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    Home » Recipe Roundups » 35 Best Italian Side Dishes

    35 Best Italian Side Dishes

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    Planning an Italian feast and in search of the perfect side dishes to complement your meal? Whether you're preparing pasta, pizza, or a hearty Italian main course, and you find yourself thinking, "what to serve with Italian food," you've come to the right place! We have curated a list of 35 Best Italian Side Dishes including everything from fresh salads, crispy bread, Italian soups, roasted vegetables, and more. These delicious recipes are ideal for any Italian-themed dinner — whether it's a family gathering, a romantic date night, or a casual dinner with friends. Buon appetito!

    Over 35 Best Italian Side Dishes to pair with your Italian dinner including fresh salads, crispy bread, soups, roasted vegetables, and more. | aheadofthyme.com

    Best Italian Side Dishes

    Italian Pasta Salad

    Italian pasta salad is delicious, wholesome, and easy to make. Make it up to three days ahead for your summer picnics and cookouts.

    Italian pasta salad is delicious, wholesome, and easy to make. Make it up to three days ahead for your summer picnics and cookouts. | aheadofthyme.com

    White Bean Soup with Kale

    White Bean Soup with Kale is a hearty and nourishing one-pot meal that is flavorful and easy. Make this healthy soup in 30 minutes using simple ingredients.

    White Bean Soup with Kale is a hearty and nourishing one-pot meal that is flavorful and easy. Make this healthy soup in 30 minutes using simple ingredients. | aheadofthyme.com

    Vegetarian Stuffed Mushrooms

    Vegetarian stuffed mushrooms are a delicious, flavorful, healthy, and nutritious appetizer. Plus, quick and easy to make in under 30 minutes including prep!

    Vegetarian stuffed mushrooms are a delicious, flavorful, healthy, and nutritious appetizer. Plus, quick and easy to make in under 30 minutes including prep! | aheadofthyme.com

    Easy Rosemary Garlic Focaccia Bread

    No knead, easy rosemary garlic focaccia bread is thick with a perfect golden and crispy texture on the outside, but soft, fluffy and tender inside.

    No knead, easy rosemary garlic focaccia bread is thick with a perfect golden and crispy texture on the outside, but soft, fluffy and tender inside. | aheadofthyme.com

    Olive Tapenade

    Olive tapenade is a delicious, flavorful, easy dip that comes together in minutes, made with the perfect combination of sharp, tangy, salty, and savory.

    Olive tapenade is a delicious, flavorful, easy dip that comes together in minutes, made with the perfect combination of sharp, tangy, salty, and savory. | aheadofthyme.com

    Creamy Parmesan (No Wine) Risotto

    Creamy Parmesan (No Wine) Risotto is a rich, creamy, and comforting classic Italian dish that may be intimidating but is actually quick and easy to make.

    Creamy Parmesan (No Wine) Risotto is a rich, creamy, and comforting classic Italian dish that may be intimidating but is actually quick and easy to make. | aheadofthyme.com

    Easy Tomato Bruschetta with Balsamic Glaze

    Tomato bruschetta with balsamic glaze is an easy Italian appetizer topped with tomatoes, onions, garlic, basil and olive oil. Delicious, fresh and simple.

    Tomato bruschetta with balsamic glaze is an easy Italian appetizer topped with tomatoes, onions, garlic, basil and olive oil. Delicious, fresh and simple. | aheadofthyme.com

    Roasted Eggplant

    Whether you’re cooking this roasted eggplant in your oven or air fryer, you’ll fall in love with how fast, easy, and delicious this simple recipe is.

    Whether you’re cooking this roasted eggplant in your oven or air fryer, you’ll fall in love with how fast, easy, and delicious this simple recipe is. | aheadofthyme.com

    Caprese Salad

    Quick and easy tomato and mozzarella caprese salad is a fresh, light, and delicious summer salad, made with just a few simple ingredients in 10 minutes.

    Quick and easy tomato and mozzarella caprese salad is a fresh, light, and delicious summer salad, made with just a few simple ingredients in 10 minutes. | aheadofthyme.com

    Minestrone Soup

    Minestrone soup is a hearty, healthy, nourishing, and delicious classic Italian soup, packed with vegetables and pasta simmered in a rich tomato broth.

    Minestrone soup is a hearty, healthy, nourishing, and delicious classic Italian soup, packed with vegetables and pasta simmered in a rich tomato broth. | aheadofthyme.com

    Antipasto Platter

    This Antipasto Platter is a show-stopping appetizer made with a variety of marinated veggies, olives, cheeses, breads, cured meats, and fresh vegetables.

    This Antipasto Platter is a show-stopping appetizer made with a variety of marinated veggies, olives, cheeses, breads, cured meats, and fresh vegetables. | aheadofthyme.com

    Garlic Breadsticks

    Soft garlic breadsticks are fluffy, airy, buttery, and delicious. They're an easy recipe that is perfect for beginners at baking bread.

    Soft garlic breadsticks are fluffy, airy, buttery, and delicious. They're an easy recipe that is perfect for beginners at baking bread. | aheadofthyme.com

    Caprese Skewers

    Caprese Skewers are a quick and fresh appetizer made with bite-sized mozzarella, juicy tomatoes, and basil leaves with a drizzle of balsamic glaze.

    Caprese Skewers are a quick and fresh appetizer made with bite-sized mozzarella, juicy tomatoes, and basil leaves with a drizzle of balsamic glaze. | aheadofthyme.com

    Whipped Ricotta Dip

    Light and airy, whipped ricotta dip is so easy to make in just 5 minutes with a few fresh ingredients including fresh herbs, olive oil, garlic, and honey.

    Light and airy, whipped ricotta dip is so easy to make in just 5 minutes with a few fresh ingredients including fresh herbs, olive oil, garlic, and honey. | aheadofthyme.com

    Baked Gnocchi

    Cheesy Baked Gnocchi is quick and easy comfort food made all in one pot with chewy bites of gnocchi, a simple tomato-based sauce, and gooey melty cheese.

    Cheesy Baked Gnocchi is quick and easy comfort food made all in one pot with chewy bites of gnocchi, a simple tomato-based sauce, and gooey melty cheese. | aheadofthyme.com

    Arugula Salad

    Arugula Salad with Parmesan cheese and a simple homemade lemon dressing is healthy, fresh, and delicious. Toss it together in just 5 minutes!

    Arugula Salad with Parmesan cheese and a simple homemade lemon dressing is healthy, fresh, and delicious. Toss it together in just 5 minutes! | aheadofthyme.com

    Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup

    Smooth, hearty and light, one pot lemon chicken orzo soup is pure comfort in a bowl. This family favourite is like chicken noodle soup with a major upgrade.

    Smooth, hearty and light, one pot lemon chicken orzo soup is pure comfort in a bowl. This family favourite is like chicken noodle soup with a major upgrade. | aheadofthyme.com

    Cheesy Roasted Asparagus

    Cheesy roasted asparagus is a quick and easy side dish made with a handful of simple ingredients in 20 minutes. They’re garlicky, cheesy, and flavorful.

    Cheesy roasted asparagus is a quick and easy side dish made with a handful of simple ingredients in 20 minutes. They’re garlicky, cheesy, and flavorful. | aheadofthyme.com

    Small Batch Ciabatta Rolls

    Easy small batch ciabatta rolls are fluffy and airy with a perfect crunchy, crackly crust. They take only 10 minutes to prepare and require no kneading. These are the most popular bread recipe on our entire site!

    Easy small batch ciabatta rolls are fluffy and airy with a perfect crunchy, crackly crust. They take only 10 minutes to prepare and require no kneading. | aheadofthyme.com

    Marinara Sauce

    Marinara sauce is rich, vibrant, and loaded with flavor. It’s easy to make with a few simple fresh ingredients. Serve as a dip or in pasta and pizza.

    Marinara sauce is rich, vibrant, and loaded with flavor. It’s easy to make with a few simple fresh ingredients. Serve as a dip or in pasta and pizza. | aheadofthyme.com

    Eggplant Parmesan

    Eggplant Parmesan is a vegetarian Italian dish made featuring tender eggplant slices coated in crispy breadcrumbs, melty cheese, and baked in tomato sauce.

    Eggplant Parmesan is a vegetarian Italian dish made featuring tender eggplant slices coated in crispy breadcrumbs, melty cheese, and baked in tomato sauce. | aheadofthyme.com

    Whipped Ricotta Crostini

    Whipped ricotta crostini is a fancy easy appetizer to make in just minutes or prepare in advance and assemble before serving. A total crowd pleaser.

    Whipped ricotta crostini is a fancy easy appetizer to make in just minutes or prepare in advance and assemble before serving. A total crowd pleaser. | aheadofthyme.com

    Roasted Garlic Parmesan Baby Potatoes

    Quick and easy roasted garlic Parmesan baby potatoes are crispy on the edges and tender inside. They are delicious, flavourful and bakes in just 30 minutes.

    Quick and easy roasted garlic Parmesan baby potatoes are crispy on the edges and tender inside. They are delicious, flavourful and bakes in just 30 minutes. | aheadofthyme.com

    White Bean Salad

    Mediterranean White Bean Salad is loaded with cannellini beans, veggies, feta, and fresh herbs, tossed in a homemade Greek dressing. Perfect for meal prep!

    Mediterranean White Bean Salad is loaded with cannellini beans, veggies, feta, and fresh herbs, tossed in a homemade Greek dressing. Perfect for meal prep! | aheadofthyme.com

    Creamy Tortellini Soup with Sausage

    Hearty and creamy tortellini soup with sausage, spinach and kale is total comfort food in a bowl. Make this flavourful one pot meal in under 30 minutes.

    Hearty and creamy tortellini soup with sausage, spinach and kale is total comfort food in a bowl. Make this flavourful one pot meal in under 30 minutes. | aheadofthyme.com

    Lemon Parmesan Green Beans

    Lemon Parmesan Green Beans are the perfect side to any entree dinner meal — buttery, lemony, and cheesy. This quick side dish is easy to make in 20 minutes.

    Lemon Parmesan Green Beans are the perfect side to any entree dinner meal — buttery, lemony, and cheesy. This quick side dish is easy to make in 20 minutes. | aheadofthyme.com

    Cheesy Garlic Bread

    Cheesy Garlic Bread is toasty and crispy on the outside, tender and soft inside with a garlic butter and melty cheese on top. Make in under 20 minutes!

    Cheesy Garlic Bread is toasty and crispy on the outside, tender and soft inside with a garlic butter and melty cheese on top. Make in under 20 minutes! | aheadofthyme.com

    Baked Ricotta

    Baked ricotta is creamy, smooth, and flavorful. This delicious warm dip is packed with Parmesan and seasoned with dried herbs for the ultimate cheesy dip.

    Baked ricotta is creamy, smooth, and flavorful. This delicious warm dip is packed with Parmesan and seasoned with dried herbs for the ultimate cheesy dip. | aheadofthyme.com

    Creamy Garlic Mushrooms

    Creamy garlic mushrooms are a simple, delicious, and easy side dish. This comforting family favorite that is quick and easy to make in just 15 minutes.

    Creamy garlic mushrooms are a simple, delicious, and easy side dish. This comforting family favorite that is quick and easy to make in just 15 minutes. | aheadofthyme.com

    Stuffed Eggplant

    This Mediterranean Stuffed Eggplant is delicious, filling, and healthy. This vegetarian dinner is loaded with veggies and topped with bubbly cheese.

    This Mediterranean Stuffed Eggplant is delicious, filling, and healthy. This vegetarian dinner is loaded with veggies and topped with bubbly cheese. | aheadofthyme.com

    Caprese Pasta Salad

    Bright and colorful caprese pasta salad is the ultimate summer side dish. It's fresh, light, and loaded with vibrant summer flavors. Quick and easy too!

    Bright and colorful caprese pasta salad is the ultimate summer side dish. It's fresh, light, and loaded with vibrant summer flavors. Quick and easy too! | aheadofthyme.com

    Tomato Basil Soup

    Homemade tomato basil soup is comforting, rich, and smooth. This cozy soup is easy, flavourful, and nourishing, making it so much better than canned.

    Homemade tomato basil soup is comforting, rich, and smooth. This cozy soup is easy, flavourful, and nourishing, making it so much better than canned. | aheadofthyme.com

    Baked Zucchini Fries

    Baked Zucchini Fries are healthy, flavorful, and delicious. This summer vegetable is crispy on the outside while soft and creamy on the inside.

    Baked Zucchini Fries are healthy, flavorful, and delicious. This summer vegetable is crispy on the outside while soft and creamy on the inside. | aheadofthyme.com

    Garlic Knots

    Garlic knots are fluffy on the inside, crispy on the outside, and topped with delicious savory garlic herbed butter that will have you begging for more.

    Garlic knots are fluffy on the inside, crispy on the outside, and topped with delicious savory garlic herbed butter that will have you begging for more. | aheadofthyme.com

    Balsamic Roasted Broccoli

    Balsamic Roasted Broccoli is a quick easy side dish made with tender, crispy broccoli tossed in a flavorful 5-ingredient glaze and is ready in 25 minutes.

    Balsamic Roasted Broccoli is a quick easy side dish made with tender, crispy broccoli tossed in a flavorful 5-ingredient glaze and is ready in 25 minutes. | aheadofthyme.com

    Mediterranean Orzo Pasta Salad

    Quick and easy Mediterranean orzo pasta salad packed with fresh vegetables and herbs is tossed in a Greek lemon vinaigrette. Healthy, light and delicious.

    Quick and easy Mediterranean orzo pasta salad packed with fresh vegetables and herbs is tossed in a Greek lemon vinaigrette. Healthy, light and delicious. | aheadofthyme.com

    No Knead Tomato Focaccia Bread

    Easy no knead tomato focaccia is so flavourful, packed with olive oil, tomatoes and fresh herbs. It's crispy and golden outside, fluffy and pillowy inside.

    Easy no knead tomato focaccia is so flavourful, packed with olive oil, tomatoes and fresh herbs. It's crispy and golden outside, fluffy and pillowy inside. | aheadofthyme.com

    Antipasto Skewers

    Antipasto skewers with tortellini are a quick, easy, and delicious appetizer with the best parts of a traditional antipasto platter but easier to eat.

    Antipasto skewers with tortellini are a quick, easy, and delicious appetizer with the best parts of a traditional antipasto platter but easier to eat. | aheadofthyme.com

    More Italian Recipes

    • 50 Best Italian Recipes
    • 40 Best Pasta Recipes
    • 10 Best Lasagna Recipes

    More Side Dish Recipes

    • 40 Vegetable Side Dishes
    • 25 Side Dishes for Soup
    • 30 Side Dishes for Pasta
    • 25 Side Dishes for Chicken
    • 25 BBQ Side Dishes
    • 40 Vegetable Side Dishes
    • 30 Potato Side Dishes

    Did You Make Any of These Italian Side Dishes?

    Please leave a comment and rating below, and let me know what you thought of this round up of Italian side dish recipes. Be sure to snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @aheadofthyme or share it on the Pinterest pin so that I can follow along.

    HUNGRY FOR MORE? Don't forget to sign up for my email newsletter so that you don't miss any recipes. You can also follow along on Instagram and Pinterest for more recipe updates.

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    Over 35 Best Italian Side Dishes to pair with your Italian dinner including fresh salads, crispy bread, soups, roasted vegetables, and more. | aheadofthyme.com

    35 Best Italian Side Dishes


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    • Author: Sam Hu | Ahead of Thyme
    • Total Time: 25 minutes
    • Yield: 4-6 servings
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    Over 35 Best Italian Side Dishes to pair with your Italian dinner including fresh salads, crispy bread, soups, roasted vegetables, and more. One of our favorites is this Italian Pasta Salad.


    Ingredients

    • ½ pound pasta, uncooked
    • 3 ounces salami (about 80 grams)
    • 1 ½ cup grape tomatoes (1 pint), halved
    • ½ green bell pepper, chopped
    • ½ red bell pepper, chopped
    • ¼ cup red onion, chopped
    • ½ cup kalamata black olives, halved
    • 4 ounces bocconcini mozzarella balls, halved
    • 1 ½ tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
    • ½ cup Italian dressing, homemade or store-bought
    • Parmesan cheese, grated (optional, for serving)

    Instructions

    1. Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente, about 8-10 minutes or according to package instructions. Drain and rinse pasta under cold water to stop the cooking process and to cool the pasta down.
    2. Transfer the pasta to a large mixing bowl or serving bowl. If not assembling the salad immediately, add some olive oil and toss together to prevent the pasta from sticking together. Otherwise, add remaining ingredients. Pour Italian salad dressing on top, and toss to combine.
    3. You can serve immediately with Parmesan on top, or cover the bowl tightly with plastic cling wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. This will allow all the flavours to infuse into each other. When ready to serve, give the salad a good toss and add a little more dressing, if desired.
    • Prep Time: 15 minutes
    • Cook Time: 10 minutes
    • Category: Salad
    • Method: Tossed
    • Cuisine: Italian

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    I'd love to see! Tag me @aheadofthyme on Instagram.

    35 Best Italian Side Dishes
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    Quick and easy recipes for the everyday home cook, using fresh, seasonal and wholesome ingredients -- from healthy meals to take-out to comfort foods. | aheadofthyme.com

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