13 Italian Side Dishes To Serve With Lasagna

Lasagna is arguably the greatest dish to come out of Italy. Lasagna was invented in Italy around the year 1000 A.D.

Lasagna is a traditional Italian dish consisting of layers of pasta sheets filled with meat sauce and cheese.

Lasagna is often considered to be a comfort food due to its ease of preparation and delicious taste. In fact, lasagna is a popular dish among many cultures throughout the world.

So you have your main course set, but what about side dishes?

There are lots of different options you have at your disposal, but for the purpose of this article, we’re going to go with distinctly Italian dishes.

We’ve also included a short Frequently Asked Questions section at the end to help explain any questions you may have left over.

All About Lasagna

Before we get into our list, we’re just going to give you a little overview of this traditional Italian dish so that you can get an understanding of the choices we pick.

Lasagna is a classic Italian dish consisting of layers of pasta sheets topped with tomato sauce and cheese.

Lasagnas are often prepared using different types of pasta sheets, including thin spaghetti, penne, rigatoni, ziti, rotini, fusilli, and others.

The ingredients for lasagna vary depending on the type of pasta sheet being used.

In general, lasagna recipes call for a combination of meat (usually ground beef), vegetables, and cheeses.

Pasta sheets are generally cut into strips before they are layered in a lasagna pan.

The pasta sheets are then covered with tomato sauce and sprinkled with grated cheese. The lasagna is baked until the cheese melts and turns golden brown.

There are many ways to make lasagna. One way is to use a lasagna pan. A lasagna pan is a shallow baking dish with a lid.

The bottom layer of pasta sheets is placed inside the lasagna pan and covered with tomato sauce.

Then, additional layers of pasta sheets are added, followed by more tomato sauce and cheese. Finally, the top layer of pasta sheets is laid over the top of the lasagna.

Once the lasagna is finished cooking, the lasagna pan is removed from the oven and the lasagna is sliced into individual servings.

Another method of making lasagna involves cutting the pasta sheets into strips first.

The strips are then arranged in a single layer in a lasagna pan and covered in tomato sauce.

Additional layers of pasta strips are then added and the lasagna is cooked.

A third method of making lasagna is to start with uncooked pasta sheets. The pasta sheets are rolled out flat onto a work surface and spread with tomato sauce.

Next, the pasta sheets are folded over themselves several times to create a thick strip of pasta.

The pasta strip is then placed in a lasagna pan, covered with tomato sauce, and baked.

1. Tomato Feta Salad

One of the best things you can do when selecting a side dish that goes well with lasagna is to pick something light and easy.

This is why salads are a perfect combination.

They give the guest in question a chance to break from the heavy lasagna by swapping to something leafy and fresh.

You can make a green salad with a wide range of leafy greens, including kale, arugula, collard, spinach, or traditional romaine lettuce.

Even better, you can mix some or all of these greens to create an incredibly nutrient-dense green salad!

The recipe we’ve chosen here is simple and can be made with just a few minutes of your time.

2. Antipasto

Antipasto is the Italian word for an appetizer. In the food world, antipasto refers to foods that are meant to be eaten before the meal properly begins.

These foods are often thought of as snacks, and they are commonly served at parties and gatherings.

The recipe we’ve chosen for you here includes fresh cheese, herbs, and a selection of cured meats.

One thing you may want to be careful with when paring Antipasto and Lasagna is going too heavy on the meat, as lasagna is quite a heavy dish, to begin with.

Use these ingredients sparingly!

3. Garlic Bread

Garlic bread is a delicious way to spice up regular bread! Garlic bread is a simple recipe that takes only minutes to make.

You can use any type of bread you want, but I recommend using French baguette or Italian bread for a more authentic text and texture.

If you don’t have those types of bread, then just use whatever you have around the house.

4. Breadsticks

Breadsticks are a type of food product that is commonly eaten in Italy and many other countries around the world.

They are long thin sticks of dough that have been baked until crispy and then cut into pieces.

There are different types of breadsticks depending on what country they originate from.

In Italy, they are called panettone. In France, they are known as pain de mie. In Germany, they are called brötchen.

And in America, they are simply referred to as breadsticks.

5. Roasted Veggies

If you want to go very simple, then look no further than some simple roasted veggies.

Roasted vegetables are foods that have been cooked at high temperatures until they become tender and delicious.

Roasting vegetables brings out their natural flavors and makes them healthier than raw vegetables. Roasted vegetables are often eaten as snacks or appetizers.

The recipe we’ve chosen here is primarily focused on oven roasting typically Italian vegetables, but you can always add other ingredients if you have them in your pantry already.

6. Pasta Salad

Pasta salad is a classic combination that goes perfectly with lasagna. You can use any kind of pasta that you want. Try using penne, rotini, shells, fusilli, orzo, or linguine.

Make sure that you cook these pastas until they are al dente, which is the preferred density for authentic Italian pasta.

Then toss them with a vinaigrette dressing and top them off with cheese and fresh herbs.

7. Chicken Wings

This one is for guests that are real lovers of meat. Chicken wings (see also ‘21 Delicious Side Dishes To Serve With Chicken Wings‘) can work well as a small side item. For this one, we’ve gone with a simple, baked Italian chicken wings recipe (see also ‘23 Italian Chicken Recipes To Die For‘).

Providing you get the timings right, you’re going to create a small side dish of delicious, juicy, and crispy wings that guests will love.

8. Roast Tomatoes

Tomatoes are a staple in Italian food (see also ‘28 Of The Best Authentic Italian Side Dishes‘). Historically tomatoes are easy to farm and a great addition to many different foods.

Since lasagna sauce is tomato based at its core, there is a paired connection without having to try.

We’ve decided to go with a simplistic, slow-roasted Italian tomatoes recipe which you can add to your table for guests to choose as they please.

It can be a great addition to your lasagna.

9. Baked Zucchini

If you didn’t guess from the Italian-sounding name, zucchini is a choice vegetable in Italian cuisine.

These baked Zucchinis allow you to add something extra to your plate that will be a great accompaniment to lasagna.

They’re also extremely easy to make. All you need are some bread crumbs, cheese, and sliced zucchini.

10. Cucumber Salad

We thought we’d end off with a fresh and light salad. Cucumbers (see also ‘Can You Freeze Cucumbers?‘) are a great addition to your lasagna and a great way to add additional color to your plate.

Whilst this recipe is simple, it has quite a few different ingredients that add to its taste including sugar, parsley, dill, ground pepper, red onion, salt, cider vinegar, and olive oil.

11. Caprese Salad

This is a simple Italian salad that goes really well as a side dish. This recipe includes balsamic vinegar, ripe tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, basil, olive oil, kosher salt and ground black pepper.

It’s very easy to make and can be something you do as your lasagna is baking in the oven!

12. Friselle

This is a recipe that comes from the south of Italy, and it’s very easy to make!

If you’ve ever made bread before, then you’ll find the most difficult part getting these into the right ‘dough-nut’ type shape.

With a bit of care and attention, you’ll have a great side dish that will go well with lasagna.

13. Stuffed Zucchini Flowers

This is a much harder one to make work, but it is a delicate recipe that you can add to a formal dinner to wow guests.

They’re fairly simple to make, but require a careful selection of ingredients to get right, and a little bit of care during each step of the process.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is Italian Cuisine?

Italian cuisine is known for its rich flavors and ingredients. It was developed over many centuries in Italy and is influenced by many different cultures.

It is often called “the food of love” due to the fact that it is considered romantic and sensual.

There are many types of Italian dishes including pasta, pizza, bread, soups, sauces, vegetables, meats, fish, desserts, and beverages.

Italy is home to some of the best restaurants in the world. Many of these restaurants have been around for hundreds of years and were originally established in Rome.

However, they have spread throughout Europe and now exist everywhere. Today, Italians enjoy their food at home just as much as they do out.

What Makes Authentic Italian Food Delicious?

Many of the recipes in Italian food rely heavily on fresh ingredients. Fresh ingredients are always better than processed ones.

Also, Italian food uses lots of garlic and basil. Garlic adds flavor while basil provides aroma.

These two ingredients work well together. Other ingredients like tomatoes, onions, and oregano add even more flavor.

What Are Some Of The Most Famous Italian Dishes?

Pizza (check out our favorite sides to serve with pizza) is probably the most famous dish in the entire world. It originated in Naples, Italy. Pizza is made with dough, tomato sauce, and toppings.

It is then baked in a wood-fired oven until it turns golden brown. It is eaten hot or cold. Another famous dish is lasagna.

Lasagna is a layered casserole dish that contains meat, cheese, and pasta. It is cooked in a similar way to pizza. It is a traditional dish in Italy.

How Can I Avoid Messing Up Lasagna?

One of the main ways you can make sure your lasagna comes out good is to avoid adding large pieces of meat or veggies.

The filling should be either creamy or coarsely chopped for the best lasagna. If you use parchment paper, don’t forget to take it off once the lasagna is finished cooking.

If not, the base will become damp and ruined.

Final Thoughts

One of the best things about lasagna is that it is a very versatile dish that you can add a wide variety of different dishes to go along with it.

It is however quite a heavy food item so your best bet is to add foods that are light on the plate to accompany it.

We hope that this article has given you some good ideas for some side dishes and that you now feel more confident about creating the perfect lasagna dinner.

If you still have some questions, keep reading for our Frequently Asked Questions section.