12 Simple Sides to Brighten Your Fall Family Dinner

Fall family dinners are a Kentucky parent’s time to shine. From the turkey to the pumpkin pie dessert, you get to show off your cooking skills. We’ve got 12 simple sides to brighten your fall family dinner. Bringing these bright and delicious side dishes into the mix will make your feast shine even more. 

1. Miso Carrot Soup

Soup is a hearty dish that can help your family stay warm. Roasted carrots achieve a rich orange color. Blend them with white miso, chopped onions, and celery for extra flavor. You can add cream to make it more liquidy if you wish. However, the thickness pairs well with freshly baked sourdough bread. 

2. Roasted Squash Wedges

There are very few side dish recipes simpler than roasted butternut squash wedges. Peel and cut up the fruit before drizzling a little oil, salt and pepper. Cinnamon and paprika also add a more flavorful touch and even enhance their golden color. You can serve them as they are or create a yogurt dip with lemon juice and mint. 

3. Garlic Parmesan Smash Potatoes

Mashed potatoes are still an unbeatable part of fall family dinners. If you have extra taters lying around, consider making them into crispy smashed potatoes as a side dish. Boil and cut potatoes up before pressing them with a mug. Once done, add garlic butter, parmesan and chopped parsley. Bake until lightly brown and crispy. 

4. Roasted Cauliflower Salad

Another colorful side dish option is a roasted cauliflower salad. Pair your golden-brown florets with cucumbers, red onions, and parsley. Avocados also add a nice touch since their creaminess contrasts with the crunch of your other vegetables. Sprinkle in crumbles of feta cheese and your dressing of choice. 

5. Sweet Potato Balls

Kids will love sweet potato balls, and you’ll be happy to know that this Asian delicacy is pretty easy to make. All you need is yam, sweet potato flour and sugar. Mix and mash your ingredients before forming them into balls and deep-frying them. You can drizzle maple syrup or honey for extra sweetness. 

6. Jalapeno Popper Egg Cups

If you’ve wanted to create a twist to the classic Jalapeno poppers, add eggs into the mix. They’re full of protein that could keep your loved ones energized throughout the day. Plus, the yolky goodness enhances your cheese and sour cream filling. Paired with the saltiness of bacon, they’re the star of the table. 

7. Pan-Fried Chorizo, Chickpeas and Goat Cheese

Cook your chorizo and add chopped onion, garlic and red pepper. Then, stir in chickpeas and greens like spinach, chives, and parsley. Top it all off with goat cheese and encourage guests to take a portion from this one-pan side. You could also divide the portions into individual ramekins to ensure everyone gets their fair share. 

8. Mac and Cheese Bites

Transform your mac and cheese into bite-size pieces for your side dish. The quickest way to do this is to spoon and bake your cheesy noodles into a small muffin tray. You can freeze the mac in the tray the night before and pop them out when ready. Coat the balls in breadcrumbs before deep frying them. 

9. Honey Pumpkin Dinner Rolls

Many people love warm dinner rolls as a side dish, and these honey dinner rolls are perfect for autumn. In a stand mixer, add the flour, yeast, pumpkin puree, honey, milk and butter. Once the dough is elastic, let it rise a little and shape it into those rolls. Top these with pumpkin seeds and bake until brown and beautiful. 

10. Broccoli-Cheese Omelet Bites

It’s challenging for parents to sneak broccoli into the dinner table, but combining it with cheese and eggs definitely makes them more appetizing. Grab an oven tin and pour in your scrambled eggs and green florets. Add shredded cheddar and parmesan before baking the omelet bites. A sprinkle of extra parmesan afterward will make these irresistible.

11. Buttered Up Green Beans

Green beans are often a more acceptable veggie to kids, especially when they’re buttery and full of garlic flavor. Roast them with a little bit of parmesan for a crispy and cheesy touch. Adding slices of almonds after can also offer an extra crunch that people will look for while eating your fall dinner’s main courses. 

12. Cornbread Sausage Dressing

Crumble your cornbread and cooked sausage into small pieces. Veggies like sauteed onion and celery go in the bowl. From there, you can mix all your ingredients with chicken broth, chicken soup, salt and poultry seasoning. Bake until lightly browned. And before you call this stuffing, it technically isn’t! That is cooked in the turkey’s cavity while this is served on its own.

Have a Bright and Delicious Fall Family Dinner

Every parent wants to create the perfect feast for their loved ones. Make your fall family dinner one step closer to greatness by adding sides to the menu. The kiddos and the rest of your family will surely have a smile on their face, even before you serve the main course. Happy autumn season!