19 Side Dishes To Jazz Up Your Menu
Sneak Preview: Peruse this collection of 19 side dishes suitable for holidays, celebrations, parties, Sunday dinners, or vegetarian entrees.
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Do you get stuck on the side dishes when you plan your menu? Or maybe you need to take something to a potluck or celebratory gathering. Look through these side dishes for something to jazz up your menu with fresh color, exciting textures, and valuable nutrition.
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Fresh Broccoli Rice Casserole (No Canned Soup)
This is a traditional Broccoli-Rice Casserole with mushrooms but no canned soup. See microwave directions in the notes below the recipe directions.
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Easy Carrot Casserole Recipe
Puréed carrots get the company-best treatment with a little butter, sugar, and maple flavoring. You’ll love the soufflé-like texture. An Instant Pot and a food processor make assembly quick and easy, but neither is essential. Make it gluten-free by using gluten-free flour.
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Baked Sweet Potato Balls: A Festive Side Dish
These mashed sweet potatoes are formed into balls, rolled in a spicy egg white mixture, and then rolled in chopped pecans. They are a delicious make-ahead alternative to marshmallow, butter, and sugar-laden sweet potato casseroles.
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Cheesy Tex-Mex Yellow Squash Casserole (with Leftover Cornbread)
Cheesy Tex-Mex casserole made with yellow squash, green chiles, and leftover cornbread—easy comfort food from kitchen staples.
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Cilantro Hominy Rice Recipe
Try this flavorful side dish of buttery cilantro rice with hominy alongside grilled meats–especially a steak or a pork tenderloin.
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Deviled Eggs Without Mustard (Sweet & Simple!)
Deviled Eggs Without Mustard are easy to make and irresistibly snackable. Featuring mildly sweet filling and no mustard, they’re ideal for potlucks, holidays, or any family gathering.
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Smoky Roasted Baby Carrots with Smoked Paprika
Smoky Roasted Baby Carrots are roasted baby carrots tossed in smoked paprika for an easy, flavorful side dish with a smoky depth. No smoker needed!
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Southern-Style Squash Soufflé with a Hint of Sweetness
Fresh yellow squash makes a delicious but simple casserole similar to that served at Black-Eyed Pea restaurants in the South.
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Simple Squash Patties Recipe
These miniature, savory, yellow squash pancakes are for all ages. They are finger food for kids, especially when there is ranch dressing on the side.
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Crunchy Coleslaw Recipe with Ramen
Try this slightly untraditional coleslaw with a sweet-and-sour dressing, almonds, and Ramen noodles. It’s full of flavor and crunch.
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Old-Fashioned Potato Salad with Cooked Dressing (No Mustard!)
A classic potato salad recipe featuring a cooked dressing made quickly in the microwave. No mustard or raw onions—just creamy texture and traditional flavor!
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Baked Beans with Sausage and Ground Beef Recipe
Well-seasoned baked beans are taken to a new level with the addition of ground beef, hot sausage, and bacon.
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Roasted Eggplant and Potatoes Recipe
Roasted eggplant, zucchini, potatoes, and mushrooms are seasoned with Ranch dressing mix and olive oil, then roasted to perfection.
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Vegetarian Eggplant Dressing with a Cheesy Twist
Vegetarain Eggplant Dressing is a veggie-packed dish with Southwestern flavors. Made with eggplant, veggies, green chiles, and cornbread and topped with Cheddar, it’s a hearty side or vegetarian main course that’s easy to customize. Perfect for using up leftover cornbread!
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Simple Baked Mukimame and Mushrooms
Frozen mukimame combines with sliced fresh mushrooms to make an easy but flavorful side dish.
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Mashed Cauliflower Recipe
Make your mashed cauliflower more appealing and non-soggy by cooking in the microwave–uncovered.
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Savory Mashed Sweet and White Potatoes (No Sugar Added)
White potatoes and sweet potatoes are cooked together, mashed separately, then swirled together to make an interesting and tasty side dish.
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Easy Calabacitas (“Little Squashes”) Recipe with Potatoes and Corn
Fresh Calabacitas contain yellow squash, zucchini, onions, corn, tomatoes, peppers, and potatoes. Makes a great side dish or soft taco filling.
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Easy Cheesy Rice Pilaf with Peppers and Peas
This Cheesy Rice Pilaf is a vibrant and satisfying side dish that pairs perfectly with chicken, fish, or beef. Long-grain rice is simmered with bell peppers and onions, then finished with sweet peas and gooey melted cheese for a comforting, flavorful dish.
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Questions? Email me: Paula at saladinajar.com. Hope to see you again soon!
Paula Rhodes, owner
As a retired home economist, I created Saladinajar.com to share my belief that you don’t have to be a chef to find joy in creating homemade food worth sharing. Bread machines (used in an unconventional way), homemade yogurt, and quick microwave recipes are my specialty.