17 Easy Sides That Will Save Your Dinner Plans
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Dinner feeling a little underwhelming? These easy side dishes are here to save the day with big flavors and zero stress. Whether you need something easy, comforting, or just a little extra to round out your meal, these simple recipes will make sure your dinner plans stay on track, no last-minute scrambling required.
Carrot Raisin Salad
This carrot raisin salad is the perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and crunchy, making it a total lifesaver when dinner needs a quick boost. Ready in just 10 minutes, it’s a no-fuss side dish that goes with anything from grilled chicken to pot roast. Whether you’re serving guests or just need something fresh on the table fast, this classic side never disappoints.
Get the Recipe: Carrot Raisin Salad
Broccoli Rice Casserole
Nothing saves a last-minute dinner plan quite like this cheesy broccoli rice casserole. With tender-crisp broccoli, fluffy rice, and melty cheddar cheese, it’s a comforting side that tastes like it took way more effort than it actually did. Made from scratch in just minutes, it’s an easy go-to when you need something hearty and delicious.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Rice Casserole
Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes
These make-ahead mashed potatoes are here to take the stress out of dinner prep. Soft, fluffy, and loaded with buttery, creamy goodness, they can be made up to three days in advance and baked fresh when you need them. Perfect for gatherings or lazy weeknights, this classic side ensures you get all the mashed potato comfort with none of the last-minute chaos.
Get the Recipe: Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes
Honey Glazed Carrots
Sweet, tender, and coated in a buttery honey glaze, these carrots bring a bright, flavorful touch to any dinner. Made in just minutes, they’re the perfect way to add a little elegance to your plate without any extra hassle. Whether paired with a roast, grilled chicken, or served on their own, they’re an easy side dish win.
Get the Recipe: Honey Glazed Carrots
Parmesan Roasted Green Beans
These parmesan roasted green beans prove that simple sides can still steal the show. Tossed in a delicious seasoning mix, roasted until crisp, and finished with a sprinkle of parmesan, they add the perfect pop of flavor to any meal. When dinner needs a little extra something, this easy veggie dish gets the job done with minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Parmesan Roasted Green Beans
Broccoli Cheddar Soup
When you need a cozy, delicious side for dinner that practically makes itself, this slow-cooker broccoli cheddar soup is the answer. With tender broccoli, creamy cheese, and a rich broth, it’s the ultimate comfort food that pairs well with any main dish. Just toss everything in the slow cooker, let it do its thing, and enjoy a side that tastes like a hug in a bowl.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Parmesan Potatoes
Crispy, cheesy, and completely irresistible, these parmesan potatoes are the kind of side dish that makes any dinner feel special. The buttery potatoes are roasted to perfection with a golden, cheesy crust that adds just the right amount of crunch. Whether paired with steak, chicken, or served on their own, they’re always a hit.
Get the Recipe: Parmesan Potatoes
Potato Skins
Loaded with crispy bacon, melty cheese, and fresh green onions, these potato skins are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Brushed with garlic butter and baked to golden perfection, they’re the perfect balance of crispy and cheesy. Whether you’re making a simple side or a fun appetizer, these save dinner plans in the most delicious way possible.
Get the Recipe: Potato Skins
Cilantro Lime Rice
When dinner feels a little bland, this cilantro lime rice steps in to save the day. Light, fluffy, and packed with fresh, vibrant flavor, it’s the perfect complement to everything from grilled meats to tacos. Best of all, it comes together easily, so you can get a flavorful side on the table without the hassle.
Get the Recipe: Cilantro Lime Rice
Cauliflower Tortillas with Garlic and Oregano
These cauliflower tortillas are a game-changer for taco nights, burritos, and wraps. They’re sturdy, flexible, and infused with garlic and oregano for an extra boost of flavor. If you need a simple, low-effort way to upgrade dinner sides, this homemade alternative to store-bought tortillas is exactly what you need.
Get the Recipe: Cauliflower Tortillas with Garlic and Oregano
Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Creamy, dreamy, and full of rich garlic flavor, these mashed potatoes are a dinner essential. Whether served alongside a holiday feast or a casual weeknight meal, they bring the perfect balance of comfort and indulgence. With just the right mix of butter, cream, and seasoning, this side dish is one you’ll turn to again and again.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Parmesan Chicken Wings
These parmesan chicken wings aren’t just a side dish, they’re an experience. Crispy, golden, and packed with cheesy, herby flavor, they’re a perfect match for everything from pizza night to family dinners. If your meal needs a little extra something, this easy recipe delivers in the best way possible.
Get the Recipe: Parmesan Chicken Wings
Cabbage Fritters
Curry-spiced cabbage fritters are the unexpected side dish you didn’t know you needed. Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, these flavorful fritters are topped with a garam masala yogurt sauce that takes them over the top. They’re easy to whip up in 30 minutes, making them a perfect solution when dinner needs a little excitement.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage Fritters
Homemade Sauerkraut
If you love tangy, probiotic-rich flavors, this homemade sauerkraut is the side dish for you. Made with just cabbage and salt, it’s an old-fashioned classic that adds the perfect bite to roasted meats, sandwiches, or grain bowls. When you need a flavorful, gut-friendly side to balance out a heavy dinner meal, this one is a must-have.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Sauerkraut
Quick Creamed Collard Greens (Dairy-Free)
These quick creamed collard greens are a rich, flavorful side dish that’s packed with goodness and made in just 20 minutes. Sauteed onions, garlic, collard greens, and a creamy coconut-based sauce come together for a dairy-free take on a Southern classic. When you need a healthy, comforting side for dinner that won’t weigh you down, this recipe has your back.
Get the Recipe: Quick Creamed Collard Greens (Dairy-Free)
Cheddar Cheese Broccoli Fritters
These crispy cheddar cheese broccoli fritters come together in three easy steps, proving that good food doesn’t have to be complicated. With a perfect balance of crispy edges and gooey cheese, they’re the ideal side dish for everything from burgers to roast chicken. When you need an easy, foolproof side to save your dinner plans, these fritters get the job done.
Get the Recipe: Cheddar Cheese Broccoli Fritters
Cranberry Chicken Salad
This cranberry chicken salad is a flavor-packed twist on a classic side dish, ready in just 10 minutes. With tender chicken, sweet cranberries, crunchy pecans, and a creamy dressing, it’s the easiest way to add a little something special to your meal. Whether stuffed in a sandwich, served over greens, or scooped up with crackers, this side saves dinner without breaking a sweat.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Chicken Salad
