44 Easy Vegetable Recipes for Any Occasion (2024)

Recipes for Beginners

• 01 of 42

  Roasted Brussels Sprouts

  

  These Brussels sprouts will be an instant hit with your friends and family. Pears and walnuts complement the sprouts nicely, and bacon gives them a fabulous smoky flavor.

• 02 of 42

  Homemade Mashed Potatoes and Variations

  

  The key to the best homemade mashed potatoes is not in the butter, milk, or seasonings. It's all about thepotatoesyou choose and theway you mash them.

  These fluffy mashed potatoes offer several possible variations, including lighter options and flavor additions.

• 03 of 42

  Roasted Butternut Squash With Sage

  

  This roasted butternut squash is a snap to fix. Just toss cubes with olive oil, sage, and optional onions and roast. The onions add a nice flavor, but they can be left out. Or you might try this colorful recipe for ​roasted Brussels sprouts and butternut squash with cranberries and pecans.

• 04 of 42

  Simple Honey Glazed Baby Carrots

  

  Honey, butter, and brown sugar bring out the natural sweetness in these cooked baby carrots, and lemon juice balances the flavors perfectly.

  These nicely seasoned carrots are quick and easy to prepare, and they make a great side dish for a big family meal or holiday dinner.

  Continue to 5 of 42 below.

• 05 of 42

  Scalloped Asparagus With Cheddar Cheese Sauce

  

  A simple white sauce with cheddar cheese brings everything together in this delicious, crumb-topped asparagus casserole. The recipe calls for frozen asparagus, but fresh can be used. Boil or steam the asparagus until just tender and then proceed with the recipe.

• 06 of 42

  Creamed Spinach With Parmesan Cheese

  

  Frozen spinach makes this creamed spinach disheasy to fix, and Parmesan cheese, a little garlic, and a hint of nutmeg flavors it perfectly. We recommend giving it a try as a side for your next family meal.

• 07 of 42

  Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts

  

  Air-fried Brussels sprouts offer the same great taste as the deep-fried veggie but in a healthier form. They're seasoned with white pepper, garlic chili paste, and honey and make a crispy side that's ready within 30 minutes.

• 08 of 42

  Garlic-Parmesan Roasted Carrots

  

  With their savory dusting of parmesan cheese, garlic powder, salt, and pepper, these carrots taste almost more like French fries—and are just as addictive. This is an easy side dish to put together that will go over especially well with children.

  Continue to 9 of 42 below.

• 09 of 42

  Sweet Potato Puree

  

  A basic sweet potato puree requires no other ingredients and it's ready in just 30 minutes. There are many things you can do with it, too. Season it with paprika, vanilla, or a blend of maple syrup and chipotle for a side dish, use it in another recipe, or freeze it for later use.

• 10 of 42

  Brussels Sprouts With Stewed Tomatoes

  

  Brussels sprouts are colorful and delicious with the simple addition of stewed tomatoes. The tomatoes, bell pepper, and seasonings are added to fresh sprouts to make this tasty dish.

  This is a surprisingly quick preparation and it makes an excellent side dish with just about any meal.

  See Also

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• 11 of 42

  Balsamic and Brown Sugar Glazed Beets

  

  These balsamic and brown sugar glazed beets are easy and tasty with a sweet andsour flavor. Fresh beets are simmered with a mixture of brown sugar, butter, and balsamic vinegar.

• 12 of 42

  Air Fryer Bloomin' Onion

  

  Place a bloomin' onion on the dinner table and watch the faces light up. The breaded onion "flower" is a fun alternative to onion rings and this recipe doesn't come with the guilt of a deep fryer. Cooked in an air fryer, it contains less fat while maintaining that crispy goodness that makes bloomin' onions fun to eat. The recipe also includes a spicy dip that you can whip up while the onion cooks.

  Continue to 13 of 42 below.

• 13 of 42

  Broccoli and Cauliflower Casserole

  

  This flavorful broccoli and cauliflower bake is baked with a white sauce and a Parmesan cheese and buttery bread crumb topping. If you want a richer sauce, add some cheese to the white sauce or add cream instead of milk.

• 14 of 42

  Roasted Celery Root

  

  You may pass by celery root (or celeriac) in the produce market, but it's a root vegetable with great potential. This roasted celery root recipe is simple and transforms the veggie into a tasty side that's ready in 30 minutes.

• 15 of 42

  Asparagus Pizza

  

  Whether served as a side, appetizer, or main dish this asparagus pizza recipe is sure to please. The fresh pizza is quick and easy, and you can use any crust: store-bought, homemade, gluten-free, or whole wheat. The toppings include asparagus, baby arugula, and ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses.

• 16 of 42

  Stuffed Spaghetti Squash

  

  Stuffed spaghetti squash is brilliant recipe that works as a main dish or side. A filling of cherry tomatoes, garlic, onion, Swiss chard, and Parmesan cheese is cooked inside the squash with fresh oregano and rosemary for extra flavor. It's an easy recipe to make vegetarian or vegan, too.

  Continue to 17 of 42 below.

• 17 of 42

  Stewed Zucchini With Tomatoes and Garlic

  

  Zucchini and tomatoes make a winning team this great-tasting side dish. This is an excellent way to use your fresh zucchini, and it's an easy recipe to prepare.

• 18 of 42

  Vietnamese Stir-Fried Mixed Vegetables

  

  Stir-fried vegetables area versatile component in any Southeast Asian meal. They are a great accompaniment for grilled or fried meat or seafood. There are so many ways to cook it and the combination of vegetables is quite limitless. This particular version negates the heavy sauces and, instead, uses a light rice wine to add flavor.

• 19 of 42

  Creamed Peas With Mushrooms and Onions

  

  These creamed peas are made more flavorful with sliced mushrooms and onion rings. The mushrooms and onions are cooked together and then combined with the roux and sauce mixture. A small amount of nutmeg gives the sauce additional flavor.

  It's an easy dish, but fancy enough for a Sunday dinner or holiday feast.

• 20 of 42

  Instant Pot Butternut Squash

  

  Although quite simple, this recipe allows the butternut squash to really shine while the Instant Pot makes for a really quick cooking time. The tender cubes of squash are finished off with a sprinkling of sliced almonds, cinnamon, and sugar.

  Continue to 21 of 42 below.

• 21 of 42

  Buttered Leeks

  

  See Also

  Classic Vinegar Pie - Easy Old Fashioned Pie Recipe!

  This is one of those dishes that is extremely simple but extremely flavorful. Serve it and watch people not believe it is seriously just leeks, butter, and salt. It's all about the gentle cooking to coax out the sweet nature of leeks and make them supremely tender. The long cooking lets you use the tougher (and very flavorful) leek greens, so often discarded in cooking.

• 22 of 42

  Quick and Easy Snow Peas

  

  Snow peas are a crunchy and delicious vegetable, and they take just seconds to cook. These easy snow peas are prepared with a simple combination of butter and shredded lemon zest. Feel free to add sliced toasted almonds to the peas along with the lemon.

• 23 of 42

  Asparagus With Cream Sauce

  

  Make this tasty asparagus dish with the simple Dijon-flavored cream sauce or add some sliced hard-boiled eggs and diced ham for a luncheon dish.

• 24 of 42

  Swiss Chard With Bacon

  

  Looking for an alternative to spinach? Try this Swiss chard recipe for a change of pace; it makes a great accompaniment to any meal. You can use red, green, or rainbow chard in this recipe.

  Continue to 25 of 42 below.

• 25 of 42

  Roasted Spaghetti Squash

  

  Spaghetti squash is a fairly large winter squash with a unique texture—when cooked, the flesh separates into strands, which is easily likened to spaghetti. Plenty of people like to put all kinds of sauces on spaghetti squash, as if the strand-like flesh were actual pasta, instead of just pasta-like in shape.

  Cook this simple spaghetti squash in the oven or microwave. Or use your Instant Pot or pressure cooker.

• 26 of 42

  10-Minute Roasted Asparagus

  

  Olive oil and simple seasonings are all you need to make this simple 10-minute asparagus.

• 27 of 42

  Green Bean Casserole (No Soup)

  

  The green bean casserole has long been a favorite comfort food and it is an essential Thanksgiving side dish.

  This is a delicious green bean casserole, perfect for a holiday feast or Sunday family dinner. The homemade Cheddar cheese sauce with sour cream and mushrooms is an excellent replacement for the canned condensed soup and it is as creamy and delicious as the classic Campbell's recipe. If you prefer the soup version, take a look at thisclassic holiday green bean casserole.

• 28 of 42

  Classic French Ratatouille

  

  Ratatouille is a traditional French dish made of eggplants, tomatoes, and zucchini. It's often served as a side dish with lamb or other meats or poultry—even fish. Served over rice or couscous, it makes a hearty meal.

  Thisratatouille recipeuses zucchini, yellow squash, and toasted pine nuts.

  Continue to 29 of 42 below.

• 29 of 42

  Leek Gratin With Cream

  

  These baked leeks melt in your mouth with the creamy, garlic-infused sauce and rich fontina and Parmesan cheese topping. Feel free to use another kind of cheese in the sauce.

• 30 of 42

  Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower

  

  This Parmesan roasted cauliflower is an excellent way to enjoy fresh cauliflower. The cauliflower is tossed with a savory mixture of garlic and Parmesan cheese and then it isroasted to perfection.

• 31 of 42

  Celery Casserole With Toasted Almond Topping

  

  Celery is not usually thought of as a main ingredient, but this recipe is a surprisingly delicious exception. Thecasseroleis an excellent way to use an abundance of celery, and it's a dish you'll make again and again.

• 32 of 42

  Roasted Broccoli With Ginger

  

  It's time to get excited about broccoli again. This broccoli is roasted to tender perfection with ginger and optional garlic.

  Continue to 33 of 42 below.

• 33 of 42

  Mustard Greens With Ham

  

  Serve these fabulous greens with freshly baked cornbread and pepper vinegar sauce.

• 34 of 42

  Skillet Corn Medley

  

  This easy corn recipe is made with fresh or frozen corn kernels, red bell peppers, green bell peppers, onions, and other seasonings.

  This makes a tasty side dish, and it's an excellent recipe to use with fresh corn. See the tips and variations for a quick how-to for cutting fresh corn from the cobs.

• 35 of 42

  No-Fuss Steamed Artichokes

  

  If the thought of preparing fresh artichokes seems intimidating, take a look at this recipe.

  Here we break down the process of cutting, steaming, and eating artichokes.

• 36 of 42

  Whole Baked Sweet Potatoes

  

  Do you like your sweet potatoes savory or lightly sweetened and spiced? These sweet potatoes are baked then seasoned with salt and paprika or cinnamon and sugar.

  Continue to 37 of 42 below.

• 37 of 42

  Fried Green Tomatoes

  

  Try a southern classic with these fried green tomatoes, served with tasty Sriracha mayo. Yum!

• 38 of 42

  Twice Baked Potatoes

  

  These twice-baked potatoes are a wonderful change of pace from everyday baked potatoes or the "sam-old" mashed potatoes. The potato skins are filled with the savory mashed potato mixture and then the baking continues until the topping is golden brown.

• 39 of 42

  Grilled Eggplant

  

  This easy grilled eggplant is flavored with a little balsamic vinegar, herbs, and olive oil. This is a no-fuss recipe for grilled eggplant. Feel free to vary the seasonings.

• 40 of 42

  Basic Stewed Tomatoes

  

  This recipe is for basic stewed tomatoes made with fresh tomatoes, salt and pepper, butter, and sugar. Sauté some finely chopped celery, onion, and bell peppers for a zestier, more flavorful dish. Add a few dashes ofTabascoor some red pepper flakes for a little heat.

  Continue to 41 of 42 below.

• 41 of 42

  Roasted Okra and Tomatoes

  

  This roasted okra with tomatoes is an excellent way to enjoy the vegetable. It's easy, too. With only three ingredients plus salt and pepper, the okra and tomatoes are the stars of the dish.

  The winning combination of sliced okra and tomatoes makes a delicious side dish for any meal. In this recipe, the okra is sliced, combined with tomatoes, then roasted to perfection with a little olive oil and seasonings.

• 42 of 42

  Creamed Onions

  

  Delicious creamed onions make a nice side dish for holiday dinners. Small white onions or a mixture of small white and purple onions are cooked and served in a classic white sauce flavored with a dash of Cajun seasoning.