When the kids reach for the side dish before the main plate, it is usually because texture and flavor are doing more work than expected. These 9 recipes move from crisp oven-baked vegetables and golden fries to cheesy rice, biscuits, roasted carrots, and skillet patties. Each one comes with a clear cooking method, a practical way to bring it to the table, and enough variety to make second helpings likely. The mains may still be waiting, but these sides know how to take over dinner.
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