What to Serve with Baked Ziti for A Dinner Party

You want to keep baked ziti light and fresh when serving it at a dinner gathering. When creating this meal, it’s tempting to get carried away, but keep in mind that it’s designed to be a light and simple side. Steamed broccoli or a simple pasta salad are also excellent choices.

One of my favorite comfort dishes is baked ziti. And, like everything else in my universe, it’s best served with excellent accompaniments. When throwing a great dinner party, don’t forget to serve baked ziti with some delectable side dishes.

I’ve done the legwork so you can concentrate on preparing your table design and meal.

And this list is full with suggestions. I’ve got 17 delicious side dishes to select from, ranging from macaroni salad to chicken soup.

The first thing you should do is determine if your party will be informal or formal. Casual implies that the side dishes should be basic. However, for a more upmarket and sophisticated party, you may want to play things a bit more fancy.

For example, as my main course, I’d offer a gorgeous salad with macaroni salad and Caesar salad. That’s what I’d serve at a casual gathering. For a more formal gathering, I’d offer pasta salad and Caesar salad as side dishes, followed by a delectable dessert.

Also see: Baked Ziti Wine Pairing The Best Wines to Pair with Baked Ziti

What to Serve with Baked Ziti for A Dinner Party

If you’re intending to serve baked ziti to a dinner party, keep it simple by serving it with a salad or a side of macaroni & cheese. If you want something a little more filling, try adding mashed potatoes or boiled vegetables.

Creamy Garlic Shells

The greatest comfort dish is baked ziti. It’s tasty, simple to cook, and works well with a variety of different foods.

But Ive never tried to make it ahead of time.

That’s probably the only thing keeping me from producing it again.

Because its the perfect hostess gift.

Creamy Garlic Shells are so wonderful that it’s difficult to stop eating them. They’re also simple to make.

You may use whatever pasta form you like. You have an option.

I like the fact that there are no rules. If you like, you may even add various veggies to your ziti. Just make sure you have enough noodles for everyone!

Mac & Cheese

Mac and cheese has been around since the dawn of time, yet it is still one of America’s most popular foods. And there are so many different variations on it!

Traditional mac & cheese may be made with cheddar cheese and bacon pieces. Whole wheat pasta is also a healthy option.

My personal favorite, though, is mac and cheese with a hidden ingredient: garlic! It’s a fantastic accent to the meal.

If you don’t want to use garlic, you may flavor the cheese sauce with anything else. A little amount of onion or bell pepper can give it that additional kick.

Garlic Parmesan Pasta

Garlic Parmesan pasta is a versatile side dish that can be served on any night of the week. You may serve it as a vegetarian side dish with your baked ziti or as your main course with your shepherd’s pie.

You can even use it as the foundation for a whole dinner by adding veggies like broccoli or peppers.

Its really versatile and tastes great.

Cheesy Taco Pasta

I adore spaghetti! This is due to the fact that, like most Americans, I am not particularly good at it. I always forget how to properly boil water, overcook pasta, and end up with chewy rather than soft spaghetti.

So I was skeptical when a buddy recommended I cook baked ziti.

But, since it’s simple to create, I decided to give it a go. It came absolutely fantastic. It’s also an excellent side dish for a dinner gathering.

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Combine ricotta cheese, parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese, and cheddar cheese in a large mixing basin. To blend, stir everything together.

To taste, add the egg, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. To blend, stir everything together.

Layer half of the spaghetti mixture in a 9 × 13 inch baking dish. Top with half of the tomato sauce, then half of the chicken. Layer with the leftover spaghetti, chicken, and sauce. Wrap with aluminum foil. Bake for about 30 minutes.

Pasta Primavera

This is a pasta salad with a difference! Unlike other pasta salads, this one is prepared with fresh veggies rather than spaghetti mixed with dressing. And, since it’s tossed with tomatoes, it’s bursting with flavor.

To prepare, cut your chosen veggies and combine them in a mixing dish with olive oil, salt, and pepper to taste. To balance out the tastes, add a couple pieces of green onion.

Then, transfer the pasta salad to a serving dish. Refrigerate until ready to serve or serve immediately.

5-Cheese Marinara

My family’s favorite marinara sauce is another dish I’d like to share with you. It’s simple and quick to prepare, but it delivers a flavorful punch.

And, although most people make marinara sauce with just four components, I prefer to use five!

Warm a large skillet over medium-high heat. Mix in the olive oil, garlic powder, and basil. Cook for around 30 seconds.

Mix in the tomato paste. Cook for about 1 minute. Then add tomato sauce, sugar, salt, and pepper to taste.

Finally, incorporate the milk, cheese, and Parmesan cheese. Cook for another 2 minutes, or until well cooked.

Grilled zucchini

I like cooking veggies and topping pizza with them. Why not try it with zucchini? They’re simple to grill, and the charred taste enhances their flavor.

Because the only thing that separates baked ziti from ordinary ziti is that it’s baked, you can simply elevate it.

However, you must utilize the correct components. You don’t want to add too many spices or cheese since the taste will overpower the meal.

So, for the greatest results, I recommend a basic marinara sauce with a combination of mozzarella and parmesan cheeses.

Then, for a fun change of pace, toss in some cooked zucchini to your spaghetti.

Garlic Bread

Garlic bread is a traditional, but it also pairs well with baked ziti.

You may serve it as an accompaniment or as the main attraction. In any case, it’s a crowd-pleasing side dish that your family will enjoy.

The garlic taste of the bread complements the hot cheese-filled spaghetti wonderfully. Furthermore, the freshness of the bread will provide another layer of taste.

Caprese Salad

If you want to wow your guests at a dinner party, offer some caprese salad! Tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and basil leaves are used to make the Caprese salad.

The tastes are light and refreshing, and the colors are pleasing to the eye. It goes well with grilled meats and pasta.

You may even prepare it ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator. Simply leave the basil leaves on the tomatoes.

Bruschetta

Baked ziti is the solution if you’re searching for a healthy, tasty, and crowd-pleasing main meal. This meal goes well with the traditional Italian bruschetta.

Why not serve your baked ziti with a flavorful tomato sauce instead of creamy mozzarella cheese? You may then enjoy your dinner without feeling guilty.

The tomato sauce is also a terrific way to season something as basic as ziti.

Easy Green Salad

A light salad to accompany your baked ziti is a simple way to add color and flavor to your supper.

Begin by preparing your own dressing using apple cider vinegar, olive oil, and salt.

Toss in some cherry tomatoes, baby spinach, and any other veggies you choose. Season with salt and pepper after adding the dressing.

Roasted Asparagus

Roasted asparagus gives your salad a great crunch and works particularly nicely with your ziti.

Trim the bottom third of each stalk and lay it on a baking sheet coated with aluminum foil to prepare. Drizzle with olive oil and season with sea salt and pepper to taste. Cook for 15–20 minutes.

Vegetable Lasagna

Vegetables are the best option for a side dish with baked ziti. Especially when they are roasted and crispy on the exterior while remaining soft and delicate on the inside.

When you bake ziti, you get just that. The pasta becomes crisp, while the vegetables get properly cooked.

I enjoy adding pesto in this recipe because it adds additional creaminess and richness to the meal. It’s also one of my favorite side dishes since it doesn’t need much work to prepare. Simply combine all of the ingredients in a mixing basin and toss with your hands.

Pesto toast is similar in that it is spreadable bread rather than pasta. It tastes like a combination of pesto and ranch dressing.

Broccoli is an excellent substitute for zucchini, particularly if you want to host a more vegetable-centric dinner party. It has a milder taste than zucchini and is simpler to deal with.

Pesto toast

I like a delicious piece of bread. But I also like a decent sandwich. So why not mix the two?

Pesto toast mixes pesto tastes with melted mozzarella cheese on toasted bread.

It’s a savory side dish that’s as easy to prepare as it is delicious. And, although pesto toast is straightforward, it is one of my favorite ways to serve bread.

Roasted Broccoli

The wonderful thing about roasted broccoli is how adaptable it is. For your next dinner party, offer it as an appetizer or as a side dish.

It has a crunchy exterior and a smooth and creamy inside. It’s also excellent. It’s even good in a salad.

Furthermore, the roasted broccoli dish is simple to prepare ahead of time, which is a great benefit.

Simple Skillet Green Beans

You know how much I adore green beans? They’re sweet, crunchy, and packed with nutritious nutrients.

And, although green beans are simple to prepare and cook, they are not necessarily as simple to consume.

Who wants to consume something slimy, stringy, or difficult to chew? Not me.

So all I do is make a simple skillet green bean meal. It’s simple and wonderful. You may speed things up even further by pre-cooking the green beans.

Then, quickly throw them in a skillet with some seasonings. Then, cover them with a mozzarella cheese combination and a creamy bchamel sauce.

After a few minutes of cooking, serve them hot.

Cheese Pizza

To make this cheesy pizza, top baked ziti with a blend of mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, and fresh basil. Then bake it in the oven until the cheese melts.

It’s a quick technique to transform baked ziti into pizza. It’s also incredibly tasty. It’s great as an appetizer or a light supper.

Meatballs

Finally, some meatballs! Ground beef and breadcrumbs are used to make these Italian-style meatballs. They’re easy to prepare, and it’s the ideal dish for times you need something fast yet still nutritious.

They’re quite filling and go well with spaghetti, rice, or polenta.

FAQ

What is a good side dish for pasta?

There are so many great side dishes for pasta, but some of the most popular include garlic bread, potato wedges, french fries and broccoli. While all of these side dishes are great, you should think about which one you want to offer with your dinner. For example, you may eat garlic bread with your supper, although potato wedges would be preferable with your lunch.

Should baked ziti be baked covered or uncovered?

Covered baked ziti should be baked. Uncovering it for the last few minutes of baking will provide a little dry, undercooked pasta dish.

What vegetable goes with pasta?

Pasta complements practically any vegetable, although the most frequent are green beans, carrots, and broccoli. Other side dishes that go well with pasta may also be found. Salad, eggplant parmesan, spinach, potato wedges, and macaroni and cheese are all popular side dishes.

How do you keep baked ziti from drying out?

Serve baked ziti immediately after it comes out of the oven to keep it moist. However, if the oven is still warm, it is critical to cover the dish with a lid. The wetness will assist in keeping the spaghetti supple.

If you want your baked ziti to stay moist, bake it in a covered dish. This is because cooking uncovered in the oven dries out the pasta.