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These easy and delicious Italian side dishes are perfect with a wide variety of meals, and of course they complement pasta beautifully! No matter what you’re serving, these Italian sides are bursting with savory flavor.
Side dishes might not always be the star of the show, but they’ll always have our hearts! Get 15 of the most inspired, easy Italian sides in this complete recipe guide.
We adore Italian food, and in the St. Louis community, there’s no shortage of beautiful Italian restaurants. Lucky us!
However, as much as we enjoy a fabulous dining experience out on the town, we really love making our own fabulous meals at home, too. And once you learn how to make pasta, too, you might just feel the same!
These incredible Italian side dishes are filled with the best Italian herbs and spices, and sure to wow your family! No matter what main dish is on your menu, these sides are sure to be winners.
Use the drop down Table of Contents menu to navigate this guide, and don’t forget to pin and save for later!
Table of Contents
Tips
- Craving a delicious, filling pasta dish for dinner? Don’t skip my incredible range of pasta recipes.
- No matter the entrée, a veggie side dish or salad can help bring a wholesome meal together in just minutes.
- Many our favorite vegetable recipes can easily be given more Italian flavor. Try this incredible homemade Italian seasoning blend.
- Try to use the best quality ingredients you can so that each ingredient shines!
- Need more side dish inspiration? Don’t skip Meatloaf Sides and Sides for Salmon.
Frequently Asked Questions
What vegetables do Italians serve?
Some of the most popular vegetables in Italy are radicchio, squash, celery, tomatoes (we’ll count it as a veggie here), and peppers.
Is pasta a side dish in Italy?
In Italy, pasta is called a “primo” (first course), and is served as an appetizer. You can also choose soup or polenta as a primo. The “secondo” (main course) is often a small serving of chicken, meat, or fish.
What are the three Italian herbs?
Basil, oregano and garlic are staples of Italian cooking. Add these to your food for delicious Italian inspired fragrance and flavor.
Italian Side Dish Recipes
These recipes are wonderful with your favorite pasta dishes, but also serve beautifully with a variety of classic braised meats and more!
Amazing Italian Salad With Italian Dressing
A simple Italian Salad recipe, St. Louis style. Mix up this delicious, memorable salad in less than 10 minutes!
This Italian Salad is filled with crisp lettuce, red onion, artichokes, pimentos and grated parmesan.
Insalata Mista
A light and refreshing classic Insalata Mista! This is created with shaved parmesan, grape tomatoes, and pine nuts tossed in a delicious balsamic vinaigrette.
This mixed salad goes great with just about every entrée!
Arugula Salad With Lemon Vinaigrette
Next, this is an easy and refreshing recipe for an arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette. This simple salad is so perfect for the warmer weather, serving as a simple side or appetizer.
The homemade salad dressing comes together in a matter of minutes with just a few simple ingredients. Lemon vinaigrette is vegan and gluten free!
Baked Artichoke
Baked Artichoke is one of the easiest side dishes and ways to get your veggies in! These roasted artichoke are so delicious on their own or tossed into a salad. It’s not only tasty, but a good source of fiber, Vitamin C and Vitamin K!
Seasoned Green Beans
Learn how to make the most incredible seasoned green beans as the ultimate side dish! You’ll find a variety of seasoning options to customize these with Italian flavor.
Minestrone Soup
Of course we can’t skip this fabulous soup! This minestrone soup recipe is hearty and delicious. It’s the perfect family friendly soup that will warm you through and through!
Because it’s packed with nutritious veggies and flavor, you can’t skip this incredible traditional Italian soup recipe.
5 Minute Garlic Bread
In less than five minutes hands on time, you can have irresistible fluffy Italian inspired garlic dinner rolls! This garlic bread skips the yeast thanks to a little shortcut – frozen dinner rolls.
Baked Burrata Recipe
This baked burrata is an easy fresh appetizer or side dish. Filled with fresh Italian zest, it’s also a great salad topper.
Mozzarella Bruschetta
Next, start your dinner off in style by serving Mozzarella Bruschetta. While some might serve it as an appetizer, it makes a fresh and fabulous Italian side dish too.
In just a few minutes, you’ll mix up the best combination of flavors ever invented!
Italian Pasta Salad
This easy Italian pasta salad recipe is the perfect summer side dish. It’s such a classic side dish full of Italian flavors, and so light and refreshing!
This is the perfect make-ahead recipe that’s ideal for picnics, potlucks and cookouts. Of course it’s most delicious when served alongside an Italian sandwich.
Easy Gnocco Fritto
Next, this Italian class: Gnocco Fritto! It’s an easy 10-minute option when made with the ultimate shortcut: puff pastry! These light and fluffy puff pillows are topped with olive oil, prosciutto and sea salt for heavenly bites.
Fried to golden brown perfection in a matter of seconds, this classic Italian dish is always a favorite.
Roasted Mushrooms
Easy Roasted Mushrooms, a flavorful and juicy appetizer or side dish. These garlic mushrooms take just 5 minutes hands on time!
Make these with white mushrooms or button mushrooms for a wonderful Italian side!
Italian Nachos
Made popular by big name chain Italian restaurants, these Italian nachos are one of my favorites. Delicious and cheesy, they are made with incredible homemade pasta chips.
Italian Vegetables
Served alongside any of your favorite dinner entrees, Italian vegetables are seasoned and oven-roasted to perfection. Italian Roasted Vegetables are rustic, simple and so beautiful to serve!
Easy Homemade Bread Recipe For Artisan Bread
Finally, a quick and easy artisan homemade bread recipe that is adaptable. It’s perfect for smothering in butter, dipping in oil, or slicing for sandwiches. This homemade bread is moist on the inside, crusty on the outside, and full of flavor!
Finish with rosemary (or other Italian herbs) and olive oil. Of course you can go the extra mile with this olive oil bread dip.
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Italian Side Dishes
These easy and delicious Italian side dishes are perfect with a wide variety of meals, and of course they complement pasta beautifully! No matter what you’re serving, these Italian sides are bursting with savory flavor.
Yield
Ingredients
- Amazing Italian Salad With Italian Dressing
- Insalata Mista
- Arugula Salad With Lemon Vinaigrette
- Baked Artichoke
- Seasoned Green Beans
- Minestrone Soup
- 5 Minute Garlic Bread
- Baked Burrata Recipe
- Mozzarella Bruschetta
- Italian Pasta Salad
- Easy Gnocco Fritto
- Roasted Mushrooms
- Italian Nachos
- Italian Vegetables
- Easy Homemade Bread Recipe For Artisan Bread
Instructions
- Select your favorite recipe and click through to print each recipe card.
- Organize all the requested ingredients and follow step by step instructions.
- Prep and serve in under 30 minutes.
Tips
- No matter the entrée, a veggie side dish or salad can help bring a wholesome meal together in just minutes.
- Many our favorite vegetable recipes can easily be given more Italian flavor with the addition of this incredible homemade Italian seasoning blend.
- Use the best quality ingredients you can so that each ingredient shines!
Nutrition Information
Calories: 20kcal (1%), Carbohydrates: 3g (1%), Protein: 1g (2%), Sodium: 314mg (13%), Fiber: 1g (4%), Sugar: 1g (1%)
Estimated nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is not guaranteed.
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