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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    20 Sides That Make Veggies the Star

    Published: Oct 22, 2025 by Maggie Unzueta

    Tomato Burrata Salad made with creamy Italian burrata cheese, sweet cherry tomatoes, nutty pine nuts, and freshly torn basil leaves, served in a white bowl with a golden spoon taking a portion.

    Adding more vegetable side dishes to your meals is a great way to make them more interesting and tasty. You can find all sorts of simple ideas here, from smooth and creamy mashed veggies to ones that are baked until they are soft and golden. No matter what you are making for your main course, these sides are designed to go along with it perfectly, offering lots of different flavors and textures that will please everyone eating.

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

    Table of Contents

    • 1 Air Fryer Zucchini Fries
    • 2 Ejotes a la Mexicana (Mexican Green Beans)
    • 3 Cheesy Cast Iron Skillet Potatoes (Au Gratin)
    • 4 Mexican Mashed Potatoes
    • 5 Mediterranean Roasted Vegetables
    • 6 Roasted Mexican Sweet Potatoes
    • 7 Roasted Tiny Red Potatoes
    • 8 Baked Mexican Potatoes
    • 9 Roasted Broccolini
    • 10 Roasted Summer Squash and Zucchini Recipe
    • 11 Homemade Green Bean Casserole
    • 12 Creamy Garlic Cauliflower Puree
    • 13 Tomato Cucumber Feta Salad
    • 14 Balsamic Roasted Vegetables
    • 15 Maple Glazed Carrots
    • 16 Easy Roasted Parmesan Delicata Squash
    • 17 Roasted Fairytale Eggplant Recipe
    • 18 Asian Broccoli Stir Fry Recipe
    • 19 Tomato Burrata Salad
    • 20 Vegan Bean Salad (Caribbean Style)

    Air Fryer Zucchini Fries

    Air Fryer Zucchini Fries with a crispy texture served on a large plate, accompanied by a small bowl of marinara sauce. Next to the plate is a rectangular bowl of grated Parmesan cheese and a blue cloth as decoration.
    Air Fryer Zucchini Fries. Photo credit: Evolving Table.

    These Air Fryer Zucchini Fries come out with a wonderfully crispy outside while staying soft inside, providing a much lighter option than regular fries that works great as a simple snack or a fun side dish for dinner.
    Get the recipe: Air Fryer Zucchini Fries

    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

    The dish called Ejotes a la Mexicana simmers green beans with tomatoes and onions, creating a very flavorful and healthy side that can be ready in just a few minutes to go with any of your meals.
    Get Recipe: Ejotes a la Mexicana

    Cheesy Cast Iron Skillet Potatoes (Au Gratin)

    Potatoes with a nice crispy edge in a cast-iron skillet, placed on a white marble surface.
    Cheesy Cast Iron Skillet Potatoes (Au Gratin). Photo credit: Sigsbee Street.

    These Cheesy Cast Iron Skillet Potatoes are golden and crispy on the top while being soft and creamy inside, making a rich and satisfying side that is always a popular choice for family dinners.
    Get the recipe: Cheesy Cast Iron Skillet Potatoes (Au Gratin)

    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

    A tasty twist on a classic, Mexican Mashed Potatoes are perfectly creamy with a little bit of a spicy kick, making them a very comforting and flavorful side dish that goes well with many different main courses.
    Get the Recipe: Mexican Mashed Potatoes

    Mediterranean Roasted Vegetables

    An oval bowl filled with Mediterranean roasted vegetables, seasoned with oregano, thyme, and a squeeze of lemon juice.
    Mediterranean Roasted Vegetables. Photo credit: A Cedar Spoon.

    A mix of colorful vegetables is used for Mediterranean Roasted Vegetables, which are baked until they are tender and full of savory, herby flavors, creating a healthy and versatile side for any protein you are serving.
    Get the recipe: Mediterranean Roasted Vegetables

    Roasted Mexican Sweet Potatoes

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

    These Roasted Mexican Sweet Potatoes get crispy on the edges while staying wonderfully soft in the middle, with a smoky and slightly spicy taste that makes them a side dish people will really enjoy.
    Get Recipe: Roasted Mexican Sweet Potatoes

    Roasted Tiny Red Potatoes

    Roasted tiny potatoes served in a large bowl, tossed with chopped parsley, olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper.
    Roasted Tiny Red Potatoes. Photo credit: Cooking in the Keys.

    You can make Roasted Tiny Red Potatoes very quickly, as they become sweet, creamy, and golden brown in the oven for a simple and reliable side that is perfect for those busy weeknights when time is short.
    Get the recipe: Roasted Tiny Red Potatoes

    Baked Mexican Potatoes

    Close-up of a plate of crispy roasted 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.
    Oven Baked Mexican Potatoes. Photo credit: Mama Maggie’s Kitchen.

    Baked Mexican Potatoes come out of the oven with a crispy, golden outside and are packed with great seasoning, making them a super tasty and easy side dish that can go with almost any meal you make.
    Get the Recipe: Baked Mexican Potatoes

    Roasted Broccolini

    Roasted broccolini, also known as sweet baby broccoli, with thick stalks served on a large oval plate.
    Roasted Broccolini. Photo credit: Eat Fresh Glow.

    When you make Roasted Broccolini, it becomes tender and gets slightly crispy tips, with a mild and pleasant flavor that makes it a very simple but good-looking side for all kinds of different dinners.
    Get the recipe: Roasted Broccolini

    Roasted Summer Squash and Zucchini Recipe

    Roasted summer squash and zucchini served on a large white plate.
    Roasted Summer Squash and Zucchini Recipe. Photo credit: Cooks with Soul.

    This recipe for Roasted Summer Squash and Zucchini turns these vegetables soft and caramelized, offering a healthy and delicious way to add more veggies to your plate that the whole family will probably like.
    Get the recipe: Roasted Summer Squash and Zucchini Recipe

    Homemade Green Bean Casserole

    A homemade Green Bean Casserole served in a round metal dish, made with fresh green beans, a homemade mushroom cream sauce, Dijon mustard, and topped with crispy fried onions, panko, and Parmesan cheese.
    Homemade Green Bean Casserole. Photo credit: Chef Sous Chef.

    A from-scratch version of a classic, this Homemade Green Bean Casserole combines tender beans with a creamy sauce and a crunchy topping for a very comforting and popular side that is always a hit at gatherings.
    Get the recipe: Homemade Green Bean Casserole

    Creamy Garlic Cauliflower Puree

    A white bowl filled with creamy cauliflower purée, with a spoon inside. The bowl is set on a white surface, accompanied by a red and white cloth and a few sprigs of thyme as decoration.
    Creamy Garlic Cauliflower Puree. Photo credit: Healy Eats Real.

    The Creamy Garlic Cauliflower Puree is a smooth and savory side that is much lighter than mashed potatoes, with a gentle garlic and herb flavor that goes really well with many different types of main dishes.
    Get the recipe: Creamy Garlic Cauliflower Puree

    Tomato Cucumber Feta Salad

    A Tomato Cucumber Feta Salad in a large white bowl, made with cucumber, cherry tomatoes, sliced red onions, chopped cilantro, and feta cheese, all seasoned with Dijon mustard, salt, pepper, and Za’atar seasoning.
    Tomato Cucumber Feta Salad. Photo credit: Lauren Fit Foodie.

    This Tomato Cucumber Feta Salad is a light and refreshing mix of juicy vegetables and salty cheese, creating a very easy and flavorful side that is perfect for when you want something cool and satisfying.
    Get the recipe: Tomato Cucumber Feta Salad

    Balsamic Roasted Vegetables

    Balsamic Roasted Vegetables served on a metal baking tray, placed on a small natural fiber trivet.
    Balsamic Roasted Vegetables. Photo credit: Cinnamon & Sage Co.

    The sweet and tangy glaze on these Balsamic Roasted Vegetables caramelizes in the oven, making the veggies soft and full of a rich flavor that is a great addition to any simple weeknight or weekend meal.
    Get the recipe: Balsamic Roasted Vegetables

    Maple Glazed Carrots

    Maple Glazed Carrots, made by coating fresh carrots in a maple glaze and cooking them until caramelized, served on a large white oval plate. A checkered cloth napkin is placed beside the plate as decoration.
    Maple Glazed Carrots. Photo credit: Cinnamon & Sage Co.

    These Maple Glazed Carrots are cooked until they are tender and coated in a sweet, shiny sauce, making a simple but very tasty side dish that adds a bit of sweetness to your dinner plate.
    Get the recipe: Maple Glazed Carrots

    Easy Roasted Parmesan Delicata Squash

    Freshly baked Delicata squash rings on a lined baking sheet, sprinkled with Parmesan cheese on top.
    Roasted Parmesan Delicata Squash. Photo credit: Recipes to Nourish.

    For Easy Roasted Parmesan Delicata Squash, the slices are baked with cheese until the edges become crispy and golden, creating a very easy side dish that is packed with savory and delicious flavor.
    Get the recipe: Easy Roasted Parmesan Delicata Squash

    Roasted Fairytale Eggplant Recipe

    Roasted fairytale and baby eggplants with lemon, served in a large bowl.
    Roasted Fairytale Eggplant Recipe. Photo credit: Cooking in the Keys.

    This Roasted Fairytale Eggplant Recipe uses small, tender eggplants that become soft and sweet in the oven, making a unique and simple side dish that can be ready for your table in no time.
    Get the recipe: Roasted Fairytale Eggplant Recipe

    Asian Broccoli Stir Fry Recipe

    Asian broccoli stir fry with tender, crispy broccoli tossed with ginger, garlic, and a glossy sauce, served in a black bowl placed on a large black plate.
    Asian Broccoli Stir Fry Recipe. Photo credit: Spoons of Flavor.

    An Asian Broccoli Stir Fry Recipe quickly cooks the broccoli until it is crisp-tender and then coats it in a savory, gingery sauce for a fast and flavorful side that seems much more special than a plain vegetable.
    Get the recipe: Asian Broccoli Stir Fry Recipe

    Tomato Burrata Salad

    Tomato Burrata Salad made with creamy Italian burrata cheese, sweet cherry tomatoes, nutty pine nuts, and freshly torn basil leaves, served in a white bowl with a golden spoon taking a portion.
    Tomato Burrata Salad. Photo credit: Dish in the Kitchen.

    A Tomato Burrata Salad combines creamy, soft cheese with sweet tomatoes and fresh basil, offering a rich and cool side dish that feels a little bit fancy but is actually very simple to put together.
    Get the recipe: Tomato Burrata Salad

    Vegan Bean Salad (Caribbean Style)

    Caribbean style salad with a trio of cooked legumes (chickpeas, red kidney beans, and pigeon peas) combined with cucumbers, avocado, and scallion, served in a white bowl with a dressing on the side.
    Vegan Bean Salad (Caribbean Style). Photo credit: The Girl Cooks Healthy.

    This Caribbean-style Vegan Bean Salad is a bright and colorful mix of different beans and vegetables tossed in a zesty dressing, making a very filling and refreshing side that is also completely plant-based and healthy.
    Get the recipe: Vegan Bean Salad (Caribbean Style)

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    iBienvenidos! I'm Maggie. Welcome to my blog! My passion is authentic Mexican food and traveling throughout Mexico to bring you the very BEST in culture and cuisine.

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