17 Side Dish Recipes That Work With Everything

Looking for side dishes that make dinner more exciting? These recipes will change how you think about sides forever. Each dish brings so much flavor that your main course might get jealous, and your family will be asking for seconds before they even finish their first helping.

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Table of Contents

1 Mushroom Marsala
2 Frijoles de la Olla (Mexican Beans)
3 Creamy Mashed Sweet Potatoes
4 Champiñones a la Mexicana
5 Rainbow Corn Salad
6 Oven Baked Mexican Potatoes
7 Ejotes a la Mexicana
8 Greek Potato Salad – No Mayo
9 Arroz Mexicano (Mexican Rice)
10 Mexican Mac n Cheese
11 Egyptian Rice with Vermicelli
12 Mexican Mashed Potatoes
13 Cheesy Brussels Sprouts and Wild Rice Casserole
14 Roasted Mexican Sweet Potatoes
15 Sour cream green bean casserole
16 Balsamic Maple Brussel Sprouts
17 Broccoli and Chicken Pasta Salad

Mushroom Marsala

A white bowl filled with cooked, sliced mushrooms garnished with a sprig of fresh thyme, placed on a turquoise surface next to a white and blue checkered cloth. — Mushroom Marsala. Photo credit: Urban Bliss Life.

Rich wine flavors mix with tender mushrooms to create this Mushroom Marsala that turns any regular dinner into something that feels fancy and special for the whole family.
Get the recipe: Mushroom Marsala

Frijoles de la Olla (Mexican Beans)

A metal ladle full of cooked pinto beans. — Frijoles de la Olla. Photo by Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

These traditional Mexican beans called Frijoles de la Olla become creamy and delicious when cooked slowly, making them perfect alongside tacos, grilled chicken, or any main dish.
Get Recipe: Frijoles de la Olla

Creamy Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes get mashed into a smooth, creamy side dish that tastes amazing with almost any main course and always makes people smile when they take a bite.
Get Recipe: Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Champiñones a la Mexicana

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

Mexican spices and flavors transform regular mushrooms into something amazing with this Champiñones a la Mexicana recipe that brings authentic taste to any meal you’re making.
Get the recipe: Champiñones a la Mexicana

Rainbow Corn Salad

A vibrant salad in a white bowl featuring cherry tomatoes, corn, red onions, and fresh herbs, mixed with wooden utensils. The backdrop is light, highlighting the colorful ingredients. — Rainbow Corn Salad. Photo credit: Lauren Fit Foodie.

Bright colors and fresh flavors come together in this Rainbow Corn Salad that works great next to grilled meats and doesn’t need any dairy to taste incredible.
Get Recipe: Rainbow Corn Salad

Oven Baked Mexican Potatoes

Close-up of a plate of crispy oven baked potatoes seasoned with herbs and spices. The potatoes are golden brown around the edges and appear tender on the inside. A silver fork is placed on the plate beside the potatoes. — Mexican-Roasted Potatoes. Photo by Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

These potatoes get crispy and golden in the oven while Mexican spices make every bite of these Oven Baked Mexican Potatoes burst with flavor that everyone will love.
Get Recipe: Oven Baked Mexican Potatoes

Ejotes a la Mexicana

Green beans get a Mexican makeover in this Ejotes a la Mexicana recipe that’s both healthy and tasty, adding bright colors and flavors to any dinner table.Get the recipe: Ejotes a la Mexicana

Greek Potato Salad – No Mayo

A bowl of potato salad with sliced cucumbers, red onions, and herbs, garnished with capers. It is accompanied by lemon wedges and a blue-and-white striped cloth. A bowl of similar salad and a sauce container are nearby. — Greek Potato Salad – No Mayo. Photo credit: Daily Dish.

This potato salad skips the mayo but keeps all the flavor, making Greek Potato Salad a lighter option that tastes great with chicken, beef, or lamb dishes.
Get Recipe: Greek Potato Salad

Arroz Mexicano (Mexican Rice)

Arroz Mexican served in a clay bowl and topped with a cilantro leaf. — Arroz Mexicano. Photo by Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

Fluffy rice gets loaded with Mexican flavors in this Arroz Mexicano recipe that’s so good it might become your new favorite way to make rice every time.
Get Recipe: Arroz Mexicano

Mexican Mac n 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

Classic mac and cheese gets a spicy twist with Mexican flavors that make this Mexican Mac n Cheese the perfect comfort food with just enough heat to keep things interesting.
Get Recipe: Mexican Mac n Cheese

Egyptian Rice with Vermicelli

A bowl of fluffy rice mixed with golden noodles, garnished with fresh parsley. A fork is lifting a portion. A bowl of uncooked rice in the background on a striped cloth. — Egyptian Rice with Vermicelli (Roz bel Shareya). Photo credit: Chocolate & Chai.

Thin noodles mixed with rice create an interesting texture in this Egyptian Rice with Vermicelli that pairs wonderfully with lamb, beef, or pork for a unique dinner experience.
Get Recipe: Egyptian Rice with Vermicelli

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

Regular mashed potatoes get an exciting makeover with Mexican spices, making these Mexican Mashed Potatoes creamy, flavorful, and perfect for families who love a little spice.
Get Recipe: Mexican Mashed Potatoes

Cheesy Brussels Sprouts and Wild Rice Casserole

A baked casserole dish topped with sliced almonds and fresh herbs. The dish is creamy with small pieces of vegetables visible, such as green broccoli florets. A serving spoon is partially visible on the side. — Brussels Sprouts Wild Rice Casserole. Photo credit: From a Chef’s Kitchen.

Brussels sprouts and wild rice come together with melted cheese in this casserole that can be made ahead of time and might change how people think about brussels sprouts.
Get the recipe: Cheesy Brussels Sprouts and Wild Rice Casserole

Roasted Mexican Sweet Potatoes

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

Sweet potatoes get roasted until crispy on the outside and tender inside, with Mexican spices making these Roasted Mexican Sweet Potatoes everyone’s new favorite side dish.
Get the recipe: Roasted Mexican Sweet Potatoes

Sour cream green bean casserole

A casserole dish filled with green bean casserole, topped with crispy fried onions and melted cheese, sits on a marble surface next to a green cloth napkin and a wooden spoon. — Sour Cream Green Bean Casserole. Photo credit: Two Pink Peonies.

The classic green bean casserole gets updated with sour cream, creating a creamy, comforting side dish that brings familiar flavors with a fresh, new twist that tastes amazing.
Get the recipe: Sour cream green bean casserole

Balsamic Maple Brussel Sprouts

A white plate filled with roasted Brussels sprouts, showing a crispy, browned exterior, sits on a dark gray surface. — Balsamic Maple Roasted Brussels Sprouts. Photo credit: Casual Foodist.

Sweet maple syrup and tangy balsamic vinegar make these Brussels sprouts taste incredible, turning Balsamic Maple Brussels Sprouts into a side dish that even veggie skeptics will enjoy.
Get the recipe: Balsamic Maple Brussel Sprouts

Broccoli and Chicken Pasta Salad

A white bowl filled with bowtie pasta, broccoli florets, black olives, diced red bell peppers, chicken pieces, and garnished with fresh herbs. — Broccoli and Chicken Pasta Salad. Photo credit: Little Nomad Recipes.

This pasta salad combines broccoli and chicken in a dish that works great for lunch, dinner sides, or potluck events where you want to bring something satisfying and delicious.
Get Recipe: Broccoli and Chicken Pasta Salad