The 28 Best Sides For Casseroles

Casseroles are often an entire meal rolled into one dish, but others could employ just the right side dish to round out the meal. Often so prosperous and creamy, a refreshing and crunchy salad or dazzling and punchy vegetable side dish is just what the menu calls for. From tender green beans to simply sautéed squash, there’s something in this collection for just about every casserole out there.

Photographer: Isaac Nunn, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn

There are few foods in this world that bacon, garlic, and Parmesan can’t make better, and that list doesn’t include green beans. Roasting these green beans at a high temperature quickly cooks them and keeps them tender and dazzling green for the perfect contrast to creamy casseroles.

Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox

This recipe keeps things uncomplicated. That said, if you want to dress this broccoli up a bit, toss it in a store-bought (or homemade) pesto, lemon aioli, sesame-ginger dressing, creamy chipotle sauce, or whatever best compliments the casserole you’re serving it with.

Antonis Achilleos, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster

Bacon grease, a splash of red wine vinegar, and a touch garlic turn ordinary pole beans into a tangy, salty, and savory side for just about any casserole.

Jennifer Causey; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

Think of broccolini as broccoli’s skinnier cousin, that are just as simple to cook and crowd-pleasing, too. We keep this recipe uncomplicated, but feel free to add your favorite flavor additions, from red pepper flakes to a sprinkle of ranch seasoning.

Frederick Hardy II, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley 

You’ll often need a dazzling and crunchy salad to cut through the cheesy richness of casseroles. The edible flowers on this salad are a gorgeous touch, but can be left off if you can’t find them in a store near you.

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

When asparagus is in season, the best thing to do is to cook it simply and let it shine. Slivered almonds are a uncomplicated garnish that add nuttiness to the sweet spears.

Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

This is our take on a classic Caesar salad. It features hearty kale, plenty of cheese, and toasted breadcrumbs for crunch. It’s delightful served with baked pastas, lasagnas, and other cheesy casseroles.

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

With the oven already occupied with a casserole, turn to your air fryer to make the sides. This quick asparagus recipe only takes 15 minutes to make and is bursting with flavor thanks to crumbled goat cheese and everything bagel seasoning. 

Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Christine Daley

This dazzling take on a canned favorite requires only six ingredients (not counting salt or pepper) and 15 minutes of hands-on cooking.

Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Christine Keely 

Sometimes all a casserole needs alongside it is a uncomplicated green salad. This salad dresses up the lettuce with spring onions, radishes, and lots of fresh herbs.

PHOTOGRAPHER: FRED HARDY II, FOOD STYLIST: EMILY NABORS HALL, PROPS STYLIST: CHRISTINA BROCKMAN

Toss this side dish in the oven right alongside your casserole. We serve this corn simply, with a little butter and fresh herbs, but you can employ your favorite seasonings, like smoked paprika or lemon pepper instead.

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

It’s always a good idea to keep an envelope of ranch dressing mix in the pantry, as it can be the ticket to an simple and flavorful side dish like these beans in no time.

Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Melissa Gray; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely

The trio of fresh ginger, orange juice, and honey in this recipe transforms plain carrots into a zingy side that will have you going back for seconds.

Johnny Autry; Food and Prop Styling: Charlotte L. Autry

For a fresh spring take on a uncomplicated side salad, try this strawberry-infused recipe. We blend the fruit into the dressing in addition to tossing pieces in salad, ensuring that the strawberry flavor really shines through.

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Orange marmalade is the secret ingredient to make this uncomplicated carrot side dish shine. Although optional, we recommend using rainbow carrots because of the gorgeous color contrast.

Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox

The sweet and salty balance of maple and bacon cuts through the natural bitterness of Brussels sprouts to make this recipe a veggie side dish everyone will enjoy.

Photographer: Antonis Achilleos, Prop Stylist: Kay E. Clarke Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall

Greens go with just about everything in our minds, and this shortcut version made in an Instant Pot is a great go-to when the stovetop is already crowded.

Greg DuPree

If a typical leafy green salad isn’t your thing, try this fresh and crunchy slaw instead. It has a pop of sweetness from fresh apple and a salty punch from Parmesan cheese.

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

If you haven’t tried smashing your veggies, now is the time. It raise the surface area of the vegetable, meaning more crispy, delicious bits.

Jessica Furniss

With edible skin and a gorgeous golden hue, we think you’ll fall in love with this simple to prepare autumn squash.

Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen

If you aren’t already serving Old-School Squash Casserole, then this sautéed squash side is a great, quick dish to serve with other creamy casseroles.

Alison Miksch

This stovetop side dish is ready in only 20 minutes, and while we love fresh corn, the recipe can made with frozen corn kernels for less cleanup.

Photographer: Alison Miksch / Food Stylist: Melissa Gray / Prop Stylist: Christina Brockman

This cabbage practically melts in your mouth. Its natural sweetness is paired with the prosperous and salty flavor of bacon and a touch of red pepper for heat.

Greg Dupree; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely; Food Stylist: Melissa Gray

“It was a great summer salad – I added pieces of prosciutto and sharp provolone. My family hopes I will make it again,” wrote Southern Living reader, Evie Spadafora of this uncomplicated side salad.

Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Melissa Gray; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely

Peppery radishes and sweet pops of juicy orange segments transform humble leaves of romaine lettuce into a refreshing salad that cuts through any prosperous and savory casserole its served with.

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

A homemade dressing is often what takes a lackluster salad to the next level, and this salad is no exception. Made with white balsamic vinegar, mayonnaise, and mustard, the dressing adds a flavorful kick and balances the potent flavor of blue cheese and the sweetness of ripe, fresh strawberries in the salad.

Photographer: Isaac Nunn, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn

Our favorite part of this uncomplicated side salad is the sorghum syrup in the dressing that adds just the right amount of sweetness.

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

A classic pairing with pasta, this savory bread side is good for sopping up all sorts of saucy casseroles, too.