Does anyone else get stuck serving the same thing over and over?
Roast chicken.
Roast potatoes.
Steamed vegetables.
Gravy.
Delicious? Absolutely.
But after a while, even your favourite meals start to feel a bit repetitive.
This week I realised I’d accidentally done exactly that. I was looking for something different to serve with a roast chicken. My fragrant vegetable rice was meant to be the answer… until my son politely informed me that he wasn’t interested in “broccoli-flavoured ice cream.” 😄
So I started making a list of all the easy sides that work with roast meat or fish. Some are classics, some are a little different, and most can be adapted with whatever you’ve already got.
🥔 1. Paris Mash
Creamy mashed potatoes with plenty of butter and a handful of chopped parsley.
Perfect with:
- roast chicken
- lamb
- sausages
🌾 2. Couscous
One of the quickest sides you’ll ever make.
Add:
- lemon zest
- parsley
- roasted vegetables
- feta
- herbs
Great with chicken, fish and lamb.
🍚 3. Rice (but make it different)
Instead of plain rice try:
- turmeric rice
- lemon herb rice
- mushroom rice
- tomato rice
- wild rice
🍠 4. Sweet Potato Mash
Softer and slightly sweeter than potato.
Lovely with:
- chicken
- pork
- sausages
🥕 5. Warm Roasted Vegetable Salad
Roast:
- pumpkin
- carrots
- beetroot
Finish with rocket, feta and seeds.
🥬 6. Slaw (But Make It the Meal)
Forget heavy mayo.
Use:
- cabbage
- carrot
- beetroot
- herbs
- yoghurt dressing
🫘 7. Butter Beans or Chickpeas
Warm them through with:
- garlic
- herbs
- olive oil
An easy way to add protein and fibre.
🥔 8. Crushed Potatoes
Boil.
Flatten.
Roast until crispy.
Everyone loves these.
🌽 9. Charred Corn
Fresh or frozen.
Mix with:
- herbs
- lime
- yoghurt
🥗 10. Green Grain Bowl
Mix together:
- quinoa
- barley
- brown rice
Then add herbs and greens.
🥒 11. Mediterranean Vegetables
Roast:
- zucchini
- capsicum
- eggplant
- tomatoes
Finish with olives and herbs.
🍝 12. Bitsa Pasta
Not every roast has to stay a roast.
Shred leftover chicken through a quick pasta with whatever vegetables are left in the fridge.
🥬 13. Wilted Greens
Spinach.
Silverbeet.
Kale.
Quickly cooked with garlic and olive oil.
🥖 14. Homemade Flatbreads
Perfect for soaking up gravy.
Or turning leftovers into wraps tomorrow.
🥗 15. The “What Could I Add?” Bowl
My favourite.
Start with whatever you’ve already cooked.
Then ask:
What could I add?
Maybe:
- chickpeas
- leftover vegetables
- herbs
- pickles
- feta
- seeds
Suddenly it’s a completely different meal.
Mrs E Tip
You don’t need fifteen new recipes.
You just need four or five different bases that you rotate.
Changing the side often makes dinner feel completely different, even if the main protein stays exactly the same.
Final Thoughts
Sometimes we think we’re bored of roast chicken.
Usually…
We’re just bored of what we’re serving with it.