15+ Side Dishes for Pasta Dinners

July 27, 2020
Photo: 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

Photo: 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

Photo: 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

Photo: 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

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

Photo: 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

Photo: 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.

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Hot Bacon Caprese Salad

Photo: 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

Photo: 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

Photo: 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

Photo: 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

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

Photo: 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

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

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

Photo: 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

Photo: 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

Photo: 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

Photo: 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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