Try these 18 tasty lasagna side dishes and you’ll never run out of ideas. From refreshing salads and roasted veggies to flavorful breads and innovative twists on classic recipes, this comprehensive list has got your lasagna sides covered.
Discover the perfect balance of flavors and textures to complement your lasagna, right here in this list. Whether you’re planning a simple family dinner or hosting an extravagant feast, these lasagna side dishes will make your meal truly unforgettable.
1 Classic Caesar Salad
The Perfect Partner
This classic Caesar salad is the perfect partner for lasagna. The crisp romaine lettuce, tangy dressing, and crunchy croutons provide a refreshing counterpoint to the rich, hearty lasagna.
Balanced Meal
Adding a salad to your lasagna meal helps to create a more balanced meal, offering a healthy dose of greens alongside the pasta and cheese.
Personalize Your Salad
Feel free to customize the Caesar salad by adding grilled chicken, shrimp, or even some roasted vegetables. The salad is very versatile and can easily be adapted to suit your tastes and dietary needs.
2 Fresh Garlic Bread
A Classic Companion
Garlic bread is a classic companion to lasagna. The warm, buttery bread with a hint of garlic is the perfect side dish to mop up any leftover sauce on your plate.
Crowd Pleaser
This side dish is always a crowd pleaser. It’s simple to make, yet so flavorful, making it a perfect addition to any dinner table.
Make It Your Own
Feel free to experiment with different herbs or cheeses on your garlic bread for an extra burst of flavor. It’s a simple dish that can easily be customized to suit your taste buds.
3 Sautéed Spinach with Garlic
A Healthy Side
This sautéed spinach with garlic is a simple, nutritious side dish that pairs beautifully with lasagna. The garlicky spinach adds a light and flavorful contrast to the rich, cheesy lasagna.
Quick and Easy
This side dish is quick and easy to make, requiring only a few simple ingredients and just a few minutes of cooking time.
Add Variety
Feel free to add some crumbled feta or toasted pine nuts to the spinach for added texture and flavor. This versatile side dish can be easily adapted to suit your tastes.
4 Caprese Salad
A Refreshing Side
A Caprese salad, with its fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil, is a refreshing side dish that pairs well with the hearty lasagna. The light, fresh flavors balance out the richness of the lasagna.
Read also: 25 Salmon Side Dishes
Simple yet Delicious
The simplicity of a Caprese salad allows the quality of the ingredients to shine through. This simple yet delicious side dish is sure to impress your guests.
Make It Your Own
Try drizzling some balsamic reduction over the salad for an extra pop of flavor, or add some sliced avocado for a creamy contrast.
5 Italian Roasted Vegetables
A Nutritious Option
These Italian roasted vegetables are a nutritious option that complements the flavors of lasagna perfectly. The vegetables are seasoned with Italian herbs and roasted until they’re tender and flavorful.
Ideal for Meal Prep
This side dish is perfect for meal prep. The vegetables can be roasted in advance and reheated just before serving, saving you time in the kitchen.
Customize Your Veggies
Feel free to use your favorite vegetables in this dish. From bell peppers to zucchini, the options are endless, so mix and match to create your perfect side dish.
6 Grilled Asparagus with Lemon Zest
A Flavorful Complement
Grilled asparagus with lemon zest is a flavorful complement to lasagna. The slightly charred asparagus and the refreshing burst of lemon zest can add a delightful contrast to your rich lasagna dish.
Quick to Prepare
This asparagus side dish is quick to prepare and requires just a handful of ingredients, making it a convenient choice for any meal.
Make it Special
Consider topping your grilled asparagus with freshly grated Parmesan cheese or a sprinkle of chili flakes for added flavor. The options are plentiful, so don’t be afraid to get creative.
7 Roasted Brussel Sprouts with Balsamic Glaze
An Unexpected Delight
Roasted Brussel sprouts with balsamic glaze offer an unexpected yet delightful side dish to accompany your lasagna. The caramelized, slightly bitter sprouts pair wonderfully with the sweet and tangy balsamic glaze.
A Healthy Option
Brussels sprouts are packed with nutrients, making this a healthy and flavorful addition to your meal.
Add Your Own Twist
Try adding some chopped bacon or pancetta to the sprouts before roasting for a savory, meaty twist. This side dish is flexible and easy to adjust according to your preferences.
8 Italian Stuffed Artichokes
A Gourmet Touch
Italian stuffed artichokes can add a gourmet touch to your lasagna dinner. The tender artichoke leaves and the flavorful stuffing provide a unique and delicious side dish.
A Fun Eat
Eating stuffed artichokes can be a fun, hands-on experience, making this side dish a great conversation starter at dinner parties.
Personalize the Stuffing
Feel free to experiment with the stuffing for your artichokes. Try adding different cheeses, herbs, or breadcrumbs to create a stuffing that you love.
9 Italian Sausage and Peppers
A Hearty Addition
Italian sausage and peppers provide a hearty addition to your lasagna meal. The savory sausages and the sweet, caramelized peppers create a flavorful combination that your family will love.
Simple to Prepare
This dish is simple to prepare and only requires a few ingredients, making it a great choice for busy weeknight dinners.
Customize the Flavors
Try using spicy sausages for a bit of heat, or add some onions and garlic for extra flavor. The possibilities are endless with this versatile side dish.
10 Balsamic Glazed Carrots
A Sweet and Tangy Side
Balsamic glazed carrots are a sweet and tangy side dish that pairs well with lasagna. The sweet carrots and the tangy balsamic glaze create a delightful flavor combination that will impress your guests.
Quick and Easy
This side dish is quick and easy to make, requiring just a few simple ingredients and a few minutes of prep time.
Experiment with Flavors
Consider adding some fresh herbs, such as thyme or rosemary, to your glazed carrots for an extra burst of flavor.
11 Classic Italian Antipasto Salad
A Flavorful Mix
This classic Italian Antipasto salad is a flavorful mix of salami, provolone, olives, and roasted red peppers. It offers a delightful variety of tastes and textures that pair beautifully with a hearty lasagna.
Perfect for Sharing
This salad is perfect for sharing at family meals or gatherings. Its vibrant colors and diverse ingredients make it a crowd-pleaser.
Personalize Your Salad
Feel free to mix and match ingredients based on what you have on hand or your personal preferences. You can easily make this salad your own.
12 Garlic Parmesan Roasted Broccoli
A Cheesy Delight
This Garlic Parmesan Roasted Broccoli is a cheesy and delectable side dish that complements lasagna wonderfully. The crispy, cheesy edges and the tender broccoli make for an irresistible combination.
Healthy and Tasty
Broccoli is a nutritional powerhouse, and when it’s roasted with garlic and Parmesan, it becomes a flavorful dish that even the pickiest eaters will enjoy.
Add Some Crunch
Consider adding some toasted almonds or breadcrumbs on top for an extra crunch that contrasts beautifully with the soft broccoli florets.
13 Marinated Olives and Feta
A Mediterranean Treat
Marinated olives and feta offer a tangy, salty, and rich addition to your meal. This Mediterranean-inspired side dish is a delightful pairing with the heartiness of lasagna.
Read also: 16 Delicious Pasta Salad Recipes
Great for Snacking
This dish is not just a great side, it’s also perfect for snacking. Serve it before the main meal to whet your guests’ appetites.
Create Your Own Blend
Experiment with different kinds of olives and herbs to create your own blend that caters to your flavor preferences.
14 Italian Chopped Salad
A Burst of Freshness
Italian Chopped Salad provides a burst of freshness that balances out the richness of lasagna. With crisp lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes, and a tangy vinaigrette, this salad is a delightful palate cleanser.
Nutritious and Delicious
This salad is not just tasty, it also offers a range of nutrients from the various vegetables, making it a healthy choice.
Make It Your Own
Feel free to add some grilled chicken, croutons, or even some roasted chickpeas to your salad for added protein and crunch.
15 Polenta Fries
A Unique Side
Polenta fries are a unique side dish that can add a fun twist to your lasagna meal. They’re crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and full of flavor.
A Great Alternative
If you’re looking for a change from the traditional garlic bread, polenta fries are a great alternative. They’re just as delicious for dipping into your lasagna sauce.
Personalize Your Fries
Add some Parmesan, herbs, or spices to your polenta fries for extra flavor. This is a versatile dish that you can easily customize to suit your taste.
16 Zucchini Ribbons with Lemon and Parmesan
A Light and Flavorful Side
Zucchini Ribbons with Lemon and Parmesan is a light and flavorful side dish that can balance out the richness of lasagna. The thin strips of zucchini are quick to cook and absorb the zesty lemon and salty Parmesan flavors beautifully.
Quick and Easy
This dish requires minimal preparation and a short cooking time, making it perfect for when you’re short on time but still want a delicious side dish.
Make it Your Own
Feel free to add other vegetables like carrots or bell peppers into the mix for more color and variety.
17 Italian Bread with Tomato and Basil
An Italian Classic
Italian Bread with Tomato and Basil is a classic Italian side that pairs perfectly with lasagna. The fresh, juicy tomatoes and aromatic basil on top of crusty bread make for a satisfying combination of flavors and textures.
Easy to Make
This dish is incredibly easy to make and requires only a handful of ingredients, making it a great option when you’re pressed for time.
Customize Your Toppings
Feel free to experiment with different toppings for your bread. Try adding some mozzarella cheese, olives, or even a drizzle of balsamic reduction for added flavor.
18 Stuffed Mushrooms
A Savory Treat
Stuffed mushrooms offer a savory treat to accompany your lasagna. Filled with breadcrumbs, cheese, and herbs, these little bites are packed with flavor.
An Easy Appetizer
These mushrooms are simple to prepare and make an excellent appetizer or side dish.
Customize Your Filling
You can customize the filling according to your preference. Try adding some cooked sausage, spinach, or even some chopped sun-dried tomatoes for extra flavor.
Conclusion
The perfect side dish can elevate your lasagna meal to a whole new level. Whether you’re craving a refreshing salad, a flavorful bread, or a hearty meat dish, there’s a side dish on this list that’s sure to hit the spot. So don’t hesitate to experiment with these delightful recipes and discover new favorites.
Remember, the joy of cooking lies in exploring new flavors, trying different combinations, and ultimately, creating meals that bring people together. Enjoy your culinary journey as you continue to make your lasagna meals more exciting and satisfying with these incredible side dishes. Bon appétit!
