There's something so special about pasta—it's got the potential to be comforting or romantic, is a forever fave for weeknight family dinners, and usually comes together pretty quickly (great whether you're a master chef or a beginner). Whether you're craving spaghetti & meatballs, a bowl of creamy chicken Alfredo, or the famous baked feta pasta, a bowl of macaroni, penne, or spaghetti always satisfies. That said, even a big bowl of pasta can be improved with a side dish. If you've ever struggled to decide what to pair with your pasta dinner, never fear—these 32 sides for pasta are here for you.
Because of how hearty and filling pasta can be, we love to serve veggies alongside our meal, whether they're grilled, roasted, or steamed. Check out our green beans almondine, our roasted fennel with delicata squash & apples, or our garlic butter mushrooms for ideas, but really, you can't go wrong. You can also never go wrong with a refreshing salad (our simple arugula salad, our fun sheet-pan sheet-pan panzanella, or our classic antipasto salad are all delicious choices); the fresh crunch will give a stellar contrast to your bowl of pasta. Serving a big crowd? Bakes like our broccoli cauliflower casserole, our butternut squash casserole, or our zucchini casserole with garlicky bread crumbs guarantee you'll have enough for everyone, with minimal effort.
Don't worry, we didn't forget about everyone's favorite breads! In addition to classic garlic bread, we've also included some of our other favorite versions, including garlic knots, our share-and-tear cheesy garlic pull-apart bread, and our easily-adaptable focaccia. They're just the thing for sopping up any leftover sauce from your bowl.
Looking for more dinner inspo? Check out our favorite Italian dinner recipes for more Italian-inspired weeknight dinners, or our top pasta side dishes for when you want pasta as your side instead of your main.
Parmesan Roasted Green Beans
This side is like if green beans dressed up as cheesy garlic bread. 😍 Tossed in garlic and black pepper and showered with cheese, this simple yet irresistible side will steal the spotlight at every dinner table.
Get the Parmesan Roasted Green Beans recipe.
Green Beans Almondine
This classic French recipe turns humble green beans into an easy yet impressive side dish. Sautéed with shallots and garlic, tossed with buttery, toasted almonds, and finished with lemon, these green beans are quick enough to serve for a weeknight dinner while also being fancy enough for special occasions.
Get the Green Beans Almondine recipe.
Halloumi Salad
Besides the delightfully squeaky texture (where the cheese curd lovers at?), and the tangy, salty flavor, the high melting point of halloumi is really what makes this cheese stand out—when heat is applied, it develops a delicious golden crust that is so delightful in this arugula salad.
Get the Halloumi Salad recipe.
Roasted Fennel With Delicata Squash & Apples
You may have seen crisp, anise-y fennel bulbs dotting the famers' market stands, nuzzling up alongside sweet delicata squash and tart apples. The three find their way into this healthy side dish that's perfect for elegant dinner party menus, simple weeknight meals, or paired with richer, holiday spreads.
Get the Roasted Fennel With Delicata Squash & Apples recipe.
Ratatouille
While you may have seen a meticulously assembled variation of this dish (known as confit bayaldi) made famous in the 2007 animated film Ratatouille, our version of the French classic is less fussy and much more forgiving in terms of presentation.
Get the Ratatouille recipe.
Focaccia Bread
All you need is a little patience (and a LOT of olive oil), and you can create the classic crackly-on-the-outside, soft-and-pillowy-on-the-inside-texture that’s synonymous with the classic Italian flatbread.
Get the Focaccia Bread recipe.
Green Bean Salad
if your family dinner doesn’t feature a big bowl of this salad, you’re seriously missing out. Fresh green beans are tossed with cherry tomatoes, olives, and feta in a simple red wine vinaigrette for a Greek-inspired side that’s as light and fresh as it is seasonal.
Get the Green Bean Salad recipe.
Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole
There’s your average casserole, and then there’s this cheesy loaded broccoli cauliflower casserole. Filled with plenty of veggies and feel-good flavors, there’s something in this dish for everyone. Hot tip: This goes over like gangbusters at potlucks.
Get the Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole recipe.
Melting Potatoes
These melt-in-your-mouth potatoes got their name for good reason: With a tender, soft middle and an herby topping, one bite and you'll get it. Smothered in butter, garlic, and fresh herbs, they really are amazing with everything, from weeknight dinners to romantic special occasions.
Get the Melting Potatoes recipe.
Honey Balsamic Glazed Brussels Sprouts
The hardest part of making these Brussels sprouts is leaving them alone. They're cooked until perfectly tender and golden brown, then glazed with a balsamic glaze that will change your life. If you're anything like us, you're going to be popping these in your mouth like they're popcorn.
Burrata Salad
Think of burrata salad as Caprese salad's fancy cousin. Peak-summer tomatoes are topped with luscious burrata (think a shell of mozzarella filled with a soft, creamy filling) and garnished with a shower of peppery basil leaves and savory chives. 😍
Get the Burrata Salad recipe.
Cannellini Beans With Herb Sauce
Butternut Squash Casserole
This savory butternut squash casserole is packed with bacon and two types of cheese (mozzarella and cheddar) and just enough kale to make it feel healthy-ish. Equally versatile as a side dish or a main, this vegetable casserole is a hearty, easy, and delicious way to eat your greens this fall.
Get the Butternut Squash Casserole recipe.
Garlic Knots
Slathered in garlic butter goodness, these garlic knots are seriously irresistible. These savory bites come together in 30 minutes, making them a quick and easy side to your main pasta dish. Plus, you can soak up any leftover sauce with these babies.
Get the Garlic Knots recipe.
Parmesan Brussels Sprouts Salad
We love Brussels in a variety of preparations, but one of our forever favorite ways to prepare them is in a fresh salad. Tossed with a combo of toasted almonds, shaved Parmesan, and pomegranate seeds, this is the best holiday side for any get-together, most especially your fancy dinners.
Sheet-Pan Panzanella
Rather than toast the bread cubes on their own for this summery salad, you'll roast them alongside tomatoes, onion, and garlic. The combination of roasted tomatoes, toasted bread coated with Parmesan, fragrant garlic, and mozzarella ends up tasting like pizza. Yum!
Get the Sheet-Pan Panzanella recipe.
Cheesy Garlic Pull-Apart Bread
This is the ultimate cheesy garlic bread. This tear-and-share version of the classic side is perfect if you're aiming to serve a crowd. Plus, it's so fast and easy to whip up: Ready in 30 minutes with very minimal dishes, this pull-apart bread is the last-minute side of our dreams.
Chicken Caesar Salad
“Decadent” doesn’t usually come to mind when you think of salad, but this one definitely is. With a rich, tangy dressing, tender, roasted chicken thighs, crunchy croutons, and a snowfall of freshly grated Parm, this chicken Caesar salad gives a flavorful, refreshing bite in contrast to your pasta bowl.
Get the Chicken Caesar Salad recipe.
Antipasto Chickpea Salad
This versatile chickpea salad is a great side dishs. Adding a spoonful of Dijon mustard to your red wine vinaigrette makes it creamier in both taste and body—consider it your secret weapon in making a classic dressing just that much better.
Get the Antipasto Chickpea Salad recipe.
