When you plan your menu, do you get stuck on the side dishes? Or maybe you’ve been assigned to bring something to a potluck or celebratory gathering. Take a look through these 19 side dishes sure to jazz up your menu with fresh color, interesting textures, and valuable nutrition.

A Collection of Side Dishes-2019
Bonnie's Carrot Casserole
Puréed carrots get a company-best treatment with a little butter, sugar and maple flavoring. You'll love the soufflé-like texture. An Instant Pot and food processor make assembly quick and easy but neither are essential.
Cilantro and Hominy Rice
A side dish of jasmine or basmati rice, cooked in chicken broth with hominy, cilantro, and butter added.
Roasted Baby Carrots with Smoked Paprika
Baby Carrots get the oven-roasted treatment along with a sprinkle of smoked paprika.
Un Unexpected Sub for Hollandaise on Grilled Asparagus
Grilled asparagus topped with a soft poached egg and toasted bread crumbs
Colorful Fresh Yellow Squash Casserole
Fresh yellow squash makes a delicious but simple casserole similar to that served at Black-Eyed Pea restaurants in the South.
Southwestern Jasmine Rice
Jasmine rice with southwestern seasoning and cilantro make a mild but colorful side dish for other Tex-Mex recipes.
Squash Patties
Miniature, savory, yellow squash pancakes: fun to eat with Ranch dressing or catsup
Faux Potato Salad: The Carb-Craving-Satisfier
Cauliflower substitutes for potatoes in this modified American classic.
Susie's Crunchy Coleslaw: This Version is One of the Best
Susie's Coleslaw with a sweet-and-sour dressing, almonds, and Ramen noodles is full of flavor and crunch that will have you helping yourself to seconds without guilt.
Kay's Potato Salad
A classic potato salad with homemade cooked dressing (quickly made in a microwave) and combined with mayonnaise. No mustard or raw onions if I'm around, but of course, you are welcome to add them if it suits your fancy.
Deviled Eggs the Whole Family Will Eat
These deviled eggs with a mildly sweet and sour twist are the kind of thing husbands and kids pop in their mouth like a Hershey kiss. Nothing fancy or unexpected--just everyday goodness!
Roasted Eggplant and Potatoes
Feed your eggplant obsession with roasted eggplant, zucchini, potatoes and mushrooms seasoned with Ranch dressing dry mix packet, then roasted in the oven.
Southwestern Eggplant Dressing
Southwestern Eggplant Dressing uses cornbread as a base with all sorts of veggies added, including green chilies, for a savory side dish or vegetarian entree.
Roasted Edamame and Mushrooms
Frozen edamame combines with sliced fresh mushrooms to make an easy but flavorful side dish.
Broccoli-Rice Casserole (No Canned Soup)
Traditional Broccoli-Rice Casserole with mushrooms but no canned soup. See microwave directions in the Notes below.
Microwaved Mashed Cauliflower
Make your mashed cauliflower more appealing and non-soggy by cooking in the microwave--uncovered.
Sweet and White Mashed Potato Swirl
White potatoes and sweet potatoes are mashed, then swirled together to make a satisfying side dish.
Squash and Potatoes: A Side Dish or Soft Taco Filling
Yellow squash, zucchini, peppers, and corn with cheese on top make the most delicious and colorful soft-taco filling ever.
Hearty Baked Beans
Take well-seasoned baked beans to a new level with the addition of ground beef and hot sausage. This side-dish will seal your reputation as a marvelous cook wherever you take them next.
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