Wondering what to serve with spaghetti? I’ve got you covered with this handy guide of the best side dishes!
Spaghetti + Amazing Side Dish = PERFECTION!
When serving spaghetti for dinner, there are 4 essentials:
- An amazing sauce – I love this easy marinara sauce, Sunday gravy, sun dried tomato pesto or vodka sauce.
- Napkins. Lots of napkins. Especially when slurpy spaghetti is involved.
- Wine. Here are 7 bottles that pair perfectly with pasta.
- And, of course, some really yummy side dishes.
From classic sides such 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 sides for spaghetti.
The BEST Sides for Spaghetti
Cherry Tomato Salad with Roasted Lemons
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
Italian Chopped Salad
This simple Italian Chopped Salad dresses fresh veggies, salami, mozzarella & chickpeas in a delicious homemade Italian dressing.
Italian Chopped Salad
The BEST Arugula Salad Dressing
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
Sauteed Spinach with Garlic Recipe
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 Radicchio Salad
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
Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad
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
Cacio e Pepe Cauliflower
If you love cacio e pepe, this lightened-up Cacio e Pepe Cauliflower is for you! It puts a low-carb and gluten-free twist on the classic pasta dish but still has the same rich, cheesy, and peppery flavors you love.
Cacio e Pepe Cauliflower
Italian Grinder Salad (Chopped Sub Salad)
Italian sub fans will adore this Grinder Salad. Inspired by the viral TikTok recipe, it’s a loaded chopped salad made with deli meats, cheeses, lettuce, fresh veggies, and pepperoncini peppers. A creamy vinaigrette ties it all together!
Grinder Salad
Roasted Artichoke Hearts
These Roasted Artichoke Hearts are easy to make with canned, frozen, or fresh artichokes. Golden and crispy with irresistible Mediterranean flavors, they’re the perfect last-minute appetizer or side dish to pair with your favorite dipping sauce!
Roasted Artichoke Hearts
Italian Green Beans
Italian Green Beans are sautéed in a hot pan with aromatics and Italian seasonings, then steamed in a bold, savory broth. Easy to make in one pan, this is a fuss-free, must-try side dish to pair with all your favorite main courses!
Italian Green Beans
Erewhon Kale White Bean Salad
This copycat Erewhon Kale White Bean Salad tosses kale, avocado, cannellini beans, and seeds in a lemony tahini dressing. A must-try healthy lunch, light dinner, and satisfying side dish!
Kale White Bean Salad
Fennel and Chickpea Salad
This Fennel and Chickpea Salad is tossed in a light citrus vinaigrette & topped with parmesan. It’s the perfect make-ahead salad for potlucks or lunches.
Fennel and Chickpea Salad
Air Fryer Eggplant Parmesan
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
Vegetarian Kale Caesar Salad
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
Grilled Bell Peppers
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
Sheet Pan Mushroom Parmigiana
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!
Mushroom Parmigiana
Crispy Air Fryer Mushrooms
Upgrade everyday dinners and holiday meals with Air Fryer Mushrooms! Perfectly seasoned and endlessly customizable, this quick and easy recipe serves as a delectable side dish or topping for burgers, steaks, and beyond.
Air Fryer Mushrooms
Shirazi Salad
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
Sauteed Zucchini
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 and Squash
Mediterranean 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
How to Make Crostini
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
Instant Pot Artichokes
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
Grilled Broccolini with Apple Cider Vinaigrette
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
Air Fryer Toasted Ravioli
Air Fryer Toasted Ravioli is coated in a cheesy, breadcrumb mixture and then air fried (or baked) until crispy and delicious! Serve this yummy appetizer with marinara sauce or alfredo sauce and enjoy!
Air Fryer Ravioli
Sausage Bites Appetizer
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
Prosciutto Wrapped Parmesan with Fig Preserves
These bites of Prosciutto Wrapped Parmesan 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
Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts with Balsamic
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
Olive Spread
This easy Olive Tapenade 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 Tapenade
Fried Green Beans with Dipping Sauce
Crispy Fried Green Beans are baked in the oven for a healthy, delicious treat. Served up with three dipping sauces – green goddess, honey mustard & creamy sriracha. A secret ingredient makes them extra delicious! Air Fryer directions included.
Green Bean Fries
Baked 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
Sous Vide Asparagus
How to cook perfect asparagus sous vide. Bright green, perfectly cooked spears. With three options for flavoring – garlic, parmesan or lemon.
Sous Vide Asparagus
Brussel Sprouts with Balsamic Reduction
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
Stuffed Artichoke Hearts
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
Simple Roasted Sunchokes
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
Shaved Fennel Salad
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.
Shaved Fennel Salad
Brussels Sprouts Caesar Salad
This Brussels Sprouts Caesar Salad is made with shaved brussels sprouts, homemade Caesar dressing, and baked croutons, offering a fresh and extra-crunchy take on a classic. Easy to make ahead of time and it pairs well with everything!
Brussels Sprouts Caesar Salad
How to Make Ahead and Store
Many of these spaghetti side dish recipes 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 simple sides for spaghetti?
Please leave a comment and rating below, if you loved this round up of what goes with spaghetti. 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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Full Recipe
What to Serve with Spaghetti: 40+ Easy Sides
Wondering what the best sides for spaghetti are? I’ve got you covered with this handy guide of 35+ EASY side dish recipes. Try one of these sides with this Authentic Italian Sunday Gravy. It's my most requested recipe and today I'm sharing it with you.
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Serves 8 people
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1 lb. pork spareribs
- 1 lb. beef stew meat
- 1 lb. Italian sausage ( spicy or mild, based on personal preference)
- 6 cloves garlic (peeled and left whole)
- ¼ cup tomato paste
- 3 28-oz. cans crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup water
- 8 leaves fresh basil (torn into small pieces)
- Salt and Pepper (to taste )
- 1 Tablespoon sugar (more or less based on the flavor of your tomatoes)
- Parmesan (shaved, for topping)
- Pasta
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large heavy pot over medium heat.
- Pat the pork dry and put the pieces in the pot.
- Cook turning occasionally, for about 15 minutes or until nicely browned on all sides.
- Transfer pork to a plate.
- Brown the beef in the same way and add it to the plate.
- Place the sausages in the pot and brown on all sides.
- Set the sausages aside with the pork and beef.
- Drain off most of the fat from the pot.
- Add the garlic and cook for about 2 minutes or until golden.
- Remove and discard the garlic.
- Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute.
- Add the tomatoes to the pot.
- Add the water; season with a pinch salt and pepper.
- Return the pork, beef, and sausages to the pot and bring sauce to a simmer.
- Partially cover the pot and cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, for at least 2 hours.
- If the sauce becomes too thick, add a little more water.
- At the end, add sugar, to taste, and adjust your seasonings one more time with salt and pepper. Add basil leaves and serve over your favorite pasta, topped with shaved Parmesan.
Nutrition
Calories: 348kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 87mg | Sodium: 502mg | Potassium: 361mg | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 150IU | Vitamin C: 3.6mg | Calcium: 21mg | Iron: 2.3mg
Did you make this recipe?Mention @platingsandpairings or tag #platingsandpairings!
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