Delicious Sides For Pizza Night
Pizza night is always a hit, but why stop at just pizza? Elevate your meal with these 15 delicious side dishes that perfectly complement your favorite slice, just like side dishes complement your grilled chicken. From refreshing salads to crispy vegetables and indulgent dips, these sides add variety, flavor, and excitement to your pizza experience. Each dish brings its unique taste and texture, ensuring there's something for everyone to enjoy. Let's dive into these delightful recipes to make your pizza night an unforgettable culinary adventure.
What Side Dish Taste Good With Pizza?
Enhance your pizza with sides like roasted bell peppers, squash, and mushrooms for a great vegetable pairing. For a healthier and flavorful option, a Greek salad with olives, tomatoes, feta cheese, olive oil, and cucumber adds a refreshing contrast to your pizza.
What Desserts Pair Well With Pizza?
When thinking about dessert options to accompany your pizza, consider the flavors and ingredients of your meal. For lighter, vegetable-topped pizzas, fresh and fruity desserts like fruit tarts, sorbet, or balsamic-glazed berries are ideal. Rich, meaty pizzas pair beautifully with decadent desserts such as cannoli, chocolate treats, or creamy cheesecake.
Garlic Knots
Soft, fluffy knots made from pizza dough are baked to golden perfection and generously brushed with savory garlic butter. Perfect for dipping in marinara sauce, these knots are a crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
- Pizza dough
- Garlic
- Butter
- Parsley
Instructions
- Roll dough into small knots.
- Bake until golden.
- Brush garlic knots with garlic butter and sprinkle with parsley.
Caprese Salad
A refreshing salad featuring juicy tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and fragrant basil leaves drizzled with a sweet balsamic glaze. This salad is simple yet elegant dish is a perfect complement to pizza.
Ingredients
- Tomatoes
- Mozzarella
- Fresh basil
- Balsamic glaze
Instructions
- Slice tomatoes and mozzarella.
- Arrange with basil leaves.
- Drizzle with balsamic glaze.
Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, these Brussels sprouts are roasted with olive oil, salt, and pepper and then finished with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.
Ingredients
- Brussels sprouts
- Olive oil
- Salt and pepper
- Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Toss sprouts with oil, salt, and pepper.
- Roast until crispy.
- Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
Caesar Salad
Crisp romaine lettuce is tossed with creamy Caesar dressing, crunchy croutons, and freshly grated Parmesan cheese. This classic salad adds a refreshing crunch to pizza and hamburger meals.
Ingredients
- Romaine lettuce
- Caesar dressing
- Croutons
- Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Chop lettuce.
- Toss with dressing, croutons, and cheese.
Garlic Parmesan Green Beans
Fresh green beans sautéed with minced garlic and tossed with grated Parmesan cheese. This light and flavorful bean side dish is a healthy complement to pizza.
Ingredients
- Green beans
- Garlic
- Olive oil
- Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Sauté green beas with garlic.
- Sprinkle with Parmesan.
Antipasto Platter
A platter featuring a variety of cured meats, cheeses, olives, and marinated vegetables, offers a delicious appetizer with diverse flavors and textures to enjoy.
Ingredients
- Cured meats (salami, prosciutto)
- Cheeses (mozzarella, provolone)
- Olives
- Marinated artichokes and peppers
Instructions
- Arrange ingredients on a platter.
Stuffed Mushrooms
Mushrooms stuffed with a delicious mixture of breadcrumbs, garlic, and cheese, then baked until golden and bubbling. These small tasty snacks are full of flavor.
Ingredients
- Mushrooms
- Breadcrumbs
- Garlic
- Cheese
Instructions
- Remove mushroom stems and fill caps with mixture.
- Bake until golden.
Greek Salad
A vibrant salad featuring crunchy cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, tangy feta cheese, and salty olives, all tossed in a zesty vinaigrette. This salad brings a Mediterranean flair to pizza night.
Ingredients
- Cucumbers
- Tomatoes
- Feta cheese
- Olives
- Vinaigrette
Instructions
- Chop vegetables.
- Toss with feta, olives, and vinaigrette.
Roasted Red Peppers
Sweet and smoky roasted red bell peppers seasoned with garlic and balsamic vinegar. These grilled vegetables can be enjoyed as a side or used as a topping for your pizza.
Ingredients
- Red bell peppers
- Olive oil
- Garlic
- Balsamic vinegar
Instructions
- Roast peppers until charred.
- Peel and slice.
- Toss with oil, garlic, and vinegar.
Zucchini Fries
Crispy baked zucchini sticks coated in a Parmesan and breadcrumb mixture. These healthier fries are a delightful alternative to traditional French fries.
Ingredients
- Zucchini
- Breadcrumbs
- Parmesan cheese
- Egg
Instructions
- Coat zucchini sticks in egg and breadcrumb mixture.
- Bake until crispy.
Caponata
A Sicilian eggplant dish with a sweet and sour flavor, it is made with eggplant, tomatoes, celery, and capers. This hearty side is perfect for adding a touch of Italy to your meal and can be paired well with Italian cookies.
Ingredients
- Eggplant
- Tomatoes
- Celery
- Capers
- Vinegar
Instructions
- Sauté eggplant and vegetables.
- Simmer with capers and vinegar.
Spinach Artichoke Dip
This creamy, cheesy dip is loaded with spinach and artichokes and baked until bubbly and golden. It is perfect for dipping breadsticks or veggies.
Ingredients
- Spinach
- Artichokes
- Cream cheese
- Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients.
- Bake in our pansave until bubbly.
Panzanella Salad
This bread salad features ripe tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, and a tangy vinaigrette. Toasted cubes of stale bread soak up the delicious flavors.
Ingredients
- Stale bread
- Tomatoes
- Cucumbers
- Red onion
- Vinaigrette
Instructions
- Cube and toast bread.
- Toss with vegetables and vinaigrette.
Prosciutto-Wrapped Asparagus
Tender asparagus spears wrapped in salty prosciutto and baked to perfection. This elegant side dish is both simple and sophisticated.
Ingredients
- Asparagus
- Prosciutto
- Olive oil
Instructions
- Wrap asparagus with prosciutto.
- Drizzle with olive oil and bake.
Garlic Bread
Classic garlic bread is made with crusty French bread spread with a buttery garlic mixture and baked until golden and crispy. It's a must-have side for any pizza night.
Ingredients
- French bread
- Butter
- Garlic
- Parsley
Instructions
- Slice bread and spread with garlic butter.
- Bake until golden.
Conclusion
With these delicious sides, your pizza night will be a culinary delight. From fresh salads to crispy vegetables, these dishes add variety and excitement to your meal. Enjoy the perfect combination of flavors and textures to make your pizza experience unforgettable.