Are you trying to decide what to serve with pizza?
We’ve rounded up 57 best side dishes to elevate your pizza-eating experience–salads, soups–you name it!
When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza, that’s amore . . .
Whether you’re perfectly content to phone up your local takeaway every time, you’ve got a hankering for pizza.
Or you’ve soundly rejected the grease-and-coagulated-cheese orthodoxy in favor of knocking out your own perfectly serviceable Margherita at home.
Here are 57 great ideas for what to serve with pizza.
If there’s one thing the fast-food industrial complex got right, it’s pizza.
As it turns out, people will forgive an awful lot—the nastiest olives, the most dubious pepperoni or pineapple of any kind or quantity—provided, of course, that it’s laden with enough cheese to down a horse.
And given that most of us don’t own pizza ovens or any oven capable of getting hot enough to cook a pizza in, we’re more than content to subsist off the offerings of whatever local chain is closest by (or whichever one sends the freest garlic sauce!).
Of course, now there are plenty of authentically Italian places around, too.
The kinds with fresh tomato, sourdough crusts, and fun, faddy toppings that span whole menus like itty-bitty artichokes and strange mushrooms.
And the talented among us produce more than passable pizzas at home with nothing but a cast-iron pan and loads of patience.
To that end, a pizza exists to be grabbed, squabbled over, and eaten immediately.
However you should choose to do that is up to you, but a side of Onion Rings, Lemon Pepper Wings, or crispy delight #27 is a crowd-pleaser!
What do you get when you pile spicy sausages, sharp goat cheese, and fleshy poblanos inside a richly meaty mushroom?
You get a filling supper masquerading as a side.
Do give it a go.
A refreshing, verdant salad with a splash of autumn written all over it.
We’ll nestle a burrata amongst the green leaves–it brings a welcome air of mischief to what it is an otherwise upstanding salad.
Don’t even think of using cutlery here–though the momentary lapse in niceties doesn’t entitle you to begin sonorously belching at the table, either.
The trick is drizzling these over with a bit of maple syrup before you fry them so they’re wonderfully sticky when they come out of the oil.
A Caprese is the perfect high-summer salad and a dish so wonderfully uncomplicated that all it takes to get it right is ensuring you’ve got the perfect ingredients.
Also, only the very best raw materials will do—isn’t that great?
What goes with pizza better than mozzie sticks?
Hot, gooey, and downright unctuous–mmm, is really all we’ve got to say about these.
And while a little marinara sauce by way of dip will do just fine, these are splendid with some jalapeno jelly, too.
There’s a pleasure to be had in getting something as gloriously simple as fried mushrooms just right.
We used to spend early mornings in college piling these atop toast and coffee that will make our tummies happy.
Yes, that’s still the best way to enjoy them (sans the caffeine), but this dish is just lovely on a pizza, too.
7. Garlic Knots
They’re warm, plush, and positively dripping with fat and starch.
We’re compelled by smell alone to hover in wait around the kitchen while they are in the oven.
The addition of a handful of finely chopped chilies in the dough will give the knots a very welcome bite.
Amazing with a classic pizza side dish, if there ever were one.
8. Tomato Soup
The cans of Campbell’s Condensed Tomato Soup at the grocery store have their own siren’s call, but nothing beats a sumptuous bowl of homemade stuff.
Finish with cream and serve with–what else–a crisp, buttery grilled cheese.
Sides for pizza don’t get a whole lot better.
9. Caesar Salad
Well, right here is a classic.
Presenting our very own recipe for the perfect Caesar salad: it’s briny, savory, and crisp–what it isn’t is exceptionally refined, but then that’s the point, given it was conceived as prohibition-era drinking food.
10. White Queso Dip
Whether you’re looking for a hangover recipe to serve with pizza or something you can have for dinner, this White Queso Dip will always deliver!
You can throw it together in 15 minutes with minimal regard for any measurements or on account of all the cheese; it’s hard to know.
When it comes to cooking, it doesn’t take much to make a carrot sing; 10 minutes in an air-fryer with some olive oil, minced garlic, and dried thyme will do.
Golden, tantalizingly crisp, and blessedly salty; eat them hot and straight from the pan, or exercise patience and magic up some aioli to dollop on top.
There comes the point during summer’s glut of beans when we’ve got them coming out of our ears.
By then, we’ve grown weary of roasts and sick of casseroles, so we’ll trundle out the canning equipment, pickle them and stick them someplace cool and dark till we can bear to look at them again.
These blistered, buttery beans are a great way to avoid that eventuality.
Instead of throwing out those excess tomatoes–or exploding them, as you’d like to–stuff them full to bursting with spaghetti and bake for a fast, tasty side dish for pizza.
Have you ever wondered what makes an onion ring perfect?
Is it right batter?
Seasoning?
Well–yes, all of the above, but it’s primarily the onions.
You don’t want the standard red or yellow sort because you’ll be cooking them too quickly to do anything about that characteristic onion harshness.
Pick one of the sweeter varieties, like Vidalia or Walla Walla; they’ve got a mild, obliging flavor that submits readily to flash-frying.
Loads of good will come from being brave with your roast vegetables.
Case in point: this bold, beautiful tray-bake will make for a couple of days’ worth of delicious meals.
Food cooked right there on the stove top demands continuous monitoring–a whiff, a stir, an eye on the heat, the constant surveilling of progress.
And, of course, there’s always the temptation to taste (followed immediately by the consequent burning of one’s mouth).
Food bunged in an air-fryer, however, will see to itself.
This one is less a recipe, and more a bare-bones set of instructions dashed off in a hurry, but that’s why we love it so.
18. Fruit Salad
Take advantage of fresh berries when they’re in season and add it into this pretty, bright salad, then have it with your go-to pizza.
There’s nothing mystifying about a baked potato, and therein lies the appeal.
The perfect baked potato: whipped, pillowy interior, coarse salty skin, and hobs of butter–this is why ovens were invented*.
No, it’s not.
We’re fibbing.
We don’t know the first thing about why ovens were invented.
At first glance, a wedge salad may look like something you’d use to stop a door – but despite its outlandish appearance, this salad (and it is a salad) is good green fun.
The dressing does most of the heavy lifting here, so be sure to pick the one you like.
21. Spinach Dip
We usually serve this versatile, relaxing dip with lots of fresh crudités–radicchio, radishes, and celery are most common.
And tortilla chips; leftovers usually make their way onto breakfast pizza in the morning with some fried mushrooms.
Get to slam dunking.
For those days when you just can’t be bothered with a dinner that requires advance consideration, these flavorful, earthy mushrooms can be on your plate in minutes.
Serve with a buttered, peppery flat-ribbon pasta alongside other vegetables and a lovely crumby loaf of your choosing or some pizza with it.
This recipe offers silky, crunchy, mustardy, peppery goodness—all at the same time.
That’s why it’s a no-brainer that this easy Italian Green Salad makes a great pair with your favorite pizza.
Done well, a potato salad is a virtuous, unimpeachable thing of great beauty; it’s perfect.
Smoky, sharp, and enticingly acidic–you can forget about sharing it.
This recipe has ingredients that are easy to find, and you can also make its dressing with things found in your pantry!
So, make this dish now, and don’t forget to partner it with your pizza of choice.
Oven-roasted cabbage steaks?
Yes, they taste as great as they sound like.
Better try it now with some pizza, and it sure won’t disappoint.
Carrots going all wonky and bendy in your fridge?
Stick them in the microwave (yes, really) with a bit of butter, brown sugar, and honey, et voila!
Tender, steaming glazed carrots to serve with your pizza.
This recipe is a great side dish for pizza because it is a good way to work in some veggies.
In total, this recipe will only take you 20 minutes to cook. It is 10 minutes prep and 10 minutes cook time.
To cook this one up, you will need fresh broccoli or frozen broccoli florets, sesame oil, olive oil, and some seasonings.
You will want to serve this hot, so start cooking right before the pizza will be delivered.
29. Mac & Cheese
Homemade mac and cheese can be such a yummy side for pizza, but the problem is often that it is just way too much work.
Well, enter the easy stovetop mac and cheese recipe.
You can put this one together from start to finish in 15 minutes.
This recipe requires eight ingredients, and you likely have them all on hand.
To be quick and make life easy, you can use frozen corn kernels in this recipe.
This recipe will take you 20 minutes to put together.
So if you are ordering pizza, start this when you order it, and the timing should work out perfectly.
Well, that does depend on delivery times on that given day!
To make this, you need corn, minced garlic, butter, olive oil, and salt and pepper.
Try something a bit different next time you ask yourself what to eat with pizza.
To create this unique side dish, you need to roast pears, red onion, and rosemary in the oven.
If you are short on kitchen time, this is a great dish because you can prep it in ten minutes.
Then toss it in the oven and roast it for 45 minutes while waiting for the pizza.
If you’re searching for a new way to spice up your next pizza night, try this vinegar-based coleslaw recipe.
It is packed with fresh veggies and an extra flavor punch of celery seeds.
And it’s sweet and tangy, a lovely match for your favorite pizza.
33. Jalapeño Poppers
These poppers are crispy, creamy, and savory and taste amazing with pizza.
The crispy panko bread crumbs on top give you that crunchy texture you crave, while the rich filling inside is filled with tasty goodness.
You’ll want to keep eating these until there’s nothing left.
34. Ratatouille
Ratatouille is a flavorful dish that pairs beautifully with pizza.
The freshness of tomatoes, sweetness of onions and bell peppers, creaminess from zucchini and eggplant, savory garlic and herbs–it’s all there in Ratatouille.
It’s almost like it was made for pizza.
35. Tater Tots
Tater tots are like poached french fries but in little slugs of deep-fried potato shreds.
They have a crispy exterior, which contrasts nicely with the inside—crunchy, salty, and soft.
And they’re great on their own as an appetizer or side dish.
But they also make an excellent side for any pizza you can imagine.
36. Antipasto Salad
Antipasto salad is a side dish that’s so good it could be the main event.
It’s bursting with bright flavors and textures and complements the pizza nicely.
This satisfying salad is packed with Italian meats, cheeses, and vegetables!
You’ll never look at your boring old garden salad the same way again.
These bites are like crispy balls of cauliflower and buffalo sauce and taste like spicy and smoky chicken wings.
When you bite into one of these babies, you’ll get a burst of flavor from the hot sauce and honey.
The two combine to give you an extra layer of heat and sweetness that goes so well with the crispy texture of the cauliflower.
If you’re looking for something irresistible and a little spicy, these sausage-cheddar bites are for you.
These little bites are made with smoky and juicy sausage and sharp cheddar cheese, giving them an irresistible taste that works well with pizza.
Shaved asparagus salad is a bold, earthy, refreshing dish that makes you feel like you’re eating pizza for lunch.
The nutty crunch from pistachio, the peppery notes from arugula, and the creamy texture from avocado enhance the flavors of asparagus and Parmesan.
And the whole thing is rounded off with a refreshing lemon dressing that will make you want to clean your plate!
This succulent dish is fantastic!
It’s garlicky and buttery, with a hint of heat from red pepper flakes.
Plus, the shrimp itself has a sweet, briny taste that’s complemented by the herbal notes of parsley.
It’s suitable when you want something light but flavorful to go with your pizza.
The turkey meat in these meatballs gives a leaner, lighter taste than the traditional beef counterpart.
They are also well-seasoned, moist, tender in texture, and oh-so-juicy.
Yummy!
42. Arugula Salad
Arugula salad is a great way to add crunch and tangy flavor to your pizza.
The slightly mustardy taste of the leaves pairs beautifully with its crisp and tender texture.
And the honey-lemon juice dressing adds a subtle sweetness that complements the overall flavor profile of this dish.
When craving a warm, crispy potato full of incredible flavors, Roasted Garlic Potatoes are the way to go.
These little guys have a slightly crispy exterior from being roasted and a soft, tender interior.
And they’re full of incredible flavors from thyme and parsley to butter and garlic.
Do you know what’s better than chicken tenders?
Chicken tenders that are made with lemon butter!
We’re talking about small strips of chicken tossed in herbs and spices, seared until golden brown and tender, then simmered in a simple garlicky, lemon-butter pan sauce.
It’s like the best chicken tender thing you’ve ever tasted.
Roasted Brussels sprouts are such a lovely addition to your pizza.
They have a nutty, earthy, and slightly sweet taste from the caramelized Brussels sprouts.
And they’re slightly tender and crispy on the outside, which makes them easy to eat and enjoy.
Add a splash of balsamic vinegar and a drizzle of honey to intensify the flavors.
These shishito peppers are a little bit sweet, a little bit smoky, and slightly spicy.
They have a slight crunch and are generally considered to be mild.
You can use them as an alternative to regular ol’ green bell peppers or red onions on your pizza.
Or toss them in some dip for a little extra spice!
47. Mojo Potatoes
Mojo potatoes are crispy, flavorful, and crunchy!
And they pair well with pizza because they’re savory enough to balance out the acidity of tomato sauce and cheese but not so salty that they overpower your taste buds.
Plus, they have just enough spice to wake up your taste buds without making them feel overwhelmed by the heat.
48. Panelle
Panelle, or Sicilian chickpea fritters, are a creative and unique way to enjoy chickpeas.
The chickpea flour, water, and salt mixture create a nutty, earthy, and slightly sweet taste that you can elevate further with a splash of fresh lemon juice.
They’re also golden and crisp on the outside and soft on the inside—ideal for serving with pizza or as an appetizer.
Vietnamese chicken wings are sticky, sweet, and savory chicken wings that you’ll want to eat with pizza.
These wings are marinated in fish sauce, garlic, and sugar for a flavor that’s so good you’ll want to put them on everything.
Cherry Tomato & Feta Salad is a simple yet flavorful salad that combines the sweet and juicy taste of cherry tomatoes with the tangy and salty taste of feta cheese.
When paired with pizza, the salad’s acidity and saltiness can balance out the richness of the cheese and tomato sauce on the pizza.
The freshness of the salad can also be a nice contrast to the warm pizza, making for a well-rounded meal.
This root vegetable has a nutty and earthy taste that works well with pizza.
It’s soft inside and slightly crispy outside.
And the best part?
It’s super easy!
You only need to trim the sunchokes, smash them up, fry them crisp with butter and thyme, and then add butter for some smoothness.
Mexican street corn Salad is a fun twist on elotes, a traditional Mexican dish that’s usually made with corn on the cob and topped with mayo and cheese.
But this dish is even better!
That’s because it has smoky grilled corn, creamy and tangy cumin-lime dressing, a surprise pops of pearl couscous and a salty, crumbly texture from the cotija cheese.
This classic is made with lightly breaded chicken fried, then topped with tomato sauce and melted mozzarella cheese.
The combination of savory flavors from the chicken, tomato sauce, and cheese make this dish a crowd-pleaser that will please any palate.
54. Pesto Zoodles
Pesto zoodles are zucchini noodles tossed in pesto sauce and topped with juicy cherry tomatoes for added sweetness.
The red wine vinegar in tomatoes adds a nice tangy flavor to the dish that helps balance out everything.
But it’s the fresh, green flavor of basil and the nuttiness from pine nuts that make this dish so irresistible.
Baked clams oreganata is a simple recipe, but it’s also a bit fancy.
The clams are juicy and tender, with a crispy golden crust.
And they have a briny, slightly sweet flavor that goes perfectly with the savory herbaceous and garlicky notes from the breadcrumb mixture.
If you’re searching for a way to make your BBQ ribs taste just like they came off the grill, try this recipe.
This is an easy way to make tender, juicy meat with savory, sweet, smoky, and garlicky flavors that are sure to please anybody.
Also, the meat comes off the bone easily, so no one has to worry about getting messy while eating their meal.
It’s time to get out of the salad rut.
This chicory salad with anchovy dressing is just what you need to shake things up.
The crisp, bitter greens are a great contrast to the salty, bright dressing, which also has a garlicky bite that will keep you coming back for more.
But do you know what’s cooler?
It tastes even more impressive with pizza.
The bottom line
And that concludes our roundup for the best sides to go with pizza!
It’s probably apparent that we’re no pizza snobs, ascribing instead to the will-try-anything-once school of thought.
We don’t hold back from carrots to spinach dip and even an honest-to-god baked potato when it comes to pizza sides.
What do you think? And where do you draw the line?
What To Serve With Pizza (57 Amazing Sides)
Trying to decide what to serve with pizza? We've rounded up 57 best side dishes to elevate your pizza-eating experience–salads, soups–you name it!
Ingredients
- Stuffed Mushrooms
- Kale Salad With Honey Crisp Apple
- Lemon Pepper Wings
- Caprese Salad
- Mozzarella Sticks
- Fried Mushrooms
- Garlic Knots
- Tomato Soup
- Caesar Salad
- White Queso Dip
- Air Fryer Carrots
- Baked Zucchini Fries With Marinara Sauce
- Italian Green Beans
- Spaghetti Stuffed Tomatoes
- Air Fryer Onion Rings
- Oven Roasted Vegetables
- Air Fryer Roasted Artichokes
- Fruit Salad
- Steakhouse Style Baked Potato
- Classic Wedge Salad
- Spinach Dip
- Sauteed Mushrooms
- Italian Green Salad
- Italian Potato Salad
- Cucumber Tomato Salad
- Oven Roasted Cabbage Steaks
- Microwaved Carrots
- Blackened Broccoli
- Mac & Cheese
- Skillet Roasted Corn
- Savory Baked Pears
- Carolina Coleslaw
- Jalapeño Poppers
- Ratatouille
- Tater Tots
- Antipasto Salad
- Buffalo Cauliflower Bites
- Sausage-Cheddar Bites
- Shaved Asparagus Salad
- Garlic Butter Shrimp
- Baked Turkey Meatballs
- Arugula Salad
- Roasted Garlic Potatoes
- Lemon Butter Chicken Tenders
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts
- Blistered Shishito Peppers
- Mojo Potatoes
- Panelle
- Vietnamese Chicken Wings
- Cherry Tomato & Feta Salad
- Smashed Sunchokes With Thyme-Butter
- Mexican Street Corn Salad
- Chicken Parmigiana
- Pesto Zoodles
- Baked Clams Oreganata
- Oven Barbecue Ribs
- Chicory Salad With Anchovy Dressing
Instructions
- Skim through our What To Serve With Pizza list.
- Select the recipe you’re looking for.
- Prep the ingredients as instructed.
- Spill your thoughts on our Facebook page!