Quick and Easy Side Dish Recipes

Complete the meal with vegetables, grains, salads—simple sides that help get dinner on the table fast.

Staff Picks

Garlicky Potatoes

Rating: 4.44 stars
52
Potatoes are boiled in chicken broth and mashed with garlic, cream, sour cream, chives and butter.
By sal

Bacon Feta Beans

Rating: 4.57 stars
88
This is a nice green bean dish for company that's low carb, too. Reheats nicely for leftovers.
By FOODAC

Fast and Easy Spinach with Shallots

Rating: 4.53 stars
87
Here's a simple, healthy side dish that's fast and easy to prepare.
By motherteresa

Asparagus with Cranberries and Pine Nuts

Rating: 4.37 stars
59
This is a quick, easy way to saute asparagus. The dish has a light flavor and makes a great accompaniment to Italian meals. I make this year-round, but we especially enjoy it on Thanksgiving.
By JenM

Instant Potato Pancakes

Rating: 4.25 stars
52
These crispy, crusty, delicious potato pancakes are nothing more than cold instant mashed potatoes shaped into patties and browned in butter. A sprinkle of chives adds color and flavor.
By Chef John

Quick and Simple Broccoli and Cheese

Rating: 4.11 stars
70
This recipe is great for just-getting-started-cooks.
By Anonymous

Superb Sauteed Mushrooms

Rating: 4.83 stars
468
These mushrooms are the quintessential topping for all types of steak. Also excellent over baked potatoes. I have people calling me and asking me for the recipe even years after I have made them for them. They are that good!!
By IrishMountainGirl

Parmesan Brussels Sprouts

Rating: 4.71 stars
289
It was my first year cooking Christmas dinner for the family and I was just thinking of imaginative vegetables I could have! Turned out great and everyone loved them and have been cooking them ever since. Goes well with everything.
By Toronto Worm Company

Microwave Corn on the Cob

Rating: 4.62 stars
430
This is a no-nonsense recipe for corn on the cob. Perfect for when you run out of stove or grill space. I freeze the corn on the cob in plastic bags, and remove a single ear of frozen corn in the cold winter months to have the sweet taste of summer corn throughout the year!
By Cheri Weiner

Air-Fried Sweet Potato Fries

Rating: 4.55 stars
27
Simple and addicting air-fried sweet potato fries. I bet you can't eat just one.
By Deb C

Cream Corn Like No Other

Rating: 4.79 stars
1695
This is NOTHING like canned creamed corn! My husband is not a fan of corn or creamed dishes, but he thinks this is great. Easy and quick to prepare and is an especially delicious side dish for chicken or pork. Everyone always asks for the recipe.
By DIANA YOCKEY

Glazed Carrots

Rating: 4.61 stars
250
Simple dish with tender carrots with a buttery glaze and a mild sweetness.
By Tricia McTamaney
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Inspiration and Ideas

Mexican Rice

Mexican Rice
Rating: Unrated
2277
"I love this recipe because it easy, fast and always delicious! Plus I always seem to have these ingredients on hand." – keke
Balsamic Grilled Zucchini

Balsamic Grilled Zucchini
Rating: Unrated
136
See how to make quick-and-easy grilled zucchini!
Grilled Corn on the Cob

Grilled Corn on the Cob
Rating: Unrated
414
21 Top-Rated Side Dish Recipes Ready in 15 Minutes

21 Top-Rated Side Dish Recipes Ready in 15 Minutes
12 Easy Side Dishes for Lasagna

12 Easy Side Dishes for Lasagna
Pan-Fried Asparagus

Pan-Fried Asparagus
Rating: Unrated
1185

Easy Roasted Broccoli

Rating: 4.63 stars
92

Easy roasted broccoli. My favorite part is the roasted sliced stem pieces.

More Quick and Easy Side Dish Recipes

Jamie's Sweet and Easy Corn on the Cob

Rating: 4.74 stars
309
My mother-in-law gave me this quick and easy recipe for the sweetest, tastiest corn cobs!
By heatherjane

Basic Mashed Potatoes

Rating: 4.52 stars
356
If you love good, old fashioned mashed potatoes this is the perfect recipe. Simple and delicious.
By Esmee Williams

Grilled Asparagus

Rating: 4.7 stars
622
The special thing about this recipe is that it's so simple. Fresh asparagus with a little oil, salt, and pepper is cooked quickly over high heat on the grill. Enjoy the natural flavor of your veggies.
By Anonymous
Sponsored By MyPlate

Yellow Squash Casserole

Rating: 4.61 stars
1770
Tender squash, gooey cheese and crunchy crackers make this a memorable side dish or a hearty main course. This is a great dish that can be made with low-fat ingredients and is still just as good!
By ROSECART

Buttery Garlic Green Beans

Rating: 4.7 stars
399
Only fresh green beans and garlic will do for this easy, healthy, and flavorful side dish.
By LookWhatsCooking

Roasted Cabbage

Rating: 4.43 stars
221
Delicious, roasted cabbage! I apologize for not having a measurement for you! I do not typically measure. If anybody tries this and would like to give tips on measurements, please feel free!
By samnan2

Simple Roasted Butternut Squash

Rating: 4.72 stars
916
Butternut squash is so good on its own, that barely any seasoning is needed. This recipe is so simple and easy.
By MChele

Grilled Corn on the Cob

Rating: 4.47 stars
411
This is an easy method for grilling corn on the cob. The corn will be very tasty and tender.
By SUETEITSMA

Mexican Rice II

Rating: 4.49 stars
2252
This is a wonderful side dish for any Mexican dinner.
By Mommyto2

How to Make Perfect Polenta

Rating: 4.87 stars
157
Polenta is nothing more than coarsely ground cornmeal. The classic ratio is 1 part polenta to 4 parts water, but I like to measure the polenta just a little scant of a full cup. I often use chicken broth instead of water. It's a perfect base for any kind of saucy meat or mushroom ragout.
By Chef John

Grandma's Southern Mac and Cheese

Rating: 4.24 stars
11
This is my grandmother's macaroni and cheese recipe that we all crave and only get to have twice a year, if we play our cards right. Fairly simple and straightforward. The key is cooking time more than anything.
By Rhett Towles

Classic Hash Browns

Rating: 4.63 stars
217
These classic diner-style hash browns are crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside.
By Chef John

Sauteed Garden Fresh Green Beans

Rating: 4.77 stars
93
This is a great way to cook fresh green beans. This recipe is very basic, but can easily be jazzed up with some onions, fresh garlic, mushrooms - let your imagination run wild! This recipe also is very good for fresh asparagus.
By Cookin Ray

Oven Roasted Parmesan Corn on the Cob

Rating: 4.56 stars
58
This is a great side!
By fickerco

Old Fashioned Potato Cakes

Rating: 4.28 stars
151
These potato cakes are great with any meal or as a snack. Simple and quick to make with only a few ingredients. Kids of ALL ages love 'em.
By DaMonkey

Garlic Mashed Cauliflower

Rating: 4.56 stars
616
This recipe is so easy and healthy. I love mashed potatoes, and when I started the South Beach Diet® and couldn't have them, I had to find an alternative. This is an awesome alternative, and people who hate vegetables love it. I do recommend using a large food processor for this recipe.
By Andie
Sponsored By MyPlate

Quick and Easy Refried Beans

Rating: 4.5 stars
233
When you don't have all day to make refried beans and you can't stand the canned ones, these are easy and delicious.
By MarasFlourpower

Simple and Delicious Beet Greens

Rating: 4.6 stars
149
Don't throw away those hearty green leaves that top fresh bundles of beets! They have a flavor similar to kale. This simple recipe will will help you make the most of your fresh beets!
By Daryl Gerboth
Sponsored By MyPlate

Oven-Baked Potato Slices

Rating: 4.4 stars
8
I created this recipe by accident. After already starting dinner one night I realized I didn't have enough potatoes on hand to make mashed, so I improvised and came up with these baked potato slices. It's quick and easy and they are delicious. Just line your cookie sheet with nonstick foil and clean up is a snap! Enjoy!
By Jodster

Sarah's Rice Pilaf

Rating: 4.67 stars
772
This is a delicious twist to traditional rice.
By sarahbillings

Roasted Green Beans

Rating: 4.69 stars
174
A great alternative to fast-food French fries. My family and friends love these as a snack or hors d'oeuvre. No matter how many I make, it's never enough!
By samanathon

Grilled Onions and Potatoes

Rating: 4.51 stars
46
My family loves these tasty potatoes. There are never leftovers. Once the potatoes are all tucked in their foil packets, they can wait overnight to be grilled the next day. Great for camping. Check foil packets at 15 and 30 minutes to ensure they are not burning. May require a few more minutes to ensure all is cooked through.
By Allyson

13 Quick and Easy Barbeque Side Dishes

No-fuss ingredients and minimal prep time mean more time for enjoying the season.
By Mary Claire Lagroue

Brazilian Grilled Pineapple

Rating: 4.84 stars
62
Favorite at a Brazilian steakhouse in Dallas. Not sure if this is the exact recipe they use but it tastes very close. Great side for kabobs and steak.
By SoccerNut
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