While lasagna is a delicious Italian meal on its own, you’ll want one or two of these appetizers for lasagna dinner to cut the richness, add some greens, or just complement the robust flavors.

You can’t help but grab a hefty serving of that rich and flavorful lasagna for dinner.

But what makes lasagna so great?

Lasagna is created by arranging flat pasta sheets in a casserole, adding luscious and savory red ragu sauce, and topping with various cheeses.

This dish is effortless to make and assemble, so people choose it as their go-to intimate meals or big get-togethers at home.

The secret to good lasagna, though, is in the sauce or ragu, and let’s not forget the bechamel sauce that will go in between the ragu and pasta sheets.

Bechamel sauce is a mixture of white roux and milk, also known as white sauce, besamel, or besciamella.

However, the taste of bechamel sauce would also differ according to the spices you put in it, such as nutmeg, bay leaves, and pepper.

The bechamel sauce gives you that silky, creamy, buttery taste.

Mix this with a robust tomato sauce infused with all the fatty goodness from the ground beef that’s dense and super savory!

And you get a tempting lasagna dish you want to munch on for days!

But it’s always good to serve this Italian dish with something that balances out the intense flavors, which is why we’ve listed 21 appetizers for lasagna.

#18 is a must-try if you love this traditional bread with goat cheese!

1. Caprese Foccacia

Caprese is a type of salad that is a combination of mozzarella, sweet basil, and tomatoes.

But for this appetizer, we’re going to turn the traditional caprese salad into a caprese focaccia appetizer.

Focaccia is also an Italian flat bread that is baked crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside.

It’s flavored with your favorite herbs like thyme and rosemary, with a good dollop of olive oil.

And do you want to know an interesting fact?

Caprese has all the colors of the Italian flag!

2. Simple Italian Salad

There’s nothing like a good and straightforward Italian Salad to match your lasagna.

This is inspired by the Olive Garden restaurant, which serves Italian and American cuisine.

This recipe has everything, from the crunch of the greens to the saltiness of the olives, pepperoncinis, and parmesan.

After serving this salad as an appetizer, you’ll probably make this over and over again for your weekday meals!

3. Chopped Salad

Here’s another salad alternative if you want a hint of sweetness and tangy flavors from the vinaigrette dressing.

Unlike the former salad recipe, this is made with all the delicious meat cuts your palate desires, plus chickpeas!

Imagine the meats—ham, salami, and pepperoncini, mixed with a fresh dressing with Dijon mustard and lemon juice!

4. Cucumber Onion Salad

If you’re tired of the tossed green lettuce salad, try this Cucumber Onion Salad for a change.

You slice up some fresh and crunchy onions and throw in some fresh dill and sweet onion.

That onion will cut through that mild taste of the cucumbers, and the herbs will elevate the salad, giving it a refreshing taste.

5. Antipasto Skewers

Have you ever heard of antipasto kebabs?

Antipasto is a traditional dish in Italy that’s made up of briny olives, cured meats, and other ingredients.

But instead of antipasto being served on a platter, this recipe makes Antipasto Skewers!

You’ll get the savory flavor of the tortellini and salami from this recipe, along with the zesty and light Italian dressing.

6. Sweet Pea Pesto Crostini

How about pairing your lasagna with a herby and greasy pesto sauce on a crostini?

A crostini is an Italian toasted bread with flavorful toppings like cheese, condiments, and vegetables.

This Sweet Pea Pesto Crostini combines sweet peas and bright basil for that extra rich garlicky flavor.

Even more Italian recipes you’ll love!

7. Cheesy Garlic Bread

You’ll never want another lasagna appetizer again once you’ve tried this Cheesy Garlic Bread that oozes with that unique and pungent taste from the garlic.

The delicate, milky, buttery, and piquant mozzarella or Colby Jack cheese is the star of the show!

Slather that perfect combination on exquisitely toasted bread, and you’ll whet your appetite for the main meal.

8. Broccoli Salad

Here’s another light and refreshing salad to kick off your lasagna main course.

Broccoli’s earthy and herbaceous taste will undeniably excite your palates, especially if you love this vegetable.

You get that pleasant grassy taste and just the right bitterness at the end of every bite.

Plus, don’t forget that rich, umami flavor from the tamari in this recipe.

9. Bruschetta

The trick to making the most incredible Bruschetta is to pick the freshest ingredients.

Once you try this recipe, you’ll enjoy a well-balanced crisp and tangy flavor.

The sweet and tarty tomatoes will go well on top of that perfectly toasted french bread or any artisan bread you choose.

Just make sure you don’t make it soggy!

10. Minestrone Soup

Start your lasagna dinner with an Italian soup classic called Minestrone Soup!

It’s a soup mixed with vegetables, stock, tomatoes, parmesan cheese, and more.

This thick tomato-based soup is a perfect way to get that tarty flavors that will entice your palate for the next meal.

11. Green Gazpacho Appetizer Drink

Gazpacho is a cold soup that consists of vegetables that are blended.

This dish is typically very smooth on the palate, which heavily depends on just the right amount of olive oil and wet ingredients.

But this easy Green Gazpacho Appetizer Drink is worth a try!

The fresh and aromatic tarragon mixed with the mild butter lettuce is to die for!

12. Italian Meatball Buns

These delicious Italian Meatball Buns will surely amp you up for the next meal.

The soft and tender bread dough dinner rolls with the rich and savory Italian meatballs are a match made in heaven!

And don’t forget that extra velvety marinara sauce that will kick things up!

Check out even more Italian side dishes!

13. Roasted Garlic Soup

If you’re feeling under the weather, you can start your weekday dinner or weeknight brunch with this easy Roasted Garlic Soup recipe.

The spicy and nutty flavor of roasted garlic makes this soup a showstopper.

So if you want a warm hug in a bowl, you should try this recipe!

14. Italian Pickled Vegetables

Giardiniera is an Italian pickled vegetable dish smothered in a brine of mainly oil and vinegar, with other ingredients like chili peppers, bell peppers, and celery.

Although this appetizer might be too greasy, you can put this on crispy bread to balance the flavors and texture.

15. Polenta Bites

Try these yummy Polenta Bites if you want to whip up something quick with only six ingredients.

Polenta is a cornmeal dough that is boiled and baked or fried after.

You can use pre-made polenta or make one from scratch for this recipe.

Overall, you’ll still get that flavor similar to grits, which is comparable to cornbread and pairs well with the earthiness of the portabella mushrooms.

16. Crispy Italian Breadsticks

These Crispy Italian Breadsticks are a favorite because not only are they easy to make, but they’re also highly versatile.

The crispy breadstick will go well with your lasagna, grilled chicken, pasta, or soup.

17. Tomato Fritters

These are probably the tastiest fritters you’ll ever try in your entire life!

These Tomato Fritters are perfect as appetizers or something you can munch on for breakfast.

The secret is to use summer tomatoes because they’re full of flavor, unlike tomatoes that are out of season.

Also, don’t use cheeses that melt so as not to mess up frying these babies.

18. Sourdough Bread With Olives & Goat Cheese

You’ll never tire of this sourdough bread topped with olives and goat cheese!

You’ll enjoy that slightly sour taste from the sourdough from that starter made of yeast and flour.

And the sharp, earthy flavor of the goat cheese will dominate in this appetizer!

19. Pistachio Grape Cheese Appetizers

If you want a no-cook, no-bake, no-fry appetizer to go with your lasagna, this Pistachio Grape Cheese recipe will fill the bill!

You need three ingredients and a paper towel to pat the grapes dry.

Cover the grapes with a savory cheese spread like Boursin and dip in chopped-up pistachios for that extra crunch!

20. Italian Deviled Eggs

Deviled eggs are always a fun and tasty crowd-pleaser to your parties or weekly meals.

But we’re kicking things up by transforming this into an Italian Deviled Eggs recipe.

The buttery egg will complement the salty salami and the complex tang of Dijon mustard.
Can you tell we love Italian food? More Italian Appetizers here.

21. Grilled Eggplant

If you’re craving something light as a starter for your meal, try this simple Grilled Eggplant recipe that only requires your grill and a couple of condiments.

The trick to making this extra tasty and grilled to perfection is to only season the eggplant after grilling because brushing them with oil before grilling might burn them.

Season with Italian parsley, garlic, salt, and olive oil; this vegetable melts in your mouth like butter!

22. Goat-Cheese Stuffed Cherry Tomatoes

I add this incredible appetizer to every list I can get my hands on.

Renee’ made these one day, and she told me recently they were kind of a pain to scoop out, but I love them

LOVE. them.

The tart goat cheese pairs perfectly with those tiny sweet cherry tomatoes, and the basil ties it all together.

So poppable, fresh, and let’s be honest, super cute on the plate, too.

The bottom line

Try these lasagna appetizers if you’re looking for something sweet, savory, tangy, tart, creamy, buttery, or mild before enjoying your main course.

Remember, the best way to enjoy a meal is with a delicious and enticing appetizer!

Looking for more lasagna inspiration?

Even more ideas for what to serve with lasagna here!

Appetizers For Lasagna Dinner