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

Updated Sep 12, 2024

Need good sides for pasta? I’ve scoured the internet for the best ideas for what to serve with pasta, from crisp vegetable side dishes to the best proteins and cheesiest garlic bread.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Steps of making mushroom pappardelle sauce.

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.

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).

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 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.

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 love this alongside my spaghetti recipe with a handful of fresh herbs and parmesan cheese.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Bread Sides For Pasta

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

Cheese-Stuffed Flatbread

Guys, my Cheese Naan is SO good with pasta.

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!