Side dishes - LivLaughCook

Want to be extra this Valentine’s Day without all the fuss? Pack your kids some caprese heart skewers and watch as they ooo and ahhh over those cute little heart shaped tomatoes. Liv hates tomatoes but these little hearts win her over every single Valentine’s Day. Just don’t ask her to eat a tomato on the 15th because she’ll flat out refuse. ❤️ Great for lunchboxes, holiday appetizers, or even an afternoon snack, these mozzarella, basil, and tomato skewers are easy to make and kid-friendly! If your kids aren’t into the flavors of basil, you can always substitute with spinach for a milder flavor.

Lemon Dill Quinoa SaladLooking for an easy summer salad?? I got you covered 😉 As a vegetarian mama, my go-to plant-based protein source is always quinoa! For the summer months when it's too hot to make anything warm, I love making this citrus herb quinoa salad for a main or side dish at our backyard barbecues. With fresh dill grown straight from our garden, this meal is so fragrant and flavorful. We make this on repeat all summer long!

Veggie Fried RiceCraving something quick, delicious, and nutritious for dinner? Our Vegetarian Veggie Fried Rice is your go-to weeknight hero when time is tight! This vibrant dish is a one-pot wonder that’s perfect for those evenings when you need a satisfying meal without the fuss. And here’s the fun part - get the kids involved! They’ll love helping out by cutting veggies (with kid-safe knives) and cracking eggs, making dinner prep a fun family activity. Not only does it turn mealtime into a family bonding moment, but it also introduces them to the joys of cooking and the importance of nutritious eating.

Vegetable Sesame NoodlesNow that summer is in full swing, we're all about BBQs and picnics. This veggie packed sesame noodle pasta salad is always such a hit whether I'm entertaining or bringing it over to a potluck. I find most sesame noodle marinades use peanut butter or soy sauce, but this one uses coco aminos instead so the dressing doesn't overpower the entire dish!

Southwest Bean + Corn Pasta SaladAs a vegetarian mama, beans are often my go-to for a rich protein source. I find that they pair well with corn and come together for a full meal when combined into an avocado pasta salad with a cilantro-lime vinaigrette dressing. This dish works well as a main meal or side and can be meal prepped by cooking the pasta beforehand, in addition to chopping your veggies and roasting the corn. 🍱 Perfect for lunchboxes 🌱 Vegan ⏰ Great meal-prep meal

Citrus Honey Orange MuffinsIt’s pure magic when sweet golden honey combines with fresh citrusy orange and creates an explosion of caramelized goodness in muffin form. 💫 Grain-free and made with almond flour, these muffins are also perfect for Passover! We love baking these honey orange muffins because they’re perfect for little hands & lunchbox snacks, they’re a great vitamin C-rich meal prep breakfast food, and also because they’re oh so crave-worthy 🤤. (#sponsored) These sweet + springy muffins are made with organic orange juice from @unclemattsorganic. We love this family owned company because their products are truly clean label: certified glyphosate residue free, no toxic pesticides, no GMOs, and no preservatives. And did I mention their orange juice tastes so fresh + sweet? Sawyer goes through bottles and bottles (and bottles) 😂.

Chunky GuacamoleOur homemade guacamole is such a flavorful dip or appetizer, and is extremely kid-friendly! Avocados are a great source of vitamins C, E, K, and B6, and they contain high levels of healthy fats that keep you fuller in between meals (so that the kids won't come back 5 minutes later complaining they're still hungry!).

Homemade Blender HummusCreamy and protein-rich, our homemade hummus is made with simple ingredients and comes together in a blender making cleanup a cinch! With canned chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, garlic, and spices, this easy dip will become your new favorite go-to snack!

Teriyaki Glazed Green Beans

Looking for an easy weeknight side dish? Green beans are high in vitamin K, and they also contain a good amount of calcium. This dish has simple ingredients that come together to form a deliciously sweet sauce that's soy-free!

Cheesy Spaghetti Squash Bake

Did you know that spaghetti squash is high in vitamins and antioxidants? This cheesy spaghetti squash casserole is extremely kid-friendly and has a similar creamy feel to mac n cheese but the noodles are replaced with a vegetable! If you want to give it a baked ziti feel, add some marinara sauce! A fun way to try a new vegetable with the kids.

Parmesan Crusted Zucchini RoundsLooking for an easy kid-friendly side dish? Made with just 3 simple ingredients, these zucchini crisps take minimal prep time and are a great way to get in those vitamins, potassium, and fiber... so load up!

Cauliflower Latkes (Pancakes)These cauliflower latkes are a great alternative to traditional Chanukah potato latkes! Loaded with fiber and B-vitamins from the cauliflower and high in protein from the chickpea crumbs, this is a lighter version of the classic that's also kid-friendly.