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Do you know what to serve with lasagna? This epic list of easy side dishes for lasagna will give any home chef the meal inspiration you need. Plus, a list of our store-bought suggestions make it even easier.
We’ve got everything you need right here to help you craft the perfect family Sunday dinner or add to your leftover lasagna love.
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- Garlic bread or baguette. Available in the bakery section of most supermarkets, garlic bread is a classic pairing for lasagna.
- Pre-made salad. You might choose a Caesar salad, mixed greens, or even an antipasto salad for a more Italian vibe.
- Roasted vegetables. You can often find pre-roasted vegetables (like bell peppers, zucchini, or eggplant) in the deli or produce section.
- Marinated olives and artichokes. These can usually be found in the deli section or jars in the canned goods aisle.
- Store-bought bruschetta. Found in the deli or refrigerated section, this tomato and basil mix can be served on toasted baguette slices.
- Soup. A light, store-bought soup like tomato or minestrone could complement the rich flavors of the lasagna.
- Stuffed mushrooms. These can often be found in the produce section near the other fresh mushrooms, these just require a few minutes in a hot oven.
- Antipasto platter. Many supermarkets have pre-prepared antipasto platters with a mix of Italian meats, cheeses, olives, and pickled vegetables.
- Deli coleslaw. Many deli counters offer pre-made coleslaw that you can purchase by weight. It provides a refreshing and crunchy side dish.
- Gourmet pickles. Bread and butter pickles, cornichons, or other pickled vegetables provide a tangy, crunchy contrast to the soft, rich lasagna.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
This simple side dish combines the crisp-tender texture of green beans with the classic pairing of garlic and parmesan. The recipe is a great way to get your daily dose of vegetables.
Ingredients include: Green beans, garlic powder, olive oil, salt, and parmesan cheese.
These Zucchini Baked Cheesy Fritters are an innovative way to utilize leftover zucchini. They’re baked instead of fried, making them a lighter and healthier option.
Ingredients include: Zucchini, garlic powder, onion powder, parmesan cheese, and cheddar cheese.
These asparagus are wrapped in thinly sliced prosciutto and roasted. The prosciutto is crispy and the asparagus is tender. They’re both visually appealing and delicious.
Ingredients include: Prosciutto, asparagus, black pepper, and extra virgin olive oil.
These pickled onions can be ready in under 30 minutes and will keep in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. They offer a tangy, briny flavor with a crisp texture.
Ingredients include: Red onion, white vinegar, sugar, and salt.
Our version of Caesar Salad forgoes the traditional use of raw eggs and anchovies in the dressing. Chill the salad for at least two hours, as this makes it taste better.
Ingredients include: Romaine lettuce, Parmesan cheese, croutons, egg-free mayo, and mustard.
This recipe is an easy way to make tasty roasted radishes at your table. It uses garlic, lemon, and rosemary for seasoning and takes advantage of the air fryer’s quick heating time and easy cleanup.
Ingredients include: Radishes, olive oil, rosemary, garlic, and lemon zest.
This side requires four simple ingredients to put together. The recipe involves washing, peeling, and cutting the carrots, microwaving them, and then seasoning them once they’re fully cooked.
Ingredients include: Carrots, water, and salt.
Using fresh rosemary adds a subtle, herbaceous flavor to this Roasted Butternut Squash. The dish has a crispy exterior and tender interior that blends well with lasagna.
Ingredients include: Butternut squash, rosemary, garlic, olive oil, and cracked pepper.
Prepare various classic Italian desserts at home with this list, skipping the need for a fancy restaurant visit. It includes everything from cookies and cakes to ice cream and doughnuts.
Ingredients include: Italian cream cake, Crema pasticcera, Tiramisu, Cannoli, and Pistachio amaretti.
Here’s another easy dish that goes well with your lasagna. The recipe gives the corn a deep, smoky flavor that tastes like it’s been grilled outside.
Ingredients include: Sweet corn kernels, butter, oil, salt, and ground black pepper.
These Italian sausage recipes are known for their bold flavors and versatility. The crumbly texture of cooked Italian sausage can be a great contrast to the creamy, gooey cheese and tender pasta in lasagna.
Ingredients include: Italian Sausage Sandwich, Zuppa Toscana, Baked Mostaccioli, Italian Sausage Dip, and Italian Sausage Quesadillas.
Italian side dishes offer a diverse selection, including Tuscan Creamy Mushrooms and Italian Ratatouille. They blend wonderfully with the rich flavor of lasagna.
Ingredients include: Italian Green Beans, Parmesan Knots, Italian Broccoli, Focaccia, and Burrata Salad.
This collection of Italian Chicken recipes includes complementary dishes for lasagna, like Lemon Scallopini and Chicken Spiedini. Scaloppine Al Limone is another option, as the lemon in the dish balances out the rich flavor of lasagna.
Ingredients include: Chicken Marsala, Chicken Milanese, Chicken Spiedini, Chicken Française, and Chicken Pesto Pizza.
Most of these Italian Eggplant recipes are simple to prepare, which can be an advantage when making a complex main like lasagna. We suggest trying the classic Eggplant Parmigiana or the lesser-known Eggplant Caponata.
Ingredients include: Italian Marinated Eggplant, Eggplant Caponata, Eggplant Involtini, Italian Eggplant Pie, and Eggplant Stack.
These Recipes With Grano Padano Cheese can elevate your lasagna with its balanced, creamy flavor. A few of the must-try dishes are Grana Padano Stuffed Mushrooms and Grana Padano Pesto.
Ingredients include: Grana Padano Mac And Cheese, Grana Padano Frittata, Grana Padano Pesto, Grana Padano Pizza, and Grana Padano Cheese Cookies.
All of these appetizers are Italian or Italian-inspired. Serving them with lasagna helps to create a cohesive, themed meal.
Ingredients include: Bruschetta, Italian nachos, garlic bread, garlic knots, and hot Caprese dip.
Balsamic glaze drizzled over these skewers adds a hint of sweet flavor and acidity that balances out the flavors of the lasagna. For added convenience, they can be made ahead of time.
Ingredients include: Red cherry tomatoes, basil leaves, mini mozzarella balls, balsamic vinegar, and extra virgin olive oil.
This Italian recipe collection shines with its diverse offerings. It features everything from simple dishes like Spaghetti alla Carbonara to the delectable layers of Tiramisu..
Ingredients include: Chicken Parmesan, lasagna, tiramisu, gelato, and gnocchi.
These Italian cocktails, including classics like Aperol Spritz and Negroni, pair well with lasagna. They are simple to prepare with common ingredients.
Ingredients include: Classic Negroni, Americano, Bellini, Godfather, and Pirlo.
This Aperol Spritz recipe shines with its refreshing and lively blend of flavors. Its zesty citrus notes, bittersweet Aperol, and sparkling Prosecco make this iconic Italian cocktail a surefire hit.
Ingredients include: Aperol, prosecco, tonic water, and lemon.
These Italian cookie recipes provide a sweet counterpoint that can balance out the rich, hearty flavors of the lasagna. They come in a range of textures, too.
Ingredients include: Pizzicati, Pizzelle, Polenta Cookies, Ricciarelli, and Canestrelli.
While lasagna is a meal on its own, pairing them with hearty Italian pork recipes can enhance the overall dining experience. Pair your lasagna with Porchetta, Pork Lombardy, or Pampanella.
Ingredients include: Spezzatino Di Maiale, Porchetta, Pork Milanese, Pork Rosa di Parma, and Pork Lombardy.
No-Knead Rustic Dutch Oven Bread
A crusty, bakery-style loaf with about five minutes of actual work. Tear it up for sauce duty.
Spaghetti Bread
Garlic bread braided around spaghetti and mozzarella, baked golden. It disappears fast at pasta night.
English Muffin Bread
A no-knead loaf with that nook-and-cranny English muffin texture. Toast it, butter it, drag it through red sauce.
TikTok Tortilla Garlic Bread In The Air Fryer
The viral tortilla trick: garlic butter and cheese folded and air fried until crisp. Garlic bread in about five minutes.
Cheddar Bacon Ranch Biscuits
Cheddar, bacon, and ranch baked into a soft drop biscuit. They pull their weight next to anything saucy.
Butter Dip Biscuits
These bake right in a pool of melted butter. No rolling, no cutting, and made for wiping the plate.
Side Pairings To Avoid When Serving Lasagna
Certain food items may not pair well or may not complement the flavors of your lasagna. Here are some food items to avoid:
- Spicy foods. Avoid serving overly spicy foods alongside lasagna, as they can overpower the flavors of the dish.
- Strongly flavored fish. Fish with strong flavors, such as anchovies or sardines, might not harmonize well with the taste of lasagna.
- Different cuisines. There are exceptions, but Mexican-inspired sides, for example, may not fit the profile of an Italian-style dish.
- Heavy cream-based dishes. Combining the creamy elements of heavy cream-based dishes can clash if you are serving a tomato sauce.
- Heavy potato dishes. Avoid serving heavy potato dishes like mashed or scalloped potatoes. Having two starchy dishes can make the meal feel too heavy.
- Spaghetti or other pasta dishes. Don’t serve more heavy pasta alongside lasagna. This is too much starch in the same texture profile.
The bottom line
Lasagna is one of those dishes that just feels like home. It’s hearty, cheesy, and always hits the spot. And pairing your lasagna with the right sides can make your meal even better.
We hope that with this list, we were able to help you find side dishes and flavors that make your lasagna meal go from good to outstanding!
We love lasagna,so it’s perfect.
I’m going to be trying the garlic bread soon! I love all these ideas!
So good!
What great and simple ideas ! Thanks !
great recipes
The Cesar salad sounds like a great lasagna pairing!
Green beans are the perfect side.
I make lasagna once a week.
Great ideas, thank you!
These are some great side dishes ideas. Thanks!
sounds great going to try the sides thankyo