60 Healthy Side Dishes That Are Super Delicious

Garlic Asiago Cauliflower Rice

The garlic seasoning and Asiago really pack a punch, making this five-ingredient low-carb side dish a real weeknight winner. —Colleen Delawder, Herndon, Virginia

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Cranberry Wild Rice Pilaf

This tender side dish is perfect for the holidays or any time you want to add a special touch. Dried cranberries, currants and almonds serve up color and texture. My co-workers all make this rice pilaf for their families. —Pat Gardetta, Osage Beach, Missouri

Sauteed Zucchini

I’ve found that this flavorful sauteed zucchini complements almost any main course, from chicken to fish. If you like, use half yellow summer squash for a colorful variation on classic zucchini recipes. —Teresa Kraus, Cortez, Colorado

Parmesan Butternut Squash

Butternut squash sprinkled with Parmesan and bread crumbs makes a superb side dish we love to share. Using the microwave cuts down on long roasting time. —Jackie O’Callaghan, West Lafayette, Indiana

Balsamic Purple Potatoes

I volunteered at a local organic farm in exchange for fresh produce, and I was given purple potatoes. I wanted to cook something new and use herbs from our garden. Coming from the Midwest, adding vinegar to potato recipes has always been a hit, especially with fries! —Kristin Schultz, Manor, Texas

Oven-Dried Tomatoes

We owned an organic greenhouse and business where we taught classes. I had 100 tomato varieties to work with, so I started oven-drying them and taught my students how to do it as well. —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin

Honey-Thyme Butternut Squash

This grilled butternut squash recipe is one of my favorite ways to cook with fresh produce. I usually make it when I am grilling steak or chicken. —Esther Horst, Monterey, Tennessee

Garlic Mashed Cauliflower

I order cauliflower mash every time we visit our favorite restaurant. Lucky us; one night, I figured out how to make it at home. It was so easy! —Jean Keiser, West Chester, Pennsylvania

Roasted Tater Rounds with Green Onions & Tarragon

I am crazy for potatoes, especially when they're roasted and toasted. Toss them with fresh herbs and green onions for a bold finish. —Ally Phillips, Murrells Inlet, South Carolina

Easy Grilled Squash

This is grilled butternut squash recipe is one of my favorite ways to cook with fresh produce. I usually make it when I am grilling steak or chicken. —Esther Horst, Monterey, Tennessee

Cauliflower Stuffing

This cauliflower stuffing is the vegan substitute you've been looking for. It's perfect for the holidays. —Susan Hein, Burlington, Wisconsin

Quinoa Tabbouleh

When my mom and sister developed several food allergies, we had to modify many recipes. I substituted quinoa for couscous in this tabbouleh. Now we make quinoa tabbouleh all the time! —Jennifer Klann, Corbett, Oregon

Mushroom and Spinach Saute

Mushrooms and spinach make a super fast combination that’s perfect for two. And it’s easy to double or triple for a crowd. —Pauline Howard, Lago Vista, Texas

Eggplant Fries

My kids love this snack—and I like that it's healthy. Coated with Italian seasoning, Parmesan cheese and garlic salt, these veggie sticks are broiled, not fried, so there's no guilt when you crunch into them. —Mary Murphy, Atwater, California

Zucchini Mushroom Bake

Just a 10-minute prep dresses up my garden-fresh zucchini, adding mushrooms, onion, cheddar and a sprinkle of basil. —Jacquelyn Smith, Carmel, Maine

Roasted Radishes

Radishes aren't just for salads anymore. Roasted radishes makes a colorful side to any meal. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Parmesan Roasted Broccoli

Sure, it’s simple and healthy but, oh, this roasted broccoli is also delicious. Cutting the stalks into tall trees turns the ordinary veggie into a standout side dish. —Holly Sander, Lake Mary, Florida

Vegetable and Barley Pilaf

Hearty, colorful, easy and fast were the reviews we gave this good-for-you dish. Barley has a healthy amount of soluble fiber, which aids digestion. And it can help to lower cholesterol too! You can easily substitute other fresh veggies you have on hand. —Jesse Klausmeier, Burbank, California

Bacon-Corn Stuffed Peppers

Filled with corn, salsa, green onions, mozzarella cheese and bacon, these grilled pepper halves are sure to liven up your next cookout. They have a wonderful taste and give a fun twist to the usual corn on the cob. —Mitzi Sentiff, Annapolis, Maryland

Lemon Couscous with Broccoli

I combined two recipes to create this side with broccoli and pasta. The splash of lemon adds nice flavor. Instead of toasted almonds, you could also sprinkle servings with grated Parmesan cheese. —Beth Dauenhauer, Pueblo, Colorado

German Red Cabbage

Sunday afternoons were a time for family gatherings when I was a kid. While the uncles played cards, the aunts made treats such as this traditional German red cabbage recipe. —Jeannette Heim, Dunlap, Tennessee

Parmesan Potato Wedges

I recommend serving these Parmesan potato wedges alongside a salad for a light lunch or serving them as a side dish with a chicken or beef entree. —Beth Ask, Ulster, Pennsylvania

Brussels Sprouts & Kale Saute

In an effort to add more greens to our meals, I created this dish—and my kids eat it up. The crispy salami is the "hook." —Jennifer Mcnabb, Brentwood, Tennessee

Grilled Vegetable Platter

This recipe is the best of summer in one dish! These pretty veggies are perfect for entertaining. Grilling brings out their natural sweetness, and the easy marinade really perks up the flavor. —Heidi Hall, North St. Paul, Minnesota

Steamed Kale

With this good-for-you steamed kale, it's easy to eat healthy and get out of the kitchen quick. A wonderful accompaniment to most any entree, it is packed with vitamins and is a snap to prepare. I use garlic, red pepper and balsamic vinegar for this side dish that keeps my family coming back for more! —Mary Bilyeu, Ann Arbor, Michigan

Grilled Cabbage

The first time I made this, I couldn’t believe how good it was! We served it with grilled burgers and our dinner was complete. I never thought I’d skip dessert because I was full from too much cabbage! —Elizabeth Wheeler, Thornville, Ohio

Basil Corn & Tomato Bake

I think this is the ultimate dish to make when sweet Jersey corn is in season. Combined with tomatoes, zucchini and basil, it makes for a spectacular side for brunch, lunch or dinner. —Erin Chilcoat, Central Islip, New York

Roasted Sugar Snap Peas

We’re betting you won’t find a faster way to dress up crisp sugar snap peas than this simply scrumptious recipe. It goes with a variety of entrees and is pretty enough to dish up for company. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Baked Parmesan Breaded Squash

Baked yellow squash is beautifully crispy. You don’t have to turn the pieces, but do keep an eye on them. — Debi Mitchell, Flower Mound, Texas

Black-Eyed Peas & Ham

Every New Year's Day we have these slow-cooked black-eyed peas to bring good luck for the coming year. —Dawn Legler, Fort Morgan, Colorado

Roasted Carrots & Fennel

This addictive fennel recipe is a fresh take on one of my mother's standard wintertime dishes. I usually add more carrots—as many as the pans will hold. —Lily Julow, Lawrenceville, Georgia

Cantina Pinto Beans

Cumin, cilantro and red pepper flakes lend southwestern flair to tender pinto beans in this dish, which was inspired by one we had at a restaurant in Dallas. It makes a terrific Tex-Mex side or a filling lunch when served with cornbread. —L.R. Larson, Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Basil Grilled Corn on the Cob

Corn on the cob is a comforting and cherished Midwest dish. It's amazing when grilled, and my recipe adds a few unexpected ingredients to make it taste even more like summertime. —Caitlin Dawson, Monroe, Ohio

Rainbow Hash

To entice my family to eat outside their comfort zone, I use lots of color. This happy hash combines sweet potato, carrots, purple potato and kale. —Courtney Stultz, Weir, Kansas

Mango Barley Salad

I made this fresh, colorful mango salad on the fly and it was a big hit! The bright flavor is perfect for a spring or summer picnic, served right away or chilled. —Dan Wellberg, Elk River, Minnesota

Tomato-Onion Green Beans

Fresh green beans are the stars of this healthy side. Serve with grilled chicken, pork tenderloin or seafood for a delicious end to a busy day. —David Feder, Buffalo Grove, Illinois

Colcannon Potatoes

Every Irish family has its own colcannon recipe, since it's a classic potato and cabbage dish. My recipe comes from my father's family in Ireland. It's part of my St. Patrick's Day menu, along with lamb chops, carrots and soda bread. —Marilou Robinson, Portland, Oregon

Cilantro Potatoes

Fresh cilantro gives an exotic Syrian-style flavor to these easy, delicious skillet potatoes. They’re a creative complement to Mom’s tangy kabobs. —Weda Mosellie, Phillipsburg, New Jersey

Apricot-Ginger Acorn Squash

Sweet and savory flavors come together in this dish that will make a squash lover out of anyone. It’s a treat—but has hardly any butter, and low sodium. For less sugar, we like to use all-fruit apricot preserves. —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho

Two-Tone Baked Potatoes

One potato...two potato...this recipe is doubly wonderful as far as spud lovers are concerned. I have a reputation at home and at work for trying out new recipes. Everyone is glad I took a chance on this one. -Sherree Stahn, Central City, Nebraska

Cheese Smashed Potatoes

Who doesn't like mashed potatoes? Try this slimmed-down dish with any entree. —Janet Homes, Surprise, Arizona

Dill & Chive Peas

Growing my own vegetables and herbs helps keep things fresh in the kitchen, but frozen peas make this side is a breeze to prepare. —Tanna Richard, Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Easy Baked Mushrooms

Bet you've never had mushrooms quite like this! Skipping the deep fryer keeps them low in fat. —Denise DiPace, Medford, New Jersey

Corn Okra Creole

This dish is representative of my area of the country, and particularly the Texas-Louisiana border. The okra, corn and Creole seasonings are all popular here. —Ruth Aubey, San Antonio, Texas

Sweet Corn and Potato Gratin

This tasty potato gratin side dish combines great garlic and onion flavor, and kids love the nice crispy topping, too! —Jennifer Olson, Pleasanton, California

Lime and Sesame Grilled Eggplant

When I lived in Greece, I fell in love with eggplant. My recipe's seasonings have an Asian theme, but the dish still makes me think Greek. —Allyson Meyler, Greensboro, North Carolina

Tuscan-Style Roasted Asparagus

This is especially wonderful when locally grown asparagus is in season. It's so easy for celebrations because you can serve it hot or cold. —Jannine Fisk, Malden, Massachusetts

Swiss Chard with Onions & Garlic

I like to make this sauteed Swiss chard a main dish by serving it with pasta, but it’s also a tasty side dish all on its own. My boys love it and ask for it often. —Rebekah Chappel, Portales, New Mexico

Rigatoni Chard Toss

I had to get my firefighter husband to eat more fruits and veggies to lower his cholesterol and triglycerides. Fresh chard and tomatoes add a lot of fiber and vitamins to our diets, but we love this recipe for the flavor. While he would never admit to eating "health food" around the firehouse, this dish is one of many that made his trips to the doctor much more pleasant! —Carolyn Kumpe, El Dorado, California

Roasted Beets

This roasted beets recipe makes ordinary beets taste tender and delicious with just a few sweet and good-for-you ingredients. —Wendy Stenman, Germantown, Wisconsin

Easy Beans & Potatoes with Bacon

I created this recipe because I love the combination of green beans with bacon. It’s smart when company is coming because you can start the side dish in the slow cooker and continue preparing the rest of the dinner—or visit with your guests! —Barbara Brittain, Santee, California

Bok Choy and Radishes

This is such a great-tasting, good-for-you bok choy recipe. The simple dish capitalizes on the flavors of spring. —Ann Baker, Texarkana, Texas

Homemade Pasta

Try your hand at homemade pasta with this easy spinach dough. You don't need a pasta maker or other special equipment! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Smoky Cauliflower

The smoked Spanish paprika gives a simple side of roasted cauliflower extra depth. This is definitely a favorite. —Juliette Mulholland, Corvallis, Oregon

Fresh Green Beans & Garlic

I am a firm believer that fresh is best. I developed this recipe to take advantage of our garden veggies. It really shows off the full flavor of the green beans. —Carol Mayer, Sparta, Illinois

Garlic-Mashed Rutabagas & Potatoes

My family absolutely loves mashed potatoes. I created this recipe to lighten up the calories and sneak in a serving of rutabagas. If you have the time, boil the potatoes in chicken broth to add even more flavor. —Rosemary Tatum, Sterlington, Louisiana

Rosemary Sweet Potato Fries

A local restaurant got me hooked on sweet potato fries. I started making them at home with different seasonings to match the taste. I'm thrilled with the results! —Jackie Gregston, Hallsville, Texas

Spinach Rice

I like to serve this Greek-style rice dish alongside steaks with mushrooms. It makes an elegant side that can be doubled for guests. —Jeanette Cakouros, Brunswick, Maine