Family-Friendly Southern Sides to Fill You Up

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Bring comfort and flavor to the table with these family-friendly Southern side dishes. Packed with down-home charm and plenty of crowd-pleasing appeal, these recipes are perfect for everything from weeknight dinners to holiday feasts. Think creamy casseroles, buttery biscuits, slow-cooked veggies, and more—all designed to satisfy even the pickiest eaters. Whether you’re feeding a hungry family or bringing a dish to share, these hearty sides are guaranteed to fill everyone up and keep them coming back for seconds!

Easy Cheesy Tennessee Onions

Close-up of baked onion slices in a baking dish, topped with herbs and displaying a golden-brown, caramelized surface.
Easy Cheesy Tennessee Onions. Photo credit: Not Entirely Average.

Cheesy Tennessee onions combine sweet Vidalia onions with a rich blend of cheeses and spices, baked until golden and bubbly. Easy to make and full of flavor, they’re perfect with barbecue, grilled meats, or even on top of a burger.
Get the Recipe: Easy Cheesy Tennessee Onions

Best Creamy And Easy Squash Casserole

A baking dish with a golden-brown casserole topped with bread pieces and vegetables. Whole onions and a kitchen towel sit beside it.
Squash Casserole. Photo credit: Not Entirely Average.

I spend a late-summer Sunday putting up yellow squash and zucchini—grating, pickling, and cooking them down for baking or casseroles like this Creamy Squash Casserole. It’s a tradition my family looks forward to every Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Get the Recipe: Best Creamy And Easy Squash Casserole

Browned Butter Mashed Potatoes

A bowl of mashed potatoes is topped with melted butter and chopped chives, with a spoon inside. A checkered cloth is draped over the wooden surface.
Browned Butter Mashed Potatoes. Photo credit: Not Entirely Average.

Turn plain mashed potatoes into something special with this browned butter version—rich, nutty, and full of buttery depth.
Get the Recipe: Browned Butter Mashed Potatoes

Kid-friendly Pickle Macaroni Salad

Macaroni salad in a bowl with a wooden spoon.
Pickle Macaroni Salad. Photo Credit: Not Entirely Average.

I’m getting into party mode with fun new backyard barbecue dishes—like this kid-friendly Pickle Macaroni Salad! I use sweet pickle relish, but a dill version with fresh dill and dill relish makes an equally tasty side kids (and grown-ups) will love.
Get the Recipe: Kid-friendly Pickle Macaroni Salad

Crazy Good French Onion Noodle Casserole

A casserole dish containing creamy pasta topped with crispy fried onions and chopped parsley, with a wooden spoon inside. An onion and sprigs of parsley are on the table beside the dish.
Crazy Good French Onion Noodle Casserole. Photo Credit: Not Entirely Average.

This irresistibly good French onion noodle casserole is creamy, crunchy, and packed with savory flavor. With just a few ingredients and ready in 30 minutes, it’s a quick, crowd-pleasing dish that’ll have everyone coming back for seconds!
Get the Recipe: Crazy Good French Onion Noodle Casserole

Pumpkin Cornbread

A close-up image of a slice of moist cornbread topped with melted butter. The golden yellow cornbread sits on a white plate, and the butter glistens as it melts into the crumbly texture. A small bowl with additional butter can be seen blurred in the background.
Pumpkin Cornbread. Photo credit: Grandbaby Cakes.

Pumpkin cornbread with brown butter and cinnamon butter is a festive fall side dish. Its rich flavor and moist texture make it a fantastic addition to Thanksgiving or any autumn meal.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Cornbread

Southern Corn Pudding Casserole

A close-up of a spoon scooping a portion of cornbread casserole from a white baking dish. The casserole has a golden crust and a moist, crumbly interior with visible pieces of corn. The texture appears soft and slightly chunky.
Southern Corn Pudding Casserole. Photo credit: Whole Made Living.

This Southern corn pudding casserole is a must for your fall side dish lineup. Its creamy, corny goodness is a hit at holiday meals and family gatherings alike.
Get the Recipe: Southern Corn Pudding Casserole

Pancetta Crack Green Beans

A pan of sautéed green beans mixed with caramelized onions and pieces of bacon is shown. A wooden slotted spoon rests inside the pan, ready to serve. The background includes a white cloth napkin.
Pancetta Crack Green Beans. Photo credit: Emkay’s Kitchen.

Pancetta crack green beans are a savory and crispy side that’s perfect for fall. The pancetta adds a delicious depth of flavor, making these beans a standout at any autumn gathering.
Get the Recipe: Pancetta Crack Green Beans

Easy Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes

A white pot containing thick slices of sweet potatoes that are glazed with a brown syrupy sauce. The sweet potatoes are evenly spaced and appear to be baked or cooked, giving them a caramelized appearance. The pot is placed on a light-colored surface.
Easy Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes. Photo credit: Recipes From a Pantry.

Candied sweet potatoes are a traditional choice for fall, adding a touch of sweetness to your meal. This easy recipe offers a comforting and delicious side perfect for autumn dinners.
Get the Recipe: Easy Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes

Marinated Fresh Fig And Mozzarella Salad

Fresh figs, prosciutto, mozzarella, arugula, and balsamic glaze arranged on a patterned plate with a fork.
Marinated Fresh Fig And Mozzarella Salad. Photo credit: Not Entirely Average.

Fabulous seasonal ingredients elevate ripe figs in this no-oven, mid-summer salad. Marinated figs, creamy mozzarella, and peppery greens come together with a balsamic drizzle for a show-stopping main or side dish.
Get the Recipe: Marinated Fresh Fig And Mozzarella Salad

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About Jenny deRemer

I am a Charleston, South Carolina-based culinary novice, an ardent authority on all things travel, a designer by trade, and the creator of Not Entirely Average. I have a weakness for farmers' markets, delight in adventures way off the beaten path, enjoy documenting my many moods through photography, and have been known to conquer the occasional yard sale with gusto!

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