When you’re lost in a sea of recipes and don’t know what to make for dinner, pinto bean soup is always a good option.

It’s hearty and filling, but can also be lightened up with the addition of some vegetables.

But what should you serve with pinto bean soup?

Here are 8 of the best side dishes to round out your meal!

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What to Serve with Pinto Bean Soup? 8 Best Side Dishes

Consider your soup a blank canvas and your side dishes the paint.

They can brighten up the dish, add some contrast, and really make it pop.

When it comes to pinto bean soup, there are a number of great side dishes that can take the dish from good to great.

Here are 8 of the best side dishes for pinto bean soup:

1. Roasted Veggies

Veggies can be so boring, am I right?

But not when they’re roasted to perfection.

This dish is my go-to when I’m looking for something healthy and flavorful.

The key to making these veggies taste great is all in the seasoning.

I like to use a mix of garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and salt.

Pro Tip: Cut your veggies into even pieces so that they cook evenly.

3 Potential Additions:

Add Some Protein: Top your roasted veggies with grilled chicken or shrimp.
Make It a Meal: Serve over quinoa or brown rice for a complete meal.
Get Creative with Your Seasoning: Try adding curry powder or cumin for a different flavor profile.

2. Garlic Butter Grilled Corn on the Cob

When you want something easy and tasty, this is the dish for you.

It’s perfect for summer barbecues or a winter feast alike.

The best part?

You only need 3 ingredients: corn, butter, and garlic.

Pro Tip: Soak your corn in water for at least 30 minutes before grilling to help it cook evenly.

3 Unique Twists:

Add Some Spice: Try sprinkling on some chili powder, paprika, or cayenne pepper before grilling.
Cheesy Goodness: Sprinkle on some grated Parmesan cheese after the corn comes off the grill.
Herbed Up: Toss on some fresh chopped herbs like parsley, basil, or chives.

3. Baked Beans

Grab a can of baked beans and a few strips of bacon, because this dish is about to be your new favorite side.

This dish is so easy and only requires a few simple ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen.

Pro Tip: Soak your beans overnight before cooking them. This will help them cook faster and more evenly.

3 Unique Twists:

Add Some Herbs: Try adding some fresh thyme or rosemary to the beans before baking.
Get Spicy: Throw in a diced jalapeño pepper for some extra heat.
Try a Different Bean: Swap out the traditional navy beans for black beans or kidney beans.

4. Mac N Cheese

I bet your kids love mac and cheese, but have you ever tried it as an adult?

It’s a game changer.

This dish is so rich and creamy, and the best part is that it’s so easy to make.

I like to add a little bit of spice to my mac and cheese by adding some cayenne pepper to the sauce.

Pro Tip: Make sure to use a good quality cheese for this dish. I like to use a mix of sharp cheddar and Gruyere.

3 Potential Additions:

Bacon: Because everything is better with bacon, right?
Jalapeño Peppers: If you like it spicy, throw in some diced jalapeño peppers.
Lobster: If you’re feeling fancy, add some cooked lobster meat to the pasta.

5. Sweet Potato Fries

Crunchy, salty, and a little bit sweet, these fries are the perfect side dish to any meal.

And they’re so easy to make!

The key to getting them nice and crispy is to make sure that you slice the potatoes thinly and evenly.

Pro Tip: Soak the potatoes in salt water for at least 30 minutes before cooking. This will help draw out some of the moisture and make for crispier fries.

3 Potential Additions:

Dip ‘Em: Serve the fries with your favorite dipping sauce. Ketchup, BBQ sauce, and ranch dressing are all great options.
Cheese ‘Em: Sprinkle some shredded cheese on top of the fries before serving.
Spice ‘Em: Add a little bit of cayenne pepper or chili powder to the fries for some extra heat.

6. Roasted Garlic Parmesan Carrots

Don’t settle for boring, boiled carrots!

These roasted garlic Parmesan carrots are a delicious and easy side dish that will dress up any meal.

The best part is, they only require a few ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen.

Pro Tip: Be sure to use fresh Parmesan cheese for this recipe. The pre-grated stuff just doesn’t taste as good.

3 Potential Additions:

Try other herbs: Swap out the thyme for rosemary or oregano.
Get cheesy: Sprinkle some shredded mozzarella cheese on top of the carrots before serving.
Add some spice: Throw in a pinch of cayenne pepper for a little kick.

7. Caesar Salad

When you want something a little fancy (but not too fancy), this is the dish for you.

It’s simple, elegant, and always a crowd-pleaser.

I like to pair it with a heartier soup like minestrone or chicken noodle.

Pro Tip: Make your own Caesar dressing! It’s so much better than anything you can buy at the store, and it’s really not that hard to make. Just whisk together some olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, anchovies, salt, and pepper.

3 Potential Additions:

Add Some Protein: Top your salad with grilled chicken or shrimp.
Make It a Meal: Add some croutons and Parmesan cheese for a filling lunch or light dinner.
Get Creative with the Dressing: Swap out the traditional Caesar dressing for a ranch or vinaigrette.

8. Garlic Bread

Garlicky and crunchy (but not too crunchy), this garlic bread is the perfect side to any meal – but especially soup!

I like to make my garlic bread with a little bit of everything: butter, garlic, Parmesan cheese, and parsley.

Pro Tip: If you want extra cheesy garlic bread, add some mozzarella cheese to the mix.

3 Potential Additions:

Get Spicy: Add some red pepper flakes to the butter for an extra kick.
Make it a Meal: Top the garlic bread with some sautéed mushrooms and onions.
Sweeten it Up: Swap out the Parmesan cheese for Gruyère cheese and add a drizzle of honey before serving.

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