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      55+ Easy Dinner Recipes for Busy Weeknights

      Everybody understands the stuggle of getting dinner on the table after a long day. If you're looking for a simple recipe to simplify your weeknight, you've come to the right place--easy dinners are our specialty. For an easy supper that you can depend on, we picked out some of our tried-and-true favorites that have gotten us through even the busiest of days. Whether you're cooking for yourself or for a family, these easy dinners are sure to leave everyone satisfied and stress-free. Read More
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      The Brilliant Secret to Making Better Mashed Potatoes

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      65 Super Easy Finger Foods to Make for Any Party

      From chips and dip to one-bite apps, finger foods are the perfect way to kick off a party. No forks or spoons required, just easy-to-pick-up party foods, so you can clean up in no time.  Read More
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  1. Home
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  3. The Ultimate Guide to Sensational Sides
  4. 15+ Side Dishes for Pasta Dinners

15+ Side Dishes for Pasta Dinners

Updated July 27, 2020
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Easy Garlic Rolls
Credit: John O'Hagan; Styling: Buffy Hargett

Green salads and breadsticks are classic accompaniments to pasta dinners, but they're not the only ones. Think outside the box with these fresh idea for pasta sides, from Wilted Kale with Toasted Shallots to Green Beans with Citrus and Pecans. Each dish has been hand-selected to pair well with traditional pasta dish flavors.

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Pesto Caesar Salad

Pesto Caesar Salad
Credit: Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Leigh Ann Ross

Pesto Caesar Salad Recipe

Dress up traditional Caesar salad dressing by adding storebought pesto for a delicious side salad. 

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Mint and Pea Pesto on Toasted Baguette

Mint and Pea Pesto on Toasted Baguette
Credit: Jason Wallis; Styling: Cindy Barr

Mint and Pea Pesto on Toasted Baguette Recipe

Top toasted baguette slices with a homemade pesto featuring the fresh flavors of mint, basil, and green peas. The pesto is delicious served with bread, or can be mixed in with pasta sauce for an extra punch of flavor in the dish itself.

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Roasted Broccoli with Garlic and Anchovy

Roasted Broccoli with Garlic and Anchovy
Credit: Brian Woodcock; Styling: Mary Clayton Carl, Cindy Barr

Roasted Broccoli with Garlic and Anchovy Recipe

Minced anchovy fillets deliver bold flavor to Roasted Broccoli with Garlic and Anchovy. Broccoli retains all of its flavor and even gains deliciously crisp bits when roasted.

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Garlicky Sautéed Mushrooms

Garlicky Sautéed Mushrooms
Credit: Leigh Beisch

Garlicky Sautéed Mushrooms Recipe

When these Garlicky Sautéed Mushrooms are cooked, they release a lot of liquid. Using high heat evaporates the juices, allowing the mushrooms to brown and develop flavor.

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Arugula Salad with Parmesan Vinaigrette

Arugula Salad with Parmesan Vinaigrette
Credit: Jason Wallis; Styling: Cindy Barr

Arugula Salad with Parmesan Vinaigrette Recipe

Serve this simple arugula salad featuring a homemade parmesan vinaigrette with a variety of pasta dinners, including lasagna, spaghetti, and ravioli.

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Brussels Sprouts with Bacon, Garlic, and Shallots

mr-Brussels Sprouts with Bacon, Garlic, and Shallots Image
Credit: Jen Causey; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Brussels Sprouts with Bacon, Garlic, and Shallots Recipe

Garlic, bacon and shallots are all you need to add intense flavor to the Brussels sprouts in this easy, 5-ingredient side-dish recipe. To trim Brussels sprouts, simply cut off the stem end and halve. If they're large, you can quarter them, just making sure the Brussels sprouts are cut into uniform pieces so that they'll cook evenly. If you don't want to discard the leftover bacon drippings, carefully transfer to a heatproof container, cool, and store in the fridge. You can use it as a replacement for any other cooking oil or fat.

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Hot Bacon Caprese Salad

Hot Bacon Caprese Salad
Credit: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham

Hot Bacon Caprese Salad Recipe

Update the Italian tomato salad with a rich, tart dressing.

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Wilted Kale with Toasted Shallots

Wilted Kale with Toasted Shallots
Credit: Randy Mayor; Styling: Lindsey Lower

Wilted Kale with Toasted Shallots Recipe

Wilted Kale with Toasted Shallots makes for one über-nutritious and delicious side dish.

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Garlic Breadsticks

Garlic Breadsticks
Credit: John Autry; Styling: Leigh Ann Ross

Garlic Breadsticks Recipe

It couldn't be easier to make your own garlic breadsticks at home. Start with refrigerated pizza dough and brush with melted butter and minced garlic, then cut into eight separate pieces and twist each piece. Bake for 12 minutes and serve.

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Pan-Charred Asparagus

Pan-Charred Asparagus
Credit: Randy Mayor; Styling: Cindy Barr

Pan-Charred Asparagus Recipe

Toasted walnuts lend a delightful, nutty crunch to Pan-Charred Asparagus. It's a quick and easy side and a nice change-up to roasted asparagus.

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Wild Mushroom Bruschetta

Wild Mushroom Bruschetta
Credit: Randy Mayor; Cindy Manning Barr

Wild Mushroom Bruschetta Recipe

This wild mushroom bruschetta calls for topping slices of toasted country bread with cooked, chopped wild mushrooms and shavings of Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese.

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Pan-Roasted Artichokes with Lemon and Garlic

Pan-Roasted Artichokes with Lemon and Garlic
Credit: Brian Woodcock; Styling: Lindsey Lower

Pan-Roasted Artichokes with Lemon and Garlic Recipe

With a subtly flavored ingredient like artichokes, sometimes the simplest approach is best when preparing this side dish of Pan-Roasted Artichokes with Lemon and Garlic. A little roasted lemon, garlic, and fragrant rosemary are all you need to make tender baby artichokes shine.

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Creamed Spinach With Hazelnuts

Creamed Spinach with Hazelnuts
Credit: Jennifer Causey

Creamed Spinach With Hazelnuts Recipe

Unlike some versions of creamed spinach, here you actually taste the greens. They’re enhanced by—but not overwhelmed by—the creamy sauce.

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Cheesy Crab Artichoke Toasts

Cheesy Crab-Artichoke Toasts
Credit: Jennifer Causey

Cheesy Crab Artichoke Toasts Recipe

These savory toasts call for a decadent topping of mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses, artichokes, and fresh lump crabmeat. You can save time by preparing the crab mixture a day ahead of time, and then assembling and broiling the toasts just before dinner.

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Carrot-Cauliflower Salad

Carrot-Cauliflower Salad
Credit: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller

Carrot-Cauliflower Salad Recipe

We created this crunchy, sweet side as an update of the classic mayonnaise-laden carrot-and-raisin salad. Save time and make it ahead--it eats even better the next day.

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Green Beans with Citrus and Pecans

Green Beans with Citrus and Pecans
Credit: Jody Horton; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

Green Beans with Citrus and Pecans Recipe

A citrus vinaigrette adds fresh zing to crisp-tender green beans.

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BLT Panzanella Salad

BLT Panzanella Salad
Credit: Johnny Miller; Styling: Sarah Smart

BLT Panzanella Salad Recipe

Use the showiest farmers' market or garden tomatoes in a dish that deliciously combines a favorite sandwich and a classic Italian salad, with a touch of corn and basil thrown in for extra summery flair.

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Easy Garlic Rolls

Easy Garlic Rolls
Credit: John O'Hagan; Styling: Buffy Hargett

Easy Garlic Rolls Recipe

Make your own garlic rolls by brushing split artisan rolls with a mixture of melted butter, Italian seasoning, and minced garlic. Toast in the oven for a few minutes and serve.

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    1 of 18 Pesto Caesar Salad
    2 of 18 Mint and Pea Pesto on Toasted Baguette
    3 of 18 Roasted Broccoli with Garlic and Anchovy
    4 of 18 Garlicky Sautéed Mushrooms
    5 of 18 Arugula Salad with Parmesan Vinaigrette
    6 of 18 Brussels Sprouts with Bacon, Garlic, and Shallots
    7 of 18 Hot Bacon Caprese Salad
    8 of 18 Wilted Kale with Toasted Shallots
    9 of 18 Garlic Breadsticks
    10 of 18 Pan-Charred Asparagus
    11 of 18 Wild Mushroom Bruschetta
    12 of 18 Pan-Roasted Artichokes with Lemon and Garlic
    13 of 18 Creamed Spinach With Hazelnuts
    14 of 18 Cheesy Crab Artichoke Toasts
    15 of 18 Carrot-Cauliflower Salad
    16 of 18 Green Beans with Citrus and Pecans
    17 of 18 BLT Panzanella Salad
    18 of 18 Easy Garlic Rolls

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