Hey BBQ lovers! Summer is the perfect time for cookouts and potlucks, and we’ve got the ultimate collection of side dishes to make your gatherings unforgettable. From tangy salads to creamy casseroles, these must-try recipes are sure to impress your guests and complement your main dishes perfectly. Everyone knows that Sides are the best part of any meal!
Southern Baked Beans Recipe with Ground Beef
Sweet and smoky baked beans are a Southern classic and the perfect side dish for a cookout or BBQ. Simmered in a skillet in a blend of smoky bacon, molasses, and tangy barbecue sauce, they’re hard to beat. Southern baked beans also have ground beef added, which gives great flavor and heartiness to this classic side dish.
Get the Recipe: Baked Beans with Ground Beef
Creamy Southern Macaroni Salad with Cheese
Warm Up Your Winter: Southern Classics!
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A combination of both sour cream and mayonnaise create the creamiest Southern macaroni salad around. A hint of sweet and sour along with grated cheese makes this the star of any potluck or cook out. A fantastic make ahead summer salad that gets even better after a day in the fridge. No mushy bland salad here!
Get the Recipe: Creamy Southern Macaroni Salad with Cheese
Broccoli Salad with Cranberries and a Honey Yogurt Dressing
A light and fresh broccoli salad coated in a honey yogurt dressing is just what you need for a backyard cook-out or to add to a holiday table. Red onions and dried cranberries add a sweet and savory touch, and of course bacon makes everything tastier. Make it a day ahead and add the dressing an hour before serving.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Salad with Cranberries and a Honey Yogurt Dressing
Loaded Ranch Potato Salad with Bacon
This Ranch potato salad with bacon, cheese and a sour cream ranch dressing is just what you need for a potluck or cook out. All the flavors of a loaded baked potato plus a flavorful dressing to coat tender new potatoes.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Ranch Potato Salad with Bacon
Baked Macaroni Pie with Just 5 Ingredients
Baked macaroni and cheese has a rich, creamy texture and is so easy to make. Just pop it in the oven and forget about it and you’ll have a perfect balance of creamy sauce and savory noodles, making it a true comfort food classic. Prep in under 30 minutes, with only 5 ingredients.
Get the Recipe: Baked Macaroni Pie with Just 5 Ingredients
Green Beans and New Potato Salad with Honey Vinaigrette
Full of fresh summer flavors, this cold green bean salad recipe adds in tender new potatoes for a refreshing take on a classic summer meal. Once you’ve boiled the potatoes and fresh beans, you’re basically done! The homemade dressing gets a boost from honey and red onion for a tangy, but delicate flavor that’ll be the star of summer cookouts to come.
Get the Recipe: Green Beans and New Potato Salad with Honey Vinaigrette
Cornbread Corn Pudding
A creamy corn pudding recipe is the ultimate comfort food. A custardy pudding with toasted cornbread added for your new favorite side dish. A must for Thanksgiving, Easter or a potluck but also should be enjoyed as a side for any meal.
Get the Recipe: Cornbread Corn Pudding
Sweet Potato Casserole with Tart Peaches
Full of flavor and perfect for making ahead, this homemade sweet potato casserole gets a tart summer twist with the addition of ripe peaches. Enjoy smooth, creamy sweet potatoes topped with a crunchy, toasty, praline-esque pecan topping.
Get the Recipes: Sweet Potato Casserole with Tart Peaches
Summer Squash Casserole with Ritz Crackers
This scrumptious Squash Casserole is a crowd-pleaser. Featuring sliced yellow squash, onions, and a cheesy sour cream sauce, this casserole is a comforting and flavorful addition to any meal. Topped with a crunchy layer of buttery Ritz crackers, it adds the perfect finishing touch to this irresistible dish.
Get the Recipe: Summer Squash Casserole with Ritz Crackers
Classic Pea Salad with Cheddar Cheese
This creamy Southern pea salad bursts with flavors of the South, blending tender fresh or frozen peas with sharp cheddar cheese, smooth mayonnaise, and tangy sour cream. Its’ quick and simple preparation, with a unique combination of ingredients, creates a delightful summer salad that captures the essence of a Southern potluck.
Get the Recipe: Classic Pea Salad with Cheddar Cheese
Creamy Homemade Macaroni & Cheese with Evaporated Milk
Enjoy the ultimate comfort food with this creamy, cheesy Mac and Cheese. The rich cheese sauce, made with evaporated milk, coates the cooked elbow noodles for a decadent spoonful every time. This recipe has a cheesier, smoother, and creamier sauce than you’re used to—especially if this is your first time making homemade mac and cheese. The best part? It’s quick and easy, so it’s perfect for busy weeknights, family dinners, or special occasions.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Homemade Macaroni & Cheese with Evaporated Milk
Cold Antipasto Pasta Salad with Pepperoncini Peppers
Be the star at your next picnic or potluck with this Italian-inspired pasta salad. It’s like a cheese board but in salad form with tangy pepperoncini peppers, salty and savory cured meats, and sweet roasted peppers that all come together with chewy pasta and a seriously flavorful dressing for a truly show-stopping pasta salad.
Get the Recipe: Cold Antipasto Pasta Salad with Pepperoncini Peppers
Easy Overnight 7 Layer Salad Recipe
With its gorgeous rows of colors and bright flavors, this classic Southern seven-layer salad is the perfect make-ahead dish for family gatherings or a church potluck. Served in a clear glass bowl that showcases all the beautiful colors, this layered salad makes a gorgeous centerpiece to your dinner table.
Get the Recipe: Easy Overnight 7 Layer Salad Recipe
Creamy Bacon Cheddar Ranch Pasta Salad
This is one of those summer BBQ dishes that will have everyone asking you for the recipe! With all the classic flavors of creamy ranch dressing, salty bacon, and sharp cheddar cheese, this pasta salad is a refreshing crowd pleaser that can be thrown together in less than 20 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Bacon Cheddar Ranch Pasta Sala
Quick Broccoli & Cheese Sauce Casserole
This quick-baked broccoli and cheddar cheese sauce casserole is a simple side dish made with fresh broccoli florets. It’s made without canned soup! Instead, a flavourful from-scratch cheddar cheese sauce coats the steamed broccoli.
Get the Recipe: Quick Broccoli & Cheese Sauce Casserole
Summer Pasta Salad with Fresh Peaches
This peach pasta salad recipe uses fresh peach slices, sweet corn, juicy grape tomatoes, pine nuts, and your favorite pasta for a bright, light, and refreshing summer salad. Boil the noodles, assemble your produce, and toss it in a simple homemade dressing, and you’re done!
Get the Recipe: Summer Pasta Salad with Fresh Peaches
Fluffy Cornbread Biscuits
A Southern dinner isn’t complete without a side of cornbread or a buttery biscuit. Try these easy Buttermilk Cornbread Biscuits for the best of both worlds! They’re moist and fluffy with a great cornbread taste.
Get the Recipe: Fluffy Cornbread Biscuits
Tangy Cucumber Salad with Apple Cider Vinegar
This tangy Cucumber Salad is light, refreshing, and perfect for warm summer days. Since it has no mayo, it’s perfect for bringing to outdoor parties and summer barbecues–and the flavors only intensify as it sits. Despite the low-effort recipe, it’ll make a big impact!
Get the Recipe: Tangy Cucumber Salad with Apple Cider Vinegar
Cast Iron Sweet Peach Cornbread
Classic sweet buttermilk cornbread is studded with fresh peaches baked right into it, resulting in a delightful combination of flavors and textures. It’s baked in a cast iron skillet, which gives it crisp, golden brown edges. Serve it warm with honey butter for breakfast, alongside grilled pork tenderloin for dinner, or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for dessert.
Get the Recipe: Cast Iron Sweet Peach Cornbread
No Mayo Roasted Potato Salad with Bacon
This warm roasted potato salad is not only great for your next potluck or cook out, but it’s perfect for a simple dinner. Roasted crispy potatoes and bacon in a balsamic dressing without mayo! Not your Mom’s potato salad, but possibly better.
Get the Recipe: No Mayo Roasted Potato Salad with Bacon
Mixed Fruit Salad with Honey Lime Dressing
Guys, this honey lime dressing is a fabulous addition to your next fruit salad. Ready within 15 minutes, it’s the perfect summer salad. The simple addition of lime zest adds a punch of flavor and brightens whatever fruit you have available. You’re going to love it at your next potluck or family dinner.
Get the Recipe: Mixed Fruit Salad with Honey Lime Dressing
Southern Style Baked Mac and Cheese with Pimentos
Combine Southern pimento cheese with a creamy mac and cheese recipe and you get an easy side dish that you can prep in 15 minutes. It’s baked in the oven for an ultra cheesy casserole with just a touch of hot sauce for a zesty kick.
Get the Recipe: Southern Style Baked Mac and Cheese with Pimentos
Twice Baked Mashed Potatoes
A mashed potato casserole is thick and cheesy, with all the flavors of a twice baked potato but in casserole form. Make it ahead of time for a large gathering or potluck. It’s a great alternative to mashed potatoes.
Get the Recipe: Twice Baked Mashed Potatoes
Tex-Mex Casserole with Squash
Summer squash with Tex-Mex seasoning is a great way to enjoy fresh squash from the farmers market. With crunchy tortilla chips as a base you’ll love this cheesy Tex-Mex casserole.
Get the Recipe: Tex-Mex Casserole with Squash
Bow Tie Pasta Salad with Basil Pesto
Whip up a mouthwatering bow tie pasta salad with basil pesto in no time. This recipe is packed with fresh basil and spinach and of course garlic and pine nuts. Add some cherry tomatoes for an ideal summer salad. Perfect for busy cooks, you can have it on the table in less than 30 minutes!
Get the Recipe: Bow Tie Pasta Salad with Basil Pesto
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