What goes with pasta? We’re glad you asked!
We love, love, love pasta. From simple and light dishes like our Mediterranean Pasta to hearty pasta casseroles like Tortellini al Forno, we can’t get enough.
That’s why we’ve compiled this list of great Sides for Pasta from GypsyPlate and around the internet.
From classics like breads and salads, to some unique parings you may not have thought of, there are so many options.
Go through all of these great recipes, so you’ll always know what to serve with pasta!
Check out our collection of favorite Pasta Recipes!
What to Serve With Pasta:
1. No Knead Bread
We’re starting this fabulous list with one of our favorites, which is baked often in our home… this No Knead Bread!! This artisan quality bread can happen very fast and is super duper simple. You end up with a thick crispy crust and a chewy center with big fat holes like sourdough!
It’s very forgiving and only takes 3 minutes of active effort. Now that sounds unbelievable, right? Not so. Try it yourself today.
2. Panzanella Salad
Have you heard of Panzanella Salad? Meet this Italian classic. All you need is some great ripe tomatoes and some bread along with crunchy fresh cucumber.
Finish it of with fresh basil and mozzarella and you end up with yummy Panzanella…
Get the Recipe @ cookieandkate
3. Caprese Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms
This Caprese Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms recipe is cheesy, garlicky, savory, and absolutely delicious.
Portobello Mushrooms stuffed with melted mozzarella cheese, sweet grape tomatoes with a rich balsamic glaze. Each bite is full of flavors that you will surely love!
4. Easy Baked Meatballs
Simple, classic Italian Meatballs… That’s all you need some nights. Made with ground beef, parmesan cheese, plenty of spices, eggs and breadcrumbs, they’re juicy and flavorful.
They go great with pasta!
Get the Recipe @ bakerbynature
5. Cherry Tomato Confit
Bunches of cherry tomatoes, heavy glugs of olive oil, a handful of garlic cloves, a few herbs… That’s all you need for this beauty coming out of your oven… Cherry Tomato Confit!!
Luxuriously soft, melt-in-your mouth, juicy and bright flavor bombs. Welcome this summer delight into your life and it will add savory sweet deliciousness to any dish.
6. Ribollita
It doesn’t get better than a satisfying pot of Ribollita, a classic Tuscan soup that’s made with white beans, vegetables and hearty day old bread.
And you will love the rich Italian flavors, thanks to a couple of herbs and little parmesan cheese magic. Perfect starter for pasta night.
7. Garlic Knots
Your favorite pizza shop side dish, made in your very own oven! Basil and garlic transform this basic roll into a delectable treat.
As the aromas drift through your kitchen, you will be waiting eagerly to pop them in your mouth as soon as they come out of the oven.
8. Fried Calamari
Fried calamari… As well as being the most popular way to cook squid, it’s also one of the most popular Italian restaurant appetizers.
This recipe will teach you how to cook it perfectly, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.
Get the Recipe @ dinneratthezoo
9. Antipasto Salad
If you always hover over the antipasto bar in your grocery store, this salad is for you.
It’s full of different flavors and textures from salami, tomatoes, artichokes, pepperoni, olives and cheeses with a delicious homemade Italian dressing.
Get the Recipe @ carlsbadcravings
10. Zuppa Toscana
This delicious and comforting soup is based on the version made famous by Olive Garden. But I don’t want to call it a copycat… because this home made version is much better!
Great starter for pasta night.
11. Caprese Salad
The perfect Caprese Salad recipe! Once you try this way you will never need any other recipe.
This salad is unbelievably easy to make and only requires a handful of basic fresh ingredients. You can serve this delicious Caprese Salad as an appetizer or side dish with your pasta.
Get the Recipe @ loveandlemons
12. Easy Sausage Pesto Ring
Here is a perfect appetizer or snack to impress your guests. This sausage pesto ring looks so delicious.
Country biscuit dough filled with Italian sausage, pesto and loaded with cheese and butter arranged in a ring and baked. Brilliant!
13. Caponata
You will love the combination of savory, sweet and tart flavors in this creamy eggplant caponata, with summer veggies like onion, tomatoes, olives and more!
Serve it on crusty bread along with your pasta.
14. Pane Bianco with Tomato, Basil, and Garlic
This Italian Pane Bianco (Italian for “white bread”) is shaped into a figure-8 and filled with sundried tomatoes, cheese, fresh basil, and garlic.
Don’t be intimidate by this gorgeous loaf, it’s easier than you think!
15. Mozzarella Sticks
Mozzarella Sticks have a perfect crispy outside and a gooey cheese inside. Plus, they’re super easy to make.
This is a delicious and wholesome way to fulfill those fried snack cravings. The kids and adults in your family will just love these sticks.
Get the Recipe @ thatlowcarblife
16. Cucumber Avocado Tomato Salad with Pesto
Spring and summer demand colorful, light, refreshing salads. So here it is our Cucumber Avocado Tomato Salad, but with major flavor bender… delicious basil pesto dressing.
This one is there for you to brighten up any meal!
17. Cherry Tomato Gratin
This Cherry Tomato gratin is the newest star on your appetizer spread. It’s the perfect combination of easy, tasty and pretty.
You’ll want to gobble it up before the guests arrive!
18. Mediterranean Roasted Artichokes
These roasted artichokes are a fun and tasty vegetable side for your pasta.
They are very easy to prepare, then your oven does the rest!
Get the Recipe @ themediterraneandish
19. Olive Garden Copycat Breadsticks
This recipe is the best copycat version of classic Olive Garden Breadsticks. These soft, buttery breadsticks are as delicious as the ones they serve in the restaurants, but in the comfort of your home.
Pair them with your favorite pasta or soup!
Get the Recipe @ cookingclassy
20. Tiramisu
If you need a sweet finisher for your pasta night, look no further than this classic tiramisu.
Perhaps the most iconic of Italian desserts, this creamy and silky coffee flavored dessert is absolutely divine.
Get the Recipe @ natashaskitchen
So there you go, twenty great things to serve with pasta. They all look great.
Check out these other great recipe collections!
Italian Recipes
Salad Recipes
Bread Recipes
Sides for Burgers
Sides for Steak
Sides for Fried Chicken
Side Dishes for Salmon
Sides for Tacos
What to Serve with Pasta
This list of Sides for Pasta includes all of your favorites like breads and salads, as well as some new ideas to try. We love this easy no-knead bread:
Ingredients
- 3 cups flour
- 2 tsp instant yeast
- 2 tsp salt
- 1.5 cups water
Instructions
- Mix dry ingredients in a large bowl. Add water and mix until you have an even consistency.
- Cover bowl and rest on counter 3 hours.
- Place large (mine is 7 quart) dutch oven in oven and pre heat to 450°F.
- Dust flour on work surface and scrape dough onto surface. Dust more flour atop dough. Fold in the edges and work the dough into a rough ball shape.
- Place ball onto parchment paper and transfer to bowl. If oven is not yet preheated, place dish towel over bowl.
- When oven is pre heated, remove dutch oven. Place dough, along with parchment paper, inside. Cover and return to oven. Bake 30 minutes.
- Remove lid and bake another 20 minutes, until bread has a nice golden color.
- Set bread on rack and let rest 15 minutes before slicing.
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