21 Easy Side Dishes That Can Fix a Boring Main Dish

This content may contain affiliate links. For more information, see our disclosure policy.

We’ve all had those nights when dinner feels a little underwhelming, but the right side dish can make all the difference. A well-chosen side adds flavor, texture, and balance, turning even the simplest main dish into something worth looking forward to. These easy sides come together fast, require minimal effort, and guarantee your meal won’t feel like an afterthought.

Longhorn Steakhouse Mac and Cheese

Baked macaroni and cheese topped with breadcrumbs and bacon in a white dish, with a serving on a plate beside it. — Longhorn Steakhouse Mac and Cheese. Photo credit: Easy Made Dishes.

This baked mac and cheese brings a thick, creamy texture with just the right amount of crispy topping. It’s a solid choice when your main dish feels a little too simple and needs something extra on the plate. The rich cheese sauce coats every bite, making it feel more like a restaurant meal than a weeknight side. It’s easy to throw together and can bake while you focus on everything else.
Get the Recipe: Longhorn Steakhouse Mac and Cheese

Parmesan Roasted Zucchini in Oven

Roasted zucchini slices with melted cheese and herbs sit enticingly on a white plate, as a fork elegantly holds one piece. — Parmesan Roasted Zucchini in Oven. Photo credit: Easy Made Dishes.

Roasting zucchini with Parmesan creates a crispy, golden edge that makes it way more appealing than steamed vegetables. It’s a quick fix when dinner needs a side that won’t take up extra time or effort. The combination of cheese and seasoning adds enough flavor to make any simple main dish seem more put together. It’s easy to prep and roasts in under 20 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Parmesan Roasted Zucchini in Oven

Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes with Cheese

A spoon lifting a smashed potato garnished with rosemary, with a festive table setting in the background. — Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes with Cheese. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

These crispy smashed potatoes are cooked in the air fryer until golden brown, then topped with cheese for extra flavor. They’re an easy upgrade from basic potatoes and bring a little crunch to the plate. The air fryer cuts down on cooking time while keeping cleanup simple. They work well alongside any protein that needs a little help feeling more complete.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes with Cheese

Oven Baked Asparagus with Parmesan

Tongs holding roasted asparagus with grated cheese on a white platter, surrounded by lemon slices. — Oven Baked Asparagus with Parmesan. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Roasting asparagus in the oven brings out a deeper flavor, and the Parmesan topping adds just enough to make it feel special. It’s a great way to round out a meal that might be missing something green. This side cooks quickly and doesn’t take much effort, making it ideal for busy nights. It pairs well with anything from chicken to steak.
Get the Recipe: Oven Baked Asparagus with Parmesan

Dairy Free Mac and Cheese

A bowl of creamy penne pasta with a fork, placed on a textured surface. — Dairy Free Mac and Cheese. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

A creamy, dairy-free mac and cheese that still brings plenty of flavor and texture to the table. It’s a great option when you need something rich and comforting to go with a simple main dish. The sauce is smooth, the noodles are coated just right, and it’s baked until slightly crisp on top. No one will miss the dairy with this one.
Get the Recipe: Dairy Free Mac and Cheese

Green Beans with Garlic Butter

Green beans with pine nuts on a plate. — Green Beans with Garlic Butter. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Green beans get a quick upgrade with garlic butter, turning them into a side that feels more intentional. This dish is a good choice when dinner needs something fresh but not bland. The garlic and butter blend together to bring just enough flavor without overpowering the meal. It comes together fast, making it easy to add at the last minute.
Get the Recipe: Green Beans with Garlic Butter

Bacon Green Beans

Close-up of a plate with sautéed green beans and bacon pieces, with a fork spearing a few beans. — Bacon Green Beans. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Adding bacon to green beans brings a smoky, savory flavor that works with nearly any main dish. This side is simple enough for a weeknight but still feels like something you’d serve for a special meal. The mix of crisp-tender beans and crispy bacon makes it more interesting than basic steamed vegetables. It’s a quick way to turn an ordinary dinner into something more satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Green Beans

Easy Scalloped Potatoes

Close-up of a cheesy scalloped potatoes dish in a white baking dish, garnished with parsley. — Easy Scalloped Potatoes. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

These creamy, cheesy potatoes bake up soft and tender with a slightly crispy top. They make a simple main dish feel more like a full meal without requiring a complicated recipe. The layers of potatoes soak up the rich sauce, making every bite flavorful. This dish bakes in the oven while you finish the rest of dinner.
Get the Recipe: Easy Scalloped Potatoes

Vegan Mexican Rice

Mexican rice in small oval serving dish with spoon. — Vegan Mexican Rice. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

This rice dish brings bold flavors and a warm, slightly smoky depth, making it an easy side when dinner feels too basic. It pairs well with a variety of proteins and adds color to the plate. The simple ingredients keep it budget-friendly while still packing in plenty of taste. It cooks in one pot, keeping cleanup to a minimum.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Mexican Rice

Aloo Gobi Masala

A comforting mix of potatoes and cauliflower, cooked with warm spices that give it depth. This dish works as a flavorful side when your main meal needs something more interesting. The combination of textures makes it more appealing than a plain vegetable dish. It’s easy to prep and cooks in a single pan.
Get the Recipe: Aloo Gobi Masala

Cheesy Loaded Twice Baked Potatoes

Four twice baked potatoes in a small baking dish. — Cheesy Loaded Twice Baked Potatoes. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

These potatoes are baked until soft, mashed with cheese and seasonings, then baked again for extra texture. They’re a great way to make any dinner feel more put together without much extra effort. The crispy skins hold in the creamy filling, making every bite balanced. They reheat well, making them a good choice for meal planning.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Loaded Twice Baked Potatoes

Air Fryer Butternut Squash

Bowl of roasted sweet potato cubes garnished with herbs. — Air Fryer Butternut Squash. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Roasted butternut squash gets slightly caramelized in the air fryer, bringing out its natural sweetness. It’s a great addition when dinner feels like it’s missing something warm and hearty. The soft texture and slightly crispy edges make it more appealing than plain steamed squash. It’s easy to prep and cooks in less than 15 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Butternut Squash

Roasted Cabbage Steaks

Sliced and roasted cabbage wedges seasoned with herbs on a white plate, garnished with black pepper and fresh herbs. — Roasted Cabbage Steaks. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Thick slices of cabbage are roasted until caramelized on the edges, giving them a slightly crispy texture. This side works well when you need something different from the usual steamed vegetables. The roasting process brings out a deeper flavor, making it a good match for simple proteins. It’s easy to season and cooks in under 30 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Cabbage Steaks

Green Bean Tomato Salad

A plate of green beans tossed with cherry tomatoes and crumbled feta cheese, accompanied by a fork, on a white surface. — Green Bean Tomato Salad. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

A bright and fresh salad that adds a nice contrast to heavier main dishes. The mix of crisp green beans and juicy tomatoes makes it more interesting than a typical side. It’s a simple way to bring color and texture to the plate without much prep work. This dish holds up well if made ahead of time.
Get the Recipe: Green Bean Tomato Salad

Southern Fried Cabbage with Bacon

Cabbage and bacon in white serving bowl. — Southern Fried Cabbage with Bacon. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Cabbage is cooked down with bacon until tender, bringing a smoky, rich flavor to the table. It’s an easy way to make an ordinary dinner feel a little more special. The simplicity of the ingredients keeps it budget-friendly while still making a big impact. It’s quick to cook and pairs well with almost any main dish.
Get the Recipe: Southern Fried Cabbage with Bacon

Zucchini Bruschetta

Roasted zucchini rounds are topped with a tomato mixture, giving them a fresh and flavorful twist. This dish works well when dinner needs a lighter, vegetable-based side. The combination of textures makes it feel like more than just another roasted vegetable. It’s simple to put together and takes minimal cooking time.
Get the Recipe: Zucchini Bruschetta

Green Bean Casserole

A creamy, baked green bean casserole with a crispy topping makes for a comforting addition to any meal. It’s a great way to round out a simple dinner without much extra work. The mix of textures keeps it from feeling like just another vegetable side. It comes together quickly and bakes while you handle everything else.
Get the Recipe: Green Bean Casserole

Bacon Wrapped Air Fryer Cabbage

Wrapping cabbage in bacon gives it a smoky, savory flavor while keeping the inside tender. This side works well when dinner needs something with a little extra texture and taste. The air fryer keeps the bacon crisp and the cabbage soft without needing much effort. It’s an easy way to make a simple vegetable feel more special.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Wrapped Air Fryer Cabbage

Ham and Potato Casserole

Layers of tender potatoes and ham bake together in a creamy sauce, making this a great addition to any meal. It’s a good way to add something filling and flavorful when the main dish feels too plain. The oven does most of the work, so it’s easy to prepare on busy nights. It reheats well, making it a good choice for leftovers.
Get the Recipe: Ham and Potato Casserole

Braised Brussels Sprouts

Plate of roasted Brussels sprouts with lemon slices, served with a creamy sauce. A fork holds one sprout above the dish. — Braised Brussels Sprouts. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Slow-cooked Brussels sprouts take on a rich, caramelized flavor, making them a great upgrade from steamed versions. This side dish works well when dinner needs something warm and hearty. The braising process softens the sprouts while letting them absorb all the seasonings. It’s simple to make and pairs well with a variety of proteins.
Get the Recipe: Braised Brussels Sprouts

Maple Glazed Carrots in Air Fryer

Sliced glazed carrots garnished with herbs on a fork, with more on a plate in the background. — Maple Glazed Carrots in Air Fryer. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

These carrots cook quickly in the air fryer and get a light maple glaze for extra flavor. They add a bit of natural sweetness to meals that need more variety. The caramelization makes them more interesting than basic steamed carrots. They’re easy to make and cook in under 15 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Maple Glazed Carrots in Air Fryer