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31 Side dishes for pasta dinners

Side dishes for pasta dinners can range from the classic crusty loaf of bread for sopping up sauces to light and healthy salads to balance the carbs from your meal.

Whatever you choose, round out your dinner with one of these proven winners.

Set the stage with proven pastas that feature simple but bold flavors. A classic fettuccine alfredo is always at the top of my list!

a skillet of fettuccine alfredo with a spoon in it and a blue napkin

Or try something meaty and hearty like this baked ziti with meat sauce. The leftovers are perfect rewarmed the next day.

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    a spoonful of baked ziti being lifted from the pan on a spoon with strings of cheese

    Here are even more pasta dinner recipes if you feel like you need more inspiration.

    Breads and Rolls

    Who doesn’t love a good buttery piece of bread with their pasta? I find it especially nice with broth-based pastas like linguine with clams. But you can absolutely enjoy your bread with any pasta recipe.

    Make any of these recipes even more garlic worthy with homemade garlic butter to slather on.

    If you have time, make a loaf of sourdough focaccia with your starter. The no knead crusty bread can be made a day in advance, and if you’re short on time go for something faster like the cheesy pull apart bread that utilizes a store bought loaf.

    No Knead Dutch Oven Bread
    Almost completely hands off, this no knead dutch oven bread is a fun beginner recipe with a long slow rise and fun bake in a cast iron dutch oven so it’s crusty on the outside and soft on the inside. 
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    The Best Sourdough Focaccia
    Crispy, golden and delicious, this sourdough focaccia bread makes great sandwiches or pizza!
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    a loaf of baked sourdough focaccia bread on a baking tray
    Cauliflower Cheesy Bread
    Nutrient-packed cauliflower forms the base of this low-carb, gluten-free bread that’s topped with cheesy goodness.  It's the perfect guilt-free alternative to breadsticks.
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    Cheesy Garlic Pull Apart Bread
    Cheesy garlic pull apart bread is like the best garlic bread you’ve ever had. You can pull cheesy chunks of bread out of a sourdough loaf and dip them in marinara for a fun snack, appetizer or side dish to your favorite pasta meal.
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    Cheesy Garlic Pull Apart Bread
    Garlic Rosemary Focaccia Bread
    Garlic Rosemary Focaccia Bread is an easy and absolutely delicious side dish to serve along with any pasta dinner.
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    Spicy Garlic Bread
    This spicy garlic bread recipe yields creamy butter, garlic-flavored and crispy outside and soft inside bread. It super heavenly when served with hot soup, salads and with any light meal.
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    Spicy Garlic Bread
    Small Batch Dinner Rolls (Eggless)
    These fluffy Small Batch Dinner Rolls are made from scratch yeast rolls brushed with homemade honey butter on top.
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    Easy, Gluten-Free Garlic Bread
    This EASY gluten-free garlic bread is buttery and perfectly crisp! It’s a must-have when you’re making a pasta dinner.
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    Easy, Gluten-Free Garlic Bread
    Homemade Breadsticks
    Homemade breadsticks are a delicious homemade bread made extra delicious with a touch of butter and garlic. These homemade breadsticks are perfect served with pasta.
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    Homemade Breadsticks
    Fresh Herb Bread
    Fresh herbs wrapped up in homemade bread dough for a savory and flavorful loaf, perfect for serving as a beautiful side dish.
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    Easy Homemade Baguette Recipe
    This delicious homemade Baguette Bread Recipe is so easy to make and so yummy! Perfectly crusty, yet soft on the inside it is the perfect side for pasta.
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    Easy Homemade Baguette Recipe

    Salads

    Salads as a side dish for pasta dinners helps balance all the heavy carbs of your meal and may even slow down a coma later in the evening.

    The bright dressing on a Greek cucumber salad is nice when you don’t want to eat lettuce, and the charred caesar is a truly unique, smoky flavor for the meal. Your guests will be amazed!


    You can’t go wrong with a classic caprese shining with bright basil, or the unique blend of beets and goat’s cheese. There’s truly something here for everyone.

    Greek Cucumber Tomato Salad
    This Greek cucumber tomato salad is easy, fast and brings the best of summer’s flavors to your table.
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    a bowl of greek cucumber salad with pita chips on the side
    Charred Caesar Salad
    A truly fun twist on classic Caesar! A quick roast makes the leaves a little smoky and a simple dressing brings it all together.
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    a platter of charred caesar salad heads
    Iceberg Lettuce Wedge Salad
    An easy side, this wedge salad with bacon and buttermilk dressing is ready in just minutes.
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    white dish of lettuce wedges with dressing and bacon
    Insalata Caprese or Tomato, Basil, and Mozzarella Salad
    Insalata Caprese or Tomato Basil and Mozzarella salad is a quintessential Italian salad that is hugely popular. Make it for a party, picnic or just lunch!
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    Italian Green Bean Salad
    This Italian Green Beans Salad is made with fresh ingredients and full of bright flavors! It's tossed with tomatoes and balsamic vinaigrette.
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    Italian Green Bean Salad
    Roasted Beet Salad with Goat Cheese with Goat Cheese & Citrus Vinaigrette
    This refreshing roasted beet salad has goat cheese, arugula, pistachios, and grapefruits drizzled with a refreshing citrus vinaigrette. Perfect side for a pasta!
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    Roasted Beet Salad with Goat Cheese with Goat Cheese & Citrus Vinaigrette
    Chopped Vegetable Salad
    Chopped Vegetable Salad is vegan, gluten-free, loaded with fresh vegetables, and makes a great delicious side salad for a pasta dinner.
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    Roasted Asparagus Caesar Salad
    ry this easy alternative to the classic Caesar Salad – this Roasted Asparagus Caesar Salad recipe is made with a light Greek Yogurt Caesar Dressing and is the perfect healthy salad!
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    Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad
    Strawberry goat cheese salad made with strawberries, goat cheese, spinach, walnuts & pine nuts. Topped with a homemade balsamic vinaigrette.
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    Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad
    Green Onion Salad
    This Green Onion Salad with cucumber and bell pepper then tossed in a lemon ginger vinaigrette is a healthy and easy vegan side dish.
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    Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad with Kale
    This quick and easy Shaved Brussels Sprouts side dish is tender and crunchy at the same time. Tossed with a lemon honey dressing that brings everything together perfectly!
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    Grilled Peach Salad with Berries
    A Grilled Peach Salad with berries is a great way to accompany your favorite pasta. These are grilled until perfectly caramelized, and served with greens, berries, cheese, candied pecans and an amazing balsamic dressing.
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    Grilled Peach Salad with Berries

    Vegetables

    Take things from cold salad to hot vegetables shining with flavor. Indulge in parmesan crusted broccoli, or tender Delicata squash. Give your family knives and forks for these side dishes!

    Roasted Romanesco with Parmesan Panko
    Transform the humble Romanesco with a combination of parmesan cheese and panko bread crumbs for an irresistible side dish that is sure to please.
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    Asiago Bruschetta Roasted Asparagus
    Asiago Bruschetta Roasted Asparagus, with tomatoes, garlic, onions, and asiago cheese, makes a healthy gourmet side dish for a weeknight or holiday dinner.
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    Garlic Herb Roasted Vegetables
    Garlic Herb Roasted Vegetables are that picture perfect side dish to go alongside any main entrée. Loaded with flavor, even those who swear they don’t like vegetables will love it!
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    Tomato Garlic Italian Green Beans
    This fast and easy side dish is versatile and loaded with garlic, tomato, and basil. Vegan and gluten free.
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    Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon
    If you’re looking for a savory, crispy and delicious side dish, then this roasted Brussels sprouts with bacon is perfect. Plus, if you’re trying to convinced your loved ones just how delicious Brussels sprouts are, then this recipe will work.
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    Mediterranean Roasted Vegetables
    Mediterranean Roasted Vegetables are bursting with the sweet flavors that happen when you roast vegetables. The rainbow of vegetables are seasoned with oregano, thyme and a squeeze of lemon juice.
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    Recipe for Delicata Squash with Fresh Rosemary
    Quick and savory recipe for Delicata Squash made with fresh rosemary, olive oil and sea salt. The perfect vegan and vegetable side dish.
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    Vegetable Au Gratin
    Vegetable au Gratin is a versatile, cheesy side dish that can be made with whatever veggies you like and have on hand.
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