7 Healthy and Easy Vegetable Side Dishes

Sometimes we take the time and energy to plan our main dishes, but forget to plan for our vegetable sides… and we fall back on the same boring vegetable sides that we’re so tired of. No more! Here are 7 healthy and easy vegetable side dishes that you can prepare fast so you can focus your cooking energy on your main dish!

Easy Balsamic Roasted Brussels Sprouts

So many people despise brussels sprouts, but they probably haven’t tried this recipe. Any vegetable tastes better roasted rather than steamed and this is certainly true of brussels sprouts. Add a few tablespoons of balsamic vinegar along with olive oil, salt, and pepper, and you’ve got yourself an easy vegetable side dish that even your kids will like.

Garlic Cauliflower “Mashed Potatoes”

Like mashed potatoes, but don’t like how full it makes you? Try mashed cauliflower with garlic, butter, salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Just mash it with a food processor and serve! It goes really well with meatballs and sauce or meatloaf or any heavy meat dish. The best part? You can even make it ahead of time and just heat it up when you’re ready to eat!

Honeyed Carrots

Honey and carrots is a beautiful food marriage, when done right. This recipe combines fresh garlic, fresh rosemary, fresh parsley, butter, honey, and olive oil to create a beautiful dish of honeyed carrots. After a couple of minutes in a pan, you’ve got yourself an easy vegetable side dish ready to go!

Garlic Portobello Mushrooms with Pecorino Romano

Cooked portobello mushrooms taste awesome when they’re cooked to the point that their moisture has all evaporated, as evidenced by this great recipe. After you slice and cook the mushrooms with garlic, salt, and pepper, pile the steaming hot mushroom slices on a plate and grate pecorino romano cheese over it for an easy and delicious vegetable side.

Parmesan Zucchini and Corn

Made in only 10 minutes, this vegetable side of zucchini and corn is easy to make and so satisfying to eat. With the addition of dried herbs (basil, oregano, and thyme) and a fresh herb (cilantro), this easy veggie side goes great with a main dish of chicken or fish.

Caesar Green Beans

This green bean recipe is made easy with the help of a bottled Caesar salad dressing and made even more delicious with grated parmesan cheese on top. Doesn’t that sound like something that kids would like?

Lemon Garlic Roasted Asparagus

Whenever I see fresh asparagus in the grocery store, I always pick it up because I know I can prepare it in just a few minutes for a great vegetable side dish! This delicious recipe shows you how. All you need is a lemon, garlic powder, olive oil, and salt and pepper. Toss everything on a foil-lined baking sheet and cook for a few minutes and enjoy!

A beautifully prepared vegetable side dish is a delicious addition to a main dish and it’s even better when you can cook it with minimal effort. What are your favorite easy vegetable side dishes?

For more easy recipes, check out 8 Quick and Easy Portable Breakfast Ideas and 3 Savory and Easy Sweet Potato Recipes.

Feature and title image via Better Homes & Gardens.

Published: September 23, 2014Filed Under: Foodieaholic, Recipes, Round Up Posts, Side Dishes Tagged: cooking, food, Healthy Living Tips, Recipes, vegetables

About Elisa

I’m Elisa and I live in Austin, Texas with my husband and our two little girls. I used to teach reading and writing, but now I stay at home with my two kiddos and read and write in my spare time. I also love to undertake DIY projects, find new recipes on Pinterest, and dream about someday finally completing our home. Above all, I love to learn about new things and sharing my new-found knowledge with others.