20 Side Dishes That Make Ordinary Meals Extraordinary

Side dishes can completely transform a meal, adding that extra something that turns the ordinary into the extraordinary. Whether you're tired of the same old dinners or just want to add some flair to your plate, these recipes will do the trick. I’ve pulled together some of my go-to sides that are simple, delicious, and guaranteed to elevate any meal.

Close-up of a wooden spoon holding ratatouille, featuring diced zucchini, eggplant, and tomatoes, garnished with parsley. — Ratatouille. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

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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.

Air fryer smashed potatoes with cheese is a crispy, cheesy side that everyone will enjoy. The air fryer makes these potatoes quick to prepare, while the cheese adds a rich flavor that complements any main dish. Perfect for when you want a side that feels a little more indulgent but is still easy to pull together.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes with Cheese

Air Fryer Potato Wedges

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

Air fryer potato wedges are a simple side that offers a satisfying crunch and can be made in no time. These wedges are seasoned just right, making them a versatile companion to any main course. The air fryer gives them a great texture without the need for deep frying, making them a go-to choice for weeknight meals.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Potato Wedges

Bacon Wrapped Air Fryer Cabbage

Bacon wrapped air fryer cabbage takes a humble vegetable and turns it into something special. The bacon adds a smoky flavor that pairs well with the crispiness from the air fryer. It's a great side dish to serve when you want to add a bit of flair to your dinner without complicating the preparation.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Wrapped Air Fryer Cabbage

Air Fryer Frozen Sweet Potato Fries

Air fryer frozen sweet potato Fries are an easy way to add a bit of sweetness and crunch to your meal. These fries cook up quickly in the air fryer, making them a convenient side dish that pairs well with both light and hearty mains. The natural sweetness of the sweet potatoes makes them a crowd-pleaser at any table.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Frozen Sweet Potato Fries

Vegan Mexican Rice

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

Vegan Mexican rice is a flavorful side that brings a burst of color and taste to your dinner plate. This dish is a great way to add some variety to your meals, especially when you're looking for something that complements both meat and plant-based mains. It's easy to prepare and offers a satisfying blend of spices and textures.
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.

Air fryer home fries are a quick and easy side that adds a comforting touch to any meal. With their golden-brown exterior and soft interior, these home fries are perfect for rounding out your dinner. The air fryer makes preparation a breeze, so you can enjoy a hearty side without spending too much time in the kitchen.
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.

Southern fried cabbage with bacon is a hearty side dish that adds a bit of Southern charm to your meal. The combination of tender cabbage and smoky bacon is simple but full of flavor, making it an excellent companion to any main course. This dish is easy to prepare and brings a satisfying richness to your dinner.
Get the Recipe: Southern Fried Cabbage with Bacon

Ratatouille

Ratatouille is a classic French dish that turns simple vegetables into something extraordinary. This dish is a perfect side for adding a burst of flavor and color to your meal. It's a versatile option that works well with a variety of main dishes, and it's easy to prepare for any occasion.
Get the Recipe: Ratatouille

Green Beans with Garlic Butter

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

Green beans with garlic butter is a simple yet flavorful side that adds a touch of elegance to your dinner. The garlic butter sauce enhances the natural flavor of the green beans, making this dish a great choice for when you want something that feels a bit more special. It's quick to prepare, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
Get the Recipe: Green Beans with Garlic Butter

Vegan Taco Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

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

Vegan taco stuffed sweet potatoes are a hearty and filling side that brings a unique twist to your dinner table. The combination of seasoned filling and sweet potatoes creates a dish that is both flavorful and satisfying. This dish is easy to prepare and makes an excellent addition to any meal.
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.

Crock pot mac and cheese is the ultimate comfort food that adds a creamy, cheesy touch to your meal. The slow cooker does all the work, making this dish a convenient option for busy days. It's a great side dish for when you want something rich and comforting to round out your dinner.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Mac and Cheese

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.

Roasted cabbage steaks are a simple yet flavorful side that adds a hearty element to your meal. The roasting process brings out the natural sweetness of the cabbage, making it a great companion to any main course. These steaks are easy to prepare and offer a unique twist on a traditional vegetable side.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Cabbage Steaks

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.

Air fryer brussels sprouts are a quick and easy side that adds a bit of crunch and flavor to your meal. The air fryer gives them a perfect texture, while the seasoning adds just the right amount of flavor. This dish is a great way to incorporate more vegetables into your dinner without much effort.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts

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.

Air fryer roasted roma tomatoes are a simple side that adds a burst of flavor to any meal. The roasting process in the air fryer intensifies the sweetness of the tomatoes, making them a great addition to your dinner. These tomatoes are easy to prepare and pair well with a variety of main dishes.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Roasted Roma Tomatoes

Aloo Gobi Masala

Aloo gobi masala is a flavorful side that brings a touch of spice to your dinner. This dish combines potatoes and cauliflower with a blend of spices, creating a side that pairs well with both meat and vegetarian mains. It's easy to make and adds a bit of warmth and comfort to your meal.
Get the Recipe: Aloo Gobi Masala

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 fryer sweet potatoes are a quick and easy side that brings a bit of sweetness to your meal. The air fryer gives them a perfect texture, making them a great companion to both savory and sweet mains. This dish is simple to prepare and offers a satisfying addition to your dinner table.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes

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.

Maple glazed carrots in air fryer are a sweet and savory side that adds a touch of flavor to your dinner. The maple glaze pairs perfectly with the natural sweetness of the carrots, making this dish a great addition to any meal. It's easy to prepare and brings a bit of warmth and comfort to your table.
Get the Recipe: Maple Glazed Carrots in Air Fryer

Seafood Pasta Salad

Seafood pasta salad is a hearty side that adds a touch of the sea to your dinner. This dish combines pasta with seafood, creating a side that is both filling and flavorful. It's easy to prepare and makes a great addition to any meal, especially when you want something a bit more substantial.
Get the Recipe: Seafood Pasta Salad

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.

Easy scalloped potatoes are a classic side that brings a rich, creamy texture to your meal. This dish is simple to prepare and offers a comforting flavor that pairs well with a variety of main dishes. It's a great choice for when you want something that feels a bit more special without too much effort.
Get the Recipe: Easy Scalloped 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.

Cheesy loaded twice baked potatoes are a hearty side that adds a bit of indulgence to your dinner. The combination of cheese and potatoes creates a rich, satisfying dish that pairs well with both simple and more complex mains. It's easy to prepare and offers a comforting, familiar taste that everyone will enjoy.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Loaded Twice Baked Potatoes