What to Serve with Chicken Spaghetti
Trying to decide what to serve with chicken spaghetti? When the main dish is creamy, cheesy and filling, you don’t need much to finish dinner!
I like meals that don’t require a long list of extras. A vegetable from the freezer, some fresh fruit or a quick salad can be all you need to get dinner on the table.
Whether you are cooking for the whole family or taking a meal to a friend, here are 55 easy ideas to serve with chicken spaghetti casserole. There are plenty of simple sides, a few breads and some easy desserts if you want something sweet.
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What Goes Well with Chicken Spaghetti Casserole?
My go-to chicken spaghetti recipe is Ree Drummond’s, but I use cream of chicken soup instead of cream of mushroom. If you don’t already have a favorite, you can never go wrong with a Pioneer Woman recipe like hers! Once you have the casserole planned, the next question is what to serve alongside it.
Chicken spaghetti usually combines spaghetti noodles, cooked chicken and a creamy sauce. Depending on your recipe, that might include cream of chicken soup, cream cheese, cheddar cheese, bell peppers or tomatoes with green chiles.
With pasta and protein already in the baking dish, vegetables and fruit are easy choices to round out the meal. Crisp salads are especially good alongside a rich sauce. Bread is optional, but handy when you want dinner to stretch a little further.
You don’t have to make everything from scratch, either! Frozen vegetables, canned fruit and a few simple ingredients from the grocery store can turn your casserole into a complete meal with minimal effort.
Easy Vegetable Side Dishes
Fresh vegetables are great, but use what you have. A bag of frozen broccoli works just as well for a busy weeknight dinner.
- Steamed Broccoli – Add butter and a sprinkle of salt.
- Honey-Glazed Carrots – A little sweetness alongside the savory casserole.
- Roasted Cauliflower – Toss with olive oil and roast in the oven until golden brown.
- Buttered Peas – A freezer staple that cooks in minutes.
- Corn on the Cob – Fresh in summer or frozen any time.
- Sautéed Zucchini – A quick skillet side with garlic and black pepper.
- Fresh Asparagus – Steam or roast, as you choose.
- Steamed Green Beans with Lemon – A squeeze of lemon keeps these light and fresh.
- Roasted Butternut Squash – Mild, slightly sweet and easy to prep ahead.
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts – Be sure to let the edges get nicely browned.
- Mixed Vegetables – Use your favorite frozen blend.
- Roasted Sweet Potato Cubes – Toss with olive oil and savory seasonings.
- Raw Vegetable Platter – Baby carrots, crisp cucumber, celery and bell pepper strips.
Salads to Serve with Chicken Spaghetti
A fresh salad adds some crunch without much extra cooking. These are also good choices when you want to prepare your side dish earlier in the day.
- Broccoli Salad – Crunchy broccoli, sunflower seeds and a tangy dressing.
- Vinegar Coleslaw – A lighter alternative to creamy slaw.
- Carrot Raisin Salad – A little sweet with plenty of crunch.
- Apple Snickers Salad – A sweet, five-ingredient side with tart apples and chopped Snickers.
- Corn and Black Bean Salad – Especially good with a casserole containing green chiles.
- Cucumber Salad – A cool, crunchy side with vinegar dressing.
- Classic Caesar Salad – Romaine, croutons and Parmesan cheese.
- Garden Salad – A green salad with your favorite dressing is a great option.
- Strawberry Spinach Salad – Sweet berries with a tangy dressing.
- Greek Salad – Crisp vegetables, olives and a little feta cheese.
Simple Fruit Sides
Sometimes the perfect side dish is something you can wash, slice and put on the table. These options are especially handy when you are feeding picky eaters.
- Applesauce – Homemade or straight from the jar.
- Sliced Apples – Use whatever variety is on sale.
- Mandarin Oranges – Drain a can for a quick side.
- Fresh Pineapple – Sweet and juicy beside creamy chicken spaghetti.
- Watermelon Wedges – An easy summer favorite.
- Cantaloupe Cubes – Cut ahead and refrigerate until dinner.
- Fresh Berries – Serve one kind or mix a few.
- Chilled Grapes – Wash ahead so they are ready to serve.
- Sliced Pears – Fresh or canned in juice.
- Peaches – Fresh in season or canned from the pantry.
- Orange Wedges – Simple, inexpensive and refreshing.
- Mixed Fruit Salad – Use up the fruit already in your fridge.
Breads and Biscuits
Chicken spaghetti is filling on its own, so warm bread is an extra rather than a requirement. Pick one of these when you want a little something more.
- Buttermilk Biscuits – Homemade, frozen or refrigerated.
- Cheddar Drop Biscuits – No rolling or cutting required.
- Homemade Crescent Rolls – Buttery homemade rolls for a little something extra.
- Garlic Bread – Homemade or frozen for an easy shortcut.
- Buttered French Bread – Slice a bakery loaf, spread with butter and warm in the oven.
- Breadsticks – Plain or brushed with garlic butter.
- Parmesan Garlic Rolls – A savory bread option for scooping up the creamy sauce.
- Cornbread Muffins – Especially good with a spicy chicken spaghetti.
- Sourdough Bread – Serve sliced with softened butter.
Easy Desserts to Finish Dinner
Dessert certainly isn’t necessary, but these ideas are nice for company or a weekend family dinner.
- Apple Crisp – A cozy dessert with a simple oat topping.
- Peach Cobbler – Use fresh, frozen or canned peaches – or whatever fruit you prefer.
- Peanut Butter Rice Krispies with Chocolate – A peanut butter and chocolate twist on a no-bake treat.
- Gooey Brownies – These one-bowl brownies made with pantry ingredients are a family favorite.
- Tollhouse Chocolate Chip Pie – A delicious pie that tastes like a chocolate chip cookie is a great choice.
- Cake Mix Cookies – Five ingredients for an easy batch of cookies.
- Chocolate Chip Bundt Cake – An easy cake mix dessert with cream cheese frosting.
- Frozen Peanut Butter Pie – Make ahead and keep in the freezer until dessert.
- Ice Cream Sundaes – Let everyone choose their toppings.
- Mint Chocolate Chip Pudding Pie – A cool, no-bake dessert to finish your meal.
- Blueberry Dump Cake – Any kind of dump cake is a sweet ending to dinner.
Keep Your Chicken Spaghetti Dinner Simple
You don’t need several side dishes to make a good dinner. Chicken spaghetti with steamed broccoli and applesauce is plenty. For company, you could add biscuits and an apple crisp.
My suggestion? Check your fridge, freezer and pantry before you add anything to your grocery list. The best side might already be waiting at home!
Frequently Asked Questions About Chicken Spaghetti Casserole
Yes! Chicken spaghetti can definitely be frozen before baking or as cooked leftovers. Use a freezer-safe container, wrap tightly and label with the date. For best quality, plan to enjoy it within 2 to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before baking or reheating.
Yes, again! This makes dinner time less hectic when you do. Assemble your casserole with cooked chicken, cover and refrigerate until the next day. Ree Drummond’s recipe specifically allows up to two days in the refrigerator before baking. Just remember that a cold casserole may need extra baking time, so check that the center reaches 165°F.
Of course! Instead of using one 9×13-inch baking dish, divide your chicken spaghetti between two 8×8-inch pans. Bake one for dinner and freeze the other for another night, or share one with a friend. The smaller casseroles may bake faster, so start checking before the recipe’s full baking time.
More What to Serve Dinner Ideas
Need some help planning another dinner? Find more easy meal ideas in these lists:
