Pizza night doesn’t have to be all about indulging in cheesy carbs. With a few simple, healthy side dishes, you can elevate pizza night into a nutritious and satisfying feast. Here’s our favorite healthy sides for pizza.
Looking for something healthy to serve with the pizza you’re having for dinner tonight? I’ve got you covered with this handy guide.
You’re guaranteed to find a new favorite healthy pizza side dish here!
PS – Don’t forget about these 20+ Dipping Sauces for Pizza too!
Healthy Sides for Pizza
Italian Chopped Salad
This simple Italian Chopped Salad dresses fresh veggies, salami, mozzarella & chickpeas in a delicious homemade Italian dressing.
Italian Chopped Salad
Copycat Costco Quinoa Salad
Make this copycat Costco Quinoa Salad at home for a healthy, hearty, and delicious grain-based salad studded with fresh veggies and fresh lemon dressing.
Quinoa Salad
Instant Pot Minestrone Soup
Instant Pot Minestrone Soup cooks in just 5 minutes! Loaded with veggies, beans, and delicious pasta, then topped with lots of nutty parmesan cheese and fresh parsley. Serve it with crostini for dipping into that delicious broth.
Instant Pot Minestrone Soup
Air Fryer Buffalo Wings
These Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Wings cook up amazingly crispy and juicy without deep frying. Then they’re tossed with a spicy buffalo wing sauce that can be made mild to hot, depending on your taste preference.
Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Wings
Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
Air Fryer Chicken Tenders cook up golden & crispy on the outside, but juicy inside. The best part is they can be made in under 20 minutes with just 6-ingredients.
Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
Air Fryer Zucchini Fries
Air Fryer Zucchini Fries with Lemon Tarragon Aioli are perfect for snacking. Strips of zucchini, coated in panko cook up perfectly crispy in the air fryer. Dip them in an easy-to-prepare creamy aioli flavored with tarragon and lemon.
Air Fryer Zucchini Fries
Pepperonata
Pepperonata is a classic Italian sauce made from bell peppers, tomatoes, and aromatics. It’s easy to make in one skillet and has mouthwatering flavors, making it a wonderful pairing for sandwiches, pizzas, omelets, pasta, grilled meats, and more!
Pepperonata
Vietnamese Chicken Wings
These Vietnamese Chicken Wings are baked in the oven until crisp & coated in a sweet-spicy combination of soy sauce, brown sugar and sambal oelek chili paste.
Vietnamese Chicken Wings
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.
Crispy Fried Green Beans
Buffalo Cauliflower Bites
Buffalo Cauliflower Bites are crispy, spicy & amazingly delicious! Enjoy these healthy vegetarian buffalo wings with homemade blue cheese or ranch dip. With directions for the oven or air fryer.
Buffalo Cauliflower Bites
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
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
Sauteed Zucchini and Squash
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Strawberry Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing
This strawberry spinach salad with poppy seed dressing is quick, easy & delicious! Featuring sweet strawberries & a creamy poppyseed dressing.
Salad with Poppyseed Dressing
Vegan Farro Salad
This Farro Salad with Basil & Lemon Tahini Dressing is a delicious salad that can be made ahead of time, making it perfect for busy workday lunches or potlucks.
Farro 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
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
Apple Celery Root Slaw
Apple Celery Root Slaw is an exciting twist on your basic coleslaw. Crisp apples and celery root combine with jalapeno, cilantro & pickled onions. It's sure to be a stand out side dish!
Apple Celery Root Slaw
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.
Fennel Celery Salad
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
Mexican Street Corn Salad
This Couscous Corn Salad puts a salad twist on Mexican Street Corn. Smoky grilled corn, a creamy cumin-lime dressing, and pearl couscous combine to create this delicious salad.
Mexican Street Corn 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
Israeli Couscous Tabbouleh Salad
This Israeli Couscous Tabbouleh Salad combines pearl couscous with tomatoes, cucumbers, fresh herbs and a light citrus dressing.
Israeli Couscous Tabbouleh Salad
Red Cabbage Coleslaw (No Mayo)
Red Cabbage Slaw is a super simple side dish recipe made without mayo. It’s tangy, delicious and crunchy.
Red Cabbage Slaw
Briam (Greek Roasted Vegetables)
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
How to Make Ahead and Store
Many of these pizza 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.
More Side Dish Recipes
Did you Make Any of These Healthy Pizza Side Dishes?
Please leave a comment and rating below, if you loved this round up of healthy sides for pizza. 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
30+ Healthy Sides for Pizza
With a few simple, healthy side dishes, you can elevate your pizza night to a nutritious & satisfying feast. Here's 30+ healthy sides. Try this Instant Pot Minestrone Soup. Loaded with veggies, beans, and delicious pasta, then topped with lots of nutty parmesan cheese and fresh parsley.
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Serves 6 people
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion (diced)
- 1 stalk celery (diced)
- 1 large carrot (diced)
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 bay leaf
- Pinch red pepper flakes
- 1 28- ounce can diced tomatoes
- 1 14- ounce can crushed tomatoes
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- Parmesan rind (optional)
- 1 15- ounce can kidney beans (drained and rinsed)
- 1 15- ounce can garbanzo beans (drained and rinsed)
- 1 cup uncooked ditalini pasta (or any preferred pasta)
After Pressure Cooking:
- 1 medium zucchini (sliced into half coins)
- 2 cups fresh kale (or baby spinach , chopped)
- 2 teaspoons red wine vinegar
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
For Serving:
- 1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves
Instructions
- Press SAUTE and add olive oil to Instant Pot. Once hot, add onions, celery and carrots. Saute 2-3 minutes, until softened. Add garlic and saute 30 seconds longer. Hit CANCEL.
- Add oregano, basil, bay leaf, red pepper flakes, tomatoes, broth, parmesan rind, beans and pasta to the pot. Stir to combine.
- Set pot to seal and cook on MANUAL high pressure for 5 minutes. It will take about 15 minutes for the pressure to build, then the countdown timer will begin.
- Once the time is up, quick release the pressure and remove the lid. Press SAUTE and add zucchini and kale (or spinach). Saute 2-3 minutes until pasta is fully cooked and vegetables are tender.
- Add red wine vinegar and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Serve sprinkled with parmesan cheese and fresh parsley. Enjoy!
Notes
- Don’t add the veggies until after pressure cooking time. To ensure the healthy vegetables don’t get overcooked and soggy, I add them after the pressure cook. Then, once the lid is removed, I turn the pot to SAUTE and simmer the zucchini and kale or spinach for a few minutes, until they’re just tender.
- Freezing: You can freeze this soup. However, the pasta will become soggy, and the soup will become thicker as the pasta will continue to soak up that liquid. To solve this, I like to prepare the soup without the pasta, then when I’m ready to serve it, I add some cooked pasta to the warm soup.
Nutrition
Calories: 336kcal | Carbohydrates: 53g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 4mg | Sodium: 855mg | Potassium: 1223mg | Fiber: 12g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 4392IU | Vitamin C: 55mg | Calcium: 247mg | Iron: 5mg
Did you make this recipe?Mention @platingsandpairings or tag #platingsandpairings!
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