17 Easy Side Dishes That Go with Everything

A great main dish always tastes better when it is served with a really good side. This list has many simple recipes that will make your whole meal more special. You can find everything from fresh salads to warm, cheesy dishes that have a nice crunch. These sides are easy to make and are packed with flavor that everyone at your table is sure to enjoy with their dinner.

This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Table of Contents

1 Greek Potato Salad
2 Roasted Mexican Sweet Potatoes
3 Elotes Mexicanos (Mexican Street Corn)
4 Roasted Asparagus with Mornay Sauce and Breadcrumbs
5 Champiñones a la Mexicana (Mexican Mushrooms)
6 Phyllo Wrapped Asparagus Recipe
7 Mexican Mashed Potatoes
8 Arroz Blanco (Mexican White Rice)
9 Asian Stir Fried Asparagus
10 Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
11 Mexican Brussels Sprouts
12 Potato Leek Gratin
13 Ejotes a la Mexicana (Mexican Green Beans)
14 Green Pasta Salad with Edible Flowers
15 Mexican Pickled Onions
16 Parmesan Green Beans
17 Easy Creamy Apple Coleslaw Recipe

Greek Potato Salad

A bowl of sliced potato salad topped with crumbled feta, black olives, red onion slices, capers, and fresh dill, drizzled with olive oil. The salad is presented in a white bowl on a light surface next to a gray cloth. — Greek Potato Salad. Photo credit: Recipes from a Pantry.

This potato salad uses a light dressing made from olive oil and lemon juice instead of mayonnaise. The Greek Potato Salad is a fresh and different option that is very flavorful and perfect for serving with many kinds of meals.
Get the recipe: Greek Potato Salad

Roasted Mexican Sweet Potatoes

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

Sweet potato pieces are roasted with Mexican spices until their edges become crispy and delicious. These Roasted Mexican Sweet Potatoes are a very tasty side that is always popular at family dinners or for special occasions.
Get the recipe: Roasted Mexican Sweet Potatoes

Elotes Mexicanos (Mexican Street Corn)

Elote Mexicano (or Mexican Street Corn) on a white plate topped with chile powder, cheese, and cilantro. — Elotes Mexicanos (Mexican Street Corn). Photo by Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

Corn on the cob is coated in a creamy, tangy sauce and then sprinkled with crumbled cheese. Elotes Mexicanos is a classic and flavorful street food that makes for a fun and delicious side dish or snack.
Get the recipe: Elotes Mexicanos

Roasted Asparagus with Mornay Sauce and Breadcrumbs

A dish of roasted asparagus topped with creamy sauce and crispy breadcrumbs on an oval plate. A small bowl of sauce and a spoon rest nearby on a light-colored surface. — Roasted Asparagus with Mornay Sauce and Breadcrumbs. Photo credit: Vikalinka.

Asparagus is roasted until tender and then topped with a rich, creamy cheese sauce and crispy breadcrumbs. This Roasted Asparagus with Mornay Sauce is a very elegant side that makes any dinner feel a little more special.
Get the recipe: Roasted Asparagus with Mornay Sauce and Breadcrumbs

Champiñones a la Mexicana (Mexican Mushrooms)

Mexican-style mushrooms served on a round plate. — Champinones a la Mexicana. Photo By Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

Mushrooms are sautéed with tomatoes, onions, and peppers using a traditional Mexican cooking style. The Champiñones a la Mexicana are a savory and authentic side dish that adds a lot of flavor to your meal.
Get the recipe: Champiñones a la Mexicana

Phyllo Wrapped Asparagus Recipe

A white rectangular plate with phyllo-wrapped asparagus spears. The spears are golden brown and crispy. A small metal cup with pink dipping sauce is placed beside the plate. The background includes a green textured surface. — Phyllo Wrapped Asparagus Recipe. Photo credit: Dinner Mom.

Fresh asparagus spears are wrapped in thin, flaky layers of phyllo dough and then baked until golden. This Phyllo Wrapped Asparagus Recipe makes a crispy and impressive-looking side dish or a great starter for a party.
Get the recipe: Phyllo Wrapped Asparagus Recipe

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 by Mama Maggie’s Kitchen.

Creamy mashed potatoes are mixed with flavorful ingredients like cheese and green chiles for a spicy twist. These Mexican Mashed Potatoes are a rich and exciting side that everyone at the table will enjoy.
Get the recipe: Mexican Mashed Potatoes

Arroz Blanco (Mexican White Rice)

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

This is a simple and fluffy white rice that is cooked with a few basic ingredients for a classic taste. Arroz Blanco is a vegetarian side that is easy to make and goes perfectly with many different Mexican dishes.
Get Recipe: Arroz Blanco

Asian Stir Fried Asparagus

A white bowl filled with cooked asparagus spears, showcasing a glossy green color and slight char marks. The background is blurred, focusing attention on the asparagus. — Asian Stir Fried Asparagus. Photo credit: That Skinny Chick Can Bake.

Asparagus is quickly stir-fried in a wok or pan with a savory Asian-inspired sauce. This Asian Stir-Fried Asparagus is a simple and flavorful way to serve a vegetable that changes up your usual routine.
Get the recipe: Asian Stir Fried Asparagus

Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes

A bowl of mashed potatoes topped with butter and garnished with chopped herbs. A spoon and fork are placed nearby, along with a small white plate. — Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes. Photo by Chew Out Loud

You can make smooth and creamy mashed potatoes very quickly by using an Instant Pot. These Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes need only a few ingredients and are a simple way to get a classic side dish on the table fast.
Get Recipe: Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes

Mexican Brussels Sprouts

Roasted Brussels sprouts on a foil-lined baking sheet. The sprouts are halved and seasoned, displaying a golden-brown roasted appearance. The background features a rustic wooden surface. — Mexican Brussels Sprouts. Photo by Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

Brussels sprouts are roasted with Mexican spices until their outsides are crispy and their insides are tender. These Mexican Brussels Sprouts are a flavorful and different way to serve a vegetable that people might not usually love.
Get Recipe: Mexican Brussels Sprouts

Potato Leek Gratin

A baked casserole with a golden cheesy crust sits in an oval dish on a patterned cloth. Sprigs of fresh thyme garnish the top, and a wooden spoon is placed nearby. — Potato Leek Gratin. Photo credit: Noshing With the Nolands.

Thin slices of potato and leek are baked in a creamy sauce under a golden, cheesy crust. The Potato Leek Gratin is a very cozy and comforting side dish that is perfect for a nice dinner.
Get the recipe: Potato Leek Gratin

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 by Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

Fresh green beans are cooked with tomatoes and onions in a simple and traditional Mexican way. The Ejotes a la Mexicana are a healthy and flavorful side that comes together in just a few minutes.
Get the recipe: Ejotes a la Mexicana

Green Pasta Salad with Edible Flowers

A bowl of green pasta with spinach leaves, topped with vibrant red, yellow, and orange edible flowers and shaved cheese. — Green Pasta Salad with Edible Flowers. Photo credit: The Pasta Project.

This is a fresh pasta salad that is made with green vegetables and sometimes topped with colorful edible flowers. The Green Pasta Salad is a healthy and beautiful dish that adds a special look to any meal.
Get the recipe: Green Pasta Salad with Edible Flowers

Mexican Pickled Onions

Pickled red onions in a jar next to a jalapeno peppers and tortillas. — Mexican Pickled Onions. Photo by Mama Maggie’s Kitchen.

Thinly sliced red onions are pickled in a mixture of lime juice and vinegar with Mexican spices. These Mexican Pickled Onions are a tangy and tasty topping that adds a bright flavor to tacos and other dishes.
Get the recipe: Mexican Pickled Onions

Parmesan Green Beans

A dish of cooked green beans garnished with crumbled bacon and grated cheese, arranged on a white plate. — Parmesan Green Beans. Photo credit: A Cowboy’s Life.

Fresh green beans are cooked until they are tender-crisp and then tossed with grated Parmesan cheese. These Parmesan Green Beans are a crispy, cheesy, and very easy side that brings a lot of flavor to your dinner plate.
Get the recipe: Parmesan Green Beans

Easy Creamy Apple Coleslaw Recipe

A close-up of a bowl of coleslaw featuring shredded green and purple cabbage, carrots, and a creamy dressing. A fork is placed in the coleslaw, ready to take a bite. Small black pepper specks are sprinkled on top. — Easy Creamy Apple Coleslaw Recipe. Photo credit: The Fresh Cooky.

Shredded cabbage and crisp apple pieces are mixed together with a smooth and creamy dressing. This Easy Creamy Apple Coleslaw is a crunchy and refreshing side that can be ready to eat in just ten minutes.
Get the recipe: Easy Creamy Apple Coleslaw Recipe