Making One of These Easy, Healthy Side Dishes Is a Simple Way to Upgrade Any Weeknight Dinner

If you're craving a break from the ordinary meal rotation, incorporating a new side dish into the routine is a low-commitment way to shake things up. Here, we've gathered four of our favorite deliciously different sides to show how easy it is—with the right recipe, of course—to cook a little outside the box and enjoy great results.

Harissa-Roasted Green Beans

A complex and spicy red chile paste that originates from Northern Africa, harissa is peppery, earthy, and a touch smoky. It's is a great all-purpose condiment to have on hand to liven up meats and vegetables. In the Harissa-Roasted Green Beans you see above, it coats mild green beans, then the beans are roasted to bring out their natural sweetness.

Greek Quinoa Salad

Make a batch of this hearty and nutritious side salad, which features all the usual beloved Greek salad ingredients plus the addition of quinoa, and it will end up working overtime for you. Serve a scoop of this Greek Quinoa Salad alongside kebabs for an easy dinner one night, then enjoy leftovers as a plant-based main for lunch the next day.

Za'atar Smashed Potatoes

Za'atar is a spice blend worth keeping in your cabinet. Try it on crispy oven-roasted potatoes first—it takes our Za'atar Smashed Potatoes to next level deliciousness. Soon you'll find yourself sprinkling it on everything from hummus to roast chicken.

Asparagus and Shiitake Stir-Fry

This easy, healthy recipe coaxes the very best out of just a handful of ingredients: umami-laden mushrooms, crisp-tender asparagus stalks, and nutty toasted sesame oil. Make Asparagus and Shiitake Stir-Fry dinner by serving it alongside a nice piece of fish. You can save any leftovers and fold them into tomorrow morning's scramble.