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    Home » MSN Slideshows

    25 Easter Sides So Good They Quiet the Main Dish

    Published: Apr 1, 2026 by Barbara Curry

    Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links.

    The main dish might be the centerpiece, but these sides have other plans. Packed with flavor and impossible to ignore, they tend to steal attention (and seconds) from everything else on the table. Don’t be surprised if these are what everyone remembers most.

    Balsamic Asparagus & Mushrooms Side

    Balsamic vinegar being poured over asparagus and mushrooms.
    Balsamic Asparagus and Mushrooms. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.


     

    Earthy asparagus and mushrooms roasted to tender perfection with balsamic glaze. A simple side that elevates any Easter feast.
    Get the Recipe: Balsamic Asparagus and Mushrooms

    Creamy Southern Corn Pudding

    A baked corn pudding in a casserole dish.
    Southern Style Corn Pudding Recipe – 10 Minutes. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

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    This golden, creamy corn pudding is lightly sweet and perfect for holiday tables. A comforting side that keeps everyone coming back for more.
    Get the Recipe: Southern Style Corn Pudding Recipe – 10 Minutes

    Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes Bliss

    Butter on top of a bowl of mashed potatoes.
    Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes with Mascarpone Cheese. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Fluffy Yukon Gold potatoes blended with mascarpone for an irresistible creamy side. A decadent dish that quietly steals the spotlight from the main course.
    Get the Recipe: Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes with Mascarpone Cheese

    Oven-Roasted Cabbage with Cherries

    Two serving spoons in a plate of roasted cabbage.
    Roasted Cabbage in the Oven with Dried Cherries. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Sweet dried cherries and smoky paprika make roasted cabbage anything but ordinary. A flavorful side that pairs perfectly with Easter ham.
    Get the Recipe: Roasted Cabbage in the Oven with Dried Cherries

    Sweet Potato & Chorizo Skillet Hash

    A skillet filled with cooked diced vegetables and crumbled chorizo, garnished with fresh herbs. This vibrant Sweet Potato Hash features orange, brown, and green tones, with a metal spoon resting in the pan, ready to serve.
    Crispy Sweet Potato and Chorizo Hash in One Skillet. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Crispy sweet potatoes and spicy chorizo cooked in one skillet for easy flavor. A zesty side that adds color and excitement to your Easter plate.
    Get the Recipe: Crispy Sweet Potato and Chorizo Hash in One Skillet

    Classic Amish Potato Salad

    Traditional Amish Potato Salad. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

    Creamy, sweet, and tangy Amish potato salad brings family gatherings together. A traditional side that shines without overpowering your main dish.
    Get the Recipe: Traditional Amish Potato Salad

    Air Fryer Eggplant Fries Delight

    Crispy Air Fryer Eggplant Fries. Photo credit: Peel with Zeal.

    Crispy, golden eggplant fries made in the air fryer for a lighter touch. Perfectly seasoned, they’re a side that gets everyone dipping.
    Get the Recipe: Crispy Air Fryer Eggplant Fries

    Scalloped Potatoes & Ham Bake

    A serving spoon removing some potato and ham casserole.
    Old-Fashioned Scalloped Potatoes and Ham with Gruyere. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Layers of tender potatoes, ham, and Gruyere baked to creamy perfection. A hearty side that’s just as memorable as the main course.
    Get the Recipe: Old-Fashioned Scalloped Potatoes and Ham with Gruyere

    Smoky Skillet Charred Corn

    Cooked corn in a skillet with a wooden spoon.
    Skillet Charred Corn Recipe. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Golden, smoky corn with a touch of caramelization that excites the taste buds. A simple side that elevates any Easter meal.
    Get the Recipe: Skillet Charred Corn Recipe

    Candied Yams Stove-Top Sweetness

    A bowl filled with southern candied yams and sweet potatoes in a thick, caramelized sauce, sitting on a light blue surface with a gray cloth in the background.
    Stove Top Candied Yams Recipe. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Sweet, spiced yams glazed in a buttery, rich sauce. A nostalgic Easter side everyone will reach for first.
    Get the Recipe: Stove Top Candied Yams Recipe

    Zesty Spicy Fruit Salad

    A bowl of summer fruit with dressing being poured over the top.
    Spicy Fruit Salad with Star Anise. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Bright fruit tossed with chili-lime and star anise for a lively side. Sweet, spicy, and perfect for an Easter table that wows.
    Get the Recipe: Spicy Fruit Salad with Star Anise

    Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Pears

    Balsamic vinegar being poured over roasted sweet potatoes.
    Crispy Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Pears. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Caramelized sweet potatoes paired with tender pears create a perfectly balanced side. Elegant, simple, and Easter-ready.
    Get the Recipe: Crispy Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Pears

    No-Boil Crockpot Mac & Cheese

    Easy Crockpot Mac and Cheese (No Boil). Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Creamy, cheesy mac and cheese made effortlessly in the crockpot. A hands-off side that comforts and delights every bite.
    Get the Recipe: Easy Crockpot Mac and Cheese (No Boil)

    Strawberry Pretzel Side Salad

    Strawberry Pretzel Salad Without Cool Whip. Photo credit: State of Dinner.

    Sweet strawberries and salty pretzels come together for a crunchy, creamy side. A playful dish that’s perfect for Easter gatherings.
    Get the Recipe: Strawberry Pretzel Salad Without Cool Whip

    Air Fryer Zucchini Fries

    Crispy Zucchini Fries (Air Fryer). Photo credit: Peel with Zeal.

    Crunchy, Parmesan-coated zucchini fries made quickly in the air fryer. A crispy, flavorful side that makes veggies the star.
    Get the Recipe: Crispy Zucchini Fries (Air Fryer)

    Crispy Garlic Parmesan Hasselbacks

    Garlic Parmesan Hasselback Potatoes Recipe. Photo credit: State of Dinner.

    These Hasselback potatoes are golden, crispy, and full of garlic flavor. Perfect as an Easter side that steals the show.
    Get the Recipe: Garlic Parmesan Hasselback Potatoes Recipe

    Cheesy Green Tomato Casserole

    Creamy Cheesy Green Tomato Casserole Recipe. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

    This creamy green tomato casserole bakes to a golden perfection with a buttery topping. Tangy and comforting, it’s a springtime side that impresses every guest.
    Get the Recipe: Creamy Cheesy Green Tomato Casserole Recipe

    Gruyere Scalloped Potatoes

    Creamy Scalloped Potatoes with Gruyere. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Thinly sliced potatoes baked in a creamy Gruyere sauce create a rich, savory side. These scalloped potatoes are a holiday must-have that quietly steal attention.
    Get the Recipe: Creamy Scalloped Potatoes with Gruyere

    Classic Apple Waldorf Salad

    Old Fashioned Apple Waldorf Salad with Raisins. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Fresh apples, grapes, and walnuts in a creamy dressing make this salad a crisp, sweet side. It’s a nostalgic Easter dish that guests rave about.
    Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Apple Waldorf Salad with Raisins

    Southern Mac and Cheese Delight

    Southern Old Fashioned Macaroni and Cheese. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Rich, creamy, and ultra-cheesy, this macaroni is a Southern classic. It’s a comforting Easter side that competes with the main course for attention.
    Get the Recipe: Southern Old Fashioned Macaroni and Cheese

    Gruyere Leek Mashed Potatoes

    Gruyere and Leek Mashed Potatoes. Photo credit: State of Dinner.

    These mashed potatoes are silky, cheesy, and rich with leek flavor. A show-stopping side that elevates any Easter meal.
    Get the Recipe: Gruyere and Leek Mashed Potatoes

    Crispy Oven Roasted Potatoes

    Oven Roasted Potatoes. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Boiled then roasted, these potatoes achieve maximum crispiness. A simple Easter side that delivers big flavor with minimal effort.
    Get the Recipe: Oven Roasted Potatoes

    Sausage Mac and Cheese Bake

    Sausage Mac and Cheese. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    This Mac and Cheese with sausage and peppers is indulgent and rich. It’s a hearty side that makes your Easter spread unforgettable.
    Get the Recipe: Sausage Mac and Cheese

    Retro Cranberry Jello Salad

    Cranberry Jello Salad. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Layered cranberry Jello with cream cheese topping makes a colorful Easter side. Sweet, tangy, and nostalgic, it’s perfect for holiday tables.
    Get the Recipe: Cranberry Jello Salad

    Slow Cooker Green Bean Casserole

    Slow cooker Green Bean Casserole. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Fresh green beans in a creamy mushroom sauce make this casserole a standout. Cooked low and slow, it’s the perfect fuss-free Easter side.
    Get the Recipe: Slow cooker Green Bean Casserole

    Everyone Waits All Year for These 26 Easter Brunch Recipes

    A collage of four breakfast dishes: apple skillet cake, stacked waffles with syrup, chocolate chip pancakes with whipped cream, and glazed scones—just like when I brought these Easter appetizers to one gathering, each plate is beautifully presented on dark plates.

    If you’re planning your Easter brunch menu, these recipes are guaranteed to make the morning feel like a celebration.
    Grab it here: Everyone Waits All Year for These 26 Easter Brunch Recipes

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    Barbara holds a tote bag filled with flowers, baguettes, and fresh produce at an indoor market.

    Barbara Curry is the culinary adventurer of Butter & Baggage. With a dedicated enthusiasm for real butter made from happy cows she is in constant pursuit of delicious recipes and tasty dishes. She shares her experiences, ventures, and occasional misadventures because let’s face it things can get messy in any kitchen.

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