While the entree cooks, fix a speedy stovetop side dish of Spicy Carrots. "After my sister brought the carrots to a family gathering, my husband begged me to asked for the recipe," recalls Dawn Flanigan...
This scalloped potatoes with apples dish is delicious with breaded baked pork chops, which you could cook at the same time in another cast-iron pan. We are retired and it's just the two of us, but you...
When you're in the mood for Mexican food, reach for this recipe. The tomato, corn and bean mixture can also be refrigerated and eaten as a relish without the rice.
The smoked Spanish paprika gives a simple side of roasted cauliflower extra depth. This is definitely a favorite. -Juliette Mulholland, Corvallis, Oregon
This satisfying side dish resembles an old-fashioned spoon bread with zip. My family and friends agree this recipe really dresses up plain corn. It's a convenient dish to transport to a potluck. - Laura...
As a newlywed, I used to agonize over meal preparation. Now I enjoy trying new recipes, and some - like this tasty side dish - turn out to be very popular with my family. These croquettes are crisp and...
These creamy, buttery mashed potatoes use simple ingredients. The tricks are to use Yukon Gold potatoes and then to warm the cream and butter before adding them to the potatoes. -Rashanda Cobbins, Milwaukee,...
When we were young mothers, I asked my best friend if she had a recipe for an easy ambrosia salad that I could take to a cookout later that evening. She shared this recipe with me and it's become a must-have...
In Duluth, Georgia, Anne-Lise Botting whips up a seasoned butter to spice up corn-on-the-cob. "Flavored with garlic and chili powders, the butter is the perfect complement to fresh corn," she says.
Don't shy away from trying this deliciously different dish featuring brussels sprouts and apples. Even folks who aren't fond of brussels sprouts won't be able to resist it!
After the turkey's done, I dial up the oven temp and roast carrots and squash for this yummy side. That frees me up to start the gravy. -Lily Julow, Lawrenceville, Georgia
This is a refreshing salad that adds a little zip to a festive dinner. Our state is second to Florida in production of oranges, so this recipe truly represents my area. I hope you get the chance to try...
A kid-pleaser and the perfect comfort food, this gooey orzo casserole is a complete meal in one. For an extra homey touch, I make mine in my favorite hand-me-down casserole dish from my Grandma Laverne....
Packed with pears, this jolly gelatin salad is a light and refreshing treat. My mom knew that fruit served in this fun form would get gobbled right up. She also liked it because the bowl looked like a...
I created these mashed sweet potatoes shortly after my firstborn began eating solid food. She loved them then and still does today, as does her little sister. The recipe is a staple in our home year-round,...
The original version of this recipe was given to me by a Mexican friend, but I've modified the spices to suit my family's tastes. It's become a favorite at our house-see if it doesn't do the same at yours!...
I usually serve this as a side dish with poultry or pork. As the wonderful aroma wafts through the house, I'm always asked, "Is dinner ready yet?" So don't be surprised if your gang comes to the table...
My mother came from Ireland as a teen and brought this homey recipe with her. I find that it's a fantastic way to get my family to eat cooked cabbage-it is hidden in Grandma's potatoes! -Marie Pagel, Lena,...
Juicy cranberries and crunchy pine nuts easily dress up rice in this special side dish. The subtle flavors make it an appropriate accompaniment to many entrees.
Although this is a wonderful way to use leftover carrots and cranberry sauce, I often find myself making it specifically for Thanksgiving dinner. -Mary Ann Gilbert, Cincinnati, Ohio
Corn au gratin is an essential part of any family get-together, and it's even better when paired with tomatoes in this delicious dish. —Holly Jones, Kennesaw, Georgia
I first served this at an Easter dinner. Delicious! My guests suggested I use even more shallots. It's so easy, nutritious and always a hit! -Rosemary Schirm, Avondale, Pennsylvania
Drizzled with a tangy dressing, this appealing salad makes a colorful and tasty alternative to the usual tossed salad. Plus, you can assemble it in minutes. -Jodi Grable, Springfield, Missouri
My husband likes spicy dishes, and this is one of his favorites. He usually takes what's left to work for lunch the next day. We have a 4-year-old son, and this is the only way we can get him to even touch...
Our family cherishes a tradition of sweet potatoes with apples and raisins. If I suggest something different, they say "Oh NO, Beema, that's part of the love." -Judy Batson, Tampa, Florida
Fresh vegetables need little more than sauting in oil and tossing with basil to enhance their flavor. Feel free to experiment with different vegetables.
The tantalizing aroma of this savory side dish baking in the oven is sure to whet your appetite. Mom scoops the pulp out of zucchini halves and mixes it with tomato, Parmesan cheese, bread crumbs and parsley....
Although it looks like a grain, couscous is actually a type of pasta. The couscous pellets cook very quickly due to their small size. You'll find it near the Middle Eastern or Mediterranean foods.
Soy sauce and peanut butter flavor these crisp-tender beans. "They're a nice change from the usual green bean salads and casseroles," says Robin Joss from Ashburn, Virginia. "With a sesame seed crunch,...
My husband is the No. 1 fan of this south-of-the-border potato salad. The leftovers make an awesome late-night snack, straight from the fridge. -Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah
My twins wouldn't eat anything that even resembled a vegetable, but they ate seconds and sometimes thirds of this fabulous spinach. I received the recipe from a friend several years ago, and it's been...
This recipe is popular on both sides of the border. It came from a friend in Alaska, then traveled with me to old Mexico, where I lived for 5 years, and is now a potluck favorite in my Arkansas community....
Colorful gelatin salad adds a spot of brightness to any table. It blends well with this holiday feast. We children didn't know if it should be a salad or dessert, with its smooth texture and delicate flavor.-Fae...
"MOTHER called this her secret recipe, and to this day, I'm not quite sure I have all the ingredients she used in it. But it still tastes great, so who knows-maybe I acquired some of her 'touch'. After...
When you roast green beans and tomatoes, their flavors really shine through. The vibrant colors light up a table. What a perfect side dish for the holidays! -Brittany Allyn, Mesa, Arizona
After enjoying this creamy, snazzed-up potato casserole at a wedding dinner, my daughters and I asked the caterer to share the recipe. Because it can be made ahead, it's a great recipe for busy cooks....
What are all those specks and spices in your Italian dressing? You probably have them in your pantry. Create your own signature blend to toss with pasta, greens and fresh spring vegetables. -Lorraine Caland,...
Light and fluffy, this blend of rice and quinoa has a fun texture, and carrots, onion and broccoli give it pops of flavor. -Jill Heatwole, Pittsville, Maryland
I created this recipe myself. The cheddar cheese and bread crumb topping makes it a pretty casserole for a holiday dinner. You can easily double the amounts if you're having a larger group.
I grew up on grits and have fixed them various ways. I decided to put a new twist on them with this recipe, and my husband says it's a keeper. Even the leftovers are good.-Barbara Moorhead, Gaffney, South...
I sampled this recipe at a 25th anniversary party and was told it was a family favorite, courtesy of a Polish grandmother. I shared the recipe with my sister-in-law's family and she told me her five-year-old...
Valerie Belley of St. Louis, Missouri stir-fries a medley of six vegetables to create this colorful side dish for two that she serves on a bed of rice. "It's hard to believe to beat this elegant dish.
This fruit salad is a tradition on my Christmas table. It goes together quickly, which is a plus on such a busy day. -Rousheen Arel Wolf, Delta Junction, Alaska
Years ago, our vegetable garden kept us well-supplied all year long. Dad stored huge piles of potatoes and squash in the coldest part of the basement. In winter the squash was so hard. Mother sometimes...