Sparkle’s Ultimate Guide to Summer Side Dishes
Although the summer potluck invitations may have been few and far between this year, that doesn’t mean you can’t still throw together some delicious, fresh side dishes for yourself and your family to enjoy! Check out our recipes below.
Pasta Salads
Pasta salads are undoubtedly one of the most versatile summer side dishes out there. Between the different types of pastas, sauces and mix-ins, there’s nearly endless recipe options. The best part? You can probably find a recipe that fits what you already have in your kitchen! Here’s a few pasta salad recipes worth trying:
- Zesty Pasta Salad – fresh Mozzarella, tomatoes, salami, black olives
- Alfredo Pasta Salad – creamy with chicken, bacon, olives
- BBQ Ranch Pasta Salad – corn, black beans, peppers, chicken, fritos
- Veggie Pasta Salad – shredded chicken, tomatoes, peaches, arugula, eggs
- Smoked Gouda and Basil Pasta Salad – tomatoes, peas, gouda
- Garden Pasta Salad – zucchini, pepper, corn, peaches
- Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad – croutons, tomatoes, romaine, Parmesan
- Mandarin Spinach Teriyaki Pasta Salad – cashews, craisins, mandarin oranges, cilantro
Potatoes
Potato side dishes go beyond your average potato salad. Think: Cheesy potatoes, roasted potatoes and potato skins too. Here’s some of our favorite potato side dishes that we hope you like too!
- Loaded Potato Salad
- French Onion Potato Salad
- Lemon Mustard Potato Salad
- Cheesy Potatoes
- Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole
- Potato Skin Bites
Beans ‘n Greens
Sometimes when it comes to sides it’s nice to just keep things simple, right? Cue the humble bean (sometimes paired with green). Pro tip: Make any of these recipes in the slow cooker for easier cleanup and minimal heat in the kitchen.
Fruits & Dips
Summer is definitely the best time to bring fruity side dishes or simple dips. With so many fresh fruits in season, you have tons of options to choose from. And dips give guests a light option to snack on, rather than dishing out a heavy full-course meal.
- Hawaiian Dip
- Roasted Red Pepper Hummus
- Strawberry Pretzel Dip
- Homemade Guacamole
- Jalapeno Havarti Cheese Ball
- Creamy Fruit Salad
- Fruit Salad with Chips
Now that you have your recipe(s), make sure to stop by your local Sparkle Market for all the quality fresh ingredients you need to make your summer side dish a success!
