17 superstar sides that make simple weeknight dinners feel like a restaurant order

Primal Edge Health participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and other affiliate programs and therefore, may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. This comes at no additional cost to you, and all the prices and availability are accurate at the time of publishing.

Weeknight dinner can stay simple and still feel impressive when the side dish does the heavy lifting. Superstar sides like these add texture, flavor, and that polished finish that makes a basic chicken breast or bowl of pasta feel like something you ordered on purpose. Pick one, keep the steps easy, and suddenly dinner feels more exciting without adding a bunch of time or dishes.

Braised Cabbage

Slow cooked vegetables have a way of feeling far more thoughtful than they actually are. Cabbage softens into tender, savory layers that soak up flavor and pair well with almost anything on the table. Add it to a basic meal and dinner suddenly feels grounded and complete.
Get the Recipe: Braised Cabbage

Roasted Eggplant

Eggplant shines when roasting brings out its rich, almost creamy interior. Lightly crisp edges and a soft center create contrast that feels far more interesting than steamed vegetables. Pair it with a yogurt sauce and the side quietly steals the spotlight.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Eggplant

Butternut Squash Soup with Coconut Milk

A bowl of smooth butternut squash soup, garnished with black pepper and a sprig of cilantro, with a spoon resting inside the bowl. — Butternut Squash Soup with Coconut Milk. Photo credit: Primal Edge Health.

A simple soup can change the entire mood of a meal. Butternut squash blends into a smooth, naturally sweet base, while coconut milk adds richness without heaviness. Serve a small bowl on the side and dinner instantly feels cozy and complete.
Get the Recipe: Butternut Squash Soup with Coconut Milk

Roasted Green Beans

A plate with green beans sprinkled with seasoning and grated cheese, alongside a lemon wedge and a portion of glazed salmon. — Roasted Green Beans. Photo credit: Primal Edge Health.

Frozen green beans turn into a side that actually gets attention when the oven does the work. Roasting brings out crisp edges and deeper flavor, while simple seasoning and a parmesan finish make them feel intentional instead of rushed. Set them next to chicken or steak and suddenly dinner feels upgraded without extra effort.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Green Beans

Cauliflower Mac and Cheese

Comfort food energy shows up fast when cauliflower gets involved in the right way. A creamy cheese sauce coats every bite, delivering the familiar richness people want from mac and cheese without the heaviness. Serve it alongside a simple protein and the plate instantly feels restaurant inspired.
Get the Recipe: Cauliflower Mac and Cheese

Honey Roasted Carrots

Carrots turn into something craveable once they hit the oven with a honey glaze. Roasting brings out caramelized edges and natural sweetness that balance savory mains perfectly. A scoop on the plate makes dinner feel warmer and more complete.
Get the Recipe: Honey Roasted Carrots

Carrot and Ginger Soup with Coconut Milk

A bowl of yellow soup garnished with cilantro leaves and a swirl of coconut milk, with a spoon resting inside. — Carrot and Ginger Soup with Coconut Milk. Photo credit: Primal Edge Health.

Warm, silky soups add a restaurant feel with very little effort. Carrots bring natural sweetness, ginger adds gentle heat, and coconut milk ties everything together smoothly. A bowl on the side makes even the simplest dinner feel intentional.
Get the Recipe: Carrot and Ginger Soup with Coconut Milk

Air Fryer Mushrooms

Close-up of sliced, cooked mushrooms garnished with small pieces of fresh herbs on a light-colored surface. — Air Fryer Mushrooms. Photo credit: Primal Edge Health.

Savory mushrooms bring depth to a plate with almost no prep time. The air fryer keeps them tender with lightly browned edges, making them great on their own or scattered over bowls and pasta. They add that finishing touch that makes dinner feel more composed.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Mushrooms

Roasted Tomato Soup

A bowl of tomato soup garnished with chopped basil, with a spoon inside. — Roasted Tomato Soup. Photo credit: Primal Edge Health.

Roasting transforms tomatoes into something deeper and more complex. Blended with garlic and herbs, the soup feels bold and comforting instead of basic. Serve it alongside sandwiches or protein and dinner suddenly feels thoughtfully planned.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Tomato Soup

Baked Cauliflower Mac and Cheese

Baking adds a comforting finish that turns a familiar dish into something special. Creamy cheese sauce bubbles through tender cauliflower with a lightly golden top. Serve it as a side and the meal instantly feels indulgent and complete.
Get the Recipe: Baked Cauliflower Mac and Cheese

Parmesan Chicken Wings

A hand dips a parmesan chicken wing into a small ramekin filled with white dipping sauce. — Parmesan Chicken Wings. Photo credit: Primal Edge Health.

Crispy wings work surprisingly well as a side when they are seasoned just right. A cheesy herb coating adds bold flavor that pairs easily with simple mains. Set them on the table and they feel like a bonus course.
Get the Recipe: Parmesan Chicken Wings

Bacon and Cheddar Biscuits

A picture of biscuits with bacon and cheese on top cooling on rack. — Bacon and Cheddar Biscuits. Photo credit: Primal Edge Health.

Warm, cheesy biscuits instantly make dinner feel more special. Bacon and cheddar baked into soft rolls add comfort and structure to the plate. Serve them fresh and even the simplest main feels finished.
Get the Recipe: Bacon and Cheddar Biscuits

Mashed Cauliflower Potatoes

Creamy mashed sides do not have to rely on traditional potatoes. Cauliflower blends into a smooth, fluffy texture that carries butter and seasoning beautifully. Serve it with roasted meats and dinner feels classic but lighter.
Get the Recipe: Mashed Cauliflower Potatoes

Cabbage Fritters

Crisp fritters add texture and spice without much effort. Cabbage cooks into golden bites with warm seasoning that feel snackable and deliciously filling. A dollop of yogurt sauce makes them feel like something from a small bistro.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage Fritters

Coconut Pumpkin Soup

Creamy soups bring warmth and depth to quick meals. Pumpkin blends smoothly with coconut milk and spices for a savory side that feels cozy and balanced. One bowl is enough to level up the entire dinner.
Get the Recipe: Coconut Pumpkin Soup

Bacon Wrapped Brussels Sprouts

Three bacon-wrapped cabbage rolls on a brown plate, with honey or sauce being drizzled over one, placed on a green cloth with a fork nearby. — Bacon Wrapped Brussels Sprouts. Photo credit: Primal Edge Health.

Bacon has a way of making vegetables feel exciting again. Brussels sprouts roast until tender while the bacon crisps, creating a balance of salty, savory flavor in every bite. Put them out and watch them compete with the main dish for attention.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Wrapped Brussels Sprouts

Coleslaw with Creamy Dressing

A picture of low-carb coleslaw recipe with creamy dressing in glass bowl. — Coleslaw with Creamy Dressing. Photo credit: Primal Edge Health.

Fresh crunch brings balance to heavier weeknight dinners. Crisp cabbage tossed in a creamy, tangy dressing cuts through rich flavors and keeps the plate interesting. It works especially well with grilled or roasted proteins.
Get the Recipe: Coleslaw with Creamy Dressing