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Whether you’re packing a simple picnic for an afternoon in the park, hosting a large family gathering for Easter, or planning a fresh seasonal supper for friends, these easy spring sides are perfect for every occasion. From scalloped potatoes and ham to English pea salad, a fresh fruit salad, or a spinach salad with bacon and hard boiled eggs, you’re sure to find a crowd-pleasing option for your next celebration.
Take advantage of fresh seasonal produce and sunny inspiration with these festive Easter side dishes that work well for any spring gathering.
Southern Pineapple Casserole
With your Christmas or Easter ham, alongside a Thanksgiving turkey, on a bridal shower buffet, at a funeral, or for your next Sunday dinner, this Pineapple Casserole is a Southern staple on just about any celebratory table. The sweet and savory combination of pineapple, cheese, and a buttery crumb topping makes this an absolutely irresistible easy side dish recipe!
Easy Broccoli Casserole
There’s no better combination than broccoli and cheese! This easy broccoli casserole recipe is a simple side dish that comes together with a handful of pantry staples. Use fresh broccoli or frozen broccoli, and create a healthy broccoli casserole with just a few simple substitutions! It’s perfect alongside a Thanksgiving turkey, a Christmas ham, or a simple roasted chicken dinner.
Jiffy Corn Casserole
Jiffy Corn Casserole is an easy side dish recipe that’s ready for the oven with just 5 minutes of prep! The simple, sweet corn pudding pairs perfectly with almost any cozy family dinner. Try it with roast chicken, smoked turkey breast, grilled steak, pot roast, fried chicken, or garlic butter shrimp. It’s a crowd-pleasing option for Thanksgiving and Christmas, too!
Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows
This Southern sweet potato casserole with marshmallows is a classic side dish that makes an appearance on just about every holiday table! Sweetened with a touch of brown sugar, the creamy mashed potatoes are topped with crunchy pecans and fluffy marshmallows for an easy and convenient make ahead recipe. Serve it alongside a Thanksgiving turkey, a Christmas or Easter ham, or a roasted chicken for your next Sunday supper.
Pimento Cheese Grits Casserole
This pimento cheese grits casserole is an easy way to prepare baked grits for breakfast, brunch, or dinner! Delicious on its own as a vegetarian entrée, or perfect alongside sausage, shrimp, bacon, and chicken!
Rice Pilaf {Simple and Easy!}
No more boring rice! This simple and easy Rice Pilaf recipe is a flavorful side dish that pairs nicely with just about any entrée — from grilled fish to roasted chicken or seared steak. Vegetables like carrots, celery and onion simmer with the rice in chicken broth for a quick and delicious addition to your next family dinner. Skip the boxed mix of Rice a Roni, because rich, homemade rice pilaf is easier than you think!
Charleston Red Rice
Red rice is a classic Lowcountry side dish that’s made by cooking long grain white rice in the oven with bacon, onion, garlic, and tomato paste. The end result is tender, fluffy rice with rich tomato flavor, a touch of sweetness, and a hint of smokiness!
Crockpot Mushrooms
With just three ingredients and about 10 minutes of prep, these buttery ranch crockpot mushrooms make a delicious and easy side dish for potlucks, Thanksgiving, and weeknight dinners.
Easy Pasta Salad with Mayo
Full of fresh, flavorful ingredients, this easy pasta salad recipe is a popular side dish for picnics, potlucks, and cookouts. The creamy cold pasta salad starts with a bright, smooth dressing made with mayo, lemon, fresh basil, and garlic. Perfect for spring and summer entertaining!
Classic Pasta Salad
This Classic Pasta Salad recipe is a staple at just about every summer picnic! Pair the vegetarian dish with grilled chicken, fish, steak or burgers for a healthy and easy dinner that the whole family will love!
Broccoli Grape Salad
This broccoli grape salad is loaded with flavors and textures thanks to tender pasta, fresh veggies, juicy grapes, smoky bacon, and crunchy pecans all tossed together in a creamy dressing. It’s a perfect side dish for weeknight dinners, cookouts, potlucks, and holiday tables!
Ham Pasta Salad
Full of simple and fresh ingredients, this ham pasta salad is the perfect side dish for your next cookout, an easy option for a light weeknight dinner, or a refreshing make-ahead lunch. You’ll love the flavorful combination of peas, lemon, dill, and a creamy mayo dressing. Serve the cold ham and cheese pasta salad with grilled chicken, steak, pulled pork, cornbread, biscuits, or blueberry muffins.
Broccoli Cauliflower Salad
A sweet-and-savory make-ahead Broccoli Cauliflower Salad is the perfect side dish for busy weeknights, potlucks, or holiday buffets. You’ll love the combination of crisp broccoli and cauliflower florets mixed with cranberries, pecans, red onion, and bacon in a simple homemade dressing. Best of all, it’s ready in just 15 minutes!
Tuna Pasta Salad
Full of simple and fresh ingredients, this tuna pasta salad is the perfect side dish for your next cookout, an easy entrée for a weeknight dinner, or a refreshing make-ahead lunch. You’ll love the flavorful combination of peas, lemon, dill, and a creamy mayo dressing in this cold pasta salad with tuna fish!
Southern Macaroni Salad
Nothing tastes better alongside grilled hamburgers and hotdogs, fried chicken, steak, or bbq chicken sandwiches than a cool and creamy Southern macaroni salad! With elbow pasta, crisp veggies, hardboiled eggs, and a sweet-and-tangy mayonnaise-based dressing, this easy side dish recipe comes together in minutes. File it away for your next cookout or potluck — the delicious pasta salad always wins rave reviews!
Duke’s Homemade Mac and Cheese
The best homemade mac and cheese recipe just happens to be one of the easiest, too! There’s no need to make a roux for this decadent dish, which gets its ultra-creamy, decadent cheese sauce from mayonnaise, sour cream, and two different types of cheese. Add a buttered garlic breadcrumb topping, and the baked mac and cheese is ready to enjoy. Serve it as a vegetarian dinner with a salad or other fresh veggies, or offer the cheesy casserole as a side dish with pulled pork, burgers, or fried chicken.
Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe
Ooey, gooey and oh-so-cheesy! This creamy, easy baked mac and cheese is the best mac and cheese recipe that you’ll ever taste. A made-from-scratch sauce with two different types of cheese creates the smoothest, richest, creamiest casserole. Kids and adults devour this old-fashioned, homemade side dish, which pairs nicely with everything from Thanksgiving turkey to Christmas ham, fried chicken, meatloaf, and pork chops.
Cornbread Salad
An old fashioned cornbread salad is a classic Southern side dish that’s perfect for summer potlucks, picnics, and cookouts. Chunks of cornbread come together with fresh veggies, smoky bacon, and sharp cheddar cheese in a mayonnaise-based dressing, which is delicious alongside burgers, fried chicken, and pork chops!
Three Bean Salad
This old-fashioned three bean salad recipe is an easy side dish that you can stir together in about 10 minutes — no cooking required! Pack it for picnics, bring it to a potluck, or offer it alongside a burger at your next cookout.
Cucumber Radish Salad
Cool and creamy cucumber radish salad is the perfect spring or summer side dish! You’ll love the combination of crisp cucumbers, zesty radishes, sweet shallots, and fresh herbs tossed in a simple buttermilk dressing.
House Salad with Candied Pecans
A restaurant-worthy House Salad that you can make at home, any night of the week! You’ll love the sweet, tart, salty and savory combination of greens, candied pecans, dried cranberries, blue cheese and mandarin oranges in a creamy homemade dressing. Serve the salad as a side dish with grilled salmon, roasted chicken or pork chops. Alternatively, turn the salad into an entrée by topping it with meat or seafood and pairing it with a side of crusty baguette. It’s fresh, delicious and full of flavor!
Southern Caesar Salad
The classic salad gets a Southern twist with cornbread croutons, diced pimentos, crispy bacon, and an easy, creamy dressing. This Southern Caesar salad is hearty enough to serve as a light entrée, or equally delicious alongside fried chicken, grilled salmon, cast iron steak, and grilled hamburgers.
Meghan’s 4-Ingredient Party Salad
This is the salad that I can’t stop eating…and it couldn’t be easier! Meghan’s 4-Ingredient Party Salad tastes fancy enough for all of your special holiday meals this season, but it’s so fast and simple that you’ll want to serve it every night of the week!
Strawberry Spinach Salad & Poppy Seed Dressing
A quick and simple Strawberry Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing is the perfect addition to any meal. Add some chicken and it’s instantly transformed into a light and healthy entree!
Spinach Salad with Bacon and Hard Boiled Eggs
A classic Spinach Salad with Bacon and Poppy Seed Dressing is the perfect addition to any meal. This colorful side dish satisfies all of your cravings with a variety of salty, smoky and sweet ingredients. You’ll love the combination of tender baby spinach leaves with hard-boiled eggs, bacon, red onion and mushrooms tossed in a sweet and tangy dressing. It’s special enough for a holiday table on Easter or Christmas, ideal for the church potluck, and simple enough for your next family supper.
Cucumber Dill Salad
Cool and refreshing Cucumber Dill Salad is the perfect summer side dish! You’ll love the combination of crisp cucumbers, onions and herbs tossed in a simple buttermilk dressing. Serve the easy, creamy salad with bbq chicken, burgers, pulled pork or grilled shrimp!
English Pea Salad
This English pea salad is cool, crisp, creamy, and packed full of flavor! The crowd-pleasing, easy side dish has been a Southern favorite for generations. Serve it with a pineapple glazed ham for Easter, or pair it with grilled hamburgers and bbq chicken at your next summer cookout.
Creamed Peas
An old-fashioned easy side dish recipe that’s ready in just 10 minutes! These creamed peas are bright, sweet, smooth, and just like Grandma made them. Serve them with meatloaf, Dutch oven pork roast, roast chicken, or hamburger steak and gravy.
Spinach Casserole
This creamed spinach casserole recipe was handed down to me by my mother-in-law’s friend during a recipe exchange at my bridal shower, and we’re still enjoying the easy side dish 17 years later! Spinach Casserole combines spinach and cheese in a creamy sauce that starts with a can of cream of mushroom soup. Finish the dish with buttered breadcrumbs or crushed Ritz crackers, and serve it alongside a roast chicken, beef tenderloin, or holiday ham.
Sauteed Spinach with Garlic
Take advantage of fresh, healthy greens! Sauteed Spinach with Garlic comes together from start to finish in just 10 minutes. Best of all, the quick and easy side dish recipe pairs nicely with just about any entrée — from grilled steak to fish, pasta to chicken!
Creamed Spinach Recipe
This Creamed Spinach recipe is the perfect easy side dish to pair with your next special meal. Just like your favorite steakhouse side, the wilted greens are coated in a rich, smooth, garlic-infused white sauce that comes together in about 10 minutes!
Sautéed Asparagus with Garlic and Lemon
A quick pan of Sautéed Asparagus is the perfect easy side dish! The fresh spring vegetable cooks on the stovetop with butter, garlic, and toasted almonds. Lemon zest adds a bright finishing touch, for a simple sauteed asparagus recipe that’s elegant enough for entertaining. Best of all, it’s ready from start to finish in just 10 minutes!
Perfect Oven Roasted Asparagus
If you need an easy side dish that takes just minutes to prepare, this is truly the perfect Oven Roasted Asparagus! With a touch of olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic, the flavorful veggies are finished with shaved Parmesan cheese for a healthy spring dish that complements just about any meal!
Creamy Asparagus Soup
The perfect recipe for spring! Aunt Bee’s light and fresh Creamy Asparagus Soup recipe takes advantage of the season’s best produce for an easy and healthy dinner or lunch that comes together in about 30 minutes.
Bacon Wrapped Asparagus
Bacon wrapped asparagus is a delicious side dish that’s elegant enough for a holiday table, and easy enough for your next weeknight dinner! Fresh asparagus bundles are wrapped with salty, smoky bacon, brushed with sweet maple syrup, and ready for the oven or grill in just 10 minutes. The bacon is crispy, the vegetables are tender, and they’re delicious alongside a Christmas or Easter ham, a roast chicken, or a cozy Southern meatloaf.
Garlic Roasted Broccoli Recipe
If you need a healthy side dish that will add some green to your family’s plate, then you have come to the right place! Forget about soggy, flavorless steamed broccoli, because this Garlic Roasted Broccoli Recipe will quickly become your family’s favorite!
Easy Deviled Eggs
These Easy Deviled Eggs are a classic appetizer or side dish that’s perfect for Easter brunch, summer picnics, and casual potlucks with friends. The hardboiled eggs are stuffed with a creamy, tangy filling for a flavorful, make ahead treat that disappears fast!
How to Make Twice Baked Potatoes
These make-ahead Twice Baked Potatoes are an easy, delicious, and impressive-looking side dish. Once you know how to make twice baked potatoes, the crowd-pleasing recipe is sure to make a regular appearance on your family table. No one can resist the creamy mashed potato filling that’s loaded with sour cream, bacon, cheese, and chives! Serve them with steak, with an Easter or Christmas ham, with grilled chicken, or with Thanksgiving turkey.
Great Grandmother’s Potato Pancakes
My Polish great grandmother’s potato pancakes are a family favorite comfort food! Serve the fried pancakes with sour cream or applesauce for a light dinner, or offer them as an easy side dish alongside your favorite entrée. It’s a simple, old-fashioned recipe that stands the test of time!
Easy Au Gratin Potatoes Recipe
Layers of thinly-sliced potatoes, a creamy sauce and two different types of cheese make this the best Easy Au Gratin Potatoes recipe you’ll ever taste! Your guests will love the combination of sharp cheddar and Gruyere cheeses with hints of garlic, thyme and nutmeg in a rich, smooth sauce. Best of all, the homemade au gratin potatoes can be assembled in advance for convenient family dinners or holiday buffets!
Mashed Potatoes with Sour Cream and Chives
These creamy Mashed Potatoes with Sour Cream and Chives are rich, smooth, flavorful and easy! The best mashed potato recipe is simple enough for your next weeknight supper, but also delicious enough for a holiday dinner. Your family and friends will love the buttery, thick, and slightly tangy side dish that comes together in 30 minutes with just 5 simple ingredients!
Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes {just 3 ingredients!}
These buttermilk mashed potatoes are rich, creamy, flavorful, and easy! Your family and friends will love the buttery, thick, and slightly tangy side dish that comes together with just 3 basic ingredients. Serve the best mashed potato recipe alongside classic comfort food dinners like meatloaf, fried chicken, Swedish meatballs, and pork chops!
Cheesy Potato Casserole (3 Ingredients!)
This easy side dish recipe has been a family favorite for decades! Aunt Bee’s 3-Ingredient Cheesy Potato Casserole includes shredded potatoes, sharp cheddar cheese, and rich sour cream for a quick make-ahead side.
Dill Roasted Potatoes
The perfect easy side dish! These dill roasted potatoes are crispy and golden brown on the outside, tender on the inside, and full of savory garlic, lemon, and herb flavor. They’re delicious alongside roasted chicken, grilled steak, salmon, and pork.
Red Skin Mashed Potatoes
It’s true — you don’t even have to peel the potatoes! Creamy and flavorful red skin mashed potatoes are a rustic, easy side dish that’s bursting with butter, chives, and cream cheese. Grab the grilled steak, meatloaf, or fried chicken, because these simple and easy homemade mashed potatoes are the perfect companion for your next comfort food dinner!
Scalloped Potatoes and Ham
This cheesy, easy scalloped potatoes and ham recipe is a classic Southern dish that requires just 10 minutes of prep time and only a handful of simple ingredients. Thinly-sliced potatoes cook in a rich and creamy garlic sauce with leftover ham and plenty of sharp cheddar cheese. Serve them alongside a simple green salad, collard greens, or flaky buttermilk biscuits!
Southern Potato Salad
A picnic or cookout would not be complete without this delicious Southern Potato Salad! The easy side dish recipe is a crowd pleasing classic!
Easy Potato Salad Recipe
My grandmother’s easy potato salad recipe is a staple at almost every summer picnic, family cookout, and holiday celebration. Best of all, the crowd-pleasing side dish comes together with just 5 ingredients! Serve the red potato salad alongside an Easter ham, grilled burgers, or bbq chicken for a cool, creamy, and flavorful dish that’s always a hit.
Arkansas Green Beans with Bacon
Sweet, salty and smoky, these Arkansas Green Beans with Bacon are an easy side dish for any meal. Tender green beans are baked in a sweet-and-savory brown sugar soy sauce…and then finished with crispy bacon! Your family will love this classic Southern combination of flavors and textures.
Southern Style Green Beans
Southern Style Green Beans simmer slowly on the stovetop with bacon and onions until the fresh green beans are tender, flavorful and melt-in-your-mouth delicious! These country-style vegetables are an easy side dish to serve with smothered pork chops, chicken fried steak, roasted chicken or shrimp and grits.
Roasted Green Beans with Bacon, Onion, and Garlic
Oven-roasting is the best way to make fresh green beans taste amazing! These crispy roasted green beans pack a flavorful bite, thanks to smoky bacon, zesty red onion, savory garlic, and bright lemon juice. Finish the dish with crunchy almonds and fresh herbs for an easy side dish that pairs nicely with chicken, steak, fish, and almost any other meat-based entrée!
Green Bean Casserole Bundles with Bacon
Looking for a delicious twist on a classic favorite? Instead of green bean casserole, why not try these bacon-wrapped green bean bundles topped with a delicious creamy mushroom sauce and crispy fried onions. It’s all of the flavors of your favorite baked dish with a fun, party-friendly spin!
Green Beans and Mushrooms
Mix up your weeknight veggie routine or add a special touch to the holiday table with these easy green beans and mushrooms! The simple side dish includes fresh green beans, savory mushrooms, diced tomatoes, and onions sautéed in a flavorful garlic butter sauce.
Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots {An Easy Side Dish!}
Fresh, tender carrots are tossed in a sweet, buttery glaze for a crowd-pleasing, easy side dish that always wins rave reviews! Whether you serve these Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots with an Easter ham, a Thanksgiving turkey, or your Sunday roast chicken, the simple vegetables are sure to become a family favorite!
Carrot Salad
Grated carrots, pineapple, and raisins come together with a creamy dressing in this sweet and savory carrot salad that’s ready in about 15 minutes! The simple and easy side dish recipe is a perfect addition to just about any meal, picnic, or potluck. Serve it alongside grilled chicken, bbq pork chops, an Easter ham, a cozy casserole, or your favorite hamburgers!
Easy Fruit Salad with Vanilla Pudding
This easy fruit salad recipe comes together in just minutes, and is packed with fresh flavor! Pick your favorite in-season fruit — from strawberries, blueberries and peaches to bananas, apples or grapes — and toss everything in a bright, tangy dressing made with lime juice and vanilla pudding mix. The sweet, tart, refreshing side dish works well with waffles or egg casserole for brunch, with grilled chicken or burgers at a picnic, or even with ice cream as a light dessert.
Honey Lemon Fruit Salad Recipe
This quick and easy fresh Fruit Salad recipe with Honey Lemon dressing is the perfect addition to any meal! Fresh berries are lightly glazed with a simple syrup that is bursting with citrus flavor. It’s fast enough for a weekday morning, but special enough for entertaining!
Watergate Salad
This vintage Watergate Salad recipe is a classic 5-minute side dish or easy dessert that has been loved for generations! The sweet, creamy, and fluffy pistachio salad with pineapple, coconut, pecans and maraschino cherries is a perfect treat for just about any occasion.
Orange Pineapple Fluff Salad
This recipe for Orange Pineapple Fluff Salad was originally posted in June, 2013. The photos were updated in October, 2017. I’m always looking for new ideas for quick and easy side dishes, and this one is delicious! The Orange Pineapple Fluff Salad pairs perfectly with ham or other meat on a dinner table, holiday brunch
Mandarin Orange Salad
A nostalgic holiday table wouldn’t be the same without Grandma’s mandarin orange salad! Whether you serve it for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, or your next Sunday supper, the combination of orange Jell-O, canned mandarin oranges, marshmallows, pecans, and fluffy Cool Whip yields a flavorful, old-fashioned fruit salad that’s always well received.
Pink Ambrosia Salad
You just need 5 ingredients and 5 minutes for this easy Pink Ambrosia Salad recipe! Made with sweet fruit, fluffy marshmallows, and creamy Cool Whip, the simple side dish is perfect with any holiday meal!
Ambrosia Salad Recipe
It wouldn’t be a holiday without this Ambrosia Salad recipe on the table! Loaded with fruit, coconut and marshmallows dressed in sour cream, this sweet treat is an easy side dish or a simple no-bake dessert for just about any occasion. Best of all, it comes together in about 5 minutes!
Strawberry Sunshine Jello Salad
Isn’t this easy, 5-minute Strawberry Sunshine Jello Salad pretty? With an abundance of strawberries, peaches, and pineapple tucked inside, it’s a perfectly refreshing fruit salad for the warm months ahead!
