Good Sides for Pasta (Your Guide to the Best Pasta Side Dishes!)

Updated Jun 10, 2026

Looking for good sides for pasta? The best ones balance its richness with something fresh, green or a little crunchy. My favorites fall into four groups. Think a crisp salad, roasted vegetables, a simple protein, and warm bread for the sauce.

I’ve gathered my best pasta side dishes below, sorted by type. Pick one or two to build the perfect plate.

I live for a steaming hot bowl of one of my favorite pastas. Whether it’s a pretty pink beet pasta or something a little more classic like pasta with meat sauce, I’m here for it all.

Here are some of my best side dishes to try.

Vegetable Sides For Pasta: At a Glance

I love to serve pasta with olives and a plate of vegetables in the center of the table.

Here are some simple vegetable sides that pair well with pasta:

Roasted Broccoli: Toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper, then oven roast until crispy.
Sautéed Spinach: Cook with garlic and a squeeze of lemon juice.
Grilled Asparagus: Drizzle with olive oil, grill until tender, and sprinkle with Parmesan.
Garlic Green Beans: Sauté green beans with garlic and a touch of butter.
Steamed Broccolini: Steam and finish with a sprinkle of sea salt and lemon zest.
Sauteed bell peppers and onions. Super easy, perfect side dish.

These sides are easy to prepare and complement various pasta dishes.

Want to dive deeper into what recipes go well with pasta? Here are some of my go-tos.

Air Fryer Eggplant

My air fryer eggplant recipe gives you crunchy, quick eggplant bites. I love serving these as a pasta topper or just alongside it as a separate side dish. They’re ideal if you want to add texture to your pasta.

I love these alongside my pasta with meat sauce.

You can swap the eggplant for zucchini, too!

Crispy Roasted Brussels Sprouts (+ Maple Bacon)

Crispy Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Maple and Bacon on a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Grab my roasted Brussels sprouts side if you want to convert someone claiming not to like Brussels sprouts.

These are so good next to creamy mushroom pappardelle.

Did I mention the maple bacon? What is it about bacon that turns everything it touches to gold? This is another texture-rich add-in for your pasta.

Roasted Squash + Halloumi

Here is a family favorite in my house – my golden, roasted squash recipe with halloumi. The saltiness of the halloumi is so beautiful with the mild squash in this side.

I serve this with my asiago tortelloni alfredo.

Made with pretty acorn squashes and drizzled with pomegranate molasses. This is something special.

Roasted Butternut Squash

My roasted butternut squash recipe is so delicious, thanks to the five-spice. The maple syrup gives the butternut squash the sweetness and caramel-kick it needs.

The sage is lovely with my brown butter sage gnocchi.

This is a great side to a simple pesto pasta or something similar.

Pan Fried Asparagus

Easy pan-fried asparagus spears are cooked until just crisp-tender.

I love this with my seafood pasta in cream sauce.

Add a squeeze of lemon juice and butter. Simple ingredients, nothing better!

Sautéed Mushrooms

Saute mushrooms in butter with onions and garlic until golden brown and fragrant as an easy side dish.

Pile these over my spaghetti with ground beef.

Cauliflower Casserole

Creamy, cheesy and baked until golden, this comfort-food bake is hearty enough to hold its own beside a dish of baked pasta. Get my cauliflower casserole recipe.

It holds its own beside my saucy one-pot pasta.

Glazed Carrots

Sweet, glossy and tender, these add color and a little sweetness next to rich, saucy pasta. They come together in one pan. Get my glazed carrots recipe.

I serve these with my creamy Alfredo penne.

Protein Sides for Pasta: At a Glance

Here are some protein-packed sides that pair well with pasta:

Grilled Chicken: Simple and versatile, like in my grilled chicken asiago tortelloni.
Meatballs: Classic beef meatballs are perfect with spaghetti.
Seared Shrimp: Pan-fry in butter and garlic.
Italian Sausage: Sliced and sautéed.
Seared Salmon: Lightly seasoned and seared until flaky.
Pork Chops: Grilled or pan-seared with a simple seasoning.
Pan-fried Scallops: like the seared scallops in my delicious easy seafood pasta recipe.
Veal Scallopini: thin slices of succulent veal breaded and lightly pan fried.

These options offer a good balance of flavors and textures to complement your pasta.

Chicken Skewers

Juicy and well-seasoned, these grill in minutes and turn a simple bowl of pasta into a full, satisfying meal. Try my chicken skewers.

Serve them over my homemade fresh pasta with butter.

Balsamic Grilled Chicken

Grilled chicken thighs with balsamic chicken marinade on a plate.

Tangy, juicy and easy, this slices beautifully over pasta. Marinate it ahead, then grill while the water boils. Try my balsamic chicken.

I love this sliced over my gnocchi in tomato sauce.

Garlic Parmesan Chicken

Cooked low and slow until rich and savory, this is made for noodles. Shred it over pasta or serve it alongside. Make my garlic parmesan chicken.

Shred it into my butternut squash mac and cheese.

Meatballs

Tender, juicy meatballs are the classic partner for pasta. Pile them on top or serve them on the side. Get my best meatball recipe.

I also love them with my easy lazy lasagna.

Veal Scallopini on a bed of spaghetti with lemon slices.

Side Salad Ideas For Pasta: At a Glance

In the summertime, I find serving a salad with pasta a way to lift and lighten the meal. The freshness of a crunchy salad is balancing and cooling. I also love the crunch they bring.

There is nothing wrong with a simple salad. Here are some salad sides that pair well with pasta:

Greek Salad: Cucumbers, tomatoes, olives, feta, and red onion with a lemon-oregano dressing.
Caprese Salad: Fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil with a drizzle of olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
Caesar Salad: Romaine lettuce, Parmesan, croutons, and Caesar dressing.
Arugula Salad: Tossed with lemon juice, olive oil, and shaved Parmesan.
Mixed Green Salad: A variety of greens with cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and a light vinaigrette.

If you want something different, here are a few salad recipes to try.

Fresh Peach Caprese

My peach caprese is a joyful summer side to any light pasta. I love this as an alternative to the classic tomato, basil, and fresh mozzarella caprese (obviously also amazing).

I love this with my summery shrimp pasta.

Kale Caesar Salad

Here is my kale Caesar salad – swap lettuce for kale and get all the crunch and texture you need in a pasta side.

I love this one with chicken fettuccine alfredo.

I love finding new ways and twists on classics like this Caesar salad. The dressing is light and fresh (it’s not one of those overly rich Caesar dressings).

Beetroot + Citrus Salad

Bright and beautiful – my beetroot and citrus salad is balanced by mild tarragon. This is a super healthy salad that cuts through the richness of any pasta.

The citrus is great with my lobster ravioli.

Panzanella Salad

Try my hearty Panzanella salad as a good way to bulk up a pasta meal. This traditional Italian tomato salad recipe has a simple olive oil/red wine vinaigrette and is easy to make.

I serve this with my baked ziti with ricotta.

Watermelon Caprese

This watermelon caprese is another recipe I LOVE to serve as a pasta partner in the summertime. The sweet melon contrasts beautifully with the creamy cheese.

I love this beside my creamy coconut linguine.

Strawberry Salad with Rhubarb Dressing

Strawberry Goat cheese salad with spinach.

You’ve got to try this easy strawberry salad. It is light, healthy, and so pretty. It’s another easy option for warmer days.

It is so pretty with my lobster pasta.

Watermelon and Goats Cheese Salad

Have you tried my watermelon goat’s cheese salad? Guys, this is in an adaptation of regular watermelon + feta cheese salad. The goat’s cheese has a tanginess that I love! If you have a salty, savory pasta – this is a lovely way to balance it.

I love this with my miso carrot mac and cheese.

Cauliflower and Chickpea Salad with yogurt

Try my cauliflower and chickpea salad as a good pasta side. It is basically a spice-roasted cauliflower salad with kale and a creamy yogurt-based dressing.

Serve it with my nutty peanut noodles.

Wilted Endive with Orange + Dates

I love this endive, orange and date salad – the bitter endive sits beautifully as a contrasting flavor to the orange and sweet dates.

The bitter leaves are great with my Tuscan chicken pasta.

Bread Sides For Pasta

Here are some bread ideas to mop up every last bit of of Alfredo sauce with Penne Pasta.

Homemade Garlic Bread

Garlic bread is the classic pasta partner. Mine has crispy edges and soft, garlicky middles. I use double garlic, fresh and dried, for the best flavor. Grab my homemade garlic bread.

Nothing beats it with my spaghetti and meatballs.

No-Knead Dutch Oven Bread

This crusty loaf is perfect for soaking up sauce. You just stir, rest, and bake, with no kneading. It comes out bakery-good every time. Try my no-knead Dutch oven bread.

It is perfect for mopping up my skillet lasagna.

Garlic Naan

Soft, pillowy and brushed with garlic butter, naan is great for scooping up saucy pasta. It is stretchier than you expect. Make my garlic naan.

I love it with my creamy pumpkin pasta.

Cheese-Stuffed Flatbread

Guys, my Cheese Naan is SO good with pasta.

I serve it with my pillowy homemade potato gnocchi.

It’s soft, fluffy, stuffed with gooey mozzarella and brushed with melted garlic butter.

While often eaten as a snack or appetizer, the taste makes it one of the most perfect pasta side dishes.

No-knead Cheesy Bread

If you don’t want the hassle of kneading bread – this cheese bread recipe is for you. I love adding extra cheesiness to my pasta meals in the way of sides. This recipe is loaded with garlic and makes a great alternative to regular garlic bread. Cut it into fingers and watch them disappear!

It is so good with my slow cooker lasagna.

Pumpkin Dinner Rolls

Try my cute pumpkin dinner rolls. These have an authentic bakery-made look to them. Serve them at dinner as a side to a fall-style pasta recipe.

I love these with my cozy butternut squash pasta sauce.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are good sides for pasta?

Good sides for pasta are light and fresh to balance the richness. A crisp green salad, roasted vegetables, garlic bread, and a simple protein like chicken or meatballs all work well. Pick one or two so the meal feels complete but not heavy.

What can I serve with pasta besides salad?

Besides salad, serve pasta with roasted vegetables, garlic or cheesy bread, or a protein like chicken, shrimp or meatballs. A brothy soup makes a nice light starter too. These add variety without competing with the sauce.

What vegetable goes well with pasta?

Roasted or sauteed vegetables pair beautifully with pasta. Try roasted Brussels sprouts, asparagus, butternut squash, or a cauliflower casserole. Their browned edges add flavor and a fresh contrast to creamy or tomato sauce.

What protein goes well with pasta?

Meatballs are the classic choice, but grilled chicken, garlic parmesan chicken or shrimp all work. Serve the protein on top or on the side. Keep the seasoning simple so it complements the sauce.

What bread should I serve with pasta?

Warm, crusty bread is perfect for soaking up sauce. Garlic bread, no-knead Dutch oven bread, garlic naan or soft dinner rolls are all great. Toast it just before serving so it stays warm and crisp.

What is the best salad to serve with pasta?

A crisp green salad with a sharp vinaigrette is the classic match. A kale Caesar, caprese, or a simple arugula salad all balance rich pasta. In summer, a fruit-forward salad like peach caprese is lovely.