Side Dish Recipes

Classic French leek and potato soup made with just leeks, potatoes, butter, and stock. A 5-ingredient gluten-free soup that turns pantry basics into a creamy first course or light supper.

Asparagus and pimento side dish steams fresh asparagus and tops with lime juice, pimento, and pine nuts. A 10-minute Mediterranean-leaning side that works hot or chilled.

Microwave eggplant with chopped tomatoes, green chilies, cumin, oregano, and melted Monterey Jack cheese. A low-calorie Mexican-inspired vegetable side dish.

Easy fish bisque built on canned cream of cheddar and tomato bisque soups, then simmered with milk, dry sherry, dill and flaky whitefish. A creamy seafood soup ready in under 10 minutes.

Sesame spinach salad dressed with walnut oil, sesame oil, and reduced-sodium soy sauce, topped with sliced mushrooms and toasted sesame seeds. A light, nutty Asian-style side.

Twice-baked creamy stuffed potatoes loaded with crispy bacon, sour cream, Parmesan, scallions, and paprika. Steakhouse side-dish classic at home.

Five-green salad with iceberg, Boston lettuce, romaine, chicory, and spinach, each dressed separately in Italian dressing and arranged in strips with Parmesan.

Cheesy crusted spiced acorn squash roasts wedges of sweet squash under a crunchy Parmesan, sage, garlic, lemon-zest breadcrumb crust with a pinch of cayenne. A fast vegetarian side for weeknight dinners.

Pasta salad with roasted red peppers, fresh basil, and mozzarella in a white balsamic and grainy mustard dressing. A bright Italian-leaning pasta salad that travels well to picnics and potlucks.

Rich and creamy mushroom soup with three kinds of mushrooms (dried, portobello, button), heavy cream, and beef base. Dried mushroom soaking liquid delivers serious umami depth.

Garlicky grilled portobello mushrooms basted with melted butter, olive oil, garlic, and lemon juice. A meaty, smoky vegetarian side dish cooked on a covered grill in 16 minutes.

Stir-fried asparagus with shiitake mushrooms, garlic, and oyster sauce in a light bouillon-cornstarch glaze. A quick Thai-inspired vegetable side dish ready in minutes.

Oven Barbecued Eggplant salts the slices and rests for 30 minutes before baking with BBQ sauce brushed on both sides until tender but not mushy. A 3-ingredient vegan side dish ready in an hour.

Thai cucumber pickles, a quick sweet-sour-spicy side of sliced cucumber, red chiles, onion, and cilantro in a red wine vinegar brine. Five-minute condiment.

Twice-baked potatoes stuffed with ham, egg yolks, and milk, topped with folded egg whites for a puffy, golden souffled finish. A clever way to use leftover ham.

Roasted asparagus salad with blistered cherry tomatoes, peppery watercress, and a bright honey-citrus dressing. A gluten-free, vegan spring side that eats warm or at room temperature.