13 Quick and Tasty Side Dishes for Busy Weeknights

These 13 side dishes are perfect for busy weeknights when you need something quick but still full of flavor. Each recipe is designed to be simple, making it easy to round out your meal without spending too much time in the kitchen. Whether you’re serving meat, fish, or a vegetarian dish, these sides will complement any dinner. With minimal prep and cooking time, they’re the perfect solution for a fast, tasty weeknight meal.

Garlicky Green Beans with Fried Onions. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Loaded Cauliflower Mash

Mashed cauliflower in a white bowl. — Loaded Cauliflower Mash. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

This cauliflower mash is a quick, low-carb side that’s packed with flavor and ready in just 25 minutes. It’s loaded with cheese, bacon, and green onions, making it a savory alternative to mashed potatoes. The creamy texture pairs well with almost any main dish. It’s a comforting and satisfying choice for busy weeknights.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Cauliflower Mash

Easy Oven Asparagus

Cooked asparagus in a white bowl. — Easy Oven Asparagus. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Oven-roasted asparagus is a simple side that takes just 15 minutes to make. With a little olive oil and a sprinkle of salt, the asparagus turns crisp on the outside while remaining tender inside. This light, fresh side is perfect for pairing with heavier meals. It’s an easy way to add some greens to your dinner plate.
Get the Recipe: Easy Oven Asparagus

Balsamic Glazed Brussels Sprouts

These balsamic-glazed Brussels sprouts are ready in about 30 minutes and feature a tangy-sweet flavor that balances the natural earthiness of the sprouts. The balsamic reduction adds depth while keeping the dish light and flavorful. This quick side dish is a great way to elevate Brussels sprouts for any meal. Pair them with roasted meats or hearty pasta dishes for a balanced plate.
Get the Recipe: Balsamic Glazed Brussels Sprouts

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Almonds and Feta

Closeup of roasted brussels sprouts on a white bowl. — Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Almonds and Feta. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Roasted Brussels sprouts get a flavorful boost with almonds and feta, creating a delicious side in about 35 minutes. The almonds add crunch, while the feta provides a salty, creamy contrast. Together, they make a satisfying, savory dish that complements a variety of mains. This is a great way to make Brussels sprouts more exciting for a weeknight meal.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Almonds and Feta

Worcestershire Green Beans

Worcestershire sauce brings bold flavor to these green beans, which cook up in just 20 minutes. The sauce gives the beans a rich, tangy taste that pairs well with grilled or roasted meats. It’s a quick and simple side dish that adds a punch of flavor without much effort. Perfect for busy weeknights when you need something fast and flavorful.
Get the Recipe: Worcestershire Green Beans

Roasted Honey Glazed Carrots

Honey garlic carrots in a black dish. — Roasted Honey Glazed Carrots. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

These roasted honey-glazed carrots take about 30 minutes and offer a sweet and savory flavor. The honey enhances the natural sweetness of the carrots, while roasting gives them a caramelized finish. It’s an easy side that works well with a variety of main dishes. The glaze adds just the right amount of sweetness without being overpowering.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Honey Glazed Carrots

Screaming Skillet Green Beans

Green beans cooked in a hot skillet with garlic and spices make a bold, flavorful side dish in just 15 minutes. The high heat creates a slight char, adding texture and depth to the beans. This quick dish is perfect when you want something fast with big flavor. Pair it with simple proteins like grilled chicken or fish for a complete meal.
Get the Recipe: Screaming Skillet Green Beans

Oven Roasted Root Vegetables

A delightful side dish of thinly sliced root vegetables, including sweet potatoes and beets, arranged in a circular pattern in a glass dish. Perfect for kids, it adds color and flavor to any meal. A green cloth lies beside it on a wooden surface. — Oven Roasted Root Vegetables. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Roasted root vegetables, including carrots, parsnips, and potatoes, come together in about 40 minutes for a hearty side dish. The natural sweetness of the vegetables shines through as they caramelize in the oven. This dish is warm, comforting, and pairs well with both meats and vegetarian mains. It’s a simple, wholesome option for any dinner table.
Get the Recipe: Oven Roasted Root Vegetables

Honey Garlic Carrots

These honey garlic carrots take just 25 minutes to make and are packed with sweet and savory flavors. The honey adds a touch of sweetness, while the garlic brings a savory kick. It’s a simple side that pairs well with roasted meats or fish. The glaze gives the carrots a delicious, caramelized finish without too much effort.
Get the Recipe: Honey Garlic Carrots

Brown Butter Garlic Mashed Potatoes

A bowl of creamy mashed potatoes sits invitingly on a table, accompanied by a blue and white cloth—a quintessential staple in Thanksgiving recipes. — Brown Butter Garlic Mashed Potatoes. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Mashed potatoes get a rich upgrade with the addition of brown butter and garlic, ready in about 35 minutes. The brown butter adds a nutty flavor that complements the creamy texture of the potatoes. It’s a comforting side dish that works well with hearty mains like roast chicken or steak. This flavorful twist on a classic is sure to be a hit.
Get the Recipe: Brown Butter Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Garam Masala Brussels Sprouts

Roasted brussels sprouts in a black bowl and a wooden spoon. — Garam Masala Brussels Sprouts. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Garam masala gives these Brussels sprouts a unique, spiced flavor in just 30 minutes. The Indian spices add warmth and depth, turning simple roasted Brussels sprouts into something special. This side dish pairs well with grilled meats or as part of a larger spread. It’s a great way to bring new flavors to your weeknight dinners.
Get the Recipe: Garam Masala Brussels Sprouts

Brown Sugar Baked Sweet Potato Slices

Baked sweet potato slices on a cutting board with a spoon. — Brown Sugar Baked Sweet Potato Slices. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Sweet potatoes sliced thin and baked with brown sugar create a caramelized, slightly crispy side dish in about 30 minutes. The brown sugar adds a touch of sweetness, enhancing the natural flavor of the sweet potatoes. This side is a great complement to savory mains like roast pork or chicken. The result is a tasty balance of sweet and savory in every bite.
Get the Recipe: Brown Sugar Baked Sweet Potato Slices

Garlicky Green Beans with Fried Onions

Garlicky green beans with fried onions are a crunchy, flavorful side ready in 20 minutes. The garlic brings a savory depth, while the fried onions add a satisfying crunch. This quick dish is perfect for busy nights when you want something easy yet full of flavor. Serve it alongside simple mains for a no-fuss, tasty dinner.
Get the Recipe: Garlicky Green Beans with Fried Onions