Side Dishes
A side dish can support the main course or provide a contrasting texture and flavor. Potatoes, vegetables, beans, grains, pasta, and dressings offer different ways to complete the meal. Begin with the ingredient or serving you want, from browned mushrooms to a creamy gratin, then choose a preparation that fits the rest of the table.
Browse the posts below, or choose a subcategory when available.
Beans & Legumes
Butter beans and pinto beans offer substantial side dishes with different seasonings and sauces. Browse these legumes for a preparation that can accompany another dish or become part of a wider meal.
Pasta & Macaroni Side Dishes
Macaroni and other pasta forms provide a base for creamy or savory side dishes. These recipes offer portions to serve alongside another dish, with sauces and finishes shaping their texture.
Potato Side Dishes
Mashed, gratinéed, fried, and smashed potatoes offer different ways to complete a meal. Lemon-garlic mash and layered potato preparations show how the same ingredient can change texture through the method.
Rice, Grains, & Grits
Rice, grains, and grits provide a base for both simple seasonings and fuller combinations. Mushroom rice, cilantro-lime rice, and buttery corn rice offer different flavors to serve beside another dish.
Stuffings & Dressings
Bread and other ingredients gather into stuffings and dressings with different seasonings. Beer cheese and pecan preparations provide starting points for an accompaniment, with the cooking method specified in each recipe.
Vegetable Side Dishes
Browned mushrooms, zucchini preparations, and other vegetables offer sides with varied textures. Browse dishes that use sautéing, baking, or another method to bring a vegetable accompaniment to the table.
In this collection
Creamed Zucchini with Garlic & Basil
Imagine creamed spinach, only with zucchini — it’s an elegant side dish that’s delicate and rich at the same time. It’s easy to make, too: you simply sauté…
Tomato Conserva
Delicious in a rustic pasta or riff on a Caprese salad, these slow-roasted tomatoes can be added to just about any dish that wants some rich flavor. They…
Waffle Latkes
Ingredients 2 eggs, lightly beaten 2 cloves garlic, minced 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 1/2 pounds russet potatoes Creme fraiche or sour cream (optional) Snipped fresh basil (optional) Strawberry jam (optional) Preparation Place eggs,…
Avocado Lime Rice
A few simple ingredients come together to make a tasty, healthy side dish. Ingredients 4 cups hot cooked brown rice (20 oz. of heated frozen brown rice) 1…
Sweet Tea Rice with Jalapeño, Peaches, and Pecans
Kick up your rice a notch with Jalapeño. Paired with sweet peaches, this recipe will be your favorite sweet-and-spicy side dish. Don’t let the name fool you. Sweet…
Macaroni with Cheese Sauce
Ingredients 2 cups (210 g) elbow macaroni, uncooked 1/4 cup (30 g) all-purpose flour 1/4 cup (60 g) plus 1 teaspoon light butter spread, divided use 1/4 teaspoon…
Fried Squash Croquettes
Looking for a simple side dish to use garden-fresh yellow squash? Try this straightforward version of fried squash. Ingredients 2 cups yellow squash, finely chopped 1 cup onion,…
Potato Gnocchi
Gnocchi should be made in one continuous process: cook the potatoes, make the dough, form the gnocchi. Ingredients 4 large (about 2 pounds) Idaho potatoes, scrubbed 2 tablespoons…
Fried Grits Patties
Terrific breakfast. From The Evolution of Cajun and Creole Cuisine by John Folse. Even better with cooked Jimmy Dean hot sausage! Ingredients 1 1⁄2 cups grits 5 cups…
Caramelized Apples and Onions
Caramelized Apples and Onions The sweet savory flavor of Caramelized Apples and Onions pair well with pork or as a filling inside Grits Crostini. Ingredients 3 tablespoons butter…
