23 Staple Side Dishes My Family Never Gets Tired Of
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Some side dishes are so good, they deserve a permanent spot on the dinner table, and these are the ones my family never tires of. Whether it’s a cheesy casserole or the crispiest roasted veggies, these recipes deliver big flavor with minimal effort. If you’re ready to break free from the same old sides, these easy, favorites will always keep things exciting.
Cilantro Lime Rice
This cilantro lime rice is a side dish my family never gets tired of. Light, fluffy, and packed with bright citrus and fresh cilantro, it’s the perfect companion to grilled meats, tacos, and burrito bowls. It’s so easy to make and always disappears fast, so I make sure to double the batch every time.
Get the Recipe: Cilantro Lime Rice
Carrot Raisin Salad
This carrot raisin salad is a go-to side that never lasts long in my house. Crunchy shredded carrots, plump raisins, and a creamy, tangy dressing come together in minutes, making it perfect for lazy weeknights or potlucks. It’s fresh, slightly sweet, and always gets my family’s thumbs-up at the table.
Get the Recipe: Carrot Raisin Salad
Cranberry Chicken Salad
Cranberry chicken salad is one of those staple sides my family asks for on repeat. Tender chicken, tart cranberries, crunchy pecans, and crisp celery tossed in a creamy dressing make this the ultimate sweet-and-savory combo. It’s great as a side, stuffed into sandwiches, or served on lettuce cups for a light yet delicious meal.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Chicken Salad
Broccoli Rice Casserole
Cheesy, creamy broccoli rice casserole is an absolute must at my dinner table. Every bite is packed with tender broccoli, fluffy rice, and melty cheddar cheese, making it a guaranteed family favorite. Whether it’s for a holiday meal or a simple weeknight side, this dish never sticks around for long.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Rice Casserole
Parmesan Roasted Green Beans
These parmesan roasted green beans are so good, they’ve become a staple at my family dinners. Tossed with garlic and parmesan, then roasted until crispy on the edges, they turn a simple veggie into an irresistible side dish. Whether we’re having steak, chicken, or pasta, this is always on the menu.
Get the Recipe: Parmesan Roasted Green Beans
Copycat Longhorn Steakhouse Rice
This copycat Longhorn Steakhouse rice is so flavorful, my family thinks it’s better than the restaurant version. With fluffy rice, sautéed onions, and bell peppers simmered in a savory broth, it’s an easy and delicious side that works with just about anything. I make this at least once a week because it never fails to disappear fast.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Longhorn Steakhouse Rice
Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
This cauliflower mac and cheese is a healthier twist on a comfort food classic, and my family can’t get enough of it. Creamy, cheesy, and just as delicious as the original, it’s a side dish that sneaks in extra veggies without anyone noticing. I love how simple and easy it is to throw together, making dinner stress-free and delicious.
Get the Recipe: Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
Potato and Leek Soup
This potato and leek soup is the ultimate cozy side dish that my family asks for all year long. It’s rich, velvety, and loaded with buttery leeks, tender potatoes, and a flavorful broth. Whether served with crusty bread or alongside a main dish, it’s always a hit at the dinner table.
Get the Recipe: Potato and Leek Soup
Parmesan Potatoes
Crispy, cheesy, and downright addicting, these parmesan potatoes are one of my most-loved side dishes. Tender baby potatoes roasted in garlic butter and parmesan create a flavor-packed bite every time. They’re so good, I always make extra because they disappear before I can get seconds.
Get the Recipe: Parmesan Potatoes
Parmesan Chicken Wings
Parmesan chicken wings are a family favorite side that works for dinner, game nights, or just because. With a crispy herb-crusted coating and loads of cheesy goodness, these wings always get rave reviews. Whether served with a dipping sauce or straight from the pan, they never last long in my house.
Get the Recipe: Parmesan Chicken Wings
Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Thick, creamy, and loaded with cheese, this broccoli cheddar soup is one of the most requested sides at my table. Every spoonful is packed with tender broccoli, rich cheddar, and a velvety broth that makes it pure comfort food. It’s the kind of soup that has everyone going back for seconds or thirds.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Potato Skins
Crispy, cheesy potato skins are a must-have side dish in my house. Loaded with melty cheese, crispy bacon, and fresh green onions, they’re the perfect mix of comfort food and indulgence. Whether for a snack, a side, or game day, these always disappear before the main course even hits the table.
Get the Recipe: Potato Skins
Cabbage Fritters
These crispy, curry-spiced cabbage fritters are an unexpected side dish that my family absolutely loves. They’re crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside, and full of warm, flavorful spices. Paired with a cooling yogurt sauce, they make every meal just a little more exciting.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage Fritters
Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes
Fluffy, buttery mashed potatoes that you can prep in advance? Absolutely. This make-ahead mashed potatoes recipe saves time and stress, so I can focus on enjoying dinner with my family. They bake up perfectly creamy and are hands down one of the most requested sides in my house.
Get the Recipe: Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes
Homemade Asparagus
Roasted, grilled, or sautéed, this homemade asparagus is the perfect veggie side that my family never gets tired of. It’s crisp, tender, and loaded with garlicky goodness, making it the perfect complement to any meal. If you’re tired of bland, overcooked asparagus, this foolproof method will change your mind.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Asparagus
Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Creamy, dreamy garlic mashed potatoes are hands down one of my family’s most-loved sides. The perfect balance of buttery, fluffy potatoes and rich roasted garlic makes them impossible to resist. Whether it’s a holiday dinner or just a regular weeknight, these never last long on the table.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Honey Glazed Carrots
These honey-glazed carrots are the ultimate way to turn simple veggies into a side dish my family asks for on repeat. Tossed in a sweet and buttery glaze, they come out tender, caramelized, and full of flavor. They’re so good, even the pickiest eaters happily clean their plates.
Get the Recipe: Honey Glazed Carrots
Homemade Sauerkraut
Homemade sauerkraut is a staple at my house, adding a tangy, probiotic-rich bite to any meal. It’s surprisingly easy to make with just cabbage and salt, and the result is miles better than store-bought. Whether piled onto sandwiches, served as a side, or eaten straight from the jar, it never lasts long.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Sauerkraut
Potato Fritters
Crispy potato fritters are one of those sides my family never gets tired of. Grated potatoes mixed with onion, garlic, and eggs, then pan-fried to golden perfection, make for the best crispy bite. Topped with sour cream or eaten straight from the pan, they disappear in record time.
Get the Recipe: Potato Fritters
Mozzarella-Stuffed Meatballs
These mozzarella-stuffed meatballs are an irresistible side dish that always gets a big thumbs up. Juicy, flavorful meatballs with a gooey, melty cheese center. They’re so easy to make and go with everything from pasta to roasted veggies.
Get the Recipe: Mozzarella-Stuffed Meatballs
Quick Creamed Collard Greens
These creamed collard greens are rich, flavorful, and one of the best ways to get my family to eat their greens. Sautéed onions, garlic, and coconut milk create a silky sauce that makes this dish unbelievably good. It’s an easy, nutritious side that pairs well with everything from grilled chicken to roasted meats.
Get the Recipe: Quick Creamed Collard Greens
Savory Muffins
Savory muffins are a fun, unexpected side dish that my family loves. Packed with veggies and cheese, they’re a great alternative to bread rolls and make every meal just a little more exciting. Whether served with soup, salad, or as a grab-and-go snack, these muffins are always a win.
Get the Recipe: Savory Muffins
Vegetable Noodles
Vegetable noodles are the easiest way to add more veggies to my family’s meals without complaints. Spiralized zucchini, carrots, or sweet potatoes make a fun, colorful, and healthy alternative to pasta or sides. Toss them with a simple sauce, and they’re an instant hit at the dinner table.
Get the Recipe: Vegetable Noodles
