23 Best Side Dishes to Serve with Stuffed Shells

My family and I can’t get enough of stuffed shells. It’s one of those meals that’s both tasty and fast and simple to make.

So, let’s be honest: We’re going to make this dinner a lot.

That being said, it’s critical to pair your delectable filled shells with a good side dish.

Here are 23 delicious side dishes that go with filled shells.

What to Serve with Stuffed Shells: 23 Side Dishes

Any of these 23 side dishes will go well with the filled pasta shells.

Related Post: 34 Best Manicotti Recipes

And any of them will go well with almost any other main course.

Here are 23 delicious side dishes to go with filled shells:

1. Green Beans

I can’t recall ever eating a dinner that didn’t include a side of green beans.

Okay, Im kidding

Related: what to do with canned green beans

But truly, green beans go with almost every dish. They’re simple to make and give a splash of color to the table.

These delectable vegetables also go well with filled shells.

2. Broccoli Alfredo

You’re probably thinking: Alfredo sauce? What about broccoli?

That’s correct. Broccoli and Alfredo sauce work well together, and there’s a reason for it.

The cheese in the Alfredo sauce really reduces the bitterness of the broccoli.

Furthermore, the sauce has a distinct taste of its own.

3. Garlic Bread

For good reason, Italians like garlic bread with their spaghetti.

This delightful side dish is fast and simple to make, but it adds a lot of flavor to your filled shells.

4. Steamed Rice

Rice is a traditional Italian side dish, particularly when accompanying spaghetti and meatballs.

Again, adding a starch to your dinner is a simple method to improve the taste of your dish.

5. Roasted Asparagus

Okay, so this is an unusual side dish, but roasted asparagus goes well with filled shells.

And its quick and easy to prepare, too.

6. Bruschetta

Bruschetta is a tomato-topped Italian bread.

See Also: 11 Best Tomatoes for Bruschetta

It’s delicious and simple to make: toast some bread, top it with tomatoes and basil, then sprinkle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

7. Roasted Root Vegetables

Adding roasted root veggies to your pasta meal is an excellent way to experiment with fresh tastes.

And these vegetables are quite simple to cook. You just need carrots, potatoes, onions, and squash.

8. Baked Potatoes

Baked potatoes are an excellent side dish for filled shells.

Simply bake the potatoes, poke them with a fork, then top with your preferred toppings.

9. Garlic Knots

Garlic knots, yum! These delectable breadsticks are really simple to make at home.

All you have to do is split the bread dough into portions, twist them into ropes, and bake them with butter in the oven.

Garlic knots go well with almost any Italian dinner and are especially tasty when dipped in marinara sauce.

10. Dinner Rolls

Okay, so bread and spaghetti may seem to be an odd combo. But don’t dismiss it until you’ve given it a go!

Freshly made dinner rolls complement almost every dish on the table. As an extra advantage, handmade rolls taste much superior than store-bought rolls.

11. Roasted Broccoli

You read it right: you can roast broccoli! It also tastes wonderful. Broccoli is a very adaptable vegetable, and roasting is not its sole use.

Here are some other uses for broccoli:

1. Stir fry broccoli with other veggies.
2. Saute broccoli with olive oil and garlic.
3. Steam broccoli until its tender.
4. Add chopped, steamed broccoli to soups or salads.

Yes, you can roast broccoli as well! Simply clip the florets from the stem and cover them in olive oil, salt, and pepper. Then roast them for approximately 25 minutes at 400 degrees.

You’ll never go back to conventional broccoli after trying this side dish with your filled shells.

12. Zucchini Fries

Okay, so you’ve probably heard of zucchini fries. But have you given them a shot?

This snack is not only quick to prepare, but it is also delicious and healthful.

All you need are zucchini, an egg, almond meal or bread crumbs, salt, pepper, and oregano, and perhaps some marinara sauce on the side!

13. Ravioli

Did anyone say ravioli? Yes!

You may either purchase ravioli from a shop or prepare it yourself. It’s great either way!

If you serve your filled shells with handmade ravioli, they will be even more delicious. You may even prepare your own pasta dough if you choose.

14. Salad

I understand. Greens and spaghetti may not seem to be the most complimentary pairing.

But believe me on this: filled shells go fantastic with a salad.

And, sure, that is a full dinner. A great salad may be made using a choice of lush greens, fresh veggies, and toppings.

And, as the saying goes, an apple a day keeps the doctor away.

So, serve your filled shells with an apple salad and you’ll be doing yourself (and your waistline) a favor!

15. Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Garlic offers several health advantages and is also delicious!

All you have to do is season your mashed potatoes with garlic, salt, and pepper.

Theyll taste great with stuffed shells!

16. Macaroni and Cheese

Yes, macaroni and cheese goes well with packed shells!

Simply add some shredded cheddar or mozzarella to your macaroni noodles. And you’re ready to go!

17. Mashed Cauliflower

You can mash more than simply potatoes. Cauliflower can also be mashed!

Cauliflower is an excellent substitute for potatoes, particularly if you’re trying to cut down on carbohydrates. So, if you’re searching for a great and nutritious side dish, go no further than mashed cauliflower.

18. Prosciutto-Wrapped Asparagus

If you’ve never wrapped asparagus in prosciutto, you’re really missing out!

All you have to do is blanch some asparagus stalks, wrap them with prosciutto, then roast them for approximately 5 minutes at 400 degrees.

With this side, your filled shells will taste even better!

19. Pea Pesto on Toasted Baguette

One of the reasons I like to load my shells with ricotta is because it pairs well with pesto. And when I say pesto, I don’t mean the green thing you put on spaghetti.

This variation uses peas and goes wonderfully with toast! Simply toast some baguette slices, sprinkle on some pesto, then top with the pea pesto.

20. Cheese and Cauliflower Breadsticks

Anyone who has ever eaten at an Italian restaurant is familiar with breadsticks, and that is exactly what you will get with this recipe.

Simply add some cheese, cauliflower rice, and egg whites in a dish. Then bake it for 30 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

That’s all there is to it. When served with cheesy cauliflower breadsticks, your filled shells will taste even better!

21. Stuffed Tomatoes

More veggies? Yes, you heard that right!

I’m sure you’ve never tried stuffing a tomato. If you have a handful of large beefsteak tomatoes, you should absolutely try it.

Simply scoop out the insides of your tomato with a spoon or ice cream scooper and load it with a breadcrumb, Parmesan cheese, basil, and olive oil combination.

Then bake it for about 30 minutes at 350 degrees.

That’s all there is to it! You don’t even have to serve your filled tomatoes with stuffed shells. These delectable sweets are delicious on their own!

22. Cucumber Salad

Although cucumber lacks taste, it is excellent in absorbing all of the flavors of a meal. And you won’t need any sauce or dressing if you serve your filled shells with this side dish.

Simply slice up some cucumbers and onions and top them with olive oil, salt, and pepper.

23. Whole Roasted Carrots

Finally, serve your filled shells with roasted carrots. They’re delicious because they’re sweet, salty, and crunchy, and they pair well with ricotta cheese if that’s your thing.

Simply wash the carrots, season with salt and pepper, then roast for 45 minutes at 400 degrees. Now you may eat them as you like!

Why Consider Serving A Side Dish For Stuffed Shells?

When coupled with the correct side dishes, stuffed shell meals may be wonderful.

The filling is often pretty tasty on its own, so having something complementing to mix it with might enhance the experience.

There are several alternatives for complimentary side dishes.

You may, for example, choose a creamy pasta dish like Alfredo.

If you want to stand out from the crowd, get a side of crispy fried chicken.

However, whatever food you select to accompany your filled shells, make sure it does not overpower the shell.

This involves making recipes that are easy, delicious, and nutritious.

As a result, instead of creating a meal that tastes like you spent all day in the kitchen, keep things simple and healthful.

Conclusion

So there you have it, everyone! 23 different side dishes to pair with your filled shells!

You may be asking, “What side dish should I choose?”

The solution is simple! It all depends on your unique tastes.

For example, if you’re sick of serving broccoli with supper, try roasted asparagus!

Try the cucumber salad if you want to try something different! It’s incredible.

Whatever you select, it will be tasty and healthful!

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