20+ Weeknight Side Dish Recipes
Side dishes are just as important as the main course. They can turn a simple dinner into a full one, so I’ve rounded up 20+ side dish recipes that are great for family dinners or holiday gatherings.
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These easy side dish recipes use simple ingredients and will please both kids and adults. You’ll find side salad recipes, potato side dishes, and soup side dish ideas; there’s something here for every meal.
Check out my list of 10+ Healthy Vegetable Side Dish Recipes and 15 Salad Side Dish Recipes for Any Meal
Simple Ramen Noodle Broccoli Slaw Salad
A crunchy, tangy salad featuring crisp broccoli slaw, crunchy ramen noodles, and sunflower seeds tossed in a buttery vinegar dressing. Great as a refreshing side for any meal or gathering!
French Onion Potato Bake
Soft potatoes baked with onions and a creamy sauce, topped with melted cheese. A comforting dish that’s always a crowd-pleaser.
Crockpot Creamy and Cheesy Potatoes
Perfect for busy days, this crockpot side dish recipe makes tender, cheesy potatoes without much work.
Air Fried Zucchini Bites
Healthy, crispy, and ready in minutes. These zucchini bites are great for sides.
Golden and Cheesy Party Potatoes
Simple, cheesy, and perfect for holidays or family gatherings. These Cheesy Party Potatoes are full of tender hashbrowns, creamy, cheesy, and baked until golden and bubbly.
Slow Cooker Vegan Butternut Squash Soup
A creamy soup without the cream. Made in the slow cooker for easy prep, it’s great for a cozy dinner.
Crispy Pulled Pork and Cheese Potato Skins
Potato skins filled with pulled pork and melted cheese make a fun side for any occasion. Grab the recipe here!
Baby Calamari Garden Salad
Fresh and light, this salad combines baby calamari with crisp greens and a simple dressing. Grab the recipe here!
Air Fryer Parmesan Truffle Fries
This Smashed Potato Salad is a crispy, creamy twist on the classic—made with baby potatoes, fresh herbs, and a light yogurt dressing. Great as a warm or room temp side dish!
Smashed Potato Salad
Tender potatoes smashed and mixed with a simple dressing. Perfect family meals. Grab the recipe here!
Creamy Cucumber Salad
This Creamy Cucumber Salad is a light and refreshing side dish made with crisp cucumbers, red onion, and a tangy sour cream dressing. A simple salad that pairs well with any main dish.
Air Fryer Accordion Potatoes
Accordion Potatoes are thinly sliced golden potatoes, cut in a fun criss-cross style, lightly seasoned, and air-fried until golden and crispy. They’re an easy side dish.
Mediterranean Orzo Pasta Salad
This easy Orzo Salad combines tender pasta with fresh veggies, salty olives, creamy feta, and a bright lemony dressing. It’s a quick, refreshing side.
One-Pan Winter Salad
This warm Winter Salad is loaded with sautéed veggies, tender steak, crunchy peanuts, and a tangy homemade dressing—ready in under an hour.
Shrimp Pasta Salad
This easy Shrimp Pasta Salad is creamy, refreshing, and full of flavor—made with tender shrimp, pasta, and a simple homemade dressing.
Cold Tortellini Pesto Salad
This Tortellini Pesto Pasta Salad is a quick and easy side dish made with cheese tortellini, fresh veggies, and basil pesto.
Crockpot BBQ Sausages
These Crockpot BBQ Sausage Bites are sweet, smoky, and tangy—made with just 4 simple ingredients! Perfect as a side dish for a casual family dinner.
Cheesy Taco Pasta Salad
Easy Taco Pasta Salad made with ground beef, cheese, pasta, and Doritos! A flavorful side dish great for family dinner.
Crispy Potato Latkes
These crispy potato latkes are quick, simple, and totally satisfying. Made with just a few pantry staples, they’re golden on the outside, tender on the inside, and perfect with a dollop of sour cream or green onions on top.
Roasted Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus Bundles
Tender asparagus spears wrapped in crispy, savory bacon make this simple appetizer or side dish. Ready in under 30 minutes with just two ingredients. Grab the recipe here!
Dump-and-Go Crockpot Summer Vegetable Soup
This Crockpot Summer Vegetable Soup is fresh, light, and loaded with garden veggies—an easy dump-and-go recipe.
Amish Potato Salad
This classic Amish Potato Salad is creamy, tangy, and just a little sweet, with tender potatoes, crunchy veggies, and a flavorful mustard mayo dressing.
Italian Chopped Salad with Zesty Dressing
This Italian Chopped Salad is loaded with crisp veggies, salami, and mozzarella, all tossed in a zesty homemade dressing. Ideal as a hearty side!
Creamy Brussels Sprouts with Pancetta
These Creamy Brussels Sprouts with Pancetta are rich, flavorful, and ready in just 30 minutes. It’s a nice way to introduce Brussels sprouts to kids or picky eaters. A great vegetable side dish recipe for a family dinner.
Oven-Baked Ratatouille Casserole
This easy ratatouille casserole is a cozy vegetable bake made with eggplant, zucchini, peppers, mushrooms, and herbs. It’s a healthy, flavorful dinner or side dish that comes together in under an hour.
