21 Side Dish Recipes To Add Excitement To Your Plate

Nobody wants a plain plate, and that’s where side dishes come in. With 21 different recipes, there’s always something new to try. Some are crispy, some are creamy, and some might just become new favorites. Mixing things up keeps dinner interesting and makes the whole plate worth paying attention to.

Cheesy potato casserole in a white dish with a fork.
Scalloped Potatoes. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Baked Rice

A close-up of a bowl of oven-baked fried rice mixed with colorful vegetables like green beans, bell peppers, and scallions, with a spoon resting inside.
Baked Rice. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Tired of plain rice that doesn’t bring anything special to the table? Baked Rice is one of those, cooking up light and fluffy with barely any effort. It soaks up whatever it’s served with, making it the perfect addition to any meal. A side that works this well never gets left behind.
Get the Recipe: Baked Rice

Healthy Chicken Salad

Close-up of a salad with grilled chicken, strawberries, blueberries, pecans, feta cheese, and a creamy dressing on a bed of leafy greens.
Healthy Chicken Salad. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Salads don’t have to be boring to be good. Healthy Chicken Salad packs in everything needed for a balanced, fresh bite without feeling like an afterthought. It’s light, crisp, and works just as well as a side as it does a main dish. No one complains about eating their greens when it looks like this.
Get the Recipe: Healthy Chicken Salad

Mississippi Mud Potatoes

A baked dish with melted cheese, diced pineapples, browned bacon, and chopped green onions on top.
Mississippi Mud Potatoes. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Potatoes don’t play around when it comes to side dishes. Mississippi Mud Potatoes take things to the next level with a rich, bold bite in every spoonful. They’re crispy on the outside, packed on the inside, and built for second helpings. No one ever leaves leftovers when these are on the table.
Get the Recipe: Mississippi Mud Potatoes

Antipasto Salad

A bowl of salad with mixed greens, prosciutto, cherry tomatoes, olives, artichokes, and roasted red peppers.
Antipasto Salad. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

More than just a side, this one brings real personality to the plate. Antipasto Salad stacks layers of fresh, crisp bites with just enough contrast to keep things interesting. It’s light enough to balance a rich meal but bold enough to stand on its own. No one looks at salad the same way again.
Get the Recipe: Antipasto Salad

Broccoli Casserole

Someone serving broccoli casserole.
Broccoli Casserole. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Vegetables don’t have to be boring. Broccoli Casserole proves that by turning a simple ingredient into something completely worth piling onto a plate. It’s creamy, packed, and easy to pair with just about anything. No one complains about eating greens when they come like this.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Casserole

Spicy Korean Cucumber Salad

Slices of cucumber tossed in spicy Korean dressing.
Spicy Korean Cucumber Salad. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Need a side that wakes up the whole meal? Spicy Korean Cucumber Salad does exactly that, bringing just the right balance of heat and crunch to every bite. It’s quick, fresh, and perfect for cutting through rich dishes. A plate never feels complete without something that keeps things interesting.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Korean Cucumber Salad

Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese

Close-up of a creamy macaroni and cheese dish with visible black pepper seasoning.
Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Mac and cheese just got an upgrade. Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese brings something extra to the mix, making every bite smooth, rich, and completely worth it. It’s creamy, layered, and works just as well on a holiday table as it does for a quick dinner. No one says no to another scoop.
Get the Recipe: Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese

Cilantro Lime Rice

Chipotle rice in a bowl with sliced lime and spoons.
Cilantro Lime Rice. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

No one wants a bland side when rice can do so much more. Cilantro Lime Rice does exactly that, bringing a fresh, bold bite to anything it’s served with. It’s light but never dull, making it perfect for pairing with rich meals. A side that works this well never gets ignored.
Get the Recipe: Cilantro Lime Rice

Dauphinoise Potatoes

An oven dish with baked dauphinoise potatoes in it.
Dauphinoise Potatoes. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Simple ingredients can still make the most impressive dishes. Dauphinoise Potatoes prove that by layering soft, rich bites into something worth slowing down for. It’s smooth, indulgent, and perfect for any meal that needs a little extra comfort. No one leaves a plate unfinished when this is served.
Get the Recipe: Dauphinoise Potatoes

Cobb Salad

A close-up of a Cobb salad featuring sliced chicken, cherry tomatoes, avocado, boiled eggs, red onion, bacon bits, and blue cheese crumbles on a bed of lettuce.
Cobb Salad. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Some salads feel like a full meal, and this one is proof. Cobb Salad loads up the plate with crisp, fresh ingredients that make every forkful worth it. It’s balanced, filling, and works for lunch, dinner, or anything in between. When a salad has this much going on, it never feels like an afterthought.
Get the Recipe: Cobb Salad

Garlic Bread

Slices of garlic bread topped with chopped parsley and sea salt sit enticingly on a wooden board, accompanied by a small bowl of salt and fresh cloves of garlic.
Garlic Bread. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

No one ever turns down extra bread at the table. Garlic Bread makes sure of that with a crispy outside, soft inside, and just the right balance of warmth in every bite. It’s the side that works for pasta, soups, or just eating on its own. Plates are always empty when this shows up.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Bread

Hawaiian Baked Beans

A plate of Hawaiian baked beans garnished with a pineapple slice and chopped herbs.
Hawaiian Baked Beans. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Beans don’t usually get the spotlight, but that changes fast with this dish. Hawaiian Baked Beans bring a balance of sweet and rich bites that turn a simple side into something memorable. They’re perfect for pairing with grilled favorites or just serving on their own. A dish this bold never sits untouched.
Get the Recipe: Hawaiian Baked Beans

Corn Casserole

Corn casserole in a casserole dish with a portion removed.
Corn Casserole. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Some side dishes work quietly in the background, but not this one. Corn Casserole walks the line between both, bringing just enough richness to stand alone while still pairing with anything on the table. It’s smooth, slightly crisp, and built for second helpings. No one skips the side when it looks like this.
Get the Recipe: Corn Casserole

Cheesy Zucchini Casserole

A casserole dish with zucchini and cheese on it.
Cheesy Zucchini Casserole. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Looking for a side dish that brings big, bold bites without extra effort? Cheesy Zucchini Casserole turns a simple ingredient into something golden, rich, and impossible to ignore. It’s light but never boring, making it perfect for any meal that needs an extra side. Plates never stay full when this is served.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Zucchini Casserole

Pasta Salad with Grilled Veggies

A bowl of vibrant pasta salad with penne, cherry tomatoes, black olives, diced cucumbers, red onions, and a drizzle of dressing.
Pasta Salad with Grilled Veggies. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Pasta doesn’t always need a heavy sauce to make an impact. Pasta Salad with Grilled Veggies proves that, bringing together a fresh, crisp bite with just the right balance of texture. It’s light enough to pair with rich dishes but still stands strong on its own. A side dish this well-balanced works any time of day.
Get the Recipe: Pasta Salad with Grilled Veggies

Jamaican Red Beans and Rice

A bowl of stew with bread and carrots.
Jamaican Red Beans and Rice. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Fresh, crisp, and packed with just the right mix of textures, this dish brings balance to any meal. Jamaican Red Beans and Rice delivers that with deep, bold bites that make every meal better. It’s simple, filling, and works with just about anything. A side this good deserves a place at the table every time.
Get the Recipe: Jamaican Red Beans and Rice

Seven Layer Salad

A clear glass bowl layered with lettuce, cherry tomatoes, green peas, corn, diced celery, and topped with chunks of grilled chicken, garnished with a dollop of mayonnaise.
Seven Layer Salad. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

More layers mean more fun, and this dish is proof. Seven Layer Salad stacks fresh, crunchy ingredients into a side that’s just as good to look at as it is to eat. It’s light, crisp, and brings just the right contrast to richer meals. Plates clear fast, and someone always asks how to make it.
Get the Recipe: Seven Layer Salad

Asparagus Casserole

Cheesy asparagus casserole on a plate with a fork.
Asparagus Casserole. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Greens don’t always have to stay simple. Asparagus Casserole takes a basic vegetable and turns it into a side dish that’s worth making again and again. It’s creamy, crisp, and easy to pair with just about anything. No one ever complains about eating their greens when they taste this good.
Get the Recipe: Asparagus Casserole

Sweet Potato Fries

Sweet potato fries with a dipping sauce.
Sweet Potato Fries. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Fries don’t always have to come from a bag. Sweet Potato Fries bring just the right balance of crisp edges and soft centers, making every bite worth reaching for. They’re easy to pair with anything or just eat straight off the pan. A side this good never sticks around for long.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Fries

Wild Rice Casserole

A bowl of pasta with lemon slices and parmesan cheese.
Wild Rice Casserole. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Some sides know how to turn a simple ingredient into something bigger. Wild Rice Casserole layers soft, rich bites into a dish that pairs with just about anything. It’s filling, packed, and perfect for making any meal feel complete. A side this strong never gets overlooked.
Get the Recipe: Wild Rice Casserole

Scalloped Potatoes

Cheesy potato casserole in a white dish with a fork.
Scalloped Potatoes. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Crispy on the edges, soft in the middle, and packed with rich, creamy layers. Scalloped Potatoes take a simple ingredient and turn it into something that steals the spotlight. It’s smooth, baked to perfection, and impossible to ignore. Plates never stay full when this is on the menu.
Get the Recipe: Scalloped Potatoes

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