40+ EASY Side Dishes for Pasta

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Wondering what to eat with pasta besides salad? I’ve got you covered with this handy guide of the BEST pasta side dishes.

Collage of the best side dishes for pasta.

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If someone asks “What’s for dinner tonight” and you answer “Pasta,” in my book, you’re instantly upgraded to 🌟superstar🌟 status. Just like my Nana Lamancuso and her insanely delicious Sunday Gravy recipe (which I now make on the regular).

The most popular pasta recipes on my blog include this Butternut Squash Pasta with Goat Cheese, Squid Ink Pasta, and Easy Lemon Pasta. But no matter which type of pasta you’re serving, you’re guaranteed to find a perfect side dish here.

Flavorful Pasta + Amazing Side Dish = PERFECTION!

When serving pasta for dinner, there are 4 essentials:

  1. An amazing sauce – I love this easy marinara sauce, sun dried tomato pesto or vodka sauce.
  2. Napkins. Lots of napkins. Especially if slurpy spaghetti is involved.
  3. Wine. Here are 7 bottles that pair perfectly with pasta.
  4. And, of course, some really stellar side dishes.

From classics such as garlic bread and bruschetta, to healthier options such as sauteed spinach and grilled peppers, there are so many options.

So, let’s dig in!

Keep reading to discover 40+ of the best side dishes to serve with pasta!

The BEST Pasta Sides

Arugula Salad ready to be served.
This Arugula Salad recipe with red wine vinaigrette is my go-to green salad. The arugula has a peppery bite to it which pairs wonderfully with the acid in the vinaigrette. It’s the perfect salad for pairing with rich dishes.
Arugula Salad
Sliced garlic bread ready to serve.
This restaurant-quality Garlic Bread is crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and slathered with homemade garlic butter and melted parmesan. It’s the perfect pairing for your pasta dinner!
Garlic Bread
Sauteed zucchini and squash in skillet.
You can serve Sauteed Zucchini and Squash with practically anything! It’s a simple side dish that showcases sliced and seared summer squash and savory Italian flavors.
Sauteed Zucchini
Overhead shot of cherry tomato salad in grey bowl.
This Cherry Tomato Salad with Roasted Lemons is the perfect side dish. Sweet tomatoes combine with a tangy vinaigrette and delicious roasted lemons. 
Cherry Tomato Salad
Sauteed spinach in white bowl.
Add a healthy boost of nutrients to your dinner with this easy Sauteed Spinach. Baby spinach is added to a skillet along with garlic and olive oil, then sauteed gently to create a simple side dish that pairs with any meal!
Sauteed Spinach
Italian chopped salad in large bowl on white table.
This simple Italian Chopped Salad dresses fresh veggies, salami, mozzarella & chickpeas in a delicious homemade Italian dressing.
Italian Salad
This bruschetta is easy to make with fresh, ripe Roma tomatoes, shredded mozzarella cheese and drizzled with balsamic vinaigrette over top of a French baguette. Bruschetta comes together quickly and easily!

Get the RECIPE from The Recipe Critic
Bruschetta
Prepared radicchio salad in grey bowl with serving utensils.
This delicious Italian Radicchio Salad is dressed in a creamy lemon-vinaigrette and tossed with buttery calvestrano olives, tasty breadcrumbs and nutty parmesan cheese. And, a special tip ensures that your radicchio won't be bitter!
Italian Radicchio Salad
Italian stuffed artichokes are filled with crunchy breadcrumbs, sun dried tomatoes, fresh herbs, and lots of Parmesan cheese for an easy app!

Get the RECIPE from Well Seasoned Studio
Italian Stuffed Artichokes
Close up of roasted cabbage steaks topped with bacon and drizzled with cream sauce.
Roasted Cabbage Steaks with bacon and a garlicky, creamy mustard sauce. Perfection! This delicious side dish is always a hit.
Roasted Cabbage Steaks
Shaved brussels sprouts salad in large bowl with serving spoon.
This Shaved Brussel Sprout Salad with Mustard and Parmesan is tossed in a light red wine vinaigrette and makes a delicious, crunchy side dish.
Shaved Brussel Sprout Salad
Eggplant parmesan stacked on plate and topped with basil leaves.
Air Fryer Eggplant Parmesan is the vegetarian version of a classic Italian dish. Crispy breaded eggplant is quickly cooked in the air fryer before being topped with marinara sauce and mozzarella. It’s crispy, cheesy, and delicious over pasta or rice!
Air Fryer Eggplant Parmesan
Overhead shot of vegan caesar salad on plate with small bowl of dressing.
This Vegan Caesar Salad has all the tanginess and creaminess that you'd expect from a traditional Caesar salad, but it's completely plant based. Topped with fresh avocado, cripsy fried capers and croutons. 
Caesar Salad
Finished briam out of oven in casserole dish.
Learn how to make Briam, a traditional Greek roasted vegetable dish made with seasoned tomatoes, potatoes, and zucchini. Perfect as a meatless main or a hearty side with your favorite Mediterranean-inspired meals!
Briam
Peppers with grill marks scattered on counter.
Learn how to make perfectly tender and blistered Grilled Bell Peppers at home! It’s one of the best and easiest side dishes you can add to burrito bowls, fajitas, or pair with grilled meats.
Grilled Bell Peppers
These authentic Italian meatballs are so juicy and flavorful, smothered in a rich and delicious homemade pasta sauce.

Get the RECIPE from Sprinkle Some Sugar
Italian Meatballs
Overhead close up of mushroom parmesan on baking sheet topped with basil leaves.
Sheet Pan Portobello Mushroom Parmigiana is a must-try for Meatless Monday. Portobello mushrooms are stuffed with marinara and mozzarella cheese before being roasted in the oven with grape tomatoes. Top each mushroom with a scoop of garlicky breadcrumbs for an exceptional crunch!
Portobello Mushroom Parmigiana
Overhead close up of bowl of kale caesar salad in white bowl with serving spoon.
This Kale Caesar Salad is topped with crispy homemade croutons and parmesan cheese. Massaging the creamy garlic dressing into the kale makes it extra tender and delicious.
Kale Caesar Salad
Overhead shot of peach caprese salad on grey plate next to wooden cutting board.
This fresh and tangy Peach Caprese Salad features sweet peaches, creamy burrata cheese, and juicy tomatoes. A perfect blend of summery flavors, this simple yet delicious salad is the ideal late summer side dish!
Peach Caprese Salad
Shirazi salad centered in frame with serving spoon.
This simple Shirazi Salad recipe features fresh cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, and crisp red onion. Dressed with plenty of fresh herbs and tossed with a tangy dressing made with lime juice and olive oil. Every bite is bursting with refreshing flavors!
Shirazi Salad
Serving spoon in bowl of tomato cucumber salad.
This Tomato Cucumber Salad features fresh cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, and crisp red onion. Dressed in a tangy homemade red wine vinaigrette, every bite is bursting with refreshing Mediterranean flavors!
Tomato Cucumber Salad
Baked crostini on baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Crostini are easy to make at home using just 3-ingredients – bread, olive oil and salt. This simple crostini recipe is the perfect appetizer for parties. You can make them ahead of time and serve them with a variety of toppings.
Crostini
Platter of grilled broccolini
This grilled broccolini is topped with a tangy apple cider vinaigrette and marcona almonds for a delicious crunch. It’s a perfect side dish for autumnal menus or Thanksgiving. 
Grilled Broccolini
Overhead shot of serving tray of toasted ravioli with bowl of marinara sauce.
Toasted Ravioli. Coated in a cheesy, breadcrumb mixture and then air fried until crispy and delicious! Serve this yummy appetizer with marinara sauce or alfredo sauce and enjoy! 
Toasted Ravioli
Sausage bites arranged on grey plate with small bowl of mustard sauce.
Sausage Bites are simmered in white wine & served with a creamy, spicy mustard dipping sauce. They’re a delicious party appetizer that cooks up quick.
Sausage Bites
Grana padano wrapped in prosciutto and topped with fig jam.
These bites of Prosciutto Wrapped Grana Padano with Fig Preserves are the perfect party snack. This easy to make, no-bake finger food comes together in under 10-minutes.
Prosciutto Wrapped Grana Padano
Over head shot of cooked brussels sprouts in grey bowl with spoon.
Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts with Balsamic cook up crispy and delicious with minimal oil with the help of your air fryer! Dressed simply with balsamic vinegar and a sprinkle of salt. You'll love these!
Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts
Overhead shot of small bowl of tapenade on grey plate with crostini scattered about.
This easy Olive Spread recipe comes together in just 10 minutes in your food processor or blender. It's amazing as an appetizer for parties, served as part of a charcuterie board, or used as a sandwich spread.
Olive Spread
Crostini dipped into melty goat cheese.
This baked goat cheese appetizer is super simple to throw together at the last minute with just 3 ingredients! Chevre is baked in marinara sauce until hot and bubbly – Perfect for spreading on crostini.
Baked Goat Cheese
Spears of asparagus cooked sous vide topped with parmesan shavings.
How to cook perfect asparagus sous vide. Bright green, perfectly cooked spears. With three options for flavoring – garlic, parmesan or lemon.
Sous Vide Asparagus
Roasted brussel sprouts in bowl drizzled with balsamic glaze and sprinkled with cranberries.
These Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Reduction & Cranberries make a simple and elegant side dish that both kids and adults love!
Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Reduction
Overhead shot of stuffed artichoke hearts in baking dish with serving spoon.
These Stuffed Artichoke Hearts take all the work out of actually stuffing an artichoke. Canned artichoke hearts are arranged in a dish and topped with a “stuffing” of breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, and garlic.
Stuffed Artichoke Hearts
Overhead shot of cooked sunchokes in bowl.
Sunchokes are a knobby root vegetable that can be prepared in more ways than you can imagine! In this recipe, you’ll learn how to roast them with olive oil, garlic, and thyme. It’s an easy side dish you can pair with anything.
Sunchokes
Overhead shot of shaved fennel salad in green serving bowl on pink table.
This Fennel Celery Salad comes together quickly and has such a delicious light lemon-parmesan vinaigrette and wonderful crunch. It's the perfect side salad for rich and hearty dishes like pasta or braised short ribs.  
Fennel Celery Salad
Artichokes in instant pot liner.
Instant Pot Artichokes are quick and easy to make with the help of your electric pressure cooker. Plus, this recipe gives them SO much flavor!
Instant Pot Artichokes

How to Make Ahead and Store

Many of these easy side dishes for pasta can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for a few days or even in the freezer. Simply check the individual recipes for full storing instructions and details on how to make ahead. 

Favorite Pasta Recipes

More Side Dish Recipes

Did you Make Any of These Pasta Sides?

Please leave a comment and rating below, if you loved this round up of what to serve with pasta. Also, be sure to snap a picture of your finished dish and share it with me on Instagram using the hashtag #platingsandpairings and tagging me @platingsandpairings.

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Collage of the best side dishes for pasta.

40+ EASY Sides for Pasta

Over 35+ EASY side dishes for pasta – including vegetable side dishes, salads, bread and more. One of my favorite recipes is this simple Arugula Salad.
5 from 1 vote
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Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Created by Platings and Pairings

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Combine the shallot, oil, vinegar, mustard, honey and salt and pepper in a small mason jar and shake to emulsify.
  • In a large bowl, toss the arugula with enough of the vinaigrette to just coat the leaves.
  • Season with additional salt and pepper and top with toasted pine nuts and parmesan.
Did you make this recipe?Mention @platingsandpairings or tag #platingsandpairings!

Nutrition

Calories: 194kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 23mg | Potassium: 181mg | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 710IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 48mg | Iron: 1.1mg
5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

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