31 Kid-Approved Vegetarian Side Dishes That Won't Make 'Em Gag

My kids won’t eat salad (at least not every day), so we’ve had to get creative with veggies to make sure the whole family is eating them. Over the years, I’ve found some great, healthy alternatives to the everyday side salad, and they’re not as hard to prepare as you’d think.

Here are our family’s favorite vegetarian side dishes that are easy to make and deliver a protein boost without adding meat to the meal.

More Healthy, Kid-Approved Meals:

Kid-Approved Vegetarian Side Dishes

Quinoa Mac 'n' Cheese Cups

Quinoa Mac 'n' Cheese cups swap out pasta for quinoa, and include a healthy portion of spinach as well. They're extra-crispy on the inside and gooey-warm on the inside, making this a healthy side dish that kids really love.
Honey Spiced Lentils and Rice

Honey spiced lentils and rice is a warm, comforting side dish. It is appealing to all ages and is easy to eat and digest.
Sauteed Kale With Mushrooms & Roasted Garlic

When it comes to my kids, the verdict is still out on kale. They love garlic though, so the combo of crispy kale sauteed with garlic is the key to making it work in our family. We like this sauteed kale with mushrooms and roasted garlic recipe, especially on busy weekdays, because it comes together quickly.
Roasted Corn and Avocado Salsa

This recipe passes the picky-kid test for sure. Corn delivers 4.7g of protein per cup, and this roasted corn and avocado salsa recipe is loaded with fresh roasted corn. Top fish or chicken with it, or just serve it with tortilla chips.
Rainbow Carrot Salad With White Beans

If your kids are obsessed with eating colors, they won't be able to resist this Rainbow Carrot Salad with White Beans recipe. The beans provide a nutritious serving of protein, and the colors make a beautiful side dish on your plates.
Broccoli Pecorino Fritters

Broccoli pecorino fritters are packed with protein and flavor. Don't worry if you have a broccoli-hater in the house---these will convert them!
Beet Chips

Sometimes you want a simple side dish that is crunchy and a little salty. That is where these fantastic beet chips come in!
Crunchy Brussels Sprouts Salad

My kids have a harder time eating Brussels sprouts straight, so mixing them into a well-dressed salad is the key to a clean plate. Brussels sprouts are delicious in many ways. This crunchy Brussels sprouts salad is a healthy dish with lots of flavor.
Blanched Asparagus With Dip

Asparagus can be prepared any number of ways. The best way to eat it on the side is sometimes the simplest: blanched with ranch dressing for dipping.
Rosemary Grilled Zucchini & Eggplant

Rosemary grilled zucchini and eggplant is delicious and neutral and tastes amazing any time of year. I let my kids pick the sauce they like on the side---sometimes it's teriyaki, sometimes it's ranch, and sometimes it's a little dollop of hummus. Serve them up alongside your grilled dinner to complete a nutritious meal.
Crispy Sauteed Kale

This crispy kale with toasty breadcrumbs is a perfect weeknight side dish that takes only minutes to prepare.

Get the full recipe at Momtastic.
Red Quinoa Vegetarian Chili

This fuss-free, one-pot veggie loaded chili packs a punch of flavor your kids will love. And it will last all week long.

Get the full recipe at Momtastic.
Spinach and Cheese Arancini Recipe

You can't go wrong with crispy on the outside, cheesy on the inside rice balls. Packed with hearty spinach, these make for a deliciously addictive meal addition.

Get the full recipe at Momtastic.
Mushroom Melts

Mushrooms can be tricky with the little ones. Try baking up these cheesy melts, with antioxidant-rich mushrooms, to get your kids enthusiastic about more exotic vegetables.

Get the full recipe at Momtastic.
Pesto Broccoli with Whole Grains

Get your little ones munching on greens like they're french fries with this pesto broccoli. Coating freshly steamed broccoli with swiss chard pesto is the secret to this veggie side dish. Be sure to make enough---your kids will be begging for more!

Get the full recipe at Momtastic.
Kale Guacamole

Who doesn't love creamy guacamole? In this version, kale is sneakily folded in for extra nutrients!

Get the full recipe at Momtastic.
Loaded Tex Mex Baked Potatoes

A wintry comfort food classic, loaded with zesty Tex-Mex flavors, this baked potato is far from boring and makes for an exciting side dish.

Get the full recipe at Momtastic.
Brown Rice Pilaf with Peas and Dill

Fresh peas and herbs are great green additions to this whole grain rice side dish.

Get the full recipe at Momtastic.
Marinated Green Beans

Marinating green beans packs more flavor. Serve up this undemanding side dish at a causal weeknight dinner or for a festive feast.

Get the full recipe at Momtastic.
Winter Squash Kugel

This deceivingly sweet casserole can be mistaken for dessert, but baked with healthy winter squash it makes a hearty enough dish to be served as a side.

Get the full recipe at Momtastic.
Quinoa-Mushroom Patties

Finely chopped mushrooms and quinoa come together to make a flavorful veggie patty, which can be served with any meal.

Get the full recipe at Momtastic.
Sweet Potato Gnocchi with Sage Cream Sauce

Sweet potato loaded gnocchi is a great accompaniment to any protein dinner.

Get the full recipe at Momtastic.
Crispy Smashed Potatoes with Avocado-Garlic Aioli

Smashed potatoes are so easy to prepare, and are a great, hearty side dish for quick weeknight meals. These spuds are dressed up with a special avocado aioli for extra flavor and a pop of color.

Get the full recipe at Oh She Glows.
Butternut Ribbon Goat Cheese Pizza

Ditch the tomato sauce for your next pizza night, and whip up this arugula pesto for added nutrition. You can't go wrong with creamy butternut squash and crunchy pumpkin seeds!

Get the full recipe at Cookie and Kate.
Pea and Ricotta Crostini

Creamy ricotta, sweet green peas, and fresh basil are blended together to make these deliciously vibrant crostinis.

Get the full recipe at Momtastic.
Swiss Chard Sweet Potato Mac and Cheese

Transform your nutrient-lacking mac and cheese into a superfood powerhouse with creamy sweet potato and Swiss chard.

Get the full recipe at Momtastic.
Cheddar Leek and Potato Gratin

A classic favorite: this vegetable gratin belongs on every dinner table.

Get the full recipe at Momtastic.
Sweet Potato Pomegranate Salad

Nature's most colorful produce, tossed to make a beautiful and flavor-packed root vegetable salad. Who wouldn't love these colors?

Get the full recipe at Two Peas and Their Pod.
Roasted Lemon Parmesan Green Beans

Dress up your ordinary green beans with lemon and Parmesan to make a not so ordinary side dish.

Get the full recipe at Two Peas and Their Pod.
Asparagus Pastry Sticks

Asparagus is usually considered to be a very adult vegetable and not so popular with the rug rats. By individually wrapping the stems with flaky dough, these green veggies will be transformed into irresistible treats.

Get the full recipe at Momtastic.
Glazed Carrots

In this recipe, carrots are stewed in a savory broth until tender and sweet. Glazed carrots make for an effortless and versatile side dish.

Get the full recipe at Momtastic.