15+ Side Dishes for Pasta Dinners

Updated July 27, 2020
Credit: John O'Hagan; Styling: Buffy Hargett

Green salads and breadsticks are classic accompaniments to pasta dinners, but they're not the only ones. Think outside the box with these fresh idea for pasta sides, from Wilted Kale with Toasted Shallots to Green Beans with Citrus and Pecans. Each dish has been hand-selected to pair well with traditional pasta dish flavors.

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Pesto Caesar Salad

Credit: Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Leigh Ann Ross

Pesto Caesar Salad Recipe

Dress up traditional Caesar salad dressing by adding storebought pesto for a delicious side salad. 

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Mint and Pea Pesto on Toasted Baguette

Credit: Jason Wallis; Styling: Cindy Barr

Mint and Pea Pesto on Toasted Baguette Recipe

Top toasted baguette slices with a homemade pesto featuring the fresh flavors of mint, basil, and green peas. The pesto is delicious served with bread, or can be mixed in with pasta sauce for an extra punch of flavor in the dish itself.

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Roasted Broccoli with Garlic and Anchovy

Credit: Brian Woodcock; Styling: Mary Clayton Carl, Cindy Barr

Roasted Broccoli with Garlic and Anchovy Recipe

Minced anchovy fillets deliver bold flavor to Roasted Broccoli with Garlic and Anchovy. Broccoli retains all of its flavor and even gains deliciously crisp bits when roasted.

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Garlicky Sautéed Mushrooms

Credit: Leigh Beisch

Garlicky Sautéed Mushrooms Recipe

When these Garlicky Sautéed Mushrooms are cooked, they release a lot of liquid. Using high heat evaporates the juices, allowing the mushrooms to brown and develop flavor.

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Arugula Salad with Parmesan Vinaigrette

Credit: Jason Wallis; Styling: Cindy Barr

Arugula Salad with Parmesan Vinaigrette Recipe

Serve this simple arugula salad featuring a homemade parmesan vinaigrette with a variety of pasta dinners, including lasagna, spaghetti, and ravioli.

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Brussels Sprouts with Bacon, Garlic, and Shallots

Credit: Jen Causey; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Brussels Sprouts with Bacon, Garlic, and Shallots Recipe

Garlic, bacon and shallots are all you need to add intense flavor to the Brussels sprouts in this easy, 5-ingredient side-dish recipe. To trim Brussels sprouts, simply cut off the stem end and halve. If they're large, you can quarter them, just making sure the Brussels sprouts are cut into uniform pieces so that they'll cook evenly. If you don't want to discard the leftover bacon drippings, carefully transfer to a heatproof container, cool, and store in the fridge. You can use it as a replacement for any other cooking oil or fat.

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Hot Bacon Caprese Salad

Credit: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham

Hot Bacon Caprese Salad Recipe

Update the Italian tomato salad with a rich, tart dressing.

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Wilted Kale with Toasted Shallots

Credit: Randy Mayor; Styling: Lindsey Lower

Wilted Kale with Toasted Shallots Recipe

Wilted Kale with Toasted Shallots makes for one über-nutritious and delicious side dish.

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Garlic Breadsticks

Credit: John Autry; Styling: Leigh Ann Ross

Garlic Breadsticks Recipe

It couldn't be easier to make your own garlic breadsticks at home. Start with refrigerated pizza dough and brush with melted butter and minced garlic, then cut into eight separate pieces and twist each piece. Bake for 12 minutes and serve.

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Pan-Charred Asparagus

Credit: Randy Mayor; Styling: Cindy Barr

Pan-Charred Asparagus Recipe

Toasted walnuts lend a delightful, nutty crunch to Pan-Charred Asparagus. It's a quick and easy side and a nice change-up to roasted asparagus.

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Wild Mushroom Bruschetta

Credit: Randy Mayor; Cindy Manning Barr

Wild Mushroom Bruschetta Recipe

This wild mushroom bruschetta calls for topping slices of toasted country bread with cooked, chopped wild mushrooms and shavings of Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese.

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Pan-Roasted Artichokes with Lemon and Garlic

Credit: Brian Woodcock; Styling: Lindsey Lower

Pan-Roasted Artichokes with Lemon and Garlic Recipe

With a subtly flavored ingredient like artichokes, sometimes the simplest approach is best when preparing this side dish of Pan-Roasted Artichokes with Lemon and Garlic. A little roasted lemon, garlic, and fragrant rosemary are all you need to make tender baby artichokes shine.

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Creamed Spinach With Hazelnuts

Credit: Jennifer Causey

Creamed Spinach With Hazelnuts Recipe

Unlike some versions of creamed spinach, here you actually taste the greens. They’re enhanced by—but not overwhelmed by—the creamy sauce.

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Cheesy Crab Artichoke Toasts

Credit: Jennifer Causey

Cheesy Crab Artichoke Toasts Recipe

These savory toasts call for a decadent topping of mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses, artichokes, and fresh lump crabmeat. You can save time by preparing the crab mixture a day ahead of time, and then assembling and broiling the toasts just before dinner.

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Carrot-Cauliflower Salad

Credit: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller

Carrot-Cauliflower Salad Recipe

We created this crunchy, sweet side as an update of the classic mayonnaise-laden carrot-and-raisin salad. Save time and make it ahead--it eats even better the next day.

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Green Beans with Citrus and Pecans

Credit: Jody Horton; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

Green Beans with Citrus and Pecans Recipe

A citrus vinaigrette adds fresh zing to crisp-tender green beans.

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BLT Panzanella Salad

Credit: Johnny Miller; Styling: Sarah Smart

BLT Panzanella Salad Recipe

Use the showiest farmers' market or garden tomatoes in a dish that deliciously combines a favorite sandwich and a classic Italian salad, with a touch of corn and basil thrown in for extra summery flair.

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Easy Garlic Rolls

Credit: John O'Hagan; Styling: Buffy Hargett

Easy Garlic Rolls Recipe

Make your own garlic rolls by brushing split artisan rolls with a mixture of melted butter, Italian seasoning, and minced garlic. Toast in the oven for a few minutes and serve.

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