What to Serve with Spaghetti

Wondering what to eat with spaghetti? Some of the best side dishes include garlic bread, Caesar salad, and roasted vegetables. Add meatballs or chicken for a heartier meal, or keep dinner simple with pasta and one easy side.

Spaghetti is one of those meals that makes dinner a little easier, especially when you’re a busy parent with little kids. Pasta is inexpensive, you can keep the ingredients in your pantry, and everyone can add as much sauce and Parmesan cheese as they like.

But sometimes you want something different to go with it.

Whether you’re planning a quick weeknight meal or feeding company, these 50 ideas include sauces, meat dishes, chicken, salads, vegetables, breads, and desserts. Choose what works for your family and what you already have on hand.

And remember, just because we say spaghetti doesn’t mean you can’t use a different variety of pasta that you already have in your pantry. All of these ideas will work with spaghetti noodles or whatever pasta you have on your shelf.

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Sauces to Serve with Spaghetti

Before choosing your sides, start with the sauce. A hearty meat sauce might only need a salad and bread alongside it, while plain noodles leave room for chicken or meatballs.

1. Homemade Spaghetti Sauce – My easy tomato sauce uses simple pantry ingredients and can be made with or without ground beef. Make extra to freeze leftover sauce for another spaghetti dinner.
2. Marinara Sauce – A meatless tomato sauce is a great choice when you’re serving meatballs or chicken on the side. Homemade or jarred both work.
3. Alfredo Sauce – Change up spaghetti night with a creamy sauce. Add cooked chicken and broccoli for a complete meal in one.
4. Basil Pesto – Fresh basil, olive oil, pine nuts, and Parmesan cheese give spaghetti a different flavor without needing a long-simmering sauce. If you don’t want to mess with making your own, a jar of pesto is an easy shortcut.
5. Garlic Butter – Toss spaghetti with melted butter, garlic, and Parmesan cheese. This is also an option for picky eaters who prefer their noodles without tomato sauce.

Meat Dishes to Serve with Spaghetti

If you’re starting with a meatless sauce, these options make your pasta dinner more filling.

6. Italian Meatballs – Homemade or frozen meatballs are a classic spaghetti pairing. Warm them in marinara sauce while the noodles cook.
7. Italian Sausage – Serve cooked sausage links alongside spaghetti or slice them into your sauce. Choose mild or spicy to suit your family.
8. Ground Beef – Brown hamburger and stir it into your favorite sauce. It’s a straightforward way to add protein without making another dish.
9. Sausage and Peppers – Cook Italian sausage with sliced bell peppers and onions, then serve beside or over your spaghetti.
10. Pork Chops – Simply seasoned baked or grilled pork chops work well with garlic butter noodles when you want something beyond the usual spaghetti and meatballs.
11. Bacon Carbonara – A quick, easy way to change up spaghetti night with crispy bacon and a creamy egg-based sauce. It’s a hearty option that pairs well with a simple green salad.

Chicken Dishes to Serve with Spaghetti

Chicken is another easy way to round out the meal, especially if you already have some cooked and ready to use.

12. Chicken Parmesan – Breaded chicken topped with tomato sauce and melted cheese is a natural match for spaghetti. This is a classic and delicious option if you have time.
13. Grilled Chicken Breasts – Slice cooked chicken over spaghetti with pesto or Alfredo sauce for an easy dinner.
14. Rotisserie Chicken – Use this grocery store shortcut when you need dinner quickly. Serve it alongside the pasta or stir shredded chicken into the sauce.
15. Lemon Garlic Chicken – The lemon flavor pairs especially well with spaghetti tossed in olive oil and Parmesan cheese.
16. Crispy Chicken Tenders – Homemade or frozen tenders make an easy option for kids. Serve with buttered noodles and a vegetable.

Salads and Easy Appetizers to Serve with Spaghetti

Fresh salads offer a refreshing contrast to warm pasta and a rich sauce. It’s a traditional pairing for a good reason, but think outside the lettuce salad bowl with some of these options. Or set out a platter of vegetables, meat, and cheese for everyone to share.

17. Caesar Salad – Romaine lettuce, crunchy croutons, Parmesan cheese, and Caesar dressing make a classic spaghetti side. A bagged salad kit keeps the prep simple.
18. Garden Salad with Italian Dressing – Toss lettuce with tomatoes, cucumber, and croutons, then add your favorite Italian dressing. Buy the Olive Garden salad dressing to make a fancy salad at home. Set out sliced red onion, olives, or pepperoncini for anyone who wants them.
19. Caprese Salad – Combine cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and fresh basil with a drizzle of olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
20. Italian Chopped Salad – Add olives, pepperoni, mozzarella, and Italian dressing to chopped lettuce for a heartier salad. Sliced salami can be added as well.
21. Cucumber Tomato Salad – Toss crisp cucumber and tomatoes with Italian dressing or a little olive oil and lemon juice.
22. Fruit Salad – A bowl of grapes, berries, melon, or any fresh fruit that is in season is a simple option for anyone who doesn’t enjoy lettuce salads.
23. Antipasto Platter – Arrange salami, cheese, olives, and roasted red peppers on a platter. Keep everything separate so kids and adults can choose their favorites.
24. Vegetable Tray with Dip – Carrot sticks, celery, cucumber slices, and bell pepper strips make an easy side. Serve with your family’s favorite dressing or dip.

Vegetable Side Dishes for Spaghetti

You don’t need a complicated vegetable recipe to get something green on the dinner table. Frozen and canned vegetables work well here, too.

25. Roasted Broccoli – Toss broccoli with olive oil, salt, and black pepper, then roast until the edges begin to brown.
26. Green Beans – Warm canned or frozen green beans with a little butter and garlic for an inexpensive side.
27. Roasted or Air Fryer Asparagus – Cook asparagus in the oven or air fryer, then finish with lemon juice and Parmesan cheese.
28. Sautéed Zucchini – Cook sliced zucchini in olive oil with garlic. Add red pepper flakes if you like a little heat.
29. Roasted Brussels Sprouts – Their browned, crispy edges add a different texture alongside soft spaghetti noodles.
30. Garlic Butter Mushrooms – Sauté sliced mushrooms with butter and garlic until browned. Serve separately so everyone can decide whether to add them to their pasta.
31. Buttered Peas – Frozen peas are an inexpensive side that takes very little effort. They pair especially well with Alfredo sauce or buttered noodles.
32. Roasted Cauliflower – Roast cauliflower florets with olive oil and seasonings until tender with browned edges. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese before serving. This is one of my favorite roasted vegetables.
33. Roasted Cabbage Wedges – Brush cabbage wedges with olive oil and roast until tender. This budget-friendly vegetable pairs well with spaghetti and Italian sausage.
34. Roasted Bell Peppers and Onions – Roast sliced peppers and onions until softened and lightly browned. Serve alongside chicken or let everyone spoon some over their spaghetti.

Best Breads to Serve with Spaghetti

Bread is perfect for soaking up that last bit of delicious sauce. Make your own when you have time or use a store-bought shortcut.

35. Classic Garlic Bread – Spread garlic butter over sliced French or Italian bread and bake until golden brown. Frozen garlic bread is an easy option, too.
36. Parmesan Garlic Rolls – These homemade rolls use a bread machine for the dough and freeze well. The garlic butter and Parmesan topping makes them especially good with pasta.
37. Garlic Knots – Use pizza dough to make small knots, then brush with garlic butter for a fun alternative to sliced bread.
38. Homemade Crescent Rolls – These buttery rolls can be baked ahead and frozen, so you can pull out just what you need for dinner.
39. Italian Bread – A sliced loaf and some softened butter are all you need. Wrap in foil and warm in the oven for hot buttered bread that everyone loves.
40. Breadsticks – Soft breadsticks brushed with butter and garlic seasoning are perfect for spaghetti night. Bake your own or warm up frozen breadsticks while the sauce simmers.
41. Rosemary Focaccia – Serve this bread alongside tomato-based sauces. Buy a loaf or bake your own when you have more time.
42. Bruschetta – Top toasted bread with chopped tomatoes, basil, garlic, and olive oil. Add the topping just before serving so the bread stays crisp.

Easy Desserts to Serve After Spaghetti

You don’t have to serve an Italian dessert just because you’re eating spaghetti. A simple homemade treat is a delicious way to finish the meal.

43. Gooey Brownies – These one-bowl brownies are an easy chocolate dessert to bake ahead of dinner. Serve them on their own or with vanilla ice cream.
44. Cake Mix Cookies – With only five ingredients, these cookies are a simple option when you want something sweet without much prep.
45. Tollhouse Chocolate Chip Pie – A delicious pie that tastes just like a chocolate chip cookie. What’s not to love?
46. Lemon or Raspberry Sorbet – A small scoop makes a light, refreshing ending after a filling spaghetti dinner.
47. Chocolate Chip Bundt Cake – This cake starts with cake mix and pudding, making it an easy dessert when you’re feeding company.
48. Frozen Peanut Butter Pie – This easy, no-bake pie uses only six ingredients. Make it ahead, keep it in the freezer, and drizzle with chocolate sauce before serving.
49. Mint Chocolate Chip Pudding Pie – If your pasta is spicy, consider ending the meal with a refreshing mint pie. It’s also a no-bake dessert.
50. Apple Crisp – Make a quick fruit crisp (with apples or the fruit of your choice) for a sweet ending to the meal. Serve warm, and top with vanilla ice cream if desired.

Putting Together an Easy Spaghetti Dinner

You don’t need something from every section. Choose a sauce, add a protein if you want one, and pick one or two sides.

Here are a few easy combinations:

• Classic spaghetti dinner: Spaghetti with meat sauce, garden salad with Italian dressing, and breadsticks.
• An easy chicken dinner: Pesto spaghetti, grilled chicken, and roasted broccoli.
• A meatless option: Marinara spaghetti, Caesar salad, and Parmesan garlic rolls.
• Dinner for company: Spaghetti and meatballs, garden salad, garlic bread, and frozen peanut butter pie.

Start with what’s in your pantry and freezer, then fill in what you need. A bagged salad, frozen breadsticks, or a bowl of fruit can be all it takes to finish the meal.

For more help answering “What’s for dinner?” find more ideas for…

• What to Serve with Baked Potatoes,
• What to Serve with Chili, and
• What to Serve with Rice.