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If you struggle with What to Serve with Grilled Cheese, then these 30 recipes are for you. Easy side dish recipes to complete your meal.

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If you love a classic Grilled Cheese sandwich for an afternoon lunch, then you need to serve it with one of these perfect side dishes. Grilled cheese Sandwich is the ultimate comfort food.

We love to make it with slices of cheddar cheese, gouda and fontina on a sourdough bread. The savory flavor makes it the best sandwich the whole family will love.

Easy Grilled Cheese Side Dishes

The next time you make a delicious grilled cheese sandwich add a simple green salad, potato chips or one of these easy side dishes.

1. Homemade French Fries

Homemade French Fries is one of the best sides dishes for grilled cheese sandwiches. This recipe cooks up easy and even better dipped into ketchup.

You may even like these sweet potato fries.

French fries with ketchup.
Homemade French Fries
In just minutes, you can enjoy easy homemade fries that make a great side dish or try them for a tasty snack.
Homemade French Fries

2. Air Fryer Tater Tots

Air Fryer Tater Tots is an easy recipe that takes minutes to prepare. These crispy tator tots make the best side dish for grilled cheese, hot dogs, game day snack and much more.

A bowl filled with golden, crispy Air Fryer Tator Tots, with a small round dish of ketchup for dipping placed on the side.
Air Fryer Tater Tots
In less than 15 minutes, this tasty snack or side dish can be ready to enjoy.
Air Fryer Tater Tots

3. Panera Bread Tomato Soup

I love this tomato basil soup recipe from Panera and it pairs perfectly with a grilled cheese sandwich. I love to even dip the grilled cheese into the soup for the best flavor.

A white bowl filled with creamy tomato soup, inspired by the Panera Bread Tomato Soup Recipe, is topped with croutons, shredded cheese, and a fresh basil leaf, and sits on a white surface.
Panera Bread Tomato Soup
It is delicious and easy to make. Simple ingredients give this soup so much flavor.
Panera Bread Tomato Soup

4. Marinara Sauce

Make this marinara sauce for dipping your grilled cheese sandwich for amazing flavor. This simple ingredient marinara sauce is the perfect side dish.

A wooden spoon stirs thick, red homemade marinara sauce recipe in a stainless steel pot on a dark surface.
Marinara Sauce
Homemade marinara sauce recipe is so flavorful and very simple to make.
Marinara Sauce

5. Air Fryer Fried Pickles

For the extra flavor and crunch, add this fried pickles for amazing flavor. Give your dill pickles more flavor by air frying them. We have even put the pickles on our grilled cheese for a delicious twist.

A plate of crispy, golden-brown Air Fryer Fried Pickles is arranged next to a small bowl of creamy dipping sauce, garnished with parsley.
Air Fryer Fried Pickles
Pickles are so cheap to buy and the breading is inexpensive too. You can make this at home for a fraction of the price.
Air Fryer Fried Pickles

6. Butternut Squash Soup

We love serving soup with the grilled cheese sandwiches for amazing flavor. The melted cheese on the slices of bread and serve with this soup makes for amazing flavor.

A creamy crockpot butternut squash soup in a black slow cooker, garnished with a swirl of cream, chopped herbs, and red pepper flakes, surrounded by bread, a wooden board, and fresh green parsley.
Crockpot Butternut Squash Soup
Crockpot Butternut Squash Soup is so creamy and delicious. Toss everything into the slow cooker for an easy meal that is hearty and flavorful.
Crockpot Butternut Squash Soup

7. Ketchup

Ketchup is loaded with flavor and making it from scratch makes it taste better. You will be surprised how easy it is to make.

A glass jar filled with homemade ketchup sits on a wooden surface beside crinkle-cut french fries and a spoon with ketchup on it. A plate of fries and a checkered cloth are in the background.
Homemade Ketchup Recipe
Next time you need some, try this homemade ketchup recipe. You can save a lot of money by using this homemade ketchup recipe instead of storebought.
Homemade Ketchup Recipe

8. Fruit Salad

Make this fruit salad for a light and delicious side dish. This fruit salad is delicious tossed in a light dressing for added flavor.

A bowl filled with a colorful mix of fresh fruit, including strawberries, pineapple, kiwi, blackberries, blueberries, and red grapes—perfect for trying a new fruit salad recipe. The bowl sits on a white surface with a checked cloth nearby.
Fruit Salad
This classic Fruit Salad is light, refreshing, and tossed in a lime and honey dressing.
Fruit Salad

10. Creamy Vegetable Soup

This soup is perfect for dipping your grilled cheese sandwich for amazing flavor. Load your vegetable soup bowl with tons of veggies.

A bowl of creamy vegetable soup recipe with visible chunks of carrots, broccoli, potatoes, and herbs. A piece of bread is partially visible on the side.
Creamy Vegetable Soup
It is packed with veggies but so creamy and delicious plus ready in just minutes!
Creamy Vegetable Soup

11. Best Coleslaw

This coleslaw is quick and easy and makes for the best salad. We have even made a broccoli salad, cucumber salad and a macaroni salad for a family favorite lunch idea.

A bowl of coleslaw salad with a fork and a white bowl. extra coleslaw and bowls in the background.
Best Coleslaw
It is so easy to make with the perfect blend of tang and creaminess.
Best Coleslaw

12. Chick-fil-a Cole Slaw

This Cole Slaw is delicious and loaded with flavor. It is is one of our favorite copycat recipe that makes for a delicious side dish.

Easy chick fil a coleslaw recipe. a checkered cloth and wooden board in the background.
Chick-fil-a Cole Slaw
It is easy to make, budget-friendly, and delicious.
Chick-fil-a Cole Slaw

13. Mexican Chicken Soup

This Mexican Chicken Soup is loaded with simple ingredients and a family favorite soup recipe.

A bowl of Mexican chicken soup recipe, topped with avocado slices, sour cream, cilantro, and crispy tortilla strips, is surrounded by a colorful napkin, a spoon, and part of a cutting board with fresh cilantro.
Mexican Chicken Soup
I love that I can use leftover chicken in this recipe and the veggies give it a ton of flavor.
Mexican Chicken Soup

14. Homemade Air Fryer Tortilla Chips

We love using the air fryer to make tortilla chips. The air fryer makes the tortilla chips crispy and loaded with flavor.

Homemade Air Fryer Tortilla Chips
You only need 3 Ingredients to make Homemade Air Fryer Tortilla Chips.
Homemade Air Fryer Tortilla Chips

15. Instant Pot Vegetable Soup

Using the instant pot has been a game changer for my family. Using it to make a simple ingredient vegetable soup makes the perfect complete meal idea.

A bowl of chunky Instant Pot Vegetable Soup with carrots, potatoes, corn, green beans, tomatoes, and herbs, garnished with parsley. A red and white checkered cloth is partially visible beside the bowl.
Instant Pot Vegetable Soup
It is packed with hearty vegetables and cooked to perfection in the pressure cooker for a meal sure to be a hit.
Instant Pot Vegetable Soup

16. Air Fryer Turkey Bacon

This turkey bacon is great as a side dish or you can add a slice or two to your grilled cheese sandwich.

Crispy strips of vegan bacon made from a plant-based alternative are arranged side by side on a white plate, offering a great option for those seeking an air fryer turkey bacon substitute.
Air Fryer Turkey Bacon
Just simply place in the air fryer and walk away. It is that easy.
Air Fryer Turkey Bacon

17. Cranberry Chutney

This cranberry chutney is the perfect combination of sweetness to serve with your grilled cheese sandwich.

Cranberry Chutney
This cranberry sauce alternative is easy to make with simple ingredients.
Cranberry Chutney

18. Deep Fried Onion Rings

Fried onion rings make the best side dish. They are thick, crispy and takes minutes to prepare. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce for amazing flavor.

A close-up of a plate piled with crispy, golden-brown fried onion rings, each coated in a crunchy breading.
Deep Fried Onion Rings
These crispy fried onion rings are so easy to make at home. The onion rings are thick, crispy and amazing.
Deep Fried Onion Rings

21. Quick Salsa Verde de Tomatillo

This sweet and spicy flavors makes the perfect salsa. Serve with your favorite tortilla chips for the best sides for grilled cheese.

A bowl of salsa verde de tomatillo sits in the center of a plate surrounded by crispy, golden tortilla chips. The salsa has a textured, slightly chunky appearance, and some parsley adds a touch of freshness in the background.
Quick Salsa Verde de Tomatillo
This salsa has the perfect blend of sweet and spicy, and is easy to make too.
Quick Salsa Verde de Tomatillo

22. Tortellini Pasta Salad

I love to make this pasta salad for an fresh veggie pasta salad. It taste even better with easy homemade salad dressing.

close up of tortellini pasta with a metal spoon.
Tortellini Pasta Salad
It is loaded with fresh vegetables, pasta and delicious dressing.
Tortellini Pasta Salad

23. Crock Pot Potato Soup

This potato soup is delicious and easy to make. You only need 5 ingredients to make this potato soup in the slow cooker.

A bowl of creamy Crockpot Potato Soup garnished with chopped green onions and crispy fried onions, with a spoon in the bowl. A patterned cloth napkin is beside the bowl.
Crock Pot Potato Soup
This 5-Ingredient Crock Pot Potato Soup makes the most delicious soup without any of the work.
Crock Pot Potato Soup

24. Spinach Salad

This healthy salad makes the best side dish and loaded with fresh ingredients.

A vibrant Spinach Strawberry Salad features sliced strawberries, red onion, feta cheese, pecans, and poppy seeds atop fresh spinach. Extra toppings surround the bowl, with a fork and red-checkered napkin completing the inviting scene.
Spinach Strawberry Salad
Spinach Strawberry Salad is easy to make at home and makes the perfect meal. Lots of fresh ingredients and delicious dressing make this salad amazing.
Spinach Strawberry Salad

25. Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

This classic chicken noodle soup cooks easily on the stove top and taste amazing because it is homemade.

A ladle lifting homemade chicken noodle soup with spiral noodles, shredded chicken, sliced carrots, celery, and parsley from a pot of flavorful broth.
Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup
Enjoy Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe in just 20 minutes any day of the week thanks to this easy recipe.
Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

27. Traditional Potato Salad

This classic potato salad is loaded with simple ingredients. It is the perfect side dish for grilled cheese or with any sandwich.

A wooden spoon holds up a serving of creamy, Traditional Potato Salad Recipe with chunks of potato and celery, above a scalloped bowl filled with more salad on a rustic white table.
Traditional Potato Salad
This recipe has the perfect blend of mayonnaise, sweet pickles, spices, and more for such a flavorful potato salad.
Traditional Potato Salad

29. Hasselback Potatoes

I love making these potatoes for an easy side dish. The cook even in the oven and even better topped with butter and parmesan cheese.

Close-up of golden-brown Hasselback Potatoes, thinly sliced and seasoned with herbs and spices, garnished with fresh parsley on a white plate.
Hasselback Potatoes
Hasselback Potatoes is thinly sliced potatoes that are roasted with a crispy texture.
Hasselback Potatoes

30. Caesar Salad

Make this classic caesar salad for a simple side dish that is easy to make.

Fresh Caesar salad with grilled chicken croutons and parmesan cheese in a white bowl
Caesar Salad
You can eat it plain or add chicken to make it a full meal. It is so flavorful and really simple.
Caesar Salad

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About the Author

Hi, I’m Carrie Barnard — a professional food blogger with over 14 years of experience helping busy families make dinner fast, easy, and affordable.

At Eating on a Dime, I share simple, budget-friendly recipes that are tested in my own kitchen and approved by my 8 kids. With millions of readers each month, I’m here to help you cook real food for real families — without the stress.

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