Pasta on its own is great, but pasta with a thoughtful side dish is a meal. I get asked all the time ‘what do I serve with this?’ so I built this page as my answer. Below are 15 tested sides that pair well with most Italian and Italian-American pastas.
Most are quick. A few are 30+ minutes. All round out a pasta-centric meal beautifully.
In This Roundup
- 1. Ultimate Plant-Packed Vegetable Soup
- 2. Velvety Sweet Potato and Ginger Soup
- 3. Hearty High-Fiber Lentil and Vegetable Stew
- 4. Julia’s Hearty Sweet Potato & Lentil Stew
- 5. Bj’s Brewhouse Broccoli Cheddar Soup
- 6. Olive Garden Broccoli
- 7. Vibrant Spring Vegetable Lasagna
- 8. Korean Rice Cake Lasagna (Tteokbokki Gratin)
- 9. Sticky Hoisin Chicken Wings with Corn & Rice Salad
- 10. Perfect Lemon Herb Roasted Chicken with Spring Vegetables
- 11. Easy Mango Chutney Chicken & Potato Traybake
- 12. Lemon Herb Chicken and Roasted Vegetable Traybake
- 13. Julia’s Classic Chicken and Vegetable Pie
- 14. Creamy Spring Pasta with Asparagus and Leeks
- 15. Julia’s Easy One-Pot Seafood Rice
The Recipes
1. Ultimate Plant-Packed Vegetable Soup
Looking for a delicious way to boost your weekly plant intake? This vibrant, nourishing soup is your answer. Packed with…
2. Velvety Sweet Potato and Ginger Soup
Bring a little sunshine to your table with this simple, yet elegant, sweet potato soup. Its vibrant color and velvety…
3. Hearty High-Fiber Lentil and Vegetable Stew
Embrace the wholesome goodness of a meal designed to nourish and satisfy. Our Hearty High-Fiber Lentil and Vegetable Stew is…
4. Julia’s Hearty Sweet Potato & Lentil Stew
At Julia’s Recipes, we believe food is the ultimate way to nourish and celebrate our unique bodies. Just as we…
5. Bj’s Brewhouse Broccoli Cheddar Soup
There is nothing like a warm, cheesy cup of soup to soothe the soul, and this BJ’s Brewhouse Broccoli Cheddar…
6. Olive Garden Broccoli
While broccoli is not always the main attraction on a plate, at Olive Garden, it is very important in balancing…
7. Vibrant Spring Vegetable Lasagna
There’s no better way to celebrate the arrival of spring than with a dish that sings with the season’s best…
8. Korean Rice Cake Lasagna (Tteokbokki Gratin)
Welcome to my kitchen! Today, we’re creating something truly special that brings together two of my favorite comfort foods: the…
9. Sticky Hoisin Chicken Wings with Corn & Rice Salad
Welcome to a meal that perfectly balances sweet, savory, and tangy flavors in every single bite. Our Hoisin-Marinated Chicken Wings…
10. Perfect Lemon Herb Roasted Chicken with Spring Vegetables
Embrace the bright, fresh flavors of the season with this stunning Lemon Herb Roasted Chicken. Tender, juicy chicken is infused…
11. Easy Mango Chutney Chicken & Potato Traybake
There’s a special kind of magic in a traybake dinner, where simple ingredients transform into a complete, flavorful meal with…
12. Lemon Herb Chicken and Roasted Vegetable Traybake
There’s a special kind of magic in a meal that comes together in a single pan, don’t you think? This…
13. Julia’s Classic Chicken and Vegetable Pie
There are few things more wonderfully comforting than a golden, flaky pie crust giving way to a rich, creamy filling…
14. Creamy Spring Pasta with Asparagus and Leeks
There’s nothing quite like the vibrant, fresh taste of spring produce. This Creamy Spring Pasta is a celebration of the…
15. Julia’s Easy One-Pot Seafood Rice
Bring the vibrant flavors of the Mediterranean straight to your kitchen with this wonderfully simple One-Pot Seafood Rice. Inspired by…
Final Thoughts
Save this page for the next time you cook pasta and need a side. You have options.