn Steakhouse Mac and Cheese

Parmesan Roasted Zucchini in Oven

Roasted zucchini slices with melted cheese and herbs sit enticingly on a white plate, as a fork elegantly holds one piece. — Parmesan Roasted Zucchini in Oven. Photo credit: Easy Made Dishes.

A simple yet flavorful way to add more vegetables to your meal without extra effort. Roasting zucchini with Parmesan creates a crisp, golden crust that makes it hard to resist. This side dish comes together quickly, making it a great choice when time is limited. Once it’s on the table, there’s never enough to go around.
Get the Recipe: Parmesan Roasted Zucchini in Oven

Zucchini Bruschetta

A fresh take on a classic appetizer that works just as well as a side dish. The combination of zucchini, tomatoes, and seasoning brings bold flavors that complement any main course. It’s light but still packed with texture and crunch, making it an easy favorite. You’ll wish you made extra once everyone reaches for seconds.
Get the Recipe: Zucchini Bruschetta

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 edges, a soft center, and melted cheese make these potatoes hard to put down. The air fryer cuts down on cooking time while keeping the flavors rich and bold. They work well for casual meals or special occasions, adding something extra to the table. If you don’t make a double batch, they’ll be gone before you know it.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes with Cheese

Aloo Gobi Masala

A hearty mix of potatoes and cauliflower, cooked in warm spices, makes this a standout dish. It pairs well with a variety of main courses and brings plenty of depth to any meal. The bold flavors and satisfying texture mean there’s never much left after dinner. This is the kind of side that always gets finished first.
Get the Recipe: Aloo Gobi Masala

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.

The perfect mix of sweet and savory, these carrots come out caramelized and tender in no time. Cooking them in the air fryer makes the process simple without sacrificing flavor. They add color and balance to any plate, making them a reliable choice for busy nights. Every bite disappears fast, so making extra is never a bad idea.
Get the Recipe: Maple Glazed Carrots in Air Fryer

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 tender, these Brussels sprouts absorb every bit of seasoning for a bold side dish. The deep, rich flavor pairs well with hearty meals, making it a great addition to any dinner. With a texture that’s soft yet slightly crisp, they bring something different to the table. It’s hard to believe how quickly they disappear.
Get the Recipe: Braised Brussels Sprouts

Southern Fried Cabbage with Bacon

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

Smoky bacon and tender cabbage create a combination that works with nearly any meal. The simple ingredients come together fast, making it perfect for last-minute sides. This dish is packed with flavor and always gets compliments. If you don’t make extra, you’ll wish you had.
Get the Recipe: Southern Fried Cabbage with Bacon

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 with just the right amount of texture, these mashed potatoes bring comfort to any meal. Garlic adds depth without overpowering, making it a solid choice for pairing with a variety of main dishes. They come together easily and hold up well for gatherings. Once everyone gets a taste, they won’t last long.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Mashed Red Potatoes

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 slices of cabbage, roasted until crispy on the edges and tender inside, make this a side worth remembering. The simplicity of olive oil and seasoning lets the natural flavors shine. It’s a great way to bring something unexpected to the dinner table without extra effort. These always seem to be the first thing to disappear.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Cabbage Steaks

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 thinly sliced potatoes baked in a creamy sauce make this side impossible to resist. It’s a classic that fits with almost any main course, bringing rich and comforting flavors. With minimal prep and a hands-off bake time, it’s a practical choice for busy evenings. There’s never a bite left once dinner is done.
Get the Recipe: Easy Scalloped Potatoes

Green Bean Casserole

A well-loved dish that delivers creamy, crunchy, and savory all in one bite. It’s an easy way to bring a comforting, familiar side to any meal without extra work. The crispy topping adds the perfect contrast to the tender green beans. Making extra is a smart move, since this dish is always the first to go.
Get the Recipe: Green Bean Casserole

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 baked potatoes take things up a notch with cheese, bacon, and a creamy filling. They’re easy to prep ahead and reheat well, making them great for gatherings. Every bite is packed with rich flavors, making them more than just a side dish. If you don’t make extras, they’ll be gone before you get one.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Loaded Twice Baked Potatoes

Ratatouille

A mix of soft, slow-cooked vegetables makes this a flavorful addition to any meal. It’s a great way to bring variety and depth to the table without a complicated recipe. The vegetables absorb every bit of seasoning, creating a rich blend of flavors. No matter how much you make, there’s never enough left for later.
Get the Recipe: Ratatouille

Vegan Mexican Rice

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

A simple way to add something extra to any meal without a complicated process. The flavors blend together perfectly, making it an easy side that never disappoints. This rice pairs well with a variety of dishes and holds up well for leftovers. When it’s served, it always runs out fast.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Mexican Rice

Air Fryer Home Fries

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

Crispy, golden, and easy to make, these home fries are the perfect addition to any meal. The air fryer cuts down on cooking time while keeping every bite packed with texture. They’re great with breakfast, lunch, or dinner, making them a versatile choice. The only problem is they disappear too fast.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Home Fries

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.

Soft on the inside with a slightly crisp edge, these sweet potatoes come together quickly. The air fryer makes the process simple while keeping the natural flavors intact. They pair well with a variety of main courses, adding balance to any meal. No matter how many you make, they’re always the first to go.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes

Air Fryer Potato Wedges

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

These potato wedges come out crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside with minimal effort. The air fryer locks in the perfect texture while keeping things quick and simple. They’re the kind of side that works with everything, from burgers to roasted meats. Once they hit the table, they vanish fast.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Potato Wedges

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.

Roasted to perfection in a fraction of the time, these Brussels sprouts have a crisp outer layer and a tender bite. The air fryer makes them easy to prepare while bringing out rich, deep flavors. They work well alongside any meal, adding a simple but bold element to the plate. No matter how many you make, they never seem to last.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts

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.

A fresh and vibrant mix of green beans and tomatoes, this salad adds color and balance to any meal. It’s light but still packed with bold flavors that complement heavier main courses. With minimal prep and no complicated steps, it’s an easy way to round out dinner. Once it’s served, it disappears before you get a second helping.
Get the Recipe: Green Bean Tomato Salad

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, cheesy, and effortless, this slow cooker version of mac and cheese keeps dinner stress-free. The crock pot does the work, letting the flavors meld together for a rich and smooth dish. It’s a reliable side for gatherings or weeknights when time is limited. If you don’t make extra, you’ll wish you had.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Mac and Cheese