10 Delightful Catering Side Dishes

Introduction

Catering side dishes are the unsung heroes of any meal spread. I’m Samuel, your culinary guide here at Trips Recipes, and I remember the first time I whipped up a quick side that stole the spotlight at a family gathering. In just a few minutes, it made the kitchen buzz with compliments—and saved the day for this busy host. If you crave dishes that shine without the fuss, these sides will become your secret hosting weapon.

The Best 10 Catering Side Dishes

Dish	Main Ingredients	Flavor	Difficulty	Time
Parmesan Roasted Asparagus	Asparagus, olive oil, Parmesan	Savory, nutty	Easy	~15–17 min
Honey-Glazed Carrots with Thyme	Carrots, butter, honey, thyme	Sweet, herby	Easy	~12 min
Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes	Potatoes, garlic, sour cream, milk	Creamy, garlicky	Medium	~25 min
Caprese Pasta Salad	Pasta, tomatoes, mozzarella, basil	Fresh, tangy	Easy	~20 min
Sweet Potato Casserole Bites	Sweet potatoes, eggs, brown sugar, cinnamon	Sweet, spiced	Medium	~25 min
Mediterranean Couscous Salad	Couscous, cucumber, tomato, feta	Bright, salty	Easy	~15 min
Garlic-Parmesan Pull-Apart Rolls	Rolls, butter, garlic, Parmesan	Buttery, cheesy	Easy	~20 min
Zesty Lemon Green Beans	Green beans, olive oil, lemon	Zesty, light	Easy	~10 min
Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole	Rice, broccoli, cheddar, milk	Cheesy, comforting	Medium	~30 min
Mango Avocado Salsa	Mango, avocado, red onion, lime	Sweet, tangy, fresh	Easy	~10 min

1. Parmesan Roasted Asparagus

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs asparagus, trimmed
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt & pepper to taste

How to Make It:

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Rinse and trim the woody ends off the asparagus.
3. Spread them on a baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
4. Roast in the oven for 12–15 minutes until just tender.
5. Remove from the oven, sprinkle Parmesan over the top, and return to the oven for 2 more minutes until the cheese is melted and slightly golden.

2. Honey-Glazed Carrots with Thyme

Ingredients:

• 1 lb carrots, peeled and sliced into sticks
• 2 tbsp butter
• 2 tbsp honey
• 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves

How to Make It:

1. Steam the carrots for about 6–8 minutes until just fork-tender.
2. In a skillet, melt the butter over medium heat.
3. Stir in the honey and thyme.
4. Add the carrots to the skillet, tossing them in the glaze for 3–4 minutes until nicely coated and slightly caramelized.

3. Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs Yukon Gold potatoes, cubed
• 4 cloves garlic, peeled
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 2 tbsp butter
• Salt & pepper to taste

How to Make It:

1. Place potatoes and garlic in a large pot of salted water.
2. Bring to a boil and cook for 15–20 minutes until potatoes are fork-tender.
3. Drain and return to the pot.
4. Add milk, sour cream, butter, salt, and pepper.
5. Mash until creamy and smooth. Adjust seasoning as needed.

4. Caprese Pasta Salad

Ingredients:

• 1 lb fusilli pasta
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 cup mozzarella pearls
• 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, torn
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• Salt & pepper to taste

How to Make It:

1. Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and let cool.
2. In a large bowl, combine pasta, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil.
3. Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
4. Toss gently to combine and season with salt and pepper.

5. Sweet Potato Casserole Bites

Ingredients:

• 2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and mashed
• 2 eggs
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• Mini marshmallows (optional)

How to Make It:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a mixing bowl, combine mashed sweet potatoes, eggs, brown sugar, and cinnamon.
3. Scoop mixture into a greased muffin tin.
4. Top each bite with a marshmallow if desired.
5. Bake for 15–18 minutes until set and marshmallows are golden.

6. Mediterranean Couscous Salad

Ingredients:

• 1 3/4 cups water
• 1 cup couscous
• 1/2 cup chopped cucumber
• 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp lemon juice

How to Make It:

1. Bring water to a boil in a saucepan.
2. Stir in couscous, cover, and remove from heat. Let sit for 5 minutes.
3. Fluff with a fork and let cool.
4. In a large bowl, mix couscous with cucumber, tomatoes, and feta.
5. Drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice, toss to combine.

7. Garlic-Parmesan Pull-Apart Rolls

Ingredients:

• 12 pre-made dinner rolls
• 4 tbsp butter, melted
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese

How to Make It:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cut each roll into quarters and place in a mixing bowl.
3. Mix melted butter with garlic and pour over rolls.
4. Add Parmesan and toss to coat.
5. Arrange in a greased baking dish and bake for 15–20 minutes until golden.

8. Zesty Lemon Green Beans

Ingredients:

• 1 lb green beans, trimmed
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Zest and juice of 1 lemon
• Salt & pepper to taste

How to Make It:

1. Blanch green beans in boiling water for 3 minutes, then shock in ice water.
2. Drain and toss with olive oil, lemon zest and juice.
3. Season with salt and pepper.

9. Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked rice
• 2 cups chopped broccoli, steamed
• 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup milk
• Salt & pepper to taste

How to Make It:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a large bowl, combine rice, broccoli, cheese, milk, salt, and pepper.
3. Pour into a greased baking dish.
4. Bake for 20–25 minutes until bubbly and golden.

10. Mango Avocado Salsa

Ingredients:

• 1 ripe mango, diced
• 1 ripe avocado, diced
• 1/2 red onion, finely chopped
• Juice of 1 lime
• Salt & chopped cilantro to taste

How to Make It:

1. Gently combine mango, avocado, and red onion in a bowl.
2. Squeeze lime juice over the top.
3. Sprinkle with salt and cilantro.
4. Chill for 10 minutes before serving.

Tips & Tricks

• Prep ahead: Roast veggies or boil potatoes a day ahead and reheat to save time.
• Make it fancy: Add fresh herbs like parsley or basil just before serving for a fresh pop.
• Balance textures: Mix warm, creamy dishes with crisp, fresh salads for variety.

Mistakes to Avoid

• Overcooking veggies: Keep green sides crisp-tender to avoid mushy bites.
• Too much salt: Taste at every step—@salt early, at end.
• Serving cold: Warm warm dishes to enhance flavors—cold mashed potatoes? No thanks!

From the Parmesan-roasted asparagus to the refreshing mango avocado salsa, these catering side dishes are crowd-pleasers that won’t stress your schedule. Whether you’re juggling work, family, or both, these sides bring ease—and flavor—to your table. Thanks for cooking alongside me, and may your next gathering shine!

didn’t find your favorite recipes here check out the following:
The Best Side Dish Catering
Hawaiin side dishes
Mexican vegetable side dishes
10 Best Vegetable side dishes
20 Easy Passover side dishes

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FAQs About Catering Side Dishes

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