Great news! You’re invited to an Easter potluck. But despite having good intentions on planning the perfect side, you’ve left it to the last minute — oops. You could take the easy route and go for the usual roasted veg side, keep things casual with some simple crostini, or look to these 13 unexpected, vibrant options. (Just remember to check the servings and adjust your ingredients accordingly.)

Crunchy Green Beans With Orange Miso Sauce Easter Side Dish Recipe

1. Crunchy Green Beans With Orange Miso Sauce: Green beans might not seem like an exciting dish to bring to a potluck, but these promise big flavor. The original recipe makes enough for just four people, so adjust it accordingly. (via Jessica Gavin)

Brown Butter Maple Glazed Roasted Rainbow Carrots Easter Side Dish Recipe

2. Brown Butter Maple Glazed Roasted Rainbow Carrots: This colorful side dish is a cinch to make but, thanks to brown butter and maple, packs a flavorful punch. (via Plated Cravings)

Sweet and Spicy Yam Wedges Easter Side Dish Recipe

3. Sweet and Spicy Yam Wedges: If you’re feeding a crowd of picky eaters with different dietary needs, this tasty side is a must; it’s vegan, Paleo, and Whole30 friendly! (via The Endless Meal)

Crispy Smashed Potatoes With Pink Tahini Sauce Easter Side Dish Recipe

4. Crispy Smashed Potatoes With Pink Tahini Sauce: You can’t go wrong with crispy smashed taters, especially when they’re served with an Easter-ready pink sauce. (via Nutritional Foodie)

Quick Southern Collared Greens With Bacon Easter Side Dish Recipe

5. Quick Southern Collared Greens With Bacon: This hearty Southern classic is as easy as it is delicious. After all, everything is better with BACON. (via Family Food on the Table)

Brussels Sprout Slaw With Dried Cranberries and Pepitas Easter Side Dish Recipe

6. Brussels Sprout Slaw With Dried Cranberries and Pepitas: If someone in your crew claims that they aren’t into Brussels sprouts, this creamy, dreamy slaw might be a turning point for them. (via She Likes Food)

Sausage and Mushroom Bread Pudding Easter Side Dish Recipe

7. Sausage and Mushroom Bread Pudding: While bread puddings are usually reserved for dessert, sausage and mushrooms give it a main-course makeover. (via Bakers Royale)

do you even paleo

8. Legit Whipped Mashed Potatoes: With heavy cream and silky butter, these taters are clearly too legit; too legit to quit. (via Do You Even Paleo?)

flavor quotient

9. Crispy Cauliflower With Capers and Raisins: Cauliflower has become a side dish fave, and this slightly sweet recipe only gives us reason to keep the momentum going. (via Flavor Quotient)

a salad for all seasons

10. Potatoes Dauphinoise With Thyme: Fact: No one is going to pass up a gooey and cheesy potato casserole. (via A Salad for All Seasons)

the food charlatan

11. Roasted Garlic Ratatouille: Despite its intricate, showstopping appearance, it’s *super* easy to put together. (via The Food Charlatan)

cook with manali

12. Gobi Manchurian: This spicy Indo-Chinese dish is one heck of a way to kick things up at a potluck. (via Cook With Manali)

damn delicious

13. Slow Cooker Garlic Herb Mushrooms: This swoon-worthy side makes your life easy with minimal prep, and if you have a portable slow cooker, even better. (via Damn Delicious)

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Dana Sandonato
Born in Canada and now living in the beautiful state of North Carolina, Dana is a coffee-reliant food writer with a healthy appetite, a taste for culinary adventure, a thirst for good beers, and an endless hunger for food photography. When not writing for Brit + Co, she can be found pouring herself into her blog-turned-webzine, Killing Thyme, or taste-testing at local breweries with her husband. Dana's ideal down time includes pizza, marathoning on Netflix, or watching her fave flicks from the 80s and 90s - no matter how great or awful they are!