19 Simple Side Dishes That Are Better Than the Main

Some side dishes are so good, they completely steal the spotlight from whatever they’re served with. Whether it’s something cheesy, crispy, or packed with bold flavors, the right side can make a meal feel more exciting. These simple, no-fuss sides come together easily but might just end up being the best part of dinner.

Longhorn Steakhouse Mac and Cheese

This mac and cheese is rich, creamy, and loaded with a blend of cheeses that make it a standout side dish. It pairs well with almost any main, but it’s so filling and flavorful that it often steals the spotlight. The crispy topping adds just the right texture, making it hard to resist a second helping. Whether for a weeknight dinner or a special meal, this is one side that won’t be overlooked.
Get the Recipe: Longhorn Steakhouse Mac and Cheese

Parmesan Roasted Zucchini in Oven

Roasting zucchini with parmesan gives it a crisp, golden finish that makes it more exciting than basic steamed vegetables. The combination of cheese and seasoning makes this dish a great way to add extra flavor without much effort. It cooks quickly, making it an easy addition to any meal. Once you try it, you may find yourself making it more often than the main dish.
Get the Recipe: Parmesan Roasted Zucchini in Oven

Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes with Cheese

These crispy, cheesy smashed potatoes are the perfect balance of crunchy edges and soft centers. Cooking them in the air fryer keeps things simple while giving them a texture that’s hard to beat. They make an easy side that works with any protein, but they’re so good they might become the focus of the meal. With minimal prep and maximum flavor, this is one recipe that’s worth keeping on repeat.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes with Cheese

Ratatouille

This classic dish combines eggplant, zucchini, tomatoes, and peppers into a hearty, slow-cooked side that feels like the main event. The rich flavors develop as everything cooks together, making it the perfect complement to simple proteins. It’s a great way to use up fresh vegetables while creating something that tastes even better the next day. Once you try it, you’ll see why it’s more than just a side dish.
Get the Recipe: Ratatouille

Crab Fried Rice

This seafood-packed fried rice is more than just a side—it’s a meal in itself. With chunks of crab, perfectly seasoned rice, and just the right mix of vegetables, it adds something special to any dinner. It comes together quickly, making it an easy choice when you want something more interesting than plain rice. Serve it alongside grilled meats or enjoy it as the star of the plate.
Get the Recipe: Crab Fried Rice

Maple Glazed Carrots in Air Fryer

Cooking carrots in the air fryer gives them a slight crisp while keeping them tender on the inside. The maple glaze brings out their natural sweetness, making them a side that even picky eaters will enjoy. They take just minutes to prepare and pair well with roasted meats, but they’re flavorful enough to stand out on their own. This is one of those simple recipes that can easily become a go-to.
Get the Recipe: Maple Glazed Carrots in Air Fryer

Easy Scalloped Potatoes

Layers of thinly sliced potatoes baked in a creamy, cheesy sauce make this side dish hard to ignore. It’s comforting, filling, and pairs well with everything from roasted chicken to steak. While it may be called a side, it often ends up being the most popular dish at the table. It’s easy to make ahead, so it’s great for both busy weeknights and special occasions.
Get the Recipe: Easy Scalloped Potatoes

Air Fryer Potato Wedges

These thick-cut potato wedges are crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, making them a great alternative to fries. The air fryer makes them quicker and easier than traditional oven baking. They go with almost any main dish but are good enough to enjoy on their own. With just a few ingredients, they come together fast, making them a perfect side for busy nights.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Potato Wedges

Roasted Cabbage Steaks

Slices of cabbage roasted until caramelized and slightly crispy make this a simple yet flavorful side. It’s a great way to add more vegetables to the meal while keeping things interesting. The texture and deep flavor make it a standout, even when paired with bold main courses. Whether served alongside a protein or on its own, this dish is always a hit.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Cabbage Steaks

Southern Fried Cabbage with Bacon

Crispy bacon and tender cabbage come together in this rich, flavorful dish that’s simple but full of bold taste. It cooks quickly in a skillet, making it a great choice for busy nights when you need a no-fuss side. The combination of smoky, salty, and slightly sweet flavors makes this one that people go back for. It’s hearty enough that it could even stand on its own.
Get the Recipe: Southern Fried Cabbage with Bacon

Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts

These Brussels sprouts turn crispy on the outside and tender on the inside with just a few minutes in the air fryer. A simple seasoning mix gives them plenty of flavor without a lot of extra work. They make an easy, no-mess side that pairs well with almost anything but might just steal the spotlight. Once you try them this way, you won’t want to make them any other way.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts

Cheesy Loaded Twice Baked Potatoes

These twice-baked potatoes are packed with cheese, bacon, and sour cream, making them a rich and hearty side. They’re easy to prep ahead and reheat, making them great for busy weeknights. While they’re meant to be a side, they’re so filling that they could easily be a meal on their own. Once these are on the table, the main dish might just be forgotten.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Loaded Twice Baked Potatoes

Seafood Pasta Salad

This pasta salad is packed with seafood, crunchy vegetables, and a creamy dressing that makes it stand out. It’s a refreshing side that works well for summer meals or as a make-ahead dish for gatherings. While it’s meant to complement a main course, it often ends up being the first thing people go for. With its mix of textures and flavors, it’s more than just a side.
Get the Recipe: Seafood Pasta Salad

Crock Pot Mac and Cheese

Slow-cooked mac and cheese comes out creamy, rich, and loaded with flavor, making it a strong contender for the best dish on the table. It’s a set-it-and-forget-it recipe, making dinner prep easier. The cheese sauce coats every bite, giving it a texture that’s hard to resist. Even when served alongside a main dish, this one often steals the attention.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Mac and Cheese

Vegan Mexican Rice

This rice dish is packed with bold flavors and makes a great side for tacos, grilled vegetables, or hearty stews. The mix of spices, tomatoes, and onions gives it more depth than plain rice. It’s simple to make but brings enough flavor to stand out at the table. Whether served alongside other dishes or eaten on its own, it’s never just an afterthought.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Mexican Rice

Green Bean Casserole

A classic side dish that combines tender green beans with a creamy sauce and a crispy topping. It’s an easy make-ahead option that works well for busy nights or special meals. The rich texture and deep flavors make it hard to resist, even for those who don’t usually go for vegetables. This is one of those sides that can easily steal the show.
Get the Recipe: Green Bean Casserole

Aloo Gobi Masala

This Indian-inspired dish combines potatoes and cauliflower in a flavorful, spiced sauce that makes it much more than just a side. It pairs well with rice or grilled proteins but is hearty enough to enjoy on its own. The blend of spices gives it a bold taste that makes it stand out from other vegetable dishes. Whether served alongside a main course or eaten as a light meal, it’s always a great choice.
Get the Recipe: Aloo Gobi Masala

Green Beans with Garlic Butter

Green beans get a boost of flavor with a simple garlic butter sauce that makes them anything but boring. They cook quickly and pair well with everything from roasted meats to pasta dishes. The balance of crisp-tender texture and bold flavor makes them an easy side that people actually look forward to. When a vegetable dish is this good, the main course has competition.
Get the Recipe: Green Beans with Garlic Butter

Braised Brussels Sprouts

Slow-braising Brussels sprouts brings out their natural sweetness while adding a depth of flavor that makes them stand out. They cook down into a rich, tender side that works well with hearty mains. Unlike plain steamed Brussels sprouts, this version has a deeper, richer taste that makes them hard to ignore. Even those who don’t usually go for Brussels sprouts might change their mind.
Get the Recipe: Braised Brussels Sprouts