25 Side Dishes That Go With Any Dinner

A really good side dish can make your whole meal better. This list has all kinds of tasty options that go well with any main course. You’ll find creamy things, crunchy things, and fresh salads too. They are all simple to make but add a lot of flavor to your dinner table. Whether you want a classic favorite or something new, there is a side dish here for you. Check out these recipes to find the perfect addition to your next meal.

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Blueberry Goat Cheese Salad

A bowl of fresh spinach salad topped with blueberries, crumbled feta cheese, and walnut pieces. The mix of green spinach leaves with the blue of the berries, white feta, and brown walnuts creates a colorful and appetizing presentation. — Blueberry Goat Cheese Salad. Photo credit: Let Us Munch Lettuce.

It mixes fresh blueberries with creamy goat cheese and greens. A Blueberry Goat Cheese Salad has a sweet balsamic dressing.
Get the Recipe: Blueberry Goat Cheese Salad

Champiñones a la Mexicana (Mexican-Style Mushrooms)

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

They are cooked with tomatoes, onions, and peppers for lots of flavor. These Mexican-Style Mushrooms are great as a taco filling.
Get Recipe: Champiñones a la Mexicana

Roasted Rosemary Garlic Potatoes

A white oval dish filled with seasoned, roasted potato chunks. The potatoes are golden brown, sprinkled with herbs, and garnished with sprigs of rosemary. A wooden spoon rests atop the dish, set on a light wooden surface with rosemary sprigs scattered around. — Roasted Rosemary Garlic Potatoes. Photo credit: Sweet Tea + Thyme.

They are roasted with fresh rosemary and lots of garlic. These Roasted Potatoes are crispy on the outside and fluffy inside.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Rosemary Garlic 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 creamy pasta dish with a little bit of a spicy kick. Mexican Mac and Cheese is more exciting than the regular kind.
Get Recipe: Mexican Mac and Cheese

Roasted Mexican Sweet Potatoes

A rectangular white plate filled with roasted sweet potato cubes seasoned with herbs and garnished with small cilantro leaves. The dish is placed on a light wooden surface, with a sprig of fresh cilantro in the top right corner. — Roasted Mexican Sweet Potatoes. Photo credit: Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

The sweet potatoes are seasoned with chili and lime before roasting. Roasted Mexican Sweet Potatoes have a nice spicy and sweet taste.
Get Recipe: Roasted Mexican Sweet Potatoes

Red Skin Mashed Potatoes

A plate of creamy mashed potatoes garnished with chopped parsley, served with a fork. Fresh parsley leaves and a bulb of garlic are placed beside the plate on a wooden chopping board, and some scattered black peppercorns are visible on the white surface. — Red Skin Mashed Potatoes. Photo credit: Greedy Gourmet.

The potatoes are mashed with their red skins left on for extra flavor. Red Skin Mashed Potatoes are creamy and full of butter.
Get the Recipe: Red Skin Mashed 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

These potato chunks are baked with Mexican spices until they are crispy. Oven-Baked Mexican Potatoes are a flavorful side dish.
Get the recipe: Oven-Baked Mexican Potatoes

Asian Broccoli Stir Fry Recipe

A bowl of charred broccoli garnished with red chili slices and garlic, presented on a black square plate against a dark background. The broccoli appears crispy and slightly roasted, offering a visually appealing and healthy dish. — Asian Broccoli Stir Fry Recipe. Photo credit: Spoons of Flavor.

The broccoli is stir-fried with garlic, ginger, and soy sauce. This Asian Broccoli Stir Fry stays crisp and is ready fast.
Get the Recipe: Asian Broccoli Stir Fry Recipe

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

The Brussels sprouts are roasted with chili and lime seasoning. Mexican Brussels Sprouts are flavorful and crispy-tender.
Get the recipe: Mexican Brussels Sprouts

Cheesy Vegetable Casserole

A plate on a wooden table features a creamy vegetable casserole with carrots, broccoli, and mushrooms. A fork rests on the plate, and slices of bread are nearby. — Cheesy Vegetable Casserole. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

It is a baked dish full of mixed vegetables and melted cheese. This Cheesy Casserole is the ultimate comfort food side.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Vegetable Casserole

Ejotes a la Mexicana (Mexican-Style 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

The green beans are cooked with tomatoes, onions, and serrano peppers. Ejotes a la Mexicana are full of flavor and not mushy.
Get Recipe: Ejotes a la Mexicana

Easy and Oh So Creamy Vegan Pumpkin Pasta (Gluten-Free)

Two bowls of creamy pasta with a rich orange sauce are garnished with chopped walnuts, crumbled cheese, and herbs. A fork is twirling pasta from one bowl, while several shelled walnuts are scattered on the white surface nearby. — Easy and Oh So Creamy Vegan Pumpkin Pasta (Gluten-Free). Photo credit: Whole New Mom.

The sauce is made from blended pumpkin and is dairy-free. This Vegan Pumpkin Pasta is creamy and also gluten-free.
Get the Recipe: Easy and Oh So Creamy Vegan Pumpkin Pasta (Gluten-Free)

Mashed Sweet Potato Recipe

A bowl filled with creamy, bright orange mashed sweet potatoes with specks of black pepper sprinkled on top. The texture looks smooth and slightly chunky. A spoon rests in the bowl, ready for serving. The background is lightly blurred. — Mashed Sweet Potato Recipe. Photo credit: Masala Herb.

The sweet potatoes are boiled and mashed until they are very smooth. This Mashed Sweet Potato Recipe is naturally sweet and simple.
Get the Recipe: Mashed Sweet Potato Recipe

Hearty Roasted Vegetable Salad

Three bowls of colorful salad are arranged on a dark wooden table. The salads contain a variety of ingredients, including lettuce, tomatoes, carrots, and mixed vegetables, and are accompanied by lemon wedges. Two antique-style forks are placed beside the bowls. — Hearty Roasted Vegetable Salad. Photo credit: The Peasant’s Daughter.

It has roasted vegetables, bacon, and feta cheese all mixed together. This Hearty Salad is dressed with a tasty homemade vinaigrette.
Get the Recipe: Hearty Roasted Vegetable Salad

Roasted Red Potatoes Recipe

A close-up of a bowl filled with roasted potatoes, halved and seasoned with herbs. The potatoes are golden-brown and garnished with fresh green herbs, creating an appetizing and savory dish. — Roasted Red Potatoes Recipe. Photo credit: Small Town Woman.

They are roasted with garlic and herbs until the outside is crispy. This Roasted Red Potatoes Recipe is very simple and reliable.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Red Potatoes Recipe

Creamy Chickpea Salad

A close-up view of a chickpea salad featuring cucumbers, red onions, and leafy greens, all mixed in a creamy dressing. The salad is served in a white bowl, with a spoon visible in the dish. The ingredients are fresh and well-coated in the dressing. — Creamy Chickpea Salad. Photo credit: Let Us Munch Lettuce.

It is a fresh salad with crisp vegetables and a light, creamy dressing. Creamy Chickpea Salad has plenty of protein from the chickpeas.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Chickpea Salad

Pasta with Peas (Piselli)

A white plate filled with bowtie pasta and green peas on a marble surface, accompanied by a small bowl of peas, a bowl of bowtie pasta, an onion, and a spoon. — Pasta with Peas (Piselli). Photo credit: No Fuss Noodles.

It is a simple pasta dish with sweet peas and a little garlic. Pasta with Peas is light and goes with many main courses.
Get the Recipe: Pasta with Peas (Piselli)

Cream Biscuits

A white rectangular tray filled with freshly baked golden-brown biscuits on a light blue textured surface. A small dish with a piece of butter is partially visible in the bottom left corner. One biscuit is cut open at the top left of the tray. — Cream Biscuits. Photo credit: Kitchen at Hoskin’s.

They are soft and fluffy biscuits made with just a few ingredients. Cream Biscuits are best eaten warm right after baking.
Get the Recipe: Cream Biscuits

Hot Honey Roasted Carrots

A white bowl filled with roasted carrot slices, sprinkled with red pepper flakes, and a wooden serving spoon resting inside. The bowl is on a table next to a jar of honey and a white cloth napkin. — Hot Honey Roasted Carrots. Photo credit: Killing Thyme.

They are roasted with a glaze of honey and spicy chili flakes. Hot Honey Roasted Carrots are sweet with a little kick.
Get the Recipe: Hot Honey Roasted Carrots

Sweet Buttermilk Cornbread

A square baking dish filled with golden-yellow cornbread, cut into nine squares, with one piece slightly pulled out. The cornbread rests on a white parchment paper on a marble surface. A white plate and a decorative pumpkin are partially visible nearby. — Sweet Buttermilk Cornbread. Photo credit: My Happy Bakes.

This is a moist and slightly sweet cornbread made with buttermilk. Sweet Buttermilk Cornbread is perfect with soups or chili.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Buttermilk Cornbread

Maple Roasted Rainbow Carrots

A white oval platter holds a colorful dish of roasted rainbow carrots garnished with crumbled feta cheese and pomegranate seeds. The platter rests on a wooden board along with gold-colored cutlery. A green cloth napkin is placed to the side. — Maple Roasted Rainbow Carrots. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Different colored carrots are roasted with a sweet maple glaze. Maple Roasted Rainbow Carrots are pretty and taste great.
Get the Recipe: Maple Roasted Rainbow Carrots

Pesto Gnocchi Recipe

A white plate filled with creamy, yellow sauce-drenched gnocchi, garnished with slivers of green onion, sits on a wooden stand. The plate is on a white marble surface, with blurred dishes in the background. — Pesto Gnocchi Recipe. Photo credit: No Fuss Noodles.

Soft potato dumplings are tossed in a fresh, herby pesto sauce. This Pesto Gnocchi Recipe comes together very quickly.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Gnocchi Recipe

Sweet Maple Banana Cornbread

A stack of four pieces of pecan-topped coffee cake on a round wooden stand against a blurred green background. The cake has a golden-brown crust and a moist, textured interior with visible pecan bits. — Sweet Maple Banana Cornbread. Photo credit: Sweet Tea + Thyme.

Mashed banana and maple syrup make this cornbread extra moist. Sweet Maple Banana Cornbread often has crunchy pecans on top.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Maple Banana Cornbread

Parmesan Crusted Potato with Onion and Garlic Powder

A close-up of crispy, golden-brown potatoes with a caramelized coating, served in a white bowl. The potatoes have a slightly charred and crunchy exterior, giving them a deliciously rustic appearance. — Parmesan Crusted Potato with Onion and Garlic Powder. Photo credit: Feasty Travels.

The potatoes get a crispy, cheesy crust from baking with parmesan. These Parmesan Crusted Potatoes are full of garlic and onion flavor.
Get the recipe: Parmesan Crusted Potato with Onion and Garlic Powder

Roasted Butternut Squash Soup

A rustic bowl filled with creamy pumpkin soup, garnished with a swirl of cream, sprigs of fresh thyme, and a sprinkle of black pepper. A piece of crusty bread lies beside the bowl on a dark wooden tray, accompanied by a cloth napkin and silverware. — Roasted Butternut Squash Soup. Photo credit: Happy Kitchen.Rocks.

The squash is roasted first to make it extra sweet and flavorful. This Butternut Squash Soup is smooth, creamy, and comforting.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Butternut Squash Soup