You know things have gotten serious when the supporting players start stealing the show from the main attraction. These side dishes grab all the attention and turn into the table’s hottest topic, leaving everyone to forget there was a whole main course planned. By the end of the meal, you might even question if making the main was worth the trouble at all.
Roasted Kohlrabi with Parmesan
You won’t even notice the main course when Roasted Kohlrabi with Parmesan is in the spotlight. Crispy, cheesy bites make this side dish feel like an unexpected star, winning over everyone at the table. It’s the underdog veggie you didn’t know you needed, stepping up and delivering a flavor punch. By the end of the meal, it’s all anyone wants to talk about, and you’ll wonder why you haven’t made it sooner.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Kohlrabi with Parmesan
Copycat Cracker Barrel Baby Carrots
Sweet, tender, and hard to resist, Copycat Cracker Barrel Baby Carrots have a way of making everything else seem unimportant. It’s one of those simple sides that ends up stealing the spotlight, offering a nostalgic comfort that keeps everyone coming back for more. Watch as plates get cleared, and people go for seconds, leaving the main course untouched. You might even catch someone sneaking a bite before it hits the table.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Cracker Barrel Baby Carrots
Smoked Spaghetti Squash
It’s hard to think about the main course when you’re enjoying Smoked Spaghetti Squash with its smoky, rich flavor. This hearty side delivers a rewarding bite that feels almost like a full meal in itself, surprising everyone with its depth. It’s like taking spaghetti night up a notch, but without the heavy carbs. By the end of dinner, this squash is the one dish no one can stop talking about.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Spaghetti Squash
Ukrainian Potatoes
Comfort takes on a new meaning with Ukrainian Potatoes, as they bring crispy exteriors and fluffy, soft insides to every bite. These golden beauties don’t play second fiddle to any main dish, holding their own and then some. You’ll notice people ditching their entrees just to pile on more of these potatoes. It’s the kind of side that makes you rethink the whole meal plan.
Get the Recipe: Ukrainian Potatoes
Easy Mexican Rice
Fluffy and bursting with flavor, Easy Mexican Rice somehow ends up being the most memorable part of the meal. It’s the side that brings everyone together, making even the fanciest mains feel like a sidekick. There’s a fiesta on your plate, and it’s not the main course everyone’s excited about. Expect to see empty bowls and guests asking if there’s any more left.
Get the Recipe: Easy Mexican Rice
Air Fryer Corn on The Cob
You wouldn’t think corn could be a show-stealer, but Air Fryer Corn on The Cob changes everything with its perfect crispy texture and juicy bite. This isn’t just any side; it’s the kind of dish that gets snatched up faster than the main. The air fryer gives it a surprising twist that makes it impossible to ignore. By the end, it’s the only thing people remember eating.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Corn on The Cob
Grilled Veggies
Smoky, charred, and full of bite, Grilled Veggies take the spotlight away from any main course in an instant. They add a fresh crunch and flavor that stand out, turning a simple side into the main attraction. This isn’t just filler on your plate—it’s the star everyone’s talking about. Even those who usually skip the veggies can’t resist diving in for more.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Veggies
Pulled Pork Stuffed Cornbread
Sweet and savory in one bite, Pulled Pork Stuffed Cornbread might just make you forget there’s any main dish at all. It’s filling and packed with flavor, making it feel like you’re getting two dishes in one. This cornbread is what people keep reaching for, even when their plates are already full. Good luck having any leftovers by the end of the night.
Get the Recipe: Pulled Pork Stuffed Cornbread
Fasolakia Lathera – (Greek Green Beans)
Slow-cooked and incredibly flavorful, Fasolakia Lathera – (Greek Green Beans) takes center stage with its rich, tender green beans that make everyone pause. It’s like a mini vacation to the Mediterranean, offering a taste that’s hard to beat. You’ll notice everyone’s plates are piled high with these beans, leaving the main course to play second fiddle. This is the side that makes people ask for the recipe before they even finish eating.
Get the Recipe: Fasolakia Lathera – (Greek Green Beans)
Smoked Cauliflower
One bite of Smoked Cauliflower, and you won’t even be thinking about what else is on the table. The smokiness gives it a meaty, robust flavor that surprises everyone who usually overlooks cauliflower. It’s the unexpected hit that keeps people reaching for more, stealing attention from every other dish. By the end, you’ll wonder why you ever underestimated this veggie.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Cauliflower
Carrots au Gratin
Creamy and cheesy, Carrots au Gratin is the side dish that outshines any main, offering comfort in every bite. It’s a dish that disappears fast, leaving everyone wondering if you made enough. With layers of flavor packed into each forkful, this gratin becomes the star of the table. Don’t be surprised if guests start scraping the dish for those last cheesy bites.
Get the Recipe: Carrots au Gratin
Southern Green Beans
You know it’s a good meal when Southern Green Beans get all the attention, pushing the main course aside. They’re cooked to perfection, bringing a sense of home and warmth that everyone craves. Even those who aren’t big on greens find themselves loading up their plates with these. It’s the side that everyone asks about, long after the meal is over.
Get the Recipe: Southern Green Beans
Sausage Stuffing
Hearty, flavorful, and impossible to ignore, Sausage Stuffing makes the main dish feel like an afterthought. It’s the kind of side that people go back for before even finishing what’s on their plates. Comforting bites of savory goodness make this stuffing the real MVP of the meal. Serve it once, and you’ll be making it every time after.
Get the Recipe: Sausage Stuffing
Baked Acorn Squash with Maple Syrup
Sweet, warm, and almost dessert-like, Baked Acorn Squash with Maple Syrup is the side dish everyone talks about afterward. It brings a richness that complements everything else, yet stands on its own effortlessly. This is the dish that makes you wish you’d saved room for seconds. The main course might be good, but this squash steals the show.
Get the Recipe: Baked Acorn Squash with Maple Syrup
German Yellow Beans
Tender, flavorful, and comforting, German Yellow Beans bring a unique taste that makes people forget what else they’re eating. It’s a humble side that surprises everyone by how much they end up loving it. You’ll see plates piled high with these beans, leaving the main course untouched. They’re the quiet star of the table, winning everyone over by the end.
Get the Recipe: German Yellow Beans