Ina Garten’s 10 Best Side Dishes For Fall Entertaining

A prettier than average tart, this beauty also has an easy scratch-made crust for extra bragging rights. Using a mandoline or sharp knife makes quick work of the zucchini slices, and Ina’s drying method ensures the pastry underneath won’t get soggy. 

Although the glorious days of tomato season are sadly behind us, this recipe works well with always available cherry or grape tomatoes and their sweetness offers a nice counterpoint to the soft savouriness of the dish. Pillowy burrata encases lush curds within a thin mozzarella skin and is much prized among cheese connoisseurs.

You can whisk up a simple white sauce stovetop for Ina’s make-ahead cauliflower gratin, freeing up the oven for pre-gathering baking or other preparation. The crunchy breadcrumb and Gruyère topping adds a textural contrast and eye appeal.

Related: Ina Garten’s Spinach Gratin

Grating zucchini using a box grater may seem laborious, but there’s only two to shred in this easy recipe from Ina. It’s also a great way to stretch vegetables: a mere two zucchini makes enough of these delicious pancakes to serve 10 people.

Sometimes, keeping things simple is the best recipe and Ina’s rosemary roasted potatoes are an ode to the classic side dish. With just five ingredients and an easy technique, this recipe will be pulled out for holiday gatherings for years.

Ina takes the basic elements of a Caesar salad and makes a few savvy substitutions to turn it into something completely new. Pancetta (buy it already diced to save time) and Pecorino cheese add salty elements, while sturdy kale can be dressed ahead in order to save last minute rushing around while your guests wait.

Related: Ina Garten’s Greek Salad is a Classic Dinner Recipe For a Reason

Although Kielbasa hails from a different part of Europe, there’s a real French sensibility to this salad, with tiny green Le Puy lentils and a good amount of Dijon mustard and turnips mixing together to transport you and your guests to a small Paris bistro. Make this dish ahead of time and lay the toasted baguette smeared with herbed goat cheese over top just before bringing it to the table.

Ina rarely serves up superlatives such as “outrageous”, so you know that this garlic bread recipe must be something special. With a whole head of garlic mashed together with Parmesan and bright lemon and parsley, this garlic bread will definitely attract attention at the table.

This recipe is a two-for-one special from Ina: perfect for overnight guests or a meal later on in the week when energy flags. A hearty tomato and eggplant soup uses two kinds of tomatoes and a fair amount of fennel that creates the base for a simple pour and bake pasta.

Peanut butter, garlic and soy give a sweet-savoury note to this easy noodle salad (Ina uses spaghetti for convenience, but you can use your favourite sturdy Chinese noodle instead). Sugar snap peas add brightness and crunch, along with a sprinkling of toasted sesame seeds.