15 Easy-to-Make Fall Side Dishes for Busy Weeknights

These side dishes are great for making any meal better without taking too much time to cook. With options like cheesy pasta, roasted veggies, and tasty rice, there’s something for everyone. They’re simple to make but full of flavor, so dinner will always be good. Whether you need something quick for a weeknight or a special dish for a get-together, these recipes have you covered.

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Table of Contents

1 Pumpkin Biscuits
2 Ejotes a la Mexicana (Mexican Green Beans)
3 Champiñones a la Mexicana
4 Maple Pecan Roasted Kabocha Squash
5 Roasted Mexican Sweet Potatoes
6 Flash-Fried Brussels Sprouts with Pancetta and Parmesan
7 Arroz Blanco (Mexican White Rice)
8 Honey Roasted Vegetables
9 Mexican Mac and Cheese
10 Mexican Mashed Potatoes
11 5 Ingredient Corn Casserole
12 Old Fashioned Homemade Cornbread Stuffing
13 Brown Sugar Brussels Sprouts With Bacon
14 Southern baked mac and cheese
15 Sausage Stuffing with Fennel and Leeks

Pumpkin Biscuits

Soft and slightly sweet, Pumpkin Biscuits are a nice change from regular rolls. They’re great with butter or even as a snack on their own.
Get the recipe: Pumpkin Biscuits

Ejotes a la Mexicana (Mexican Green Beans)

A bowl of Ejotes a la Mexicana served in a bowl next to fresh cilantro. — Ejotes a la Mexicana. Photo Credit: Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

These Mexican Green Beans, called Ejotes a la Mexicana, are full of bold flavor with a little spice and fresh ingredients. They cook up fast and go great with tacos, grilled meat, or just by themselves for a light side.
Get the recipe: Ejotes a la Mexicana

Champiñones a la Mexicana

Mexican-style mushrooms served on a round plate. — Champinones a la Mexicana. Photo Credit: Mama Maggie’s Kitchne

Champiñones a la Mexicana is a simple dish with mushrooms cooked in a zesty tomato sauce. It’s got a little kick but not too much, making it a good match for rice or as a filling for quesadillas.
Get the recipe: Champiñones a la Mexicana

Maple Pecan Roasted Kabocha Squash

A white dish contains roasted squash slices topped with chopped pecans, microgreens, and a light drizzle of dressing. Fresh rosemary is placed as garnish around the dish, with some pecans scattered on the white surface nearby. — Thanksgiving Maple Pecan Roasted Kabocha Squash Recipe. Photo credit: Jawns I Cooked.

Sweet maple syrup, crunchy pecans, and soft Kabocha squash come together in Maple Pecan Roasted Kabocha Squash. It’s an easy bake-and-serve dish that tastes like a treat but still feels like a real side.
Get the recipe: Maple Pecan Roasted Kabocha Squash

Roasted Mexican Sweet Potatoes

Roasted sweet potatoes sitting on a white plate. — Roasted Mexican Sweet Potatoes. Photo Credit: Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

Spiced up with Mexican flavors, Roasted Mexican Sweet Potatoes are crispy outside and soft inside. They’re a fun twist on regular sweet potatoes and go well with almost any main dish.
Get the recipe: Roasted Mexican Sweet Potatoes

Flash-Fried Brussels Sprouts with Pancetta and Parmesan

A white platter filled with roasted Brussels sprouts topped with shaved Parmesan cheese and crispy bacon pieces. A small bowl of additional bacon bits and a glass of white wine are placed next to the platter. Two sets of utensils rest above the platter on a white surface. — Flash Fried Brussel Sprouts with Parmesan and Pancetta. Photo credit: The Savory Cipolla.

These Brussels sprouts get crispy fast and taste even better with salty pancetta and grated Parmesan. Flash-Fried Brussels Sprouts with Pancetta and Parmesan turn a basic veggie into something really special.
Get Recipe: Flash-Fried Brussels Sprouts with Pancetta and Parmesan

Arroz Blanco (Mexican White Rice)

Arroz blanco served on a decorative blue plate. — Arroz Blanco. Photo credit: Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

Arroz Blanco is a simple Mexican White Rice that’s fluffy and goes with everything. It soaks up sauces well and makes a great base for beans, meat, or veggies.
Get Recipe: Arroz Blanco

Honey Roasted Vegetables

A bowl filled with a colorful assortment of roasted root vegetables, including chunks of beets, carrots, sweet potatoes, and parsnips. Sprigs of fresh rosemary lie on top, indicating a fragrant and savory dish. — Honey roasted vegetables. Photo credit: Through the Fibro Fog.

A mix of veggies roasted with honey turns soft and slightly sweet in this dish. Honey Roasted Vegetables are an easy way to get a colorful, tasty side on the table fast.
Get Recipe: Honey roasted vegetables

Mexican Mac and Cheese

A close-up of a serving of baked macaroni and cheese being lifted from a rectangular baking dish with a spoon. The dish features a golden-brown breadcrumb topping and gooey, melted cheese. A plate with a portion of the macaroni is visible in the background. — Mexican Mac and Cheese. Photo by Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

This Mexican Mac and Cheese is creamy with a little spice, thanks to peppers and cheese melted together. It’s like regular mac and cheese but with extra flavor that makes it stand out.
Get Recipe: Mexican Mac and Cheese

Mexican Mashed Potatoes

A white bowl filled with creamy mashed potatoes, garnished with small pieces of green herbs, placed on a matching white plate. A spoon rests inside the bowl. In the blurred background, there are broccoli florets and a white cloth napkin. — Mexican Mashed Potatoes. Photo Credit: Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

Mashed potatoes get a twist with cheese, peppers, and spices in Mexican Mashed Potatoes. They’re smooth, a little spicy, and way more interesting than plain potatoes.
Get the recipe: Mexican Mashed Potatoes

5 Ingredient Corn Casserole

A heap of corn pudding on a white plate. The pudding shows a mixture of creamy corn kernels and a golden, crumbly texture, creating a moist and delicious appearance. The background is blurred, focusing on the dish. — 5 Ingredient Corn Casserole. Photo credit: Tastes of Lizzy T.

With just five ingredients, this Corn Casserole is super easy but always a hit. It’s creamy, a little sweet, and works as a side for almost any meal.
Get the recipe: 5 Ingredient Corn Casserole

Old Fashioned Homemade Cornbread Stuffing

A close-up of a glass dish filled with baked stuffing. The stuffing includes pieces of bread, onions, and herbs, and is garnished with fresh sage leaves. The dish is placed on a red and white patterned cloth. — Old Fashioned Homemade Cornbread Stuffing. Photo credit: Organized Island.

This Cornbread Stuffing is soft inside with crispy edges and lots of flavor. It’s not just for holidays—it’s good anytime you want something hearty.
Get the recipe: Old Fashioned Homemade Cornbread Stuffing

Brown Sugar Brussels Sprouts With Bacon

A cast iron skillet filled with a dish of roasted Brussels sprouts, topped with crispy bacon pieces and crumbled white cheese, likely feta or goat cheese. The dish is colorful, with vibrant green sprouts and reddish-brown bacon. The background is white. — Brown Sugar Brussels Sprouts With Bacon. Photo credit: The Short Order Cook.

Brussels sprouts get way better when cooked with brown sugar and bacon. The mix of sweet, salty, and crispy makes Brown Sugar Brussels Sprouts With Bacon a favorite.
Get the recipe: Brown Sugar Brussels Sprouts With Bacon

Southern baked mac and cheese

Close-up of creamy baked macaroni and cheese with a golden-brown crust. Elbow macaroni is coated in a rich cheese sauce, and spots of melted cheese are scattered on top, showing slight browning. A spoon is scooping out a portion, revealing the gooey texture. — Southern Baked Mac and Cheese. Photo credit: Chenée Today

Extra cheesy and baked until golden, Southern Baked Mac and Cheese is the kind of side people go back for seconds of. It’s rich, creamy, and totally comforting.
Get the recipe: Southern baked mac and cheese

Sausage Stuffing with Fennel and Leeks

Close-up of a dish of bread stuffing, featuring golden-brown, toasted bread pieces with visible herbs and green bits, possibly celery or parsley. A serving spoon rests in the dish, indicating a portion has been taken out. The surface appears crispy and well-baked. — Sausage Stuffing with Fennel and Leeks. Photo credit: From A Chef’s Kitchen.

Packed with sausage, fennel, and leeks, this stuffing is full of savory flavor. Sausage Stuffing with Fennel and Leeks is a step up from the usual and worth the extra effort.
Get the recipe: Sausage Stuffing with Fennel and Leeks