14 Old-School Side Dishes Mom Brought With Her Famous Casserole

Bring back the comfort of big family dinners with these 14 old-school side dishes mom brought with her famous casserole. Each one brings the same familiar warmth that made gatherings feel special and plates stay full. These recipes keep things simple but never short on the nostalgia that makes a meal feel like home. Scroll through and see how easy it is to bring those moments back to your own table.

Baked sweet potato slices on a cutting board with a spoon. — Brown Sugar Baked Sweet Potato Slices. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Balsamic Glazed Brussels Sprouts

Balsamic Glazed Brussels Sprouts bring back the feeling of family dinners where the table overflowed with comforting sides. Roasted until just tender and finished with a sweet glaze, they pair well with hearty bakes and slow-cooked casseroles. This old-school side dish keeps prep simple and the flavor strong, just like mom liked it. Every bite brings that same cozy touch to any gathering.
Get the Recipe: Balsamic Glazed Brussels Sprouts

Screaming Skillet Green Beans

Screaming Skillet Green Beans bring a quick pop of flavor when the table is already packed with hearty dishes. Cooked fast in a hot pan with garlic and a splash of wine, they stay crisp and bright. This old-school side dish is ready in minutes but still feels like part of something bigger. The green beans everyone sneaks before the meal even starts.
Get the Recipe: Screaming Skillet Green Beans

Creamy Mashed Potatoes

A bowl of mashed potatoes with gravy and sprigs of thyme and sage. — Creamy Mashed Potatoes. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Creamy Mashed Potatoes stay right at home next to something cheesy and bubbling from the oven. Whipped with cream cheese until smooth, they’re the reliable favorite that rounds out any meal. This old-school side dish is quick to pull together but always feels like a treat. Every spoonful reminds everyone of second helpings at mom’s table.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Mashed Potatoes

Easy Oven Asparagus

Cooked asparagus in a white bowl. — Easy Oven Asparagus. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Easy Oven Asparagus brings a fresh bite that cuts through all the rich bakes and roasts we love. Just a quick toss and roast leaves the spears crisp but tender, ready to be piled next to something warm and cheesy. This old-school side dish needs almost no prep, which makes it a cook’s best friend during big meals. It’s the bright green splash that makes the whole plate look complete.
Get the Recipe: Easy Oven Asparagus

Basic Polenta

Basic Polenta reminds us of the side dishes that stayed warm on the stove while the main bake finished up. Soft and creamy, it soaks up gravy and sauces in the best way, rounding out a comforting meal. Quick to cook and endlessly flexible, this old-school side dish sticks to the ribs just right. A bowl of it brings back the sense that no one left the table hungry.
Get the Recipe: Basic Polenta

Oven Roasted Root Vegetables

A dish of beets, sweet potatoes, and parsnips roasted in the oven with sprigs of sage. — Oven Roasted Root Vegetables. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Oven Roasted Root Vegetables feel like the dish that fills out any comforting meal with cozy, earthy flavor. Carrots, parsnips, and sweet potatoes roast until their edges caramelize, perfect for soaking up gravies and sauces. This old-school side dish roasts in under an hour, giving you time to focus on what’s in the oven beside it. Every bite tastes like coming home on a chilly night.
Get the Recipe: Oven Roasted Root Vegetables

Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad

Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad shows that even something fresh and crisp has its place next to all that warm comfort food. Raw sprouts tossed with sweet toppings and mustard dressing keep things light but never out of place. This old-school side dish needs little more than a quick chop and toss. It’s the cold crunch that rounds out a table piled high with baked classics.
Get the Recipe: Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad

Roasted Cabbage Steaks

Roasted cabbage steak topped with tomatoes, bacon, goat cheese, and more. — Roasted Cabbage Steaks. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Roasted Cabbage Steaks make an appearance when a big baked meal needs something hearty and familiar alongside it. Thick slices roasted in bacon fat add a rich layer that balances any main dish fresh out of the oven. This old-school side dish needs little work yet leaves everyone full and happy. It’s the kind of pan mom would slide into the oven right next to her casserole.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Cabbage Steaks

Honey Garlic Carrots

Honey Garlic Carrots bring a sweet and sticky side that stands up to all the savory flavors on the table. Coated in a quick glaze, these carrots roast up in under half an hour but taste like they belong in a big family spread. This old-school side dish adds that touch of color mom always liked to see next to her best bake. One scoop brightens up any plate in the best way.
Get the Recipe: Honey Garlic Carrots

Brown Butter Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Brown Butter Garlic Mashed Potatoes hold that same spot on the table as the casserole that baked for hours. Yukon golds mixed with brown butter and sage taste like a special touch without the fuss. This old-school side dish comes together quickly but feels like it took all afternoon. It’s the kind of bowl everyone reaches for twice.
Get the Recipe: Brown Butter Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Worcestershire Green Beans

Worcestershire Green Beans offer up a savory side that balances out the creamy and cheesy bakes we can’t get enough of. Fresh beans cooked until tender with a sauce that’s bold but not overpowering. This old-school side dish comes together fast and brings extra flavor without extra work. It’s the one that surprises everyone with how fast it disappears.
Get the Recipe: Worcestershire Green Beans

Garlicky Green Beans with Fried Onions

A delightful side dish of green beans topped with crispy fried onions, perfect for pleasing both adults and kids alike. — Garlicky Green Beans with Fried Onions. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Garlicky Green Beans with Fried Onions taste like a nod to the dishes that made big gatherings feel special. Crisp green beans topped with fried onions deliver that crunch that balances heavier mains. This old-school side dish goes straight from stovetop to table without fuss. It’s the pan that gets scraped clean before anyone’s done eating.
Get the Recipe: Garlicky Green Beans with Fried Onions

Cranberry Apple Stuffing

A glass baking dish filled with a baked stuffing sits on a wooden cutting board. A serving spoon is in the stuffing, and a red cloth is draped to the left, perfect for cozy fall recipes. — Cranberry Apple Stuffing. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Cranberry Apple Stuffing holds that soft, savory bite that always sat next to baked family classics. Sweet apples and tart cranberries keep each forkful bright while still feeling familiar. This old-school side dish bakes right alongside anything in the oven, making holiday cooking feel like second nature. It’s the kind of pan mom set out with extra for leftovers the next day.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Apple Stuffing

Brown Sugar Baked Sweet Potato Slices

Brown Sugar Baked Sweet Potato Slices carry that sweet note that balances out a hearty casserole. Cinnamon and ginger coat each piece, filling the kitchen with the smell of the holidays no matter the season. This old-school side dish bakes up fast yet brings that same slow-cooked comfort. One scoop brings back memories of plates piled high.
Get the Recipe: Brown Sugar Baked Sweet Potato Slices