Starchy foods often get a bad rap. Sometimes, we even demonize them. But we shouldn't overlook the fact they're are an important part of our diet. So, in my opinion, starch side dishes are winners. Starchy side dishes complete a meal; not mention they go with just about everything! Think about it. Bread, muffins, rice, potatoes and pasta are extremely versatile and can be transformed into some fabulous dishes. Here's what I consider to be the best of the best side starches to serve with your next main.
Why These Side Dishes Work
These starch side dishes work because they round out and balance our meals. Potatoes pair well with beef, chicken, pork, and fish. Ditto with rice and pasta. Likewise, bread is always a welcome addition to any meal. Starchy sides are universal if you ask me. The fact that you're here, tells me you just might think so too.
All the dishes listed here are absolutely delicious. Ken and I have put our stamp of approval on them. Feel free to mix and match these recipes. Better yet, give them all a try. Most of them are bread, potato and pasta recipes, with a few rice recipes in between. I believe there's something here for everyone. So, take a minute to scroll through this list of starchy side dishes and see what grabs you!
When it comes to brown bread, this copycat Cheesecake Factory brown bread version, is as good as it gets! Serve warm and top with our delicious honey butter, it's a great addition to any meal..
From chicken to seafood, this copycat Subway Italian herb and cheese bread is what turns an ordinary sandwich into something fabulous. What goes into a sandwich is more than the filling and that's what this bread does.
Rich, and hearty and loaded with cheese, this bread loaf tastes just like Cheddar Bay Biscuits from Red Lobster! You can't go wrong with a side like this!
If you enjoy tater tots you're gonna love this!
With its swirled Halloween colors, this soft and buttery Halloween bread is super fun to serve at your next spooky party. Or turn this festive loaf into French toast or bread pudding. Either way, it's sure to impress!
Starting your day with one of these delicious honey cornbread muffins is a good thing. Indulging in one as part of lunch, dinner or as a mid-afternoon snack, isn't such a bad thing either. In other words, any time is a good time!
The only thing better than cornbread is cornbread loaded with broccoli and cheese! Try this broccoli cornbread with cheese recipe and the results will impress you!
These bad boys take cornbread muffins to the next level. Loaded with the flavor of bacon, cheese and onion, try them once and you'll never look back!
These puff balls are a must try. Whether served as a snack, appetizer or side, people can't get enough of this Brazilian cheese bread. Trust me on this.
These homemade dinner rolls are classic! Because they're light and airy, they don't weigh a meal down which makes them the ideal side.
Breadsticks made 6 ways; how can you go wrong? Pizza Hut and Olive Garden knew what they were doing and these savory copycat versions prove it. But the flavors don't just stop there. With a couple of sweet versions, there's a breadstick that has your name on it! Choose your favorite.
The smell of Grandma's Homemade White Bread coming out of the oven is unforgettable. The classic, farm-fresh bread that's perfect for sandwiches, soups and goes with just about everything else that's on the menu!
If you love stuffing, then this bread is for you! Obviously, it's the perfect side for any poultry dish. But with the sweetness of the onion and the earthy aroma of sage, this loaf is so good, it could steal the show!
Swirled cinnamon raisin bread says it all. Add a slice or two to go with breakfast or as an afternoon snack, this tasty loaf is like eating dessert! Any time is the right time.
Cheesy bacon pull-apart bread is so darn delicious, you can eat it all on its own! Loaded with bacon and cheese, you can see why.
For the bread and sweet lovers in your life, Grandma's Breakfast Dessert bread is a must try! Start your day with a slice or two of this easy bread, and breakfast just got a little sweeter. Or when that mid-afternoon slump hits, this bread is the perfect pick-me-up.
An Asian-themed dish with a takeout feel, this chicken fried rice is absolutely delicious! Don't wait for an occasion to make it. This dish can be made in no time and served any time.
A colorful rice dish that's a nice change from the traditional, it's versatile and loaded with flavor. This red rice is delicious and pairs well with all your favorite proteins.
Mediterranean-style Greek rice salad with it's tangy dressing, makes this the ideal side. So good, this dish could easily become the main.
Want a side that's a hit every single time? Cheesy broccoli rice is your answer. This side is comfy, creamy and goes well with pork chops, chicken or whatever meat protein you fancy!
Deep, rich flavors makes Korean potatoes an outstanding side and complements just about anything!
These breakfast potatoes are flavor personified! Pair them with eggs and bacon or sausage, and you've got a breakFEAST!!
Crispy on the outside, fluffy and loaded with flavor on the inside, home fries have got nothing on these little guys!
This potato blossom is dressed to the nines! Loaded with bacon and cheese, it's the classic side for any dinner!
Super crispy and flavorful, these Butternut Squash Potato Cakes are a healthy way to enjoy as a snack or side.
No matter what your diet consists of, it's hard to say no to these cheesy zucchini potato pancakes. Vegan and keto-friendly, this dish makes a great side or main that appeals to everyone!
Loaded with bacon, onions and cheese, it's name doesn't do it justice! This cheesy potato casserole is hometown comfort and can be a side or stand-alone dish for any occasion.
Baked scalloped potatoes in a rich, creamy cheese sauce gets a two thumbs up every single time! A simple, downhome side or main dish for weeknights, weekends or any time the mood strikes you!
A colorful dish that blends sweet with savory, sheet pan sweet potatoes are absolutely delish! Pair them with chicken, beef, or pork and you have a complete, fabulous meal!
The natural sweetness of the sweet potato, combined with smoke, gives off a depth of flavor you never thought was possible.
When it comes to the holidays, no table is complete without these candied sweet potatoes. This side dish is quintessential to any celebratory meal.
No holiday would be complete without sweet potato casserole. Topped two ways; one smooth, one crunchy, picking one could be a challenge. Can't decide? Choose both and keep everyone happy.
Think mashed potatoes are ho-hum? With the ingredients that go into making this mashed potato casserole, you might want to think again! If you can make something in casserole form, this dish proves you absolutely can!
Season potatoes with bacon, sausage or ham, let the slow cooker do the work and what do you end up with? Why Slow Cooker Bacon Breakfast Potatoes of course! A fabulous side dish that will kickstart any meal.
There's something about combining sour cream, onions, cheese and bacon that can transform a potato bake into something truly magical. Tasting is believing!
Two sides in one, this dish is tangy and earthy and is the perfect accompaniment to chicken, beef, or pork.
Rich, creamy and comforting, these scalloped potato even have vegetables in them! For the veggie cringers in the family, it's a great way to sneak them in. Somewhat healthy, right?
Serve with a nice, juicy steak or all on its own, this volcano potato has an eruption of flavors! The taste will exceed all your expectations.
Not your average biscuit, this sweet potato biscuit has the texture of bread combined with the sweetness of our favorite tuber. So delicious, it could pass for dessert!
There's nothing like bacon, cheese, onions and garlic to perk up a potato, But Ranch dressing takes these potato boats to a whole new level.
There's something to said for combining rich, creamy Alfredo sauce, bacon and cheese with potatoes. It's one of America's comfort foods. Need I say more?
These extra-cheesy twice-baked potatoes will float your boat. Load them up with your favorite ingredients and take a load off to enjoy them!
Fancy to look at, but so simple to make, it takes only four ingredients to make these fabulous Swedish potatoes,
When it comes to starchy side dishes, potato is king. Hasselback potatoes are proof of that. With all the ingredients that goes into making them, these potatoes are definite royalty!
Multi-textured potatoes and flavorful, these potatoes pack a crunch. Piled high with cheese and layered with cornflakes and/or French's fried onions, they're simply divine!
Bacon and Ranch are always a good thing. When you combine them with these cheesy potatoes and chicken, you get something great!
It's the crusty Parmesan cheese that gives these potato halves texture and crunch. A satisfying side dish, these halves make any meal whole!
Are they a side or an appetizer? Who cares? It's the taste that counts. Loaded with cheese, bacon, and onions, need I say more?
Bang Bang, baby! Get ready for a chicken pasta dish that will light your mouth on fire! One of the best carb dishes of all time!
Delicate shrimp and tender pasta covered in a rich, spicy sauce, Cajun Shrimp Pasta is heaven on a plate. As a side or a meal on its own, this one is sure to please the seafood pasta lovers in your life!
No doubt about it, this pasta salad is the classic side. A backyard barbeque dish that goes beautifully with chicken, pork or beef, it's a definite keeper!
Instead of potato chips, why not give these crispy pasta chips a try? Perfect for dipping or paired with a sandwich, these little morsels are a delight!
Take your favorite pasta, canned tuna or salmon, steep in a creamy, cheesy sauce and top with a crunchy layer, and what do you get? An all-time classic casserole that never gets old. Delicious through and through!
Sharp and creamy at the same time, this vodka sauce defies description! Serve over pasta with your favorite meat, and you have one feel-good meal.
Full of feta cheese and vegetables, this pasta salad has a powerhouse of Grecian flavors that's unforgettable!
The name says it all. Ham and cheese are a match made in heaven. With ham, this pasta is an amazing main dish. Without ham, it's a fantastic side that suits any meal.
More than just your average pasta dish, this one gets a lot of attention. With tender pieces of chicken, crispy bacon and vegetables and covered in a cheesy sauce, you can easily see why!
Garlic shrimp pasta is simple, light and chock full of flavor. This one's a keeper!
Tender shrimp, crispy vegetables, pasta cooked perfectly and covered in a delightful dressing, this shrimp pasta salad has earned its title! A pleasure to eat.
Homemade, creamy Alfredo sauce is no match for store-bought. Perfect for pasta or with your favorite protein, this sauce gets my vote every single time!
Steak is the tuxedo of meat. Combine tender, juicy steak with marinara sauce and pasta, and you've got a heavy hitter on your hands!
When it comes to creamy, Parmesan sauce such as this, chicken is the perfect match. Choose the veggies, choose the pasta and you've got a quality dish that's second to none!
Vegetables, chicken and pasta never looked so good when infused with this, creamy, sherry wine sauce. Put this colorful dish on the table and it's hello gorgeous!!
Layers of pasta, meat, vegetables in a creamy, cheesy results in a million dollar taste! This is one dish everyone gets revved up about!
A kid-friendly dish with generous chunks of chicken in a flavorful cheesy sauce, spaghetti never looked so good!
Tell the kids spaghetti pie is for dinner and watch their faces light up! Starting with spaghetti noodles as the crust, this dish has all the flavors of lasagna. Loved by kids and adults alike, it's irresistibly good!
If you're a pasta fan and a meat lovers pizza kind of person, then this casserole has your name all over it! Need I say more?
This pork apple Ragu is surprisingly light! We lost the heavy sauce and replaced it with lighter ingredients that resulted in a feel-good dish that fills you up without weighing you down.
Give These Delicious Starch Side Dishes a Try
Now that you've got the scoop on starch side dishes, it's time to turn these recipes into meals and sides for your friends and family to enjoy. Whether serving beef, pork, chicken or fish, you'll find the perfect accompaniment from this list of starch side dishes. All are very fine starchy side dishes that pair well with just about everything. So, what are you waiting for? Give them a try. You'll be glad you did.
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