12 Best Side Dishes to Serve with Pasta Bake

Our best-ever spaghetti bake is one of my all-time favorite recipes. It’s rich, cozy, and satisfying, but it may be a little too much on its own.

That is why I usually suggest serving it with a couple delectable side dishes.

I put up this compilation of recipes for 12 of my favorite pasta bake accompaniments.

From a simple green salad to substantial casseroles and traditional bread-like sides that will complement the pasta bake wonderfully.

I hope you appreciate this collection and that it contributes to the success of your next pasta bake event!

What to Serve with Pasta Bake: 12 Best Side Dishes

Any of the sides listed below will complement the pasta bake, but I’m certain you’ll appreciate it regardless of what you serve with it.

Here are my favorite side dishes for pasta bake:

1. Garlic Bread

I can’t dispute that garlic bread complements spaghetti bake well. It becomes even better when you bite into that buttery, cheesy heaven on top of the pasta bake.

I’ve been a major lover of garlic bread since my sister introduced it to me. It’s also simple and quick to create!

Tips To Make Perfect Garlic Bread:

1. Use a Butter-Olive-Oil Mix: I’ve always felt that the best garlic bread isn’t baked with too much butter. The secret is to combine 1 stick of butter and 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
2. Roast Garlic or Don’t: To roast garlic, remove the peel off a complete head of garlic and liberally sprinkle it with olive oil and salt. Wrap the garlic in aluminum foil and roast for 45 minutes to an hour at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. When the garlic cloves have softened, squeeze them all out. Combine them with the butter and olive oil.
3. Butter First, Then Garlic: Applying the garlic combination to the toast before adding the melted butter would make it too sloppy and impossible to distribute.

2. Bread, Dinner Rolls, or Cornbread

I’m thinking of the sort that goes with Thanksgiving meal!

You don’t have to prepare a full pan of it, just a few pieces would suffice, and they’ll go well with spaghetti bake.

Tips To Make The Best Bread:

1. Try Not To Over-Knead: I know it’s difficult to resist the urge when you’re nearly done! Over-kneading bread, on the other hand, causes it to become tough and flavorless.
2. Salt brings out the taste of bread, so don’t scrimp on it.
3. Bake it on a Baking Stone: Instead of an oven tray, use a baking stone. The bread will bake more evenly, and the exterior will become crisper.
4. Warm Bread or Dinner Rolls: The ideal method to serve bread or dinner rolls is warm, straight from the oven.
5. Use a Bread Box: To prevent bread from drying out, put it in a container with a broad opening and a cover. Fresh bread has a shelf life of roughly two days. Store it in a bread box if you aren’t planning to consume it that day or the next.

3. Roasted Vegetables

I’ve stated it before, but I’m a sucker for roasted veggies. They’re really simple to prepare and bursting with flavor.

Roasted veggies work well with pasta bake since they don’t need to be seasoned.

The pasta bake has it all!

The following veggies are great when roasted:

1. Red bell pepper, cut in large chunks
2. Squash, halved and seeded
3. Carrots, peeled and chopped

Roast the veggies for 30 to 45 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit, or until tender. You may roast them simultaneously, separately, or a mix of the two.

4. Green Garden Salad

A green garden salad is the fourth side dish that works nicely with pasta bake. It goes well with a hearty, cheesy pasta bake!

It’s difficult to create a terrible salad, but if you want a simple meal that won’t let you down, try this Green Garden Salad.

Tips To Make A Perfect Green Garden Salad:

1. Dress the Greens First: Dressing makes or breaks a salad, so don’t skip it! The dressing will marinade the greens, transforming them into tasty pieces of goodness.
2. Texture: I recommend adding some toasted sunflower seeds or almonds for added flavor and texture.
3. Use Goat Cheese, Feta, or Pecorino Romano Cheese: Cheese is an essential component of every excellent salad. For a different flavor, use goat cheese, feta, or Pecorino Romano.
4. Use Fresh Herbs: Fresh herbs might be pricy, but they are occasionally worth the investment. The vibrant flavor truly puts your salad to life!
5. Don’t simply use a dull bottle of store-bought dressing. Create your own!
6. veggies: The more veggies you include in your salad, the healthier it will be.

5. Roasted Sweet Potatoes Or Butternut Squash

Most pasta bakes include a side of veggies, so why not roast your own? It’s the ideal method to make your pasta bake even healthier.

Roasted sweet potatoes and butternut squash are both excellent. If you really want to go all out, combine the two.

Roast your veggies for 30 to 45 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit, or until tender and gently browned.

6. Steamed Vegetables

Don’t forget your vegetables! Although roasted vegetables are the main attraction, steamed vegetables may also be served on their own or as a side dish with pasta bake.

The nicest thing about steaming veggies is that you can season them with whichever spices and flavors you choose.

To steam your vegetables:

1. Fill a steamer basket with vegetables and lay it over a saucepan of boiling water, making sure the vegetables do not contact the water.
2. Allow the vegetables to simmer for approximately 15 minutes, or until soft.

7. Baked Potatoes

Baked potatoes are an excellent accompaniment to pasta recipes such as spaghetti bake.

You can easily create baked potatoes at home, but if you want a really delicious one, try this How to Bake a Potato recipe.

Here are a few pointers to help you make the perfect baked potato every time:

1. Use Russet Potatoes Instead of Others: Only use russet potatoes for the greatest taste and texture.
2. Preheat the oven: It is important to preheat the oven so that the potato skin becomes crispy and crunchy.
3. Use Olive Oil And Herbs: Instead of butter, use olive oil and fresh herbs before baking for a healthier twist.
4. Add Cheese, Asparagus, Or Broccoli: To add flavor to your baked potato, try adding broccoli, asparagus, or cheese!

8. Potato Wedges

Even something as basic as a potato may be dressed up or down depending on how it is prepared.

By cutting a baked potato into wedges and roasting it until crispy but not burned, you can transform it into a fun appetizer suitable for sharing with guests!

9. Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Brussels sprouts are very nutritious and one of the most versatile veggies available. Add roasted brussels sprouts to any meal to make it more intriguing.

To roast your brussels sprouts:

Preheat the oven to 400°F and sprinkle the brussels sprouts with the oil, salt, and pepper before roasting for 20 minutes, or until tender and lightly browned.

10. Baked Beans

Pasta bake is normally served with a side of veggies, but if you want to try something new, serve baked beans as a side dish for pasta bake!

To make baked beans:

Simply follow the directions on the back of the can and serve them in a bowl or as a sandwich on a bread.

11. Rice Pilaf

Rice is another simple side dish that goes well with pasta bake. If youre feeling adventurous, try this recipe for How to Make and Cook Rice Pilaf.

Here are a few tips:

1. Instead of water, use chicken or vegetable broth: it adds a lot of flavor and makes your rice taste fantastic.
2. Use Butter: Its good for you and it tastes great!
3. Add Veggies for Extra Flavor: If you want to spice up your rice, consider adding onion or celery while creating the pilaf!

12. Creamy Garlic Bread

Garlic bread complements everything, especially pasta bake!

Heres how to make it:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Place a baguette of Italian bread on a sheet tray and slice it on the diagonal.
3. In a mixing dish, combine the butter, chopped garlic, parsley, and salt.
4. Coat the bread with the herb mixture.
5. Bake the bread for 10 to 15 minutes, or until it is crisp.

Why Consider Serving a Side Dish for Pasta Bake?

Pasta bake is a hearty meal that many people like.

However, since it comprises numerous different components, it might take some time to prepare.

However, since pasta bake is a popular meal, it seems to reason that it would be offered as a side dish.

Most individuals eat pasta bake because they love the flavor, texture, and ease of preparation.

However, if you want to try new side dishes with pasta bake, there are a few possibilities to consider.

For example, if you like seafood and pasta bake, try serving it with shrimp or clams.

If you want to go with the classic pasta bake recipe, try serving it with rice or potatoes.

These foods may create a good textural and taste contrast.

Conclusion

Pasta bake is a recipe that is suitable for any occasion, including your next dinner.

There are numerous possibilities to pick from, whether you serve it at the end of the day or want something to give your family for supper.

Our preferred way to consume pasta bake is with a simple salad.

If you want to create a nutritious dinner but don’t want to spend a lot of time in the kitchen, this is a great alternative.

Here are some of our favorite salads to go with pasta bake:

1. 4-Ingredient Garden Salad
2. Healthy Tuna Salad
3. Italian Bean and Sausage Pasta Salad
4. Greek Pasta Salad with Feta Cheese Dressing
5. Mexican Cornbread Salad
6. Spanish Tortilla Salad

All of the options listed above are excellent, so feel free to use them as inspiration for your next pasta bake.

Remember to eat slowly and savor the flavors.

Whats your favorite pasta bake side dish?

Let us know in the comments below!

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