Looking for what to serve with a Pasta Bake? I have got you covered with these easy side dishes that will round out your easy weekday or weekend family dinner!
Pasta recipes are always a safe bet for busy families. But even easier, is a pasta bake! This is where the ingredients all come together in one glorious dish to bake in the oven. Maybe it includes a protein, such as chicken or beef, for an easy meal. But then is the question of…what to serve with the pasta bake? Well, do I have some fantastic and easy side dish ideas for you! These are some of the best side dishes to go with pasta. But first, let’s talk about the types of pasta bakes you can make.
Why Pasta Bakes Save Time for Busy Families
A pasta bake is essentially any time of dish where pasta, sauce, maybe cheese, maybe veggies, maybe a protein, all come together in one baking dish to cook in the oven. They cook entirely in the oven or sometimes the pasta is pre-cooked and the oven simply finishes the cooking.
Here are the reasons that pasta bakes are perfect for busy families.
- Pasta bakes save time because they can be prepared or even cooked entirely ahead. Then on a busy weeknight, you can simply put the pasta bake in the oven to cook or reheat.
- They are easy for home cooks to toss together for a super easy dinner. A pasta bake is just a bunch of different ingredients mixed or layered together in a baking dish or casserole dish. It’s easy for anyone to do!
- Pasta bakes are great for trying new ingredients or flavors. You can really add anything that you want to a pasta bake and even sneak in vegetables if needed.
- Finally, pasta bakes save money! They usually include affordable ingredients (example pasta) that can be stretched to feed a crowd. They are also terrific for leftover meals, meaning that you can get 2 or more meals out of the one dish!
Different Types of Pasta Bakes
One of the most well-known versions of pasta bake recipes is of course, lasagna. But there are so many more variations! Check out some of these favorite pasta bakes on the blog.
The first pasta bake on the list is a Greek Chicken Feta Pasta Bake with Kale. If you love the flavors of feta cheese, oregano, garlic, and parmesan, you will love this creamy pasta bake. It’s an easy family dinner with new and bold flavors.
Next up is an Easy One-Pan Chicken Parmesan Pasta Bake with Zucchini. This has all of the traditional Italian flavors of tomato sauce, Italian herbs, mozzarella cheese, and parmesan. Plus it adds in zucchini!
Then of course, we have a more traditional Italian cuisine with a Layered Lasagna Recipe {with Italian Chicken Sausage}. Finally, a delicious non-traditional White Beef Lasagna with Cream Cheese and Zucchini.
Here is What to Serve with a Pasta Bake!
Pasta bakes tend to be a one-texture dish. That’s one of the appeals…the creamy, hearty, comforting, warm pasta that melts in the oven with the other ingredients. So, when it comes to what to serve with a pasta bake, you want to think about contrast. Contrast can be with texture, with temperature, with flavors, or all three!
You want to look for something with crisp or crunch. Roasted or seared vegetables or a crusty bread can bring the crunch. A crisp salad with bell peppers, cucumbers, or red onion is great for both a cool and crisp contrast. Bright flavors from fresh herbs or different spices and seasonings are also good.
Here are some of the best sides that pair wonderfully with pasta and pasta bakes. It’s a good assortment of mostly vegetable side dishes that you and your family will love!
So, without further ado, here is what to serve with pasta bake…
1. Addictive Crispy Parmesan Green Bean Fries!
The first idea for what to serve with a pasta bake is unexpected, but so fun, especially if you have picky eaters in the house. These are crispy, crunchy, salty, addictive, but also healthy, Crispy Parmesan Green Bean Fries! This is an easy recipe that’s a great way to transform green beans and add a new vegetable into dinner rotation. The green beans really take on the crunchy saltiness from the parmesan cheese and breadcrumbs, but also hold onto the freshness from the beans. They are also really easy to make, with only 4 simple steps: clean, dip in egg, coat in parm breadcrumbs, bake!
2. Balsamic Roasted Asparagus and Mushrooms
When you think about what to serve with pasta bake, you are likely in an Italian flavor zone. If so, this side dish recipe from Butter and Baggage is perfect for that. Balsamic roasted asparagus and mushrooms is a great way to enjoy fresh produce. Roasting brings out so much flavor and it’s quick and EASY. You’ll love this combination of flavors and textures. Best yet, it all goes onto a sheet pan for roasting in the oven right below the pasta bake!
3. Semolina Bread Recipe
Bread is a perfect side for most pasta dishes. It’s great for dipping into any pasta sauce, whether tomato sauce or creamy sauce, left on the plate or bowl. And let me tell you, this delicious and easy Semolina Bread Recipe from Kickass Baker does not disappoint!
Semolina Bread is a crusty, hearty loaf of bread. It makes for the perfect addition to your dinner table. This bread recipe is made using semolina flour and is topped with sesame seeds, giving this bread a wonderful flavor. It’s an easy recipe that doesn’t require a bread machine, dutch oven, or proofing basket.
4. 20-Minute Roasted Zucchini
Zucchini is one of those veggies that I just can’t get enough of. It’s also one of the veggies that if you have picky eaters at home, typically has a higher chance of being liked. Especially when it’s roasted the way Mama Gourmand does in this Roasted Zucchini Recipe!
Roasted Zucchini is an easy, oven baked recipe perfect all year round. Golden, roasted summer squash is flavored with garlic and seasonings for a healthy side dish everyone will devour. No fuss with this side dish!
5. Roasted Carrots with Cumin and Avocado Crema
Roasted Carrots seasoned with smoky cumin, scallions, salt and pepper and then topped with a creamy and tangy Avocado Crema are such a delicious and quick side dish for pasta. The roasting brings out all of the natural sugars in the carrots, so they get this sweet caramelization in the oven which combines with the salty and smoky cumin seasoning so wonderfully. The Avocado crema can be drizzled over the carrots and the shrimp taking them over the top with a creamy and silky balance. Absolutely a must-make side dish!
6. Turmeric Roasted Cauliflower
Cauliflower is a vegetable that really takes on any flavor you add quite beautifully. Especially when roasted to caramelize and get toasty! Turmeric is a warm spice with a mild flavor, but a vibrant and bold color. It can really add color and taste as a side!
This Turmeric Roasted Cauliflower from Hot Pan Kitchen is a perfect side dish for so many pasta bakes. It’s got rich and warm flavors and is easily cooked up in the oven with a simple spice blend and some oil.
7. Garlic Butter Brussels Sprouts
We are working our way through so many fantastic vegetable side dishes to go with a pasta bake. Next up? Brussels Sprouts!
These Garlic Butter Roasted Brussels Sprouts from Eating Works make the perfect vegetable side dish for a pasta bake. You’ll whip up Brussels sprouts in a matter of minutes on the stovetop. It doesn’t hurt that they’re oil free and gluten free, making them a lighter side for a heavy pasta bake!
8. Herb Parmesan Crisps and Shallot Vinaigrette Salad
Of course, fresh green quick salads with a pasta dinner are always a winning option. This is a super simple Herb Parmesan Crisps and Shallot Vinaigrette Salad. The buzz-worthy Herb Parmesan Crisps that take the place of the crouton crunch. The Vinaigrette is sweet from the honey, tangy from the dijon and vinegar, creamy from the emulsion of the dijon and oil, and has a slight bite from the mild shallots.
But the real heroes of the dish, the ingredient that will have people talking about this delicious salad, are the Herb Parmesan Crisps, which are salty and nutty and crispy and delicious and addictive…oh, and so easy to make you will not believe it!
9. Chickpea Salad with Tomatoes and Cucumbers
A salad side dish doesn’t only have to be a green salad! There are so many delicious ingredients that you can add to a salad in addition to leafy greens. One ingredient that I love to use as the protein source to round out a meal is the fantastic chickpea. If your baked pasta recipe is missing a protein, then this is your side!
This easy Chickpea Salad from The Hidden Veggies is a delicious cool and crunchy side dish for a pasta bake. It’s made with tomatoes, cucumbers, and garlic vinaigrette dressing. With so many great textures, this salad is a tasty side dish and great addition to bring some crunch to the meal. Make ahead and keep ready to eat in the fridge!
10. Caesar Salad with an AMAZING Vegan Dressing
Caesar salad is a classic side for an Italian pasta dinner. But, making a caesar dressing from scratch can be intimidating. Of course, you can buy a ready-made dressing at the store. But, this vegan version will blow your socks off! It’s not only easy to make, it’s absolutely delicious for the whole family, not just if you are vegan.
This easy vegan Caesar Salad Recipe from the Plant Power Couple is delicious, nut-free, and meal prep friendly! Silken tofu creates a creamy but light base for the dressing and 9 simple ingredients like lemon juice, fresh garlic, and capers, add the unmistakable caesar flavor.
10. Pull Apart Cheesy Garlic Bread
Next up, we have a all-out, ooey gooey, cheesy bread side dish. Why just stop at bread, right? Take it to the next level with this amazingly delicious Pull Apart Cheesy Garlic Bread from Cook Eat Go. This one is perfect to make for get-togethers or families that love bread and cheese!! This is a great recipe that goes with absolutely any main course…I’m just saying ;).
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