The Main Course Can Wait! 21 Side Dishes For Impatient Eaters

Ever find yourself more excited about the side dishes than the main course? Well, here are 21 side dishes out there that are so irresistible, that you might just forget about the main meal. They’re quick and delicious, and they might just steal the show at your next meal. So, why wait for the main dish when the sides are this good?

A fork lifting a cheesy bite from a bowl of chicken casserole topped with bacon and breadcrumbs.
Easy Chicken Casserole. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Copycat Olive Garden Ravioli Carbonara

A dish of ravioli with bacon and parsley that can be found at Olive Garden.
Copycat Olive Garden Ravioli Carbonara. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Indulge into the creamy delight of our Copycat Olive Garden Ravioli Carbonara and you might just pause everything else. This side dish brings a taste of Italy right to your table, with its rich flavors and pleasing texture. It’s so good, that you’ll be tempted to make it the main event.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Olive Garden Ravioli Carbonara

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Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Drumsticks

Glazed barbecued chicken drumsticks on a white plate.
Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Drumsticks. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

With our Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Drumsticks on the table, who can wait for the main dish? They’re juicy, they’re smoky, and they’re just the right kind of crispy. This is the kind of side that often steals the spotlight, thanks to the air fryer magic.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Drumsticks

Eggplant Casserole

A plate of eggplant casserole with sauce and cheese.
Eggplant Casserole. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

When you taste this Eggplant Casserole, you might just forget all about the main dish. It’s so rich and hearty, filled with flavors that blend perfectly together. You’ll find yourself wanting to dig in the moment it’s out of the oven, making it a perfect pick for those who can’t wait.
Get the Recipe: Eggplant Casserole

Yellow Lentil Dal

A bowl of yellow lentil dal with sour cream and a spoon.
Yellow Lentil Dal. Photo credit: Two City Vegans.

Looking for a tasty side dish? Our Yellow Lentil Dal is a flavorful and wholesome side dish that’s ready in no time. It’s packed with protein and spices, making it a perfect accompaniment to any meal. Perfect for impatient eaters who want something hearty and flavorful without waiting for the main course.
Get the Recipe: Yellow Lentil Dal

The BEST Cheeseburger Casserole

Fork lifting a serving of cheesy cheeseburger casserole garnished with parsley.
The BEST Cheeseburger Casserole. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

When the main course can wait, indulge in our The BEST Cheeseburger Casserole. It’s like having all the flavors of a cheeseburger in a comforting casserole dish. Perfect for impatient eaters who want something wholesome and delicious on the side.
Get the Recipe: The BEST Cheeseburger Casserole

Fluffy Thai Jasmine Rice

A bowl of Thai jasmine rice and chili peppers.
Fluffy Thai Jasmine Rice. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

There’s something special about our Fluffy Thai Jasmine Rice that makes any meal better. It’s light, it’s fragrant, and it pairs well with just about anything. But don’t be surprised if you find yourself scooping it up before anything else is ready—it’s that good.
Get the Recipe: Fluffy Thai Jasmine Rice

Air Fryer Broccoli

A bowl of air fried broccoli garnished with grated cheese and lemon wedges.
Air Fryer Broccoli. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Make way for a side dish that’s quick, easy, and oh-so-delicious: Air Fryer Broccoli. It’s crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and bursting with flavor. Perfect for impatient eaters who want their veggies to be both quick and tasty.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Broccoli

Vegetable Casserole

A baked casserole with a golden breadcrumb topping, garnished with fresh herbs.
Vegetable Casserole. Photo credit: Two City Vegans.

Vegetable Casserole is a side dish that shines bright on any dinner table. Packed with colorful veggies, it’s a wholesome and pleasing addition to any meal. Perfect for those times when the main course can wait, but you still want something hearty and delicious.
Get the Recipe: Vegetable Casserole

Vegan Chicken Nuggets

Vegan chicken nuggets in a bowl with dip.
Vegan Chicken Nuggets. Photo credit: Two City Vegans.

Who says side dishes can’t steal the show? Our Vegan Chicken Nuggets are a hit with their crispy exterior and tender inside. They’re so good, that you might forget about the main course altogether. These nuggets are perfect for impatient eaters craving something tasty and quick.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Chicken Nuggets

Easy Tater Tot Casserole

A serving of tater tot casserole on a spoon.
Easy Tater Tot Casserole. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Experience the crispy, creamy world of our Easy Tater Tot Casserole and you might forget there’s more to the meal. It’s a comfort food classic that’s so easy to love, that you’ll be scooping seconds before the main course even makes an appearance.
Get the Recipe: Easy Tater Tot Casserole

Copycat Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplings

A bowl of Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplings garnished with chopped parsley.
Copycat Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplings. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Get ready for a comfort food experience with our Copycat Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplings. This dish is so delicious, with its tender chicken and soft dumplings, that it often becomes the star of the meal. It’s a comforting choice that’s hard to resist, even for a moment.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplings

Air Fryer Asparagus

An air fryer pile of asparagus with grated cheese.
Air Fryer Asparagus. Photo credit: Two City Vegans.

Crispy, tender, and oh-so flavorful, that’s what you get with our Air Fryer Asparagus. It’s a side dish that’s so good, you won’t want to wait for the main course. Quick to cook and packed with taste, it’s a sure way to satisfy your hunger in no time.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Asparagus

Wild Rice Casserole

A bowl of pasta with lemon slices and parmesan cheese.
Wild Rice Casserole. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Our Wild Rice Casserole is a side dish that’s sure to please even the most impatient eaters. It’s hearty, it’s flavorful, and it’s packed with wholesome ingredients. Perfect for those times when you want something substantial and wholesome without waiting for the main course.
Get the Recipe: Wild Rice Casserole

Air Fryer Glazed Carrots

Air fryer glazed carrots in a bowl with parsley.
Air Fryer Glazed Carrots. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

The main course can wait when you have Air Fryer Glazed Carrots on your plate. They’re sweet, they’re caramelized, and they’re downright irresistible. These carrots are perfect for impatient eaters who want a side dish that’s quick, easy, and full of flavor.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Glazed Carrots

Easy Walking Taco Casserole

A freshly baked taco casserole garnished with lettuce, tomatoes, and green onions.
Easy Walking Taco Casserole. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Who needs plates when you have our Easy Walking Taco Casserole? This dish is a fun, flavorful mix that’s like a taco in casserole form. It’s so good and easy to serve, making it a hit for anyone who’s too eager to wait for the main dish.
Get the Recipe: Easy Walking Taco Casserole

Air Fryer Chicken Wings (Extra Crispy!)

Air fryer chicken wings served with fresh tomatoes and herbs on a plate.
Air Fryer Chicken Wings (Extra Crispy!). Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Think of biting into the most perfect, Extra Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings. They’re so good, that you might just forget about everything else. Cooked to perfection in the air fryer, they’re a side dish that often ends up as the star of the show.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Wings (Extra Crispy!)

Cauliflower Steaks

Cauliflower steaks with pomegranate and pistachios on a plate.
Cauliflower Steaks. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Who needs a main course when you have Cauliflower Steaks on the table? These hearty slices of cauliflower are roasted to perfection, making them a wholesome side dish. Perfect for impatient eaters who want something substantial and delicious right away.
Get the Recipe: Cauliflower Steaks

Asparagus Casserole

Cheesy asparagus casserole on a plate with a fork.
Asparagus Casserole. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Asparagus Casserole is the side dish that steals the spotlight. With its creamy sauce and tender asparagus spears, it’s a dish that’s hard to resist. Perfect for impatient eaters who want something comforting and flavorful while they wait for the main course.
Get the Recipe: Asparagus Casserole

Minestrone Soup

Two bowls of soup with pasta and vegetables.
Minestrone Soup. Photo credit: Two City Vegans.

Sometimes, a hearty soup is all you need to satisfy your hunger while the main course cooks. Minestrone Soup is packed with vegetables, beans, and pasta, making it a filling and delicious side dish. Perfect for impatient eaters who want something comforting and nourishing.
Get the Recipe: Minestrone Soup

Easy Chicken Casserole

A fork lifting a cheesy bite from a bowl of chicken casserole topped with bacon and breadcrumbs.
Easy Chicken Casserole. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

If you’re looking for something comforting and wholesome, our Easy Chicken Casserole is the answer. It’s creamy, it’s hearty, and it’s got all the right flavors to make you want to skip straight to it. A perfect dish for those who can’t wait to eat.
Get the Recipe: Easy Chicken Casserole

Air Fryer Homemade Fries

A serving of golden-brown french fries with a side of ketchup.
Air Fryer Homemade Fries. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

When you’re too hungry to wait for the main course, Air Fryer Homemade Fries come to the rescue. They’re crispy, they’re golden, and they’re ready in no time. These fries are perfect for impatient eaters who want a wholesome side dish without the wait.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Homemade Fries

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