What to Serve with Lasagna: 20 Easy Sides

Wondering what to serve with lasagna? You’ve come to the right place! 

Here, I’ve compiled a list of 20 different sides for lasagna. And no, they aren’t all salads and breadsticks! (Though some of them are.)

Lasagna may have originated in Italy, but it’s famous across the globe. After all, who doesn’t love pasta, ground meat, and rich melted cheese?

The combination of these flavors is a match made in Heaven. And having the right side dishes for lasagna can make it even better. 

Today, I’ll walk you through all the best options. Salads, bread, Brussels sprouts, zucchini, and more! 

Best Sides for Lasagna

1. Antipasto Platter

Give your Italian dinner even more authentic flair by serving it with an antipasto platter.

This tasty starter is very simple to whip up. Simply put together your favorite meats, cheeses, fruits, and veggies.

Add as many colors to your platter as possible for a more vibrant feast. Arrange them aesthetically, and you’re all set!

2. Breadsticks

Pasta and bread are a classic pairing, and for good reason. Bread works like a sponge, soaking up all that flavorful pasta sauce.

And of all the delicious breads to serve with lasagna, garlic bread is my favorite. Of course, no one beats Olive Garden when it comes to garlic breadsticks.

That’s why you’ll love these copycat Olive Garden breadsticks. 

3. Tomato Feta Salad

Lasagna is already a filling dish on its own. So, you may want to pair it with something light and refreshing.

This salad of tomatoes, red onion, dill, and feta cheese is the perfect option. It provides a healthy balance to the more indulgent lasagna.

It’s also convenient to make! Scrumptious and simple? That’s my kind of lasagna side dish.

4. Italian Chopped Salad

A serving of lasagna is about 450 calories. And let’s face it, no one wants to eat just a single serving.

So why not pair it with something low-calorie and guilt-free to fill you up? This Italian chopped salad will do the trick! It tastes fantastic, too!

You can even leave out the ham to lower the calorie count further.

5. Roasted Garlic and Kale Caesar Salad

A Caesar salad is one of the best sides for lasagna. It’s quick, easy, convenient, nutritious, and surprisingly flavorful. 

This recipe jazzes up the original Caesar salad recipe quite a bit. It still contains all the basics, but its flavor is far more exciting. 

Pro tip: This one also makes an excellent stand-alone lunch option for busy workdays. 

6. 10-Minute Air Fryer Garlic Bread

Here’s another terrific garlic bread recipe that you can whip up in your air fryer! And yes, the air fryer does a phenomenal job.

It leaves the edges of the bread nice and crispy. The center, though, stays soft and buttery. There’s also plenty of garlicky goodness in every bite.

7. Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts

Speaking of things your air fryer can do! Did you know it can make the very best, most insanely crunchy Brussels sprouts imaginable?

It can!

If you’re looking for easy sides for lasagna, you just can’t beat these 15-minute Brussels sprouts.

They require only a handful of ingredients and come out perfectly every time. Even your kiddos will enjoy them.

8. Bruschetta

This recipe claims to be the “perfect bruschetta.” I don’t know if that’s true, but it’s certainly dangerously delicious.

This cool, refreshing treat makes an excellent side dish or appetizer for any Italian meal.

Full of juicy tomato chunks and loads of Italian seasoning, it’s pretty hard to turn down. You can even use it as a delectable dip.

9. Stuffed Artichokes

I never thought I’d use the words “gorgeous” and “artichokes” in the same sentence. But these artichokes ARE gorgeous.

They’re almost too pretty and elegant to eat. (But don’t let that stop you!) They taste too good not to!

They’re cheesy, tender, and garlicky and have just the right amount of crunch from the breadcrumbs. YUM!

10. Parmesan Roasted Asparagus with Tomatoes and Balsamic

Of all the lasagna side dishes here, this one might just be my favorite. I love the juicy, bursting tomatoes and the tender asparagus.

The parmesan, garlic, and balsamic reduction don’t hurt, either.

If you have a family member who doesn’t like asparagus, make them this side dish. It’ll completely change their mind.

11. No Knead Focaccia

I absolutely adore homemade bread. But I hate all the kneading, stretching, and hard work that comes with making it.

This classic Italian bread recipe eliminates all of that. It’s easily one of the simplest, most flavorful homemade breads you’ll ever make.

It’s light, airy, and crunchy in all the right places. In short, it’s a culinary masterpiece.

12. Pan-Fried Polenta Slices

These pan-fried polenta slices are a tasty, budget-friendly side dish for lasagna. Start with a tube of store-bought polenta.

Then, bread it with an egg wash, breadcrumbs, and parmesan. Finally, pan-fry it until it’s crisp and golden brown.

Serve it with dipping sauces, or simply dip it in the lasagna’s sauce. Either way, everyone who tries it will love it.

13. Shredded Brussels Sprouts and Arugula Salad

This fun, summery salad is as delicious as it is nutritious! It’s overflowing with healthy ingredients like sprouts, arugula, pecans, and cherries.

And despite its lack of decadence, it’s wonderfully flavorful. Make it with the sunshine dressing in the recipe or your favorite salad dressing.

You can even serve it dressing on the side so everyone can choose their own.

14. Mushroom and Goat Cheese Crostini

Mushrooms and goat cheese aren’t for everyone. In fact, goat cheese’s tanginess and mushrooms’ texture are often an acquired taste.

If you enjoy them, though, this appetizer is definitely the one for you.

It’s rich, savory, earthy, and unbelievably filling. Serve these before the lasagna, and you may be too full for the main course!

15. Crispy Fried Zucchini

I’ve made zucchini in many ways over the years. But nothing beats fried and crispy. Don’t believe me? Just ask anyone from the South!

Fried, breaded foods may not be the healthiest option. But you won’t hear many people arguing that they aren’t delicious.

These are so good that you could even serve them by themselves as a midday snack.

16. Italian Burrata Caprese

Typically, you’ll enjoy Caprese salads with juicy cherry tomatoes and fresh mozzarella. This dish takes that a step further.

Instead of regular mozzarella, you’ll pair the tomatoes with burrata cheese. (Mozzarella stuffed with curds and cream.)

It gives the dish a bolder, richer, more filling flavor. It also just looks really visually appealing!

17. Green Beans Almondine

Green beans are another quick and easy dish that pairs well with lasagna. But why serve regular old green beans when green bean almondine exists?!

It still has all the flavor and nutrients of green beans. However, adding almonds and butter gives it extra crunch and garlicky yumminess.

It’s one dish that tastes great with just about anything.

18. Herb Marinated Tomato Panzanella Salad

This bright, zesty dish is similar to the Burrata Caprese salad above. It, too, features colorful, juicy tomatoes and Burrata cheese.

So, what’s the difference?

Easy! This one features a mix of small, medium, and large tomatoes marinated in red wine vinegar, olive oil, and a flavorsome mix of herbs.

It makes it even zestier and more flavorful.

19. Glazed Carrots

I love a good copycat recipe. Seriously, being able to make my favorite restaurant foods at home? That’s a total win! 

If you enjoy Cracker Barrel’s glazed baby carrots, you’ll appreciate this copycat recipe, too. 

These taste just like Cracker Barrel’s beloved side. But you don’t have to get out of your pajamas to enjoy them. 

20. Creamed Spinach Gratin with Crispy Onions

Enjoy creamed spinach but find it a bit boring? Take the classic recipe up a notch with this creamed spinach gratin recipe.

It’s a creamy, nutritious, umami-packed side dish that comes together in less than an hour.

It pairs well with lasagna, of course. But you can also enjoy it with steak, fish, or any other main course.