Skip to Content

What To Serve With Lasagna: 30 Easy Side Dishes

You need the right side to elevate your lasagna to the next level, and these 30 easy side dishes give you wonderful ideas on what to serve with lasagna. 

What are the perfect side dishes for lasagna?

We are an Italian household, and that means that lasagna is a serious ingredient in our home. 

That is why we are in search of what to serve with lasagna.

We can all agree that lasagna is that one dish that can be prepared in several ways, and there isn’t one right way to cook it.

As long as you’re working with the ingredients you love and layering the pasta sheets with just the right amount of sauce, there isn’t much that can go wrong. 

It’s the perfect dish to make on days when you’re feeding a large group of people, and you can reheat the leftovers on weeknights when you’re feeling too lazy to cook. 

It is a perfect leftover that we created a guide about how to reheat lasagna and keep that delicious flavor and texture. 

If you’re wondering what to serve with lasagna, look no further. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at 30 side dishes that will pair perfectly with your main course and leave your guests wanting more.

Garlic bread has to be the simplest lasagna side dish that takes almost no time to prepare.

It has just the right amount of crunch that complements the creamy flavors of almost all kinds of lasagna.

It is the perfect bread to serve with lasagna.

Combine butter and minced garlic in a small bowl and brush it over the bread.

Sprinkle some fresh parsley, salt, and a little cheese before popping it in the oven until it’s perfectly warm and crisp. 

If you want to kick this recipe up a notch, consider sauteeing the garlic or roasting the garlic in advance. 

Kale Caesar Salad is one of the most common salads with lasagna.

It’s incredibly easy to make, especially if you opt for store-bought croutons and salad dressing. 

Marinate your kale leaves with olive oil before mixing them into the salad to soften them and enrich their flavor.

We always massage the kale for about 5 minutes. 

It doesn’t take long, but it is worth it.

Steamed green beans are the perfect side dish for lasagna and take no more than 10 minutes to make.

Once the green beans have become crisp-tender, remove them from the water and season them with salt, pepper, olive oil, and lemon to get that fresh green color.

If you’re always looking for ways to sneak vegetables into your kids’ diet, this recipe for Fried Brussels Sprouts is just what you need. 

At first, I was skeptical that this would be good for a lasagna dinner, but it really is. 

Shocking, I know, but that is the point of experimenting. 

This is a spicy recipe, so if you are like me and a bit sensitive to spicy, you can leave out the Sriracha sauce or use half of what is suggested.

You can add sugar as well to soften the flavor.

Cauliflower is a highly versatile vegetable that can be added to several delicious recipes.

For this recipe of Butter Roasted Cauliflower, you only need three ingredients that you can easily find in your pantry: cauliflower florets, melted butter, and salt and pepper. 

Coat all the cauliflower pieces with melted butter and season them with salt and pepper before roasting them in the oven until they’re perfectly tender and golden.

Even though antipasto is a starter dish, it is a great side dish for lasagna. 

You can either use pepperoni and provolone or go for prosciutto, salami, red peppers, and mozzarella.

Don’t forget to toss in some olives, chickpeas, and even artichoke hearts before adding your choice of dressing.

You just need a handful of ingredients like tomato, olives, feta cheese, and cucumber to make this Mediterranean Cucumber Salad.

It’s fresh and crunchy and provides a refreshing twist of flavors that complement the lasagna beautifully.

The best part of a cucumber salad is how versatile it is. 

Adding in some olives and feta gives it that Mediterranean flavor. 

Yet you can add in some basil and add that extra touch. 

Add in your flair of flavors as you go.

If you’re looking for a healthier alternative, you can try making baked eggplant. 

The recipe is incredibly simple and doesn’t even require any breading.

All you need to do is layer slices of eggplant and tomatoes in a baking dish and season generously with Parmesan cheese and oregano.

Remove them from the oven when the cheese has browned completely. 

Asparagus can be prepared in a few different ways. 

You can roast it, grill it, or steam it, but when you’re pairing it with fresh homemade lasagna, steaming is the way to do it.

You can use a steam basket or an instant pot until the asparagus is steamed to perfection. 

Consider adding a sprinkle of freshly grated parmesan cheese atop it.

These Garlic Roasted Cherry Tomatoes are the perfect healthy side dish for lasagna. 

Let’s just be honestly roasted tomatoes goes well with lasagna. 

Spread tomatoes tossed with minced garlic on a large cookie sheet and drizzle olive oil before popping them into the oven.

Season with salt once roasted and then spread them on toasted slices of ciabatta bread before serving.

These Marinated Tomatoes are easy to make, but you can keep that your little secret.

This recipe is beautiful on the platter. It only requires a few ingredients and a short bit of time.

All you need is tomatoes, red onion, olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic, and herbs.

Blackened Broccoli has those perfect crispy edges with that tiny bit of charring. 

That adds a bit of crunch and works well against the soft texture of lasagna.

If you are looking for a tad of spice to compliment your lasagna, this is a great recipe to fit that in. 

You can add some red pepper flakes to kick it up a notch.

Garlic and Italian food pair perfectly. 

So adding sautéed garlic to green beans is just a grand idea.

This is a simple side dish to make. 

All that you need to do is steam some green beans and then saute garlic with butter.

Caprese salad is an authentic Italian side dish.

It is one of those dishes I call sexy because when it is displayed on a dish, it just looks fresh and perfect.

It only requires a few ingredients. 

You need fresh basil, whole tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and balsamic vinegar.

Caprese on bread is a fantastic twist on a fantastic side dish.

Just imagine tomatoes, mozzarella, balsamic, garlic, and herbs on a perfectly toasted piece of bread.

That is Caprese Bruschetta, and it is tasty.

Simple green salads too often get overlooked, but they are a side dish worth celebrating. 

They can be as simple or as full of bounty as you desire.

One of my favorite Italian restaurants serves a super simple green salad. 

It has red onion, pepperoncini, and parmesan cheese.

It doesn’t sound like much, but I just love it.

When was the last time that you had some arugula? 

This simple Arugula Salad only has six ingredients.

It needs olive oil, lemon juice, honey, arugula, and salt and pepper.

Yep, that’s it!

It is best made with freshly squeezed lemon juice, but if you don’t have any on hand, don’t let that stop you. 

I have made this plenty of times with lemon from a jar.

This Grilled Tomatoes recipe was an experiment that went insanely well.

My big tip for this as a side dish is to make three times more than you think you need.

Each time I serve this as a side, it is the first thing to disappear from the table.

Fresh herbs are always best, but I have made this with dried herbs, which are still absolutely delicious.

This Green Beans With Tomatoes recipe is so versatile. 

When pairing it with lasagna, add some truffle oil.

When cooking the tomatoes, try and get a tiny bit of char on them. 

This will add to the rich tomato sauce in your lasagna and bring the meal together nicely.

Lasagna is one of those comforting Italian dishes that can make a meal unique no matter where you are.
 
Pairing it with Watermelon, Feta & Mint Salad adds an unexpected flavor twist to the traditional dish while remaining family-friendly.
 
The sweet, tangy flavor from the watermelon blends well with the creamy feta to compliment the herbaceous mint leaves, creating a flavor combination truly unlike any other.
 
The boldness of this salad stands out against the richness of lasagna in stellar harmony, making for an unforgettable meal that will have everyone coming back for more!

The savory flavors of the lasagna shine through when paired with the slight bitterness of the broccoli, providing a great contrast in taste.
 
The broccoli’s crunchiness added to each bite creates an interesting texture that pairs perfectly with the soft noodles in lasagna.
 
It’s no wonder so many people enjoy adding broccoli salad as a side to their lasagna meals: it’s a superb combination that will indeed be enjoyed by anyone lucky enough to try it.

Butternut squash’s subtly sweet, nutty flavor and slightly firm texture contrast with the herby and heartiness of lasagna.
 
These qualities complement each other well, and the vibrant orange color of sautéed, cubed butternut squash also provides a lovely splash of color to this already inviting dish.
 
The variety in ingredients creates a balanced yet exciting Italian-style dinner that everyone at the table can enjoy.

Not only do they add a burst of colorful variety, but they also pack a flavor punch that is sure to please.
 
The tomato slices are marinated in a mix of fresh basil, minced garlic, and tangy balsamic vinegar.
 
A drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil brings all these bold flavors together in perfect harmony, elevating the taste of any lasagna dish.
 
Marinated tomatoes bring the whole meal together with their exceptional fragrance, acidity, and added texture.

If you’re looking for an even more satisfying meal, consider pairing it with some Baked Veggie Balls!
 
They are effortless to make and add a flavorful boost of vegetables.
 
The texture contrast of tender lasagna and crunchy veggie balls makes for an even better culinary experience overall.
 
So if you’re looking to upgrade your favorite lasagna supper, try serving up some Baked Veggie Balls on the side and enjoy a complete and sumptuous meal that will satisfy all your cravings.

Garlic Knots are an excellent accompaniment to lasagna because they complement the dish’s rich, hearty flavors.
 
The savory garlic aroma and popped-in-the-oven texture provide an ideal pairing to a bowl of lasagna with its mix of herbs and cheese.
 
It’s a terrific pick-me-up with comfort food like lasagna, allowing you to experience two classic Italian favorites in one meal.
 
Garlic knots also add a delightful crunch that complements the other textures of the dish.
 
So give your plate an extra boost by tossing some delectable garlic knots for your next lasagna night!

With its sharp taste and sturdy texture, broccoli rabe pairs beautifully with the sweet tomato-based flavors in most lasagna recipes.
 
For a truly fantastic result, slow-cooking the broccoli rabe is key.
 
Doing so helps diffuse some inherent bitterness while preserving its vibrant, feel-good goodness and adding a subtle smokiness to the overall dish.
 
The balance to your lasagna will be achieved once you discover just the right amount of time to simmer the broccoli rabe.

Lasagna is a classic comfort food that we all love, but when it comes to adding a flavorful side dish, you can’t go wrong with Fig & Prosciutto Salad.
 
This crunchy and tart salad combines farro and bitter greens with sweet figs and salty prosciutto for a flavor combination that complements lasagna perfectly.
 
This salad is surprisingly simple and easy to make, making it the ideal companion for a homemade lasagna dinner.

Lasagna and garlic breadsticks always go hand in hand!
 
Garlic breadsticks are a warm, fresh, and savory side dish that pairs nicely with the bold flavors of lasagna.
 
The savory and aromatic garlic complements the cheeses, sauces, and ground beef in the lasagna without overwhelming it.
 
Similarly, the crunchy yet chewy texture of garlic breadsticks creates balance in the soft noodles in a satisfying way.
 
Lasagna plus garlic breadsticks is a no-brainer when you want a classic Italian dinner combo.
 
It’s one of those ‘perfect match’ combinations that never fails to please everyone at the table.

Panzanella Salad is an exquisite accompaniment to lasagna.
 
It combines crunchy, fresh vegetables like cucumbers and tomatoes with crispy bread cubes, providing a nice contrast to pasta.
 
The salad is also dressed in a flavorful vinaigrette that adds acidity and depth of flavor.
 
Plus, the colors of the two dishes make an attractive display for any dinner table.
 
Having Panzanella Salad with lasagna helps balance out the meal by providing a light and refreshing side dish that complements the richness of the pasta dish.
 
Nothing quite like homemade Italian food, complete with colorful accompaniments like Panzanella Salad.

Roasted Artichokes are an excellent choice for pairing with lasagna, adding a bit of crunchy texture and extra flavor to the dish. 
 
Artichokes are known for their nutty, artichoke-like qualities that stand out when taken on their own. 
 
However, when combined with lasagna’s robust blend of flavors from tomato sauce, cheese, and other ingredients, that same flavor will stand out but in a way that enriches the entire dish. 
 
Roasted Artichokes also add some crunch to the dish, which plays off the creamy textures in the lasagna for an incredibly satisfying experience. 
 
Moreover, it can make all the difference without adding too much time or effort because it only takes a few handfuls of roasted artichokes to spruce up the dish.

The bottom line

Regardless of which side dish you choose, whether you go for the simplest option, like garlic bread, or prepare something a little more elaborate, like an Antipasto Platter, you need to make sure you’re considering the preferences of your guests.

If you are curious about what to serve with lasagna at a dinner party, start with Garlic Bread and Kale Caesar Salad.

Those two side dishes are perfect to serve family style. 

Feel free to add your twist to these recipes to pair your lasagna with an incredibly delicious side dish that no one would want to say no to.

What To Serve With Lasagna: 30 Easy Side Dishes

What To Serve With Lasagna: 30 Easy Side Dishes

You need the right side to elevate your lasagna to the next level, and these 30 easy side dishes give you wonderful ideas on what to serve with lasagna. 

Ingredients

  • Garlic Bread
  • Kale Caesar Salad
  • Lemony Steamed Green Beans
  • Fried Brussels Sprouts
  • Butter Roasted Cauliflower
  • Antipasto Platter
  • Mediterranean Cucumber Salad
  • Baked Eggplant
  • Steamed Asparagus
  • Garlic Roasted Cherry Tomatoes
  • Marinated Tomatoes
  • Blackened Broccoli
  • Garlic Green Beans
  • Caprese Salad
  • Caprese Bruschetta
  • Simple Green Salad
  • Arugula Salad
  • Grilled Tomatoes
  • Green Beans With Tomatoes
  • Watermelon, Feta & Mint Salad
  • Broccoli Salad
  • Sautéed Butternut Squash
  • Marinated Tomatoes
  • Baked Veggie Balls
  • Garlic Knots
  • Slow-Cooked Broccoli Rabe
  • Fig & Prosciutto Salad
  • Garlic Breadsticks
  • Panzanella Salad
  • Roasted Artichokes

Instructions

  1. Skim through our What To Serve With Lasagna list.
  2. Select the recipe you’re looking for.
  3. Prep the ingredients as instructed.
  4. Spill your thoughts on our Facebook page!

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Pinterest

Lesley Meredith

Wednesday 30th of December 2020

sounds great going to try the sides thankyo

Soraya M

Sunday 13th of September 2020

These are some great side dishes ideas. Thanks!

Kim Gilleland

Saturday 5th of September 2020

Great ideas, thank you!

Diana McDonald

Monday 31st of August 2020

I make lasagna once a week.

Michael Coovert

Sunday 30th of August 2020

Green beans are the perfect side.

Skip to Recipe