This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

I’ve rounded up several of our favorite Italian side dishes to complement any dinner, but especially Italian!

A collage of several favorite Italian side dishes.
Save This Recipe!
Just enter your email and get it sent to your inbox! Plus you’ll get new recipes from us every week!

More Than Just Breadsticks!

If you’ve been to an Italian restaurant, you may have been fed complimentary bread or Breadsticks as a side dish to your main Italian dish, which is delicious. But don’t limit your side dishes, there is SO much more than just bread!

  • For Italian sides tips & tricks, scroll to the bottom of this post!

best Italian Side Dishes

Pick your favorite Italian chicken or pasta dish and pair it with any of these perfect side dishes like our cheesy garlic bread! Or stick with a classic loaf of Italian Bread dipped in olive oil sprinkled with black pepper – yum!

1 Garlic Bread Recipe

Bread Garlic Bread Recipe
Total Time: 20 minutes

Recipe Video

4.89 from 36 votes
Get the recipe

2 Tomato Mozzarella Salad Recipe

Salad Tomato Mozzarella Salad Recipe
Total Time: 8 minutes
5 from 10 votes
Get the recipe

3 Antipasto Salad

Salad Antipasto Salad
Total Time: 15 minutes
5 from 8 votes
Get the recipe

4 Olive Garden Breadsticks Recipe

Bread Olive Garden Breadsticks Recipe
Total Time: 2 hours 27 minutes

Recipe Video

4.96 from 64 votes
Get the recipe

5 Caprese Stuffed Avocados Recipe

Appetizer, Salad, Side Dish Caprese Stuffed Avocados Recipe
Total Time: 5 minutes
5 from 6 votes
Get the recipe

6 Garlic Knots Recipe

Side Dish Garlic Knots Recipe
Total Time: 20 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 13 votes
Get the recipe

7 Caprese Pesto Pasta Salad recipe

Salad Caprese Pesto Pasta Salad recipe
Total Time: 15 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 1 vote
Get the recipe

8 Focaccia Bread Recipe

Bread Focaccia Bread Recipe
Total Time: 8 hours 55 minutes

Recipe Video

4.98 from 243 votes
Get the recipe

9 Quick Caprese Salad Recipe

Salad Quick Caprese Salad Recipe
Total Time: 5 minutes

10 Italian Bread

Bread Italian Bread
Total Time: 2 hours 40 minutes

Recipe Video

4.95 from 90 votes
Get the recipe

More Italian Sides

From pasta salad sprinkled with parmesan cheese to a light cucumber tomato salad, enjoy even more Italian favorite sides!

11 Spinach Tortellini Salad Recipe

Salad Spinach Tortellini Salad Recipe
Total Time: 20 minutes
4.89 from 27 votes
Get the recipe

12 Cucumber Tomato Salad Recipe

Salad Cucumber Tomato Salad Recipe
Total Time: 5 minutes
5 from 6 votes
Get the recipe

13 Oven Roasted Vegetables Recipe

Side Dish Oven Roasted Vegetables Recipe
Total Time: 35 minutes

Recipe Video

4.97 from 31 votes
Get the recipe

14 Pasta Primavera Recipe

Main Course Pasta Primavera Recipe
Total Time: 35 minutes
5 from 17 votes
Get the recipe

15 Roasted Tomatoes Recipe

Side Dish Roasted Tomatoes Recipe
Total Time: 22 minutes
5 from 7 votes
Get the recipe

16 Pizza Salad Recipe

Salad Pizza Salad Recipe
Total Time: 8 minutes
5 from 14 votes
Get the recipe

17 Easy Tortellini Salad Recipe

Salad Easy Tortellini Salad Recipe
Total Time: 20 minutes

Recipe Video

4.96 from 22 votes
Get the recipe

18 Mozzarella Pasta Salad Recipe

Salad Mozzarella Pasta Salad Recipe
Total Time: 15 minutes
5 from 11 votes
Get the recipe

19 Grilled Asparagus

Side Dish Grilled Asparagus
Total Time: 8 minutes
5 from 10 votes
Get the recipe

20 Spinach Artichoke Bread Recipe

Appetizer, Bread Spinach Artichoke Bread Recipe
Total Time: 20 minutes

Recipe Video

4.95 from 19 votes
Get the recipe

21 Roasted Red Potatoes Recipe

Side Dish Roasted Red Potatoes Recipe
Total Time: 35 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 90 votes
Get the recipe

22 Zucchini Chips Recipe

Side Dish Zucchini Chips Recipe
Total Time: 40 minutes
5 from 12 votes
Get the recipe

23 Pasta Salad Recipe

Side Dish Pasta Salad Recipe
Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 251 votes
Get the recipe

24 Baked Parmesan Asparagus Recipe

Side Dish Baked Parmesan Asparagus Recipe
Total Time: 25 minutes
5 from 4 votes
Get the recipe

25 Garlic Mashed Red Potatoes

Side Dish Garlic Mashed Red Potatoes
Total Time: 25 minutes
5 from 9 votes
Get the recipe

26 Roasted Broccoli Recipe

Side Dish Roasted Broccoli Recipe
Total Time: 25 minutes
5 from 16 votes
Get the recipe

27 Parmesan Crusted Zucchini Recipe

Appetizer, Side Dish Parmesan Crusted Zucchini Recipe
Total Time: 16 minutes

Recipe Video

4.95 from 18 votes
Get the recipe

28 Parmesan Potatoes Recipe

Side Dish Parmesan Potatoes Recipe
Total Time: 30 minutes
4.91 from 11 votes
Get the recipe

29 Roasted Green Beans Recipe

Side Dish Roasted Green Beans Recipe
Total Time: 17 minutes
5 from 13 votes
Get the recipe

30 Arugula Salad Recipe

Main Course, Salad, Side Dish Arugula Salad Recipe
Total Time: 10 minutes
5 from 7 votes
Get the recipe

Fresh, Seasonal Ingredients

Italian cuisine is known for its focus on fresh, seasonal ingredients. The specific produce used will vary depending on the region of Italy and the season. This list gives a good starting point for finding classic Italian recipes.

  • vegetables. tomatoes, eggplant, zucchini, artichokes, bell peppers, onions, garlic, arugula, spinach, capers, and Swiss chard
  • fruits. grapes, lemons, oranges, grapefruits, watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew, peaches, apricots, plums, cherries, and figs
  • other. olives, Porcini mushrooms, white button mushrooms, beans, lentils, and fresh herbs like basil leaves

For More Italian Sides:

About Kristyn

My name is Kristyn and Iโ€™m the mom of SIX stinkinโ€™ cute kids and the wife to my smokinโ€™ hot hubby, Lo. My momโ€™s maiden name is Luna, and Iโ€™m one of the many crafty โ€œLilโ€™ Lunasโ€ in the fam. On this site I like to share all things creative - from recipes to home decor to gifts and home decor ideas. Welcome!

So Easy & So Yummy

Get my cookbook!

My new cookbook is the ultimate resource for feeding your friends and family with 200+ simple recipes including videos, tips & more!

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *