19 Roasted Side Dishes That Keep It Simple

Roasting transforms vegetables into sides with depth, crisp edges, and just the right amount of sweetness or char. It takes simple ingredients and turns them into something with bold flavor and texture, often needing little more than salt, oil, and heat. These dishes bring variety to the table, from classics like roasted carrots to lesser-seen stars like kohlrabi and yams. They’re easy to pair with anything and hold their own next to the main dish.

Delicious Roasted Cabbage Steaks

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Thick cabbage rounds roast into golden-brown slabs with crispy edges and tender centers. A brush of oil and salt is all they need. The flavor goes from sharp to slightly sweet. A great side that holds its shape and texture.
Get the Recipe: Delicious Roasted Cabbage Steaks

Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Green Beans

This colorful combo roasts together on one pan, bringing soft sweet potatoes and crisp green beans into balance. The beans blister slightly while the potatoes caramelize around the edges. A little seasoning is all it takes. It’s hearty without being heavy.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Green Beans

Garlic Roasted Green Beans and Tomatoes

Garlic Green Beans on a sheet pan. — Garlic Roasted Green Beans and Tomatoes. Photo credit: Southern Food and Fun.

Green beans roast until lightly crisped, while cherry tomatoes burst and soften around them. Garlic adds a savory punch that soaks into both vegetables. The result is bright, juicy, and just a little smoky. Great warm or room temp.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Roasted Green Beans and Tomatoes

Roasted Kohlrabi with Parmesan

Kohlrabi slices roast into tender rounds with crisp edges, topped with Parmesan as they finish. The cheese adds salt and a bit of sharpness. Roasting tames the vegetable’s peppery flavor. It’s a side that feels unexpected but easy.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Kohlrabi with Parmesan

Roasted Sweet Potatoes With Honey Garlic

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

This dish layers sweet potatoes with a honey garlic glaze that bakes into a sticky finish. The edges crisp up while the garlic softens and infuses everything. It’s sweet, savory, and full of contrast. Serve it hot off the pan.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Sweet Potatoes With Honey Garlic

Roasted Broccoli and Brussels Sprouts

A bowl filled with roasted Brussels sprouts and broccoli. — Roasted Broccoli and Brussels Sprouts. Photo credit: Mama’s on a Budget.

Two bold-flavored vegetables team up on one sheet pan. Roasted until crispy at the edges, they bring bitterness, sweetness, and crunch. You can keep it basic or finish with lemon or balsamic. It’s a side with lots of character.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Broccoli and Brussels Sprouts

Roasted Broccolini

A closeup of roasted tenderstem broccoli and garlic are shown on a white plate. — Roasted Broccolini. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

Broccolini roasts quickly and crisps at the tips while staying tender in the stems. A little oil and garlic is enough to bring out its flavor. Finish with lemon or red pepper flakes. It’s fast, simple, and works with everything.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Broccolini

Buttery Whole Roasted Cauliflower

A whole head of cauliflower is roasted until the outside is golden and the inside is tender. Brushed with butter and herbs, it bakes up rich and savory. The outer edges crisp just enough to give contrast. Slice it at the table for a striking presentation.
Get the Recipe: Buttery Whole Roasted Cauliflower

Roasted Cherry Tomatoes

Tomatoes roast until their skins split and the insides become soft and jammy. They develop a rich, concentrated flavor in the oven. Spoon them over meat, pasta, or toast. They’re great warm or at room temp.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Cherry Tomatoes

Easy and Tasty Roasted Okra Recipe

Roasting okra helps avoid the usual sliminess and brings out a nutty flavor. The pods blister slightly and stay crisp. A touch of oil and spice is all it takes. Great for dipping or eating as is.
Get the Recipe: Easy and Tasty Roasted Okra Recipe

Air Fryer Honey Roasted Carrots

Carrots cook fast in the air fryer with a glaze that turns golden and sticky. The texture is tender but not mushy, with lightly crisped edges. A sprinkle of salt balances the sweetness. Quick, colorful, and full of flavor.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Honey Roasted Carrots

Roasted Garlic Parmesan Asparagus

Asparagus spears roast until just tender, then get finished with grated Parmesan and garlic. The cheese melts slightly and adds a salty bite. Roasting brings out the natural sweetness while the garlic adds depth. A simple side that cooks quickly and tastes like more than the sum of its parts.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Garlic Parmesan Asparagus

Bacon Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Roasted brussels sprouts with caramelized edges in a serving dish. — Bacon Roasted Brussels Sprouts. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

Sprouts and bacon roast together so the fat seeps into every bite. The sprouts caramelize while the bacon crisps up, bringing smoky flavor to the whole dish. No extra oil needed. It’s savory, salty, and hard to stop eating.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Spicy Roasted Cauliflower

Cauliflower florets are coated in spices and roasted until golden and tender. The heat can be adjusted, but a little chili powder gives it a great kick. Crisp edges give texture while the middle stays soft. Add a cool dipping sauce if you like contrast.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Roasted Cauliflower

Oven-Roasted French Fries

Cut potatoes into sticks, toss in oil and seasoning, and roast until golden and crisp. These fries get a crunchy exterior with a soft center, no deep fryer required. Paprika or garlic powder adds extra flavor. Serve them hot and they’ll disappear fast.
Get the Recipe: Oven-Roasted French Fries

Roasted Cubed Butternut Squash with Cauliflower and Bacon

Roasted butternut squash with cauliflower and bacon and dollops of sour cream with a spoon. — Roasted Cubed Butternut Squash with Cauliflower and Bacon. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Cubed squash and cauliflower roast together with crispy pieces of bacon. The mix of sweet, savory, and salty hits all the right notes. The bacon fat helps everything caramelize. It’s a hearty, all-in-one side.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Cubed Butternut Squash with Cauliflower and Bacon

Oven Roasted Purple Yam Recipe: An Easy Side Dish

Sweet and creamy oven-roasted purple yams on a white plate with green onions. — Oven Roasted Purple Yam Recipe: An Easy Side Dish. Photo credit: Sassy Chopsticks.

Purple yams roast with a dense texture and slightly sweet flavor. The vibrant color holds up through cooking. Just oil and seasoning make them shine. They’re unexpected but easy to love.
Get the Recipe: Oven Roasted Purple Yam Recipe: An Easy Side Dish

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.

Carrots roast with a glaze of honey and oil that caramelizes beautifully. The edges brown and crisp while the centers stay soft. A bit of salt keeps the sweetness in check. It’s a simple, classic combo that always works.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Honey Glazed Carrots

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.

Carrots, potatoes, and beets roast together until each brings out its own flavor. A mix of textures and colors makes this dish stand out. Season with herbs or keep it simple with just salt and pepper. It’s a great way to use up whatever’s on hand.
Get the Recipe: Oven Roasted Root Vegetables