Fried squash blossoms stuffed with cheese on a black plate on a wooden table.

Side dish recipes to complement any main course

Written by:
October 5, 2021
AnaMariaStefan99 // Shutterstock

Side dish recipes to complement any main course

Matching the right side dish to your main course is as nuanced as a wine-pairing. Sides serve to balance out flavors, textures, and colors of entrees, while also rounding out the nutritional benefits of a meal. 

Stacker compiled a list of side dish recipes from Allrecipes. Here, vegetables take their rightful place at center stage to show off their complex array of flavors. Keep reading for 50 fresh ideas to round out your next meal

Lebanese Radish Salad

- Prep: 20 mins
- Cook: 5 mins
- Total: 25 mins
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 4 cups
- Number of ingredients: 7
- Read more about the recipe here

Spring Pea Medley with Edible Bowl

- Prep: 15 mins
- Cook: 5 mins
- Total: 20 mins
- Servings: 4
- Yield: 4 servings
- Number of ingredients: 9
- Read more about the recipe here

Grilled Radicchio with Blue Cheese

- Prep: 10 mins
- Cook: 10 mins
- Total: 20 mins
- Servings: 4
- Yield: 4 servings
- Number of ingredients: 7
- Read more about the recipe here

Hasselback Potatoes

- Prep: 20 mins
- Cook: 55 mins
- Total: 75 mins
- Servings: 4
- Yield: 4 servings
- Number of ingredients: 5
- Read more about the recipe here

Lemon Couscous

- Prep: 10 mins
- Cook: 5 mins
- Total: 15 mins
- Servings: 3
- Yield: 3 servings
- Number of ingredients: 9
- Read more about the recipe here

Tomato Zucchini Casserole

- Prep: 20 mins
- Cook: 55 mins
- Total: 75 mins
- Servings: 4
- Yield: 4 Servings
- Number of ingredients: 11
- Read more about the recipe here

Greek-Style Lemon Roasted Potatoes

- Prep: 15 mins
- Cook: 1 hr
- Total: 1 hr 15 mins
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 6 servings
- Number of ingredients: 7
- Read more about the recipe here

Gluten-Free Stuffed Zucchini Blossoms (Fior di Zucca Ripieni)

- Prep: 15 mins
- Cook: 2 mins
- Total: 17 mins
- Servings: 5
- Yield: 10 stuffed blossoms
- Number of ingredients: 10
- Read more about the recipe here

How to Make Perfect Polenta

- Prep: 15 mins
- Cook: 35 mins
- Additional: 5 mins
- Total: 55 mins
- Servings: 4
- Yield: 4 servings
- Number of ingredients: 5
- Read more about the recipe here

Easy Coleslaw Dressing

- Prep: 10 mins
- Total: 10 mins
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 6 servings
- Number of ingredients: 6
- Read more about the recipe here

Alfredo Sauce

- Prep: 10 mins
- Cook: 10 mins
- Total: 20 mins
- Servings: 4
- Yield: 4 servings
- Number of ingredients: 5
- Read more about the recipe here

Jamie's Sweet and Easy Corn on the Cob

- Prep: 5 mins
- Cook: 10 mins
- Total: 15 mins
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 6 servings
- Number of ingredients: 3
- Read more about the recipe here

Basic Mashed Potatoes

- Prep: 15 mins
- Cook: 20 mins
- Total: 35 mins
- Servings: 4
- Yield: 4 servings
- Number of ingredients: 4
- Read more about the recipe here

Best Steak Marinade in Existence

- Prep: 15 mins
- Total: 15 mins
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 1 1/3 cups
- Number of ingredients: 10
- Read more about the recipe here

Tomato Zucchini Casserole

- Prep: 20 mins
- Cook: 55 mins
- Total: 75 mins
- Servings: 4
- Yield: 4 Servings
- Number of ingredients: 11
- Read more about the recipe here

Best Fried Green Tomatoes

- Prep: 5 mins
- Cook: 15 mins
- Total: 20 mins
- Servings: 4
- Yield: 4 servings
- Number of ingredients: 9
- Read more about the recipe here

Spaghetti Sauce with Fresh Tomatoes

- Prep: 15 mins
- Cook: 1 hr 10 mins
- Total: 1 hr 25 mins
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 1 quart sauce
- Number of ingredients: 8
- Read more about the recipe here

Microwave Baked Potato

- Prep: 1 min
- Cook: 11 mins
- Total: 12 mins
- Servings: 1
- Yield: 1 serving
- Number of ingredients: 5
- Read more about the recipe here

Microwave Corn on the Cob

- Cook: 5 mins
- Total: 5 mins
- Servings: 1
- Yield: 1 serving
- Number of ingredients: 1
- Read more about the recipe here

Low-Carb, Twice-Baked Cauliflower Casserole

- Prep: 20 mins
- Cook: 40 mins
- Total: 60 mins
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 6 servings
- Number of ingredients: 8
- Read more about the recipe here

Air Fryer One-Bite Roasted Potatoes

- Prep: 5 mins
- Cook: 10 mins
- Total: 15 mins
- Servings: 2
- Yield: 2 servings
- Number of ingredients: 4
- Read more about the recipe here

Buttery Garlic Green Beans

- Prep: 10 mins
- Cook: 10 mins
- Total: 20 mins
- Servings: 4
- Yield: 4 servings
- Number of ingredients: 5
- Read more about the recipe here

Spaghetti Sauce with Ground Beef

- Prep: 15 mins
- Cook: 1 hr 10 mins
- Total: 1 hr 25 mins
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 8 servings
- Number of ingredients: 11
- Read more about the recipe here

Buffalo Chicken Wing Sauce

- Prep: 5 mins
- Cook: 5 mins
- Total: 10 mins
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 8 servings
- Number of ingredients: 7
- Read more about the recipe here

Pickled Beets

- Prep: 30 mins
- Cook: 20 mins
- Total: 50 mins
- Servings: 60
- Yield: 10 (1 pint) jars
- Number of ingredients: 5
- Read more about the recipe here

Simple Roasted Butternut Squash

- Prep: 15 mins
- Cook: 25 mins
- Total: 40 mins
- Servings: 4
- Yield: 4 servings
- Number of ingredients: 4
- Read more about the recipe here

Sarah's Applesauce

- Prep: 10 mins
- Cook: 20 mins
- Total: 30 mins
- Servings: 4
- Yield: 4 servings
- Number of ingredients: 4
- Read more about the recipe here

Quick Tartar Sauce

- Prep: 5 mins
- Total: 5 mins
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 1 cup
- Number of ingredients: 4
- Read more about the recipe here

Old Fashioned Onion Rings

- Prep: 15 mins
- Cook: 3 mins
- Total: 18 mins
- Servings: 3
- Yield: 3 serving
- Number of ingredients: 9
- Read more about the recipe here

Simple Teriyaki Sauce

- Prep: 5 mins
- Cook: 6 mins
- Total: 11 mins
- Servings: 12
- Yield: cups
- Number of ingredients: 8
- Read more about the recipe here

A Very Popular BBQ Sauce

- Prep: 10 mins
- Total: 10 mins
- Servings: 32
- Yield: 4 cups
- Number of ingredients: 10
- Read more about the recipe here

Creamy Au Gratin Potatoes

- Prep: 30 mins
- Cook: 1 hr 30 mins
- Total: 1 hr 60 mins
- Servings: 4
- Yield: 4 servings
- Number of ingredients: 8
- Read more about the recipe here

Quick and Easy Alfredo Sauce

- Prep: 5 mins
- Cook: 5 mins
- Total: 10 mins
- Servings: 4
- Yield: 4 servings
- Number of ingredients: 6
- Read more about the recipe here

Mexican Rice II

- Prep: 5 mins
- Cook: 25 mins
- Total: 30 mins
- Servings: 4
- Yield: 4 servings
- Number of ingredients: 7
- Read more about the recipe here

Yellow Squash Casserole

- Prep: 20 mins
- Cook: 30 mins
- Total: 50 mins
- Servings: 10
- Yield: 1 - 9x13 inch pan
- Number of ingredients: 10
- Read more about the recipe here

Emily's Famous Hash Browns

- Prep: 20 mins
- Cook: 15 mins
- Total: 35 mins
- Servings: 4
- Yield: 4 servings
- Number of ingredients: 6
- Read more about the recipe here

Best Spanish Rice

- Prep: 10 mins
- Cook: 20 mins
- Total: 30 mins
- Servings: 5
- Yield: 5 servings
- Number of ingredients: 5
- Read more about the recipe here

Ultimate Twice Baked Potatoes

- Prep: 15 mins
- Cook: 1 hr 15 mins
- Total: 1 hr 30 mins
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 8 servings
- Number of ingredients: 9
- Read more about the recipe here

Roasted Brussels Sprouts

- Prep: 15 mins
- Cook: 45 mins
- Total: 60 mins
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 6 servings
- Number of ingredients: 4
- Read more about the recipe here

Superb Sauteed Mushrooms

- Prep: 10 mins
- Cook: 15 mins
- Total: 25 mins
- Servings: 4
- Yield: 4 servings
- Number of ingredients: 8
- Read more about the recipe here

Strawberry Jam

- Prep: 20 mins
- Cook: 20 mins
- Total: 40 mins
- Servings: 40
- Yield: 5 cups
- Number of ingredients: 3
- Read more about the recipe here

Simple Syrup

- Prep: 1 min
- Cook: 10 mins
- Additional: 19 mins
- Total: 30 mins
- Servings: 16
- Yield: 1 1/3 cups
- Number of ingredients: 2
- Read more about the recipe here

Garlic Aioli

- Prep: 10 mins
- Additional: 30 mins
- Total: 40 mins
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 1 cup
- Number of ingredients: 5
- Read more about the recipe here

Sauteed Garden Fresh Green Beans

- Prep: 5 mins
- Cook: 5 mins
- Total: 10 mins
- Servings: 4
- Yield: 4 servings
- Number of ingredients: 6
- Read more about the recipe here

Pan-Fried Asparagus

- Prep: 5 mins
- Cook: 15 mins
- Additional: 5 mins
- Total: 25 mins
- Servings: 4
- Yield: 4 servings
- Number of ingredients: 6
- Read more about the recipe here

Glazed Carrots

- Prep: 10 mins
- Cook: 15 mins
- Total: 25 mins
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 8 servings
- Number of ingredients: 5
- Read more about the recipe here

Garlic Butter

- Prep: 10 mins
- Total: 10 mins
- Servings: 16
- Yield: 1 cup
- Number of ingredients: 7
- Read more about the recipe here

The Best Steak Marinade

- Prep: 5 mins
- Total: 5 mins
- Servings: 4
- Yield: 1 cup marinade
- Number of ingredients: 7
- Read more about the recipe here

Cream Corn Like No Other

- Prep: 5 mins
- Cook: 10 mins
- Total: 15 mins
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 8 servings
- Number of ingredients: 9
- Read more about the recipe here

Simple Chicken Brine

- Prep: 10 mins
- Additional: 1 hr
- Total: 1 hr 10 mins
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 1 gallon
- Number of ingredients: 5
- Read more about the recipe here

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