19 side dishes that don’t exactly play second fiddle

ByHeidi Bruaw

Some side dishes are so good, they refuse to stay in the background. This collection is packed with 19 recipes that bring big flavor, comforting ingredients, and the kind of dishes people keep scooping onto their plates. Don’t be surprised if these sides end up stealing a little attention from the main course.

Quinoa salad in a brown bowl, garnished with pita bread.
Greek Quinoa Salad. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Slow Cooker Creamed Corn

A bowl of creamy corn garnished with chopped chives, placed on a red checkered cloth with a wooden spoon and white ceramic pitchers in the background.
Slow Cooker Creamed Corn. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

Slow cooker creamed corn is rich, buttery, and easy to pull together. The sweet corn simmers low and slow with cream cheese and butter until it turns perfectly creamy. A touch of Cajun seasoning adds gentle warmth, giving this side dish enough flavor that it definitely doesn’t play second fiddle.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Creamed Corn

Mexican Macaroni Salad

A bowl of Mexican Macaroni Salad with kidney beans, chopped celery, and dressing sits on a red and white plaid tablecloth, with a spoon in the bowl.
Mexican Macaroni Salad. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

Mexican Macaroni Salad is a potluck favorite loaded with tender pasta, crisp veggies, and bold taco flavor. The creamy dressing has a bright little tang that keeps every bite lively. It brings just a touch of heat that makes people go back for another scoop.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Macaroni Salad

Sweet Potato Puffs

A close-up of sweet potato puffs coated in crushed cornflakes, split open to reveal a melted marshmallow filling inside, on a white plate with a patterned towel in the background.
Sweet Potato Puffs. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

Sweet potato puffs get a crisp, golden coating thanks to a roll in crunchy Corn Flakes. The inside stays soft, creamy, and lightly sweet, making each bite extra satisfying. Set them on the table and don’t be surprised when they’re the first side dish everyone reaches for.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Puffs

Orange Rice

A white bowl filled with rice mixed with chopped celery and orange zest, garnished with orange slices. Two additional orange slices are placed on the wooden surface next to the bowl.
Orange Rice. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

This baked orange rice is the kind of side dish that fits right in with whatever’s on the table. It comes out soft and fluffy with pops of veggies and a gentle citrus flavor that keeps it light but still comforting. One bite in, and making seconds is an easy decision.
Get the Recipe: Orange Rice

Creamy Macaroni and Cheese

A close-up of baked macaroni and cheese in a glass dish with a portion removed, showing creamy pasta topped with a golden breadcrumb crust.
Creamy Macaroni and Cheese. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

Sharp cheddar and nutty Gruyère melt together into an ultra-creamy mac and cheese that’s rich in all the right ways. A buttery panko and Parmesan topping bakes up crisp and golden on top. This is the kind of side dish that refuses to play second fiddle.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Macaroni and Cheese

Carrot Raisin Salad

A bowl of coleslaw with shredded carrots and raisins on a wooden surface, next to a red and white checkered cloth.
Carrot Raisin Salad. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

This carrot raisin salad brings together crisp carrots, crunchy cabbage, and plump raisins for the perfect mix of texture. Everything gets coated in a creamy dressing with a bright hint of lemon. It’s that sweet-tangy combo that keeps you going back for another scoop.
Get the Recipe: Carrot Raisin Salad

Green Beans Almondine with Bacon

A red oval dish filled with green beans almondine with bacon, topped with slivered almonds, sits on a wooden surface beside a floral-patterned cloth.
Green Beans Almondine with Bacon. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

Green Beans Almondine with Bacon pairs tender green beans with smoky bacon and crunchy toasted almonds for a side dish that feels just a little special. A light lemon butter sauce pulls everything together and adds a fresh pop of flavor. It’s the kind of dish that makes the whole meal feel a little more memorable.
Get the Recipe: Green Beans Almondine with Bacon

Deviled Egg Pasta Salad

A bowl of creamy macaroni salad topped with sliced boiled eggs, chopped green onions, and a sprinkle of paprika, placed on a wooden surface.
Deviled Egg Pasta Salad. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

If deviled eggs speak to your soul, this creamy pasta salad is about to become a repeat favorite. It’s rich, tangy, and packed with all those familiar flavors like eggs, mustard, and relish that just work every single time. This is the kind of recipe people keep making again and again because it never lets you down.
Get the Recipe: Deviled Egg Pasta Salad

Greek Quinoa Salad

Quinoa salad in a brown bowl, garnished with pita bread.
Greek Quinoa Salad. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

This Greek Quinoa Salad is fresh, hearty, and quick to pull together. Crisp vegetables, cannellini beans, and feta are tossed in a bright homemade vinaigrette that brings everything to life. It’s so full of flavor and texture that it doesn’t play second fiddle on the plate.
Get the Recipe: Greek Quinoa Salad

Orange Glazed Carrots

A plate of glazed carrot slices topped with chopped herbs, served with a light sauce.
Orange Glazed Carrots. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

These orange glazed carrots are tender, buttery, and bright with fresh citrus flavor. They simmer until perfectly soft, then get finished in a glossy sauce made with real orange juice and zest. Every bite has that sweet, vibrant touch that makes them hard to resist.
Get the Recipe: Orange Glazed Carrots

Surprise Potatoes

Rectangular glass pan with cheesy casserole topped with crushed potato chips.
Surprise Potatoes. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

Surprise Potatoes are quick to pull together with frozen hash browns, lots of melty cheese, and a handful of simple ingredients. They bake up creamy, cozy, and packed with that classic casserole comfort everyone loves. Don’t be surprised if people head back for a second scoop before the dish even cools.
Get the Recipe: Surprise Potatoes

Layered Salad

A layered salad in a clear glass trifle bowl on a wooden board, with peas, lettuce, and red tomatoes, next to a floral patterned cloth.
Layered Salad. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

This layered salad brings together crunchy romaine, bright fresh veggies, and bits of savory bacon in every scoop. Each layer adds a little color and texture that makes it fun to serve. It all gets topped off with a rich, creamy dressing that ties everything together.
Get the Recipe: Layered Salad

Stuffed Baked Potatoes

Three stuffed baked potatoes with a golden, seasoned top are arranged on a rectangular plate with a bold black and white geometric pattern, set on a wooden surface.
Stuffed Baked Potatoes. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

These stuffed baked potatoes are filled with their fluffy centers mixed with butter, melted cheddar, a bit of onion, and simple seasoning before being tucked back into crisp potato skins. A buttery topping and a sprinkle of paprika help them bake up beautifully golden. They’re the kind of side dish that easily steals the spotlight at the table.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Baked Potatoes

Cabbage Apple Salad

A wooden bowl filled with vibrant cabbage apple salad—chopped red cabbage and apple pieces, topped with two thin apple slices—sits on a teal surface with a metal spoon inside the bowl.
Cabbage Apple Salad. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

Cabbage Apple Salad tosses crisp red cabbage with sweet Golden Delicious apples and a lively, tangy dressing. Every bite is crunchy, bright, and perfectly balanced between sweet and zippy. It’s the kind of side that makes going back for seconds an easy decision.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage Apple Salad

Sauteed cabbage with peppers

A plate with mashed potatoes and meat on it.
Sauteed cabbage with peppers. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

This Russian sautéed cabbage cooks down with smoky onions, tomatoes, and peppers until everything melds together beautifully. As it simmers, the cabbage turns tender and soaks up all that rich flavor. The result is a savory, comforting dish that feels simple and satisfying with every bite.
Get the Recipe: Sauteed cabbage with peppers

Pizza Salad

Homemade pizza salad in a serving bowl with wooden salad servers resting on top.
Pizza Salad. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

This Pizza Salad piles all those classic pizza flavors into a big, colorful bowl of crisp greens. Juicy tomatoes, veggie pepperoni, olives, mozzarella pearls, and crunchy croutons get tossed with a zippy homemade Italian dressing that ties everything together. It’s fresh, hearty, and the kind of salad that refuses to play second fiddle at the table.
Get the Recipe: Pizza Salad

Grandma’s Mashed Potato Casserole

Grandma's Mashed Potato Casserole on a tray.
Grandma’s Mashed Potato Casserole. Photo credit: Dinner by Six.

Mashed potato casserole turns a simple box of instant potatoes into something warm, creamy, and surprisingly irresistible. Sour cream, cottage cheese, and butter melt together for a rich, velvety texture while chives and savory seasonings add just the right pop of flavor. A quick trip under the broiler gives the top a golden finish that makes this cozy side dish hard to resist.
Get the Recipe: Grandma’s Mashed Potato Casserole

Jamie Oliver’s Mothership Tomato Salad

A platter of colorful cherry tomatoes, sliced mozzarella, red onion, and basil leaves. Four forks are placed beside the dish on a white surface.
Jamie Oliver’s Mothership Tomato Salad. Photo credit: Not Entirely Average.

Jamie Oliver’s “Mothership” Tomato Salad finally put an end to my hunt for the perfect summer tomato recipe. Ripe, juicy tomatoes are tossed with simple seasonings that let their fresh flavor shine. It’s the kind of dish that reminds you just how good simple ingredients can be.
Get the Recipe: Jamie Oliver’s Mothership Tomato Salad

Air Fryer Asparagus

A plate of cooked asparagus spears garnished with sea salt and a lemon wedge.
Air Fryer Asparagus. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

Asparagus can be a tricky vegetable to get just right. Cook it too long and it turns limp and bland, but leave it underdone and the bitterness takes over. Pop it in the air fryer with the right seasoning, though, and it comes out crisp, flavorful, and good enough to make anyone rethink asparagus.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Asparagus