19 Easy Sides That Go with Every Meal

This collection of easy side dish recipes is full of tasty options that you are going to really enjoy making. They are the perfect addition to almost any meal, whether it is a fancy dinner or just a simple and casual lunch. There is a recipe here that will go great with whatever main dish you are serving. They are all simple to prepare and are sure to be a hit with everyone, making your whole meal something special to remember.

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Table of Contents

1 Roasted White Asparagus With Capers and Dill
2 Elotes Mexicanos (Mexican Street Corn)
3 Roasted Heirloom Carrots Salad
4 Ejotes a la Mexicana (Mexican Green Beans)
5 Roasted Mexican Sweet Potatoes
6 Oven-Baked Mexican Potatoes
7 Herb and Parmesan Roasted Asparagus
8 Mexican Pickled Carrots
9 Roasted Pesto Potatoes
10 Mexican Mac and Cheese
11 Healthy Pea Salad with Mint
12 Champiñones a la Mexicana (Mexican Mushrooms)
13 Sauteed Green Beans and Asparagus
14 Arroz Mexicano (Mexican red rice)
15 Pea Salad with Bacon
16 Roasted Asparagus with Lemon
17 Mexican Mashed Potatoes
18 Asian Cabbage Salad
19 Mexican Pickled Onions

Roasted White Asparagus With Capers and Dill

A rectangular white dish with a gold rim holds a serving of grilled white asparagus garnished with fresh dill, capers, and pine nuts. The dish is placed on a white cloth with lace edging, and a small sprig of yellow flowers lies beside it on a light gray, textured background. — Roasted White Asparagus. Photo credit: In the kitch.

A unique blend of pine nuts, salty capers, and fresh dill makes this Roasted White Asparagus a really interesting and tasty side dish. It has a wonderful flavor that can make a simple dinner feel a little more special and is a great way to enjoy asparagus.
Get the recipe: Roasted White Asparagus With Capers and Dill

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

You can enjoy the yummy taste of Mexican street food at home with this super easy and incredibly tasty corn recipe. The Elotes Mexicanos are topped with cheese, chili powder, and other delicious ingredients for a fun and flavorful side.
Get the recipe: Elotes Mexicanos

Roasted Heirloom Carrots Salad

A white bowl filled with assorted roasted vegetables, including carrots, red onions, and possibly parsnips, garnished with fresh microgreens. The bowl is placed on a wooden board next to wooden utensils and a small dish of additional microgreens. — Roasted Heirloom Carrots Salad. Photo credit: A tasty kitchen.

Simple carrots are turned into a stunning side dish when they are roasted to bring out their natural sweetness and bright color. The Roasted Heirloom Carrots Salad is a beautiful and delicious way to add more vegetables to your meal in a very tasty way.
Get the recipe: Roasted Heirloom Carrots Salad

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 are not just plain green beans, as they are cooked with Mexican flavors for a quick and healthy side dish. The Ejotes a la Mexicana goes well with any meal you are making and is ready to eat in just a few short minutes.
Get Recipe: Ejotes a la Mexicana

Roasted Mexican Sweet Potatoes

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

These sweet potatoes become crispy on the outside while staying very soft and tender on the inside when they are roasted. The Roasted Mexican Sweet Potatoes are sure to become a favorite side dish for your regular dinners or for bigger holiday meals with family.Get Recipe: Roasted Mexican Sweet Potatoes

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

You can transform your usual side dishes with these potatoes that are baked in the oven until they are perfectly crispy. The Oven-Baked Mexican Potatoes have a great burst of flavor in every single bite and are very easy to prepare for dinner.
Get the recipe: Oven-Baked Mexican Potatoes

Herb and Parmesan Roasted Asparagus

A baking sheet with roasted asparagus, lightly seasoned and arranged in rows. The asparagus tips are slightly browned, indicating they are tender and cooked. The baking sheet has a rustic, well-used appearance. — Herb and Parmesan Roasted Asparagus. Photo credit: Sidewalk shoes.

The asparagus is roasted with herbed breadcrumbs and a good amount of parmesan cheese for a gourmet-tasting side dish. The Herb and Parmesan Roasted Asparagus has a wonderful burst of flavors that makes it a lot more exciting than plain vegetables.
Get the recipe: Herb and Parmesan Roasted Asparagus

Mexican Pickled Carrots

You can easily transform your meals with these homemade carrots that are pickled with a mix of tangy and spicy flavors. The Mexican Pickled Carrots are a great topping for tacos or a side dish that adds a big punch of flavor to your plate.
Get the recipe: Mexican Pickled Carrots

Roasted Pesto Potatoes

A close-up shot of assorted roasted potatoes, featuring red, yellow, and purple varieties. They are seasoned with a green pesto, providing a textured and flavorful coating. The potatoes are slightly golden, indicating a crispy, well-cooked finish. — Roasted Pesto Potatoes. Photo credit: Dizzy buzzy and hungry.

These potatoes are roasted with pesto until they are crispy on the outside and perfectly tender on the inside. The Roasted Pesto Potatoes are full of flavor and have a quick prep time, making them ideal for busy weeknights when you need a simple side.
Get the recipe: Roasted Pesto Potatoes

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 is a deliciously spicy twist on the classic mac and cheese, making it the perfect comfort food for anyone. The Mexican Mac and Cheese is for those times when you are craving something familiar but with a little bit of an extra kick.
Get Recipe: Mexican Mac and Cheese

Healthy Pea Salad with Mint

A close-up of a fresh green bean salad mixed with slivered almonds, chopped herbs, and a light dressing. The vibrant green color showcases the freshness of the beans, and there is a sprig of mint visible on the side. — Healthy Pea Salad with Mint. Photo credit: The rustic foodie.

This is a fresh and cool salad that blends snap peas, mint, almonds, and Parmesan cheese for a light side dish. The Healthy Pea Salad with Mint is perfect for when you want something that is both tasty and good for you.
Get the recipe: Healthy Pea Salad with Mint

Champiñones a la Mexicana (Mexican Mushrooms)

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

With every single bite, you will discover the earthy and delicious essence of traditional Mexican flavors in this mushroom dish. The Champiñones a la Mexicana is a wonderful side that brings a rich and savory taste to your dinner table.
Get the recipe: Champiñones a la Mexicana

Sauteed Green Beans and Asparagus

A pot filled with sautéed asparagus pieces, garnished with fresh parsley leaves. The asparagus stalks appear cooked and are mixed with vibrant green parsley, providing a fresh and healthy dish. — Sauteed Green Beans and Asparagus. Photo credit: Healing Tomato.

Scallion butter is used to enhance the fresh crunch of the green beans and asparagus in this bright and simple side dish. The Sauteed Green Beans and Asparagus is a great way to get two healthy vegetables on your plate with lots of great flavor.
Get the recipe: Sauteed Green Beans and Asparagus

Arroz Mexicano (Mexican red rice)

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

You can whip up this delicious red rice for a quick side that turns any regular dinner into a Mexican feast. The Arroz Mexicano is ready in about thirty minutes and is a classic and flavorful staple that everyone will enjoy.
Get the recipe: Arroz Mexicano

Pea Salad with Bacon

A close-up of a creamy pea salad with diced cheese, crispy bacon bits, chopped red onion, and fresh herbs, garnished with a lemon slice. The salad is served on a white plate with a wooden spoon, set on a beige cloth. — Spring Pea Salad. Photo credit: Foxes love lemons.

This classic salad is upgraded with the addition of crispy bacon, fresh herbs, and a creamy dressing for extra flavor. The Pea Salad with Bacon is a simple side that is much more interesting and tasty than a basic bowl of peas.
Get the recipe: Pea Salad with Bacon

Roasted Asparagus with Lemon

A silver platter displaying roasted asparagus spears garnished with slices of lemon. Next to the platter are a lemon, blue napkin, and gold fork. Stacked white plates are visible in the background. — Roasted Asparagus. Photo Credit: Suburban simplicity.

A quick and savory twist is added to asparagus by roasting it and then topping it with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. The Roasted Asparagus with Lemon turns out crisp-tender and is an ideal side dish for any kind of gathering or family dinner.
Get the recipe: Roasted Asparagus with Lemon

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.

These are not your ordinary mashed potatoes, as they are made with rich and flavorful ingredients that give them a spicy kick. The Mexican Mashed Potatoes have a creamy texture and are a fantastic side dish to bring to your dinner table.
Get the recipe: Mexican Mashed Potatoes

Asian Cabbage Salad

A bowl of Asian ramen salad featuring chopped cabbage, shredded carrots, green onions, and crunchy ramen noodles. A glass jar of dressing and a small white bowl of additional crunchy toppings are placed beside the main bowl. — Asian Cabbage Salad. Photo credit: Gift of Hospitality.

This salad brings a great crunch to your table with a mix of ramen noodles, sunflower seeds, and almonds tossed with fresh veggies. The Asian Cabbage Salad is a vibrant and tasty side that is perfect for adding something different to your meal.
Get the recipe: Asian Cabbage Salad

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.

These onions are pickled to be tangy and tasty, making them a classic topping that can elevate almost any dish you make. The Mexican Pickled Onions are incredibly easy to prepare and are a quintessential part of many Mexican meals.
Get the recipe: Mexican Pickled Onions