Lasagna, with its comforting layers of pasta, cheese, and savory sauce, is undeniably a meal in itself. But when you’re looking to elevate your lasagna dinner into a truly memorable feast, the question arises: What To Serve With Lasagna Besides Salad? While a simple salad might be the go-to side, there’s a whole world of delicious pairings that can complement and enhance this classic Italian dish.
A tempting slice of vegetarian lasagna, garnished with fresh basil, showcasing its rich layers and inviting texture.
Lasagna’s rich and hearty nature calls for side dishes that offer a contrast in texture and flavor, creating a balanced and satisfying meal. Think about sides that can cut through the richness of the lasagna, add freshness, or introduce complementary flavors. While salads are often suggested, let’s explore a range of equally delightful, and perhaps even more exciting, alternatives. From roasted vegetables to flavorful soups and comforting breads, there are countless options to transform your lasagna dinner into a culinary experience.
Elevating Your Lasagna Meal: 25 Side Dish Ideas (Beyond Salad)
Forget the predictable salad! We’re diving into a collection of 25 mouthwatering side dishes that go perfectly with lasagna, offering variety, flavor, and something for every palate. These sides are designed to complement lasagna’s richness, adding freshness, texture, and exciting flavor dimensions to your meal.
Vibrant Vegetable Sides
Roasting vegetables brings out their natural sweetness and creates a delightful caramelized texture that pairs beautifully with the savory lasagna.
1. Easy Roasted Brussels Sprouts: These are not your grandma’s Brussels sprouts! Roasted Brussels sprouts offer a slightly bitter and nutty flavor that is wonderfully balanced by the richness of lasagna. Roasting them until crispy adds a textural contrast that’s simply irresistible.
Crispy roasted Brussels sprouts with a sprinkle of herbs, showcasing their golden-brown color and appealing texture.
2. Air Fryer Green Beans: For a quick and healthy side, air fryer green beans are a fantastic choice. They become wonderfully crispy and slightly charred in the air fryer, offering a satisfying crunch and fresh flavor that cuts through the richness of the lasagna.
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3. Grilled Veggie Kabobs: Add a touch of summer and smoky flavor with grilled veggie kabobs. Colorful and customizable, these kabobs can feature zucchini, bell peppers, onions, and cherry tomatoes, providing a burst of fresh, grilled goodness that complements lasagna beautifully.
Colorful grilled vegetable kabobs with bell peppers, zucchini, and onions, displaying their vibrant colors and grill marks.
4. Roasted Tomatoes: Sweet and juicy roasted tomatoes, enhanced with garlic and herbs, offer a simple yet flavorful side. Their soft texture and concentrated tomato flavor echo the tomato sauce in lasagna, creating a harmonious pairing.
5. Honey Roasted Butternut Squash: The sweetness of honey-roasted butternut squash provides a delightful contrast to the savory lasagna. Its tender texture and warm, comforting flavors make it a perfect side dish for fall or winter lasagna dinners.
Golden brown honey-roasted butternut squash cubes, highlighting their caramelized edges and tender interior.
6. Air Fryer Cauliflower: Crispy air fryer cauliflower is a healthy and satisfying side that adds a pleasant crunch and mild flavor. Seasoned simply, it allows the lasagna to remain the star while providing a nutritious and tasty accompaniment.
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7. Air Fryer Eggplant: For a smoky and tender vegetable side, air fryer eggplant is an excellent choice. Its slightly charred exterior and soft interior offer a unique texture and flavor that pairs well with the Italian flavors of lasagna.
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Close-up of seasoned air fryer eggplant cubes with a slightly crispy and golden-brown exterior.
8. Perfect Roasted Asparagus: A classic and elegant side, perfectly roasted asparagus is simple to prepare and adds a touch of freshness and green to your lasagna meal. Its slightly grassy and tender stalks are a welcome contrast to the richness of the main dish.
Hearty Soups and Stews
While lasagna is already a substantial dish, a well-chosen soup can be a surprisingly complementary side, especially during colder months.
9. Tuscan Kale Soup with White Beans: This hearty and flavorful soup is packed with vegetables and protein, making it a satisfying and healthy side. The Tuscan kale and white beans provide a robust texture and earthy flavor that complements lasagna without being too heavy.
10. Gluten-Free Vegan Lentil Minestrone Soup: A lighter yet still hearty option, lentil minestrone soup is packed with vegetables and plant-based protein. Its bright, tomato-based broth and diverse textures make it a refreshing and flavorful counterpoint to lasagna.
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A bowl of gluten-free vegan lentil minestrone soup with visible lentils and vegetables in a tomato-based broth.
11. Roasted Red Pepper Soup with Romesco and Red Lentils: For a creamy and flavorful soup, roasted red pepper soup is a standout choice. The smoky sweetness of roasted red peppers, combined with the creaminess of romesco and the heartiness of lentils, creates a sophisticated and delicious side.
12. Chickpea Lemon Orzo Soup: This comforting and creamy soup, despite being dairy-free, offers a luscious texture and bright lemon flavor. The orzo pasta adds a pleasant chewiness, and the chickpeas provide protein, making it a satisfying and flavorful side.
Delightful Bread and Grain Sides
Bread is a natural companion to Italian cuisine, and certain grain dishes can also offer a comforting and complementary side to lasagna.
13. Pan de Yuca: This gluten-free cheese bread from Ecuador is a unique and delightful side. Its cheesy, slightly tangy flavor and chewy texture make it a fun and unexpected pairing with lasagna.
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14. Gluten-Free Focaccia: A flavorful and airy focaccia, especially a gluten-free version, is perfect for soaking up the delicious sauce from your lasagna. Its soft texture and olive oil richness make it a comforting and satisfying side.
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A square of gluten-free focaccia bread, showcasing its airy texture and golden-brown crust.
15. Baked Garlic Pepper Polenta Fries: For a fun and gluten-free alternative to bread, polenta fries offer a crispy exterior and creamy interior. Garlic and pepper add flavor, making them a savory and satisfying side that’s easy to dip in extra lasagna sauce.
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16. Garlic Butter Instant Pot Red Potatoes: Creamy and flavorful, Instant Pot red potatoes with garlic butter are a simple yet satisfying side. Their soft texture and buttery garlic flavor complement lasagna’s richness without being overly heavy.
Unique and Flavorful Sides
For those looking to venture beyond the classics, these unique side dishes offer exciting flavor profiles and textures that pair surprisingly well with lasagna.
17. Baked Feta Recipe: Creamy baked feta with olives and herbs is a Mediterranean-inspired side that adds a burst of salty, tangy, and herbaceous flavors. Its richness is balanced by the salty feta and bright herbs, creating a delightful contrast to lasagna.
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18. Cherry Tomato Confit: Slow-roasted cherry tomatoes transform into sweet, jammy bursts of flavor in this confit. Their intense sweetness and soft texture provide a delightful counterpoint to the savory lasagna, adding a touch of elegance to your meal.
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19. Easy Pickled Cabbage Recipe: Pickled cabbage offers a tangy and crunchy element that cuts through the richness of lasagna. Its acidity and refreshing crunch cleanse the palate and add a welcome zing to the meal.
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20. Spicy Pickled Onions: Similar to pickled cabbage, spicy pickled onions provide a tangy and spicy kick that balances the richness of lasagna. Their vibrant color and bold flavor make them a visually appealing and palate-cleansing side.
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A jar of vibrant spicy pickled red onions, showcasing their bright color and tangy appearance.
21. Quinoa Stuffed Acorn Squash: For a more substantial and visually stunning side, quinoa stuffed acorn squash is an excellent choice. The nutty quinoa, sweet apricots, and warm spices create a flavorful and texturally interesting side that’s both healthy and delicious.
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A halved acorn squash filled with quinoa, chickpeas, and apricots, showcasing its vibrant colors and hearty filling.
22. Roasted Shiitake Mushrooms Recipe: Earthy and savory roasted shiitake mushrooms add a depth of flavor that complements lasagna beautifully. Their meaty texture and umami richness make them a satisfying and sophisticated side dish.
23. Baked Zucchini Casserole: Cheesy and comforting, baked zucchini casserole offers a creamy and flavorful vegetable side. The zucchini provides a mild sweetness, while the cheese adds richness, creating a harmonious pairing with lasagna.
24. Slow Roasted Cherry Tomatoes Preserved in Olive Oil: Intensely flavored and incredibly versatile, slow-roasted tomatoes preserved in olive oil are a delightful side or condiment. Their concentrated tomato flavor and soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture elevate any dish, including lasagna.
25. Baked Feta Recipe: Creamy baked feta with olives and herbs is a Mediterranean-inspired side that adds a burst of salty, tangy, and herbaceous flavors. Its richness is balanced by the salty feta and bright herbs, creating a delightful contrast to lasagna.
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Beyond the Salad Bowl: A World of Lasagna Side Dish Options
As you can see, deciding what to serve with lasagna besides salad opens up a wide array of delicious possibilities. From vibrant roasted vegetables to comforting soups and flavorful breads, these 25 side dish ideas offer something for every taste and occasion. So, next time you’re planning a lasagna night, step away from the salad and explore these exciting and complementary pairings to create a truly unforgettable meal.
