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I’ve rounded up several of our favorite Italian side dishes to complement any dinner, but especially Italian!
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!
More Collections:
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!
Garlic Bread Recipe
This is by far our favorite Garlic Bread recipe. It takes minutes to put together and is SO cheesy and delicious. It’s the perfect side dish for any meal, but especially for pasta and Italian dishes!
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Tomato Mozzarella Salad
Our favorite fresh tomato mozzarella salad delivers big flavors with just 4 simple ingredients in under 10 minutes!
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Antipasto Salad
Quick and hearty antipasto salad is filled with cured meats and veggies and lightly dressed with your favorite Italian dressing!
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Olive Garden Breadsticks Recipe
Just like the originals, these copycat Olive Garden breadsticks are light, airy, and flavored with butter and garlic salt.
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Caprese Stuffed Avocados Recipe
Simple and Fresh Caprese Stuffed Avocados are a twist on classic flavors. This is a perfect appetizer or side to any meal!
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Garlic Knots Recipe
Buttery-soft homemade garlic knots whip up in under 20 minutes and make a perfect side for pizza, pasta, or salads!
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Caprese Pesto Pasta Salad recipe
Caprese Pesto Pasta Salad is a light dish with a bold flavor, making it perfect for potlucks, parties, BBQ's, and get togethers!
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Focaccia Bread Recipe
Crisp yet fluffy bread topped with delicious herbs and seasonings. This flavorful focaccia bread is so easy to make, and is perfect for sandwiches, dipping in soups, or enjoying on its own!
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Quick Caprese Salad Recipe
Quick and simple Caprese Salad – an easy and delicious salad filled with salad, mozzarella, tomatoes, avocados and balsamic glaze!
Italian Bread Recipe
It is so easy to make our Italian bread recipe at home! This soft, crust bread is delicious and takes just 6 simple ingredients.
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More Italian Sides
From pasta salad sprinkled with parmesan cheese to a light cucumber tomato salad, enjoy even more Italian favorite sides!
Spinach Tortellini Salad Recipe
Cold spinach tortellini salad is the ultimate side dish for BBQ and potlucks. It's packed with all the best flavors!
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Cucumber Tomato Salad Recipe
Fresh, vibrant Cucumber Tomato Salad is a simple salad perfect for summer and your bounteous harvest. It's a quick side for any meal!
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Oven Roasted Vegetables Recipe
Simple, flavorful, and healthy Oven roasted vegetables take less than 10 minutes of prep work! Nothing beats yummy veggies roasted in the oven!
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Pasta Primavera Recipe
Pasta primavera is a tried and true dinner recipe. It's filled with peak-of-the-season veggies for a deliciously bright bite!
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Roasted Tomatoes Recipe
Juicy roasted tomatoes are the yummiest and easiest appetizer or side dish. Roasting them (with a little olive oil, basil and parmesan) brings out every delicious flavor!
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Pizza Salad Recipe
Pizza Salad is hearty & refreshing. All of the flavors of pizza are served on a bed of greens and topped with a homemade herb dressing!
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Easy Tortellini Salad Recipe
Fresh and filling Tortellini Salad whips up in minutes for a delicious summer salad topped with creamy ranch dressing.
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Mozzarella Pasta Salad Recipe
Easy & Fresh Mozzarella Pasta Salad is light, delicious, and flavorful. This simply dressed salad is a favorite!!
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Grilled Asparagus
Sprinkled with salt, pepper, and a little parmesan cheese, grilled asparagus is a simply flavorful side for any dinner recipe!
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Spinach Artichoke Bread Recipe
Deliciously cheesy Spinach Artichoke Bread makes a perfectly yummy appetizer or side!! It whips up in only 20 minutes!
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Roasted Red Potatoes Recipe
With a handful of ingredients, and 30 minutes bake time – crispy, seasoned oven roasted red potatoes will add flavor to any meal!
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Zucchini Chips Recipe
If you’re looking for a tasty side, these Baked Zucchini Chips are your answer! Sliced zucchini baked to perfection with a bread crumb and parmesan crust. These bite-sized veggies taste amazing and are a great alternate to the classic fried zucchini recipe.
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Pasta Salad Recipe
This easy pasta salad recipe takes minutes to make. It's a classic side dish, perfect for BBQs, picnics, or any night of the week!
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Baked Parmesan Asparagus
Baked parmesan asparagus is the yummiest way to eat veggies! It takes just 10 minutes to prep and only a handful of seasonings.
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Mashed Red Potatoes
On the table in only 30 minutes, our favorite mashed red potatoes are a quick and flavorful side dish that will elevate any meal.
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Roasted Broccoli Recipe
Delicious, tender Roasted Broccoli coated in olive oil and lemon juice and drizzled in Parmesan cheese. We love this recipe!
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Parmesan Crusted Zucchini Recipe
Delicious and Healthy Baked Parmesan Zucchini. These spears are crusted in Parmesan cheese and baked to perfection, making them a great side dish for any meal.
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Parmesan Potatoes Recipe
Simple and delicious baked parmesan potatoes are the perfect side dish, made from cubed potatoes coated in parmesan and a few simple seasonings.
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Roasted Green Beans Recipe
Roasted Green Beans are the easiest and most delicious healthy side dish that goes perfect with any dinner. Plus, they’re quick and great for holiday meals too.
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Arugula Salad Recipe
Fresh Arugula salad is loaded with healthy greens, juicy tomatoes, and parmesan shavings with pine nuts and creamy avocado on top!
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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:
Tomato Mozzarella Salad
8 mins
Parmesan Crusted Zucchini
16 mins
Italian Bread Recipe
2 hrs 40 mins
Caprese Stuffed Avocados
5 mins
