Side Dish Recipes

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.

Creamed broccoli with parmesan blanches florets and stems, then mashes them into a nutmeg-spiked cream reduction. A rustic vegetable side that reads like a dressed-up purée.

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 stuffed potato loaded with cottage cheese, cheddar, sunflower seeds, green pepper, carrots, and scallions. A lean, vegetable-packed baked potato made in the microwave.

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.

German potato salad with crispy bacon, tangy vinegar dressing, and a flour-thickened sauce served warm. A diabetic-friendly version using sugar substitute.

Green bean almond rice with brown rice cooked in beef broth, toasted slivered almonds, red bell pepper, and tarragon. A savory side dish ready in 30 minutes.

Food processor guacamole with mayonnaise for extra creaminess, onion, lemon, and crushed chilies. Pulsed to a chunky cottage-cheese texture in under 5 minutes.

Hot curried broccoli slaw stir-fried with orange juice, maple syrup, and toasted curry powder. A tangy, sweet, tender-crisp side dish served over rice in just 30 minutes.

Stir-fried vegetables with napa cabbage, bean sprouts, bamboo shoots, water chestnuts, and spinach in soy sauce. A crunchy, vegan wok-tossed side dish ready in 30 minutes.

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.

Classic American potato salad with hard-boiled eggs, celery, onion, mustard, and sweet relish in a creamy mayo dressing. Served chilled with a paprika finish.

Shrimp and asparagus salad with horseradish-spiked mayo dressing, celery seed, and lemon. A spring lunch over Belgian endive or lettuce in 25 minutes.

Roasted garlic mashed potatoes get a double hit of garlic: sweet roasted cloves mashed to a paste plus minced garlic simmered right with the potatoes. Creamy, buttery, and rich with mellow roasted flavor.