17 Veggie Recipes That Made the Roast Feel Skippable

When the vegetables are done right, no one asks what’s missing from the center of the plate. These 17 veggie recipes made skipping the roast feel like the easy choice. With bold flavors, crisp textures, and satisfying bites, each one proves vegetables can carry the whole meal. Nothing’s on the side when the veggies show up like this.

Roasted sweet potatoes with feta and walnuts. — Roasted Sweet Potatoes With Honey Garlic. Photo credit: Trina Krug.

Worcestershire Green Beans

Worcestershire Green Beans take 15 minutes and combine green beans, garlic, and Worcestershire sauce for a tangy, umami-packed side. The beans stay crisp-tender with a savory kick that stands up to any main dish. The sauce clings just enough to coat each bite. No one misses the meat when these hit the table.
Get the Recipe: Worcestershire Green Beans

Zucchini Noodle Salad

Zucchini Noodle Salad comes together in 20 minutes with spiralized zucchini, cherry tomatoes, feta, and a lemon vinaigrette. It’s crunchy, fresh, and loaded with flavor from the citrus and cheese. The texture keeps it light but filling. It’s a solid meal on its own, no roast needed.
Get the Recipe: Zucchini Noodle Salad

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 take 45 minutes and mix carrots, parsnips, potatoes, and beets with oil and herbs for a hearty tray bake. The edges caramelize while the centers stay soft and sweet. Each bite brings earthy flavor and plenty of variety. No one notices what’s missing from the middle of the plate.
Get the Recipe: Oven Roasted Root Vegetables

Brown Butter Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Brown Butter Garlic Mashed Potatoes take about 35 minutes and blend Yukon gold potatoes with brown butter, roasted garlic, and cream. The result is smooth, rich, and nutty with a bold garlic finish. It’s comforting without being too heavy. Just one scoop can stand in for any main.
Get the Recipe: Brown Butter Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Rubbed Kale Salad with Parmesan

Rubbed Kale Salad with Parmesan takes 15 minutes and combines tender kale leaves, lemon juice, and shaved Parmesan. The texture is soft yet crisp, with a salty, tangy flavor that holds up well. It’s simple, fresh, and doesn’t need dressing to be good. You won’t ask what’s supposed to go with it.
Get the Recipe: Rubbed Kale Salad with Parmesan

Honey Garlic Carrots

Honey Garlic Carrots take 25 minutes and bring together tender carrots, garlic, and honey for a sweet and savory bite. The glaze coats each piece with a sticky, flavorful finish. The garlic adds depth without overpowering the natural sweetness. They taste like a main even when they’re not.
Get the Recipe: Honey Garlic Carrots

Brown Sugar Baked Sweet Potato Slices

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

Brown Sugar Baked Sweet Potato Slices take 40 minutes and feature sliced sweet potatoes baked with brown sugar and butter. The outside caramelizes while the inside turns soft and almost creamy. The sweetness is balanced with a slight savory edge. They’re the first thing gone, roast or not.
Get the Recipe: Brown Sugar Baked Sweet Potato Slices

Loaded Cauliflower Mash

Loaded Cauliflower Mash is ready in 30 minutes and blends cauliflower with sour cream, cheese, and green onions for a creamy side that eats like a meal. The texture is smooth with bits of flavor in every bite. It’s rich, savory, and surprisingly filling. You won’t ask where the meat went.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Cauliflower Mash

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Almonds and Feta

A bowl of roasted brussels sprouts. — Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Almonds and Feta. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Almonds and Feta take 35 minutes and mix crispy sprouts with salty feta and toasted almonds. The sprouts roast to golden edges while the cheese and nuts add richness and crunch. It’s bold, sharp, and layered in flavor. No need for anything else on the plate.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Almonds and Feta

Roasted Honey Glazed Carrots

Red, yellow, and orange honey glazed carrots on a slate board. — Roasted Honey Glazed Carrots. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Roasted Honey Glazed Carrots take 35 minutes and coat carrots in honey and butter for a glossy, sweet finish. The roasting brings out their natural flavor while adding just enough crisp. They’re simple but completely satisfying. They hold their own without the help of a main course.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Honey Glazed Carrots

Sweet Potato Fritters with Sweet & Spicy Sauce

A serving basket of sweet potato fritters next to a bowl of dipping sauce and a single serving on a plate. — Sweet Potato Fritters with Sweet & Spicy Sauce. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Sweet Potato Fritters with Sweet & Spicy Sauce take 30 minutes and feature shredded sweet potato formed into crisp-edged patties. The dipping sauce blends heat and sweetness to match the fritters’ natural flavor. Each bite is crunchy, warm, and packed with texture. It’s a snack that eats like a meal.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Fritters with Sweet & Spicy Sauce

Screaming Skillet Green Beans

Screaming Skillet Green Beans take 15 minutes and cook quickly over high heat with garlic, soy sauce, and sesame oil. They’re tender but still crisp, with a smoky, savory finish. The flavor hits fast and stays bold. They’re not just a side—they’re the part you go back for.
Get the Recipe: Screaming Skillet Green Beans

Easy Oven Asparagus

Easy Oven Asparagus takes 20 minutes and roasts fresh asparagus with olive oil, salt, and lemon for a clean, crisp finish. The stalks char slightly while staying firm and juicy. It’s simple, bright, and doesn’t need a thing on the side. It disappears faster than anything else on the tray.
Get the Recipe: Easy Oven Asparagus

Garam Masala Brussels Sprouts

Garam Masala Brussels Sprouts take 30 minutes and bring warm spice to roasted sprouts with a hint of sweetness and heat. The outside crisps while the inside stays soft, catching all the seasoning. The flavor is rich and earthy with just enough kick. They’re bold enough to take center stage.
Get the Recipe: Garam Masala Brussels Sprouts

Overnight Breakfast Casserole with Hash Browns

An overhead shot of breakfast casserole next to a single serving and a toppings bar. — Overnight Breakfast Casserole with Hash Browns. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Overnight Breakfast Casserole with Hash Browns takes about an hour and layers eggs, hash browns, cheese, and vegetables into a baked dish. The top browns while the inside stays soft and packed with flavor. It’s hearty, filling, and doesn’t need sausage or bacon to satisfy. Serve it once and no one asks for anything else.
Get the Recipe: Overnight Breakfast Casserole with Hash Browns

Garlicky Green Beans with Fried Onions

Garlicky Green Beans with Fried Onions take 20 minutes and combine fresh green beans with crisp onions and a sharp garlic finish. The texture is a mix of tender and crunchy with bold, savory flavor. They taste like comfort food but cook like a weeknight side. There’s nothing missing from the plate.
Get the Recipe: Garlicky Green Beans with Fried Onions

Roasted Sweet Potatoes With Honey Garlic

Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Honey Garlic bake in 30 minutes and use sweet potatoes, garlic, and honey for a sticky, caramelized finish. The edges are crisp while the inside stays soft and buttery. The flavor is warm, rich, and just sweet enough to stand alone. No roast needed to make this one shine.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Sweet Potatoes With Honey Garlic