11 Side Dishes so Good They’ll Steal the Spotlight on Any Table

Side dishes don’t have to play second fiddle—they can totally steal the show! These recipes are easy to make, packed with flavor, and guaranteed to impress even the pickiest eaters at the table. Whether you’re pulling together a family meal or looking to add variety to your weeknight dinners, these spotlight-worthy sides take the stress out of planning.

Parmesan Roasted Green Beans

These parmesan roasted green beans are a side dish so good they’ll steal the spotlight on any table. Frozen green beans are tossed with a garlicky seasoning mix, roasted to crispy perfection, and finished with a sprinkle of parmesan. The result? A cheesy, flavorful veggie dish that’s simple to make and impossible to resist.
Get the Recipe: Parmesan Roasted Green Beans

Honey Glazed Carrots

Honey-glazed carrots are a colorful, flavorful side dish guaranteed to shine. Sweet, tender carrots are coated in a buttery honey-garlic glaze that makes them a standout addition to any meal. With just a few everyday ingredients, this quick recipe transforms humble carrots into a dish that demands attention.
Get the Recipe: Honey Glazed Carrots

Garlic Mashed Potatoes

These garlic mashed potatoes are the creamy, garlicky side dish your table deserves. With their fluffy texture and rich, buttery flavor, they’re comforting and indulgent enough to outshine any main course. Simple to prepare but packed with taste, this is the kind of dish that makes everyone go back for seconds.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Potato Fritters

Potato fritters are a crispy, golden side dish that will have everyone asking for the recipe. Grated potatoes are mixed with eggs, garlic, and onions, then fried to perfection. The crispy outside and tender inside make these fritters the kind of dish that can easily steal the spotlight on any table.
Get the Recipe: Potato Fritters

Cranberry Chicken Salad

Cranberry chicken salad is more than just a salad—it’s the kind of flavorful dish that takes center stage. Tender chicken, sweet cranberries, crunchy pecans, and crisp celery are tossed in a creamy dressing that’s both tangy and sweet. It’s a versatile side that’s as easy to make as it is impossible to forget.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Chicken Salad

Parmesan Potatoes

These parmesan potatoes are crispy, cheesy bites of perfection that might just outshine the main dish. Baby potatoes are roasted to golden perfection with a parmesan crust that’s both buttery and irresistible. Add a dollop of sour cream, and you’ve got a side dish that’s impossible to put down.
Get the Recipe: Parmesan Potatoes

Broccoli Casserole

Broccoli casserole is a creamy, cheesy dish that makes eating veggies the highlight of any meal. Tender broccoli is smothered in a rich sauce and topped with buttery crackers for a satisfying crunch. It’s so good, it might just steal the spotlight on your table—and even veggie skeptics will be fans.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Casserole

Mashed Potato Waffles

Mashed potato waffles are the genius side dish that proves leftovers can be the star. These crispy, buttery waffles are golden on the outside, soft inside, and so versatile they fit into any meal. With just a few simple steps, you’ll turn something simple into a dish that totally steals the show.
Get the Recipe: Mashed Potato Waffles

Pumpkin Pasta

Pumpkin pasta is creamy, cozy, and absolutely unforgettable—a side dish that demands the spotlight. The combination of pumpkin puree, cream cheese, and warm spices coats rigatoni in rich, fall-inspired flavors. A sprinkle of mozzarella and fresh basil makes it feel extra special, while still being easy enough for any night.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Pasta

Air Fryer Sweet Potato Wedges

Air fryer sweet potato wedges are crispy, seasoned perfection in every bite. These wedges come out golden and tender, with a flavorful mix of garlic, paprika, and dill. Quick and hassle-free, they’re a side dish so good, they’ll grab all the attention on your table.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Sweet Potato Wedges