Get a load of this: sour cream, bacon, shredded cheddar, green onions and more come together to give you all the richness of restaurant potato skins at your next picnic. -Monique Boulanger, Greenwood,...
I leave out the giblets my mom used in her stuffing and bump up the fruit and wild rice instead. The result is this delicious apple cranberry stuffing. -Miranda Allison, Simpsonville, South Carolina
Caramelization really enhances the flavors in this easy side dish. The seasoned, roasted peppers and cauliflower are just right with nearly any main course. -Cheryl Wilt, Eglon, West Virginia
I came up with this recipe after my daughter had cheese fries at a restaurant and couldn't stop talking about them. She loves that I can fix them so quickly at home. Plus, the frozen fry packets can be...
I recommend serving these Parmesan potato wedges alongside a salad for a light lunch or serving them as a side dish with a chicken or beef entree. -Beth Ask, Ulster, Pennsylvania
I often fix this comforting dish for my grown children when they visit. They love it when I double the recipe so they can take leftovers home! This recipe can be prepared a day ahead and refrigerated before...
Eating Brussels sprouts was a ho-hum experience at our house until I put together this cheesy bake. After one taste, my husband declared it a "keeper." It's nice alongside ham, pork or beef roasts. -Elizabeth...
Year-round, our family always goes for this crisp, refreshing salad. With a tangy vinegar and oil dressing., it has wonderful homemade flavor. When Mom made it years ago for our family of seven, it was...
"When I was visiting my husband's family in North Carolina, I sampled this wonderful Southern specialty," recounts Marilyn Hallman of Mt. Prospect, Illinois. A sugary pecan topping sweetened the comforting...
I got this recipe from a friend years ago, and I've used it a lot since! So many of my friends enjoyed it that I've sent the recipe all over the country. I make it primarily for Thanksgiving, or with dinner...
"WE HAD an enormous vegetable garden, so we enjoyed freshly picked cucumbers in summer. After the cucumber were sliced and soaked awhile in salt water. Mother added thick cream, which she carefully scooped...
This salad has been a family favorite for a while! I love to bring this to parties or simply eat as a wonderful lunch or side dish. -Nikki Barton, Providence, Utah
Here's an easy dressing that's perfect for Thanksgiving get-togethers. Once it's in the slow cooker, you're free to turn your attention to the other dishes. -Rita Nodland, Bismarck, North Dakota
Fresh, fruity flavor makes this pretty salad popular with all ages. Our whole family really digs into its fluffy goodness. I can put it together in the morning or even the night before and pop it in the...
Quinoa is such a fantastic salad base-it's full of protein, it adds a nutty flavor, and it's the perfect vehicle to soak up any kind of dressing. If you like a little more heat, add more cayenne or curry...
A few years ago, I put together a special cookbook for folks who cook for themselves. This is one of my favorite recipes in the book.-John Davis, Mobile, Alabama
Hot Potato Salad is a hearty side dish with old-fashioned flavor from Alpha Wilson of Roswell, New Mexico. Your hungry bunch will think you slaved over this simple salad.
The recipe was made by a special someone in my life. I was never a fan of sauerkraut until I tried this and fell in love. It's terrific as a side dish or on reuben sandwiches. -Karen Tringali, Minooka,...
In the South, everyone loves three things: bacon, cheese and grits! After playing around with this recipe, I took it to my first family party as a newlywed, and it was a huge hit. This recipe has become...
I had a green bean salad at a local deli and enjoyed it so much, I tried to re-create it at home. The result was yummy! It lasts for several days in the fridge, and the taste keeps getting better. -Allison...
Common fruit and veggies give store bought stuffing mix flavor that's anything but ordinary. It's an easy alternative to from-scratch apple stuffing that can take over an hour to make. -Terri McKitrick,...
Tangy lime dressing is the perfect topper for this avocado salad. Toasted walnuts make for crunchy goodness, but try it with any kind of nut you like. -Ilia Kaku, North Richland Hills, Texas
"This nicely seasoned stuffing is our favorite for holiday turkeys," reports Denise Goedeken of Platte Center, Nebraska. "It doesn't require a lot of prep time, which I like, and it tastes good whether...
With tons of veggies and flavorful rice, this simple dish has all your sides covered. Hearty and filling, this, paired with chicken or the pork chops here, is the only side you'll need. Vary the basil...
Healthy spinach, garlic and lemon combine to coat angel hair pasta for a lovely side that'll freshen any meal. -Charlene Anderson, Bonney Lake, Washington
My sister-in-law, who is a dietitian, shared these buttermilk mashed potatoes with me. The garlic and buttermilk in these smooth mashed potatoes that are better for you than typical versions that include...
With just a handful of ingredients, this side comes together in a jiffy. Coupled with the ravioli, it's a menu that might just make you fall in love, Italian-style! -Phyllis Schmalz, Kansas City, KS
Squash and beer make my risotto different and delicious. Plus, cooking it in the oven cuts down on hands-on time making it. Win-win. -Katie Ferrier Gage, Houston, TX
My grandmom's long-cherished chowchow has Pennsylvania Dutch roots. Her pickled relish of cabbage, onions and peppers is tart and sweet with a smidge of spice. -Sharon Tipton, Casselberry, Florida
Looking for a festive dish to light up the buffet? This pretty green gelatin salad is eye-catching and has a delightful, tangy flavor. -Cyndi Fynaardt, Oskaloosa, Iowa
Cook a big pot of red potatoes, and you'll not only have a fuss-free side dish, but a head start on other meals. Add butter and parsley to the portion of boiled potatoes you're serving immediately, then...
This is the first recipe I made when I initially became interested in cooking. No one can resist the creamy filling inside the crispy potato skins.-Cyndy Gerken, Naples, Florida
It wouldn't be summer if Mom didn't make lots of these creamy cucumbers. Just a few simple ingredients-mayonnaise, sugar, vinegar and salt-dress up slices of this crisp garden vegetable. -Michelle Beran,...
Most people don't think of pairing dill and carrots. But my family agrees that dill adds a nice tang to this slightly sweet vegetable. An herb that is easy to grow, dill also looks lovely in the garden.-Verona...
If you've never tried making turnip greens, my recipe is an easy, tasty way to start. Pork and onions give the fresh greens wonderful flavor .-Sandra Pichon, Memphis, Tennessee
Some years ago, I was a cook on a large cattle ranch. One day, I thought back to the hush puppies I'd had as a child on a southern trip, and I ended up creating my own version of them. They go well as...
Simple is best. Two ingredients can produce a lovely dessert. Serve this compote on its own or with whipped cream or ice cream. You can also use it on pancakes, crepes, or toast.
There's no need to slave away making mashed potatoes at the last minute, not when this creamy, comforting potato side dish is so handy to prepare well in advance. Plus, it's an easy dish for people to...
"When I want a super side dish that's real old-fashioned comfort food, I make a batch of this macaroni and cheese," notes field editor Joanie Elbourn of Gardner, Massachusetts.
If you have picky eaters who worry about texture, roasted okra is marvelous. It's OK to crowd the pan. Okra shrinks as it cooks. -Anna Katsoulis, Greenville, North Carolina
After 25 years in a place where Cajun cooking is common, we've come to rely on this staple menu item. If you've never tried red beans and rice before, I promise you'll like this recipe.-Jackie Turnage,...
This creamy, sweet snickers salad with crisp apple crunch is a real people-pleaser. It makes a lot, which is good, because it will go fast! -Cyndi Fynaardt, Oskaloosa, Iowa
With an abundance of potatoes in our garden each summer, I often make this easy recipe. We love the combination of parsley and spices, and the lemony butter sauce. They make a great accompaniment to grilled...