What To Serve With Baked Ziti

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Trying to figure out what to serve with Baked Ziti? This list has you covered with simple, crowd-pleasing sides that make any pasta night feel complete—think fresh salads, roasted veggies, and warm, buttery bread.

Baked Ziti


 

Baked ziti shows up on dinner tables for all kinds of reasons—family meals, Sunday spreads, holiday gatherings, or just an easy dish to feed a group. The sides in this roundup match that same vibe. Garlic bread and dinner rolls are perfect for casual dinners. Roasted veggies like Brussels sprouts or carrots add color and balance to heavier pasta. Need something fresh to lighten it up? Go with a Caprese or kale salad. You’ll even find soups that turn ziti into a full-on comfort meal. No matter the reason you’re making baked ziti, these sides make it better.

spooning baked ziti onto white plate

What To Serve With Baked Ziti (25 Amazing Side Dishes!)

1
sliced garlic bread
Homemade Garlic Bread Recipe
Did someone say garlic bread? This is the tastiest recipe for extra cheesy and extra garlicky homemade garlic bread! Jazz up store-bought French bread with my simple homemade garlic butter.
Check out this recipe
2
breadsticks
Craigo’s Breadsticks
Craigo’s was a pizza place in Rexburg, Idaho. Cheesy, yeasty, salty, garlicy, Craigo’s breadsticks really were the BEST breadsticks around!
Check out this recipe
3
Cheesy Garlic Bread Pull Apart Rolls
Cheesy Pull Apart Garlic Bread
A fast 10-minute side dish for any meal, this Cheesy Pull Apart Garlic Bread will make you fall in love with carbs and cheese all over again.
Check out this recipe
4
dinner rolls in bowl
Dinner Rolls
These classic Dinner Rolls are sure to be the best sidekick to any holiday or family dinner. Soft, light and pillowy.
Check out this recipe
5
sliced focaccia bread
Focaccia Recipe
This Rosemary Focaccia Bread recipe is absolute heaven! Topped with rosemary and sea salt, it's easy to make and even easier to eat!
Check out this recipe
6
cheddar bay biscuits
Gluten-Free Cheddar Bay Biscuits
These cheddar bay biscuits taste amazing and they just so happen to be gluten-free! One of the best copycat recipes out there.
Check out this recipe
7
Garlic and Herb Pull Apart Biscuits
Garlic and Herb Pull Apart Biscuits
These Garlic and Herb Pull Apart Biscuits are buttery, cheesy and oh so tasty! Easy enough for a weeknight, but fancy enough for the holidays.
Check out this recipe
8
Roasted Garlic
How to Roast Garlic in the oven to create a sweet, spreadable paste to use on your dinner rolls, in dips, pasta and more! If you've never Roasted Garlic, you're in for a treat!
Check out this recipe
9
Caprese Salad
Caprese Salad Recipe
This Caprese Salad Recipe is a wonderful summer side dish and can be ready in 15 minutes or less! Fresh, light and so delicious!
Check out this recipe
10
Baked Asparagus
Roasted Asparagus
Simple and quick this Oven Roasted Asparagus Recipe is the perfect vegetable side dish! Easily prepared while your main dish is cooking.
Check out this recipe
11
roasted green beans on baking tray
Roasted Green Beans
Roasted Green Beans are a quick and easy side dish to make that is packed full of flavor and nutrients! I could make this every night!
Check out this recipe
12
cooked roasted root vegetables on platter with spoon
Roasted Root Vegetables
Roasted Root Vegetables are what I crave with the first hint of that crisp Autumn air. Move over salad…make room for earthy, hearty, caramelized deliciousness in the form of oven roasted root vegetables. Measurements do not have to be exact…this is more of a technique than an exact recipe.
Check out this recipe
13
oven roasted brussel sprouts on a parchment paper lined baking sheet
Roasted Brussels Sprouts
This super easy Oven Roasted Brussels Sprouts Recipe is a delicious vegetable side dish. Perfectly golden and tender in the middle.
Check out this recipe
14
Roasted cauliflower
Roasted Cauliflower
This basic, Roasted Cauliflower Recipe is a tasty, low-carb, simple side dish to throw together any day of the week. All you need is olive oil, salt, pepper and a little oven time to get the maximum caramelized, brown, super flavorful cauliflower.
Check out this recipe
15
Maple glazed carrots
Maple Glazed Carrots Recipe
Maple Glazed Carrots are the perfect, least fussy side dish for any holiday or Sunday supper. Delicious on their own, or fabulous with ham or turkey, these glazed carrots won't be forgotten anytime soon. Only one pan required!
Check out this recipe
16
roasted acorn squash in white baking dish
Roasted Acorn Squash
Cinnamon and nutmeg make this sweet Roasted Acorn Squash more of a seasonal dish while smoked paprika gives it a light smoky flavor.
Check out this recipe
17
Caesar Salad
Caesar Salad Recipe
A classic Caesar Salad recipe topped parmesan, bacon, and croutons. Drizzle with my caesar salad dressing for the finished package!
Check out this recipe
18
cucumber tomato salad
Cucumber Tomato Salad
Light, refreshing with a slight zing this is my Cucumber Tomato Salad recipe! It's a classic that is perfect as a side dish or as a snack.
Check out this recipe
19
A bowl of chopped kale salad with lettuce, chickpeas, diced carrots, red cabbage, and a radish slice, with a fork, knife, and fresh herbs on the side.
Kale Salad with White Balsamic Dressing
This fresh kale salad with white balsamic dressing is loaded with crunch and tossed in a sweet, tangy vinaigrette. Easy to prep and full of flavor, it’s the kind of salad you’ll actually want to eat.
Check out this recipe
20
ladling minestrone soup out of pot
Minestrone Soup
This flavorful classic Minestrone Soup recipe is warm, satisfying, and packed full of veggies. Perfect for the colder months!
Check out this recipe
21
Tomato Basil Soup
Tomato Basil Soup
This Tomato Basil Soup Recipe is so rich and creamy! Oh, it also has a secret ingredient that makes it the BEST!
Check out this recipe
22
sausage kale soup in white bowl
Zuppa Toscana (Olive Garden Copycat)
Made with Italian Sausage, kale, and potatoes, Zuppa Toscana is exactly what you need to warm up on a cold day!
Check out this recipe
23
Bruschetta on a plate
Simple Bruschetta Recipe
Bruschetta is an easy, Italian appetizer that always goes over well. Toasted bread, rubbed with garlic and topped with diced garden tomatoes, fresh basil and a hint of balsamic vinegar.
Check out this recipe
24
Cheese Board
Cheese Board
This holiday, or any occasion, cheese board can be put together last minute and is a crowd pleaser!

Check out this recipe

And that’s a wrap! Baked ziti is just the start—great sides like crisp salads, warm garlic bread, and roasted vegetables help bring the whole meal together. Pick your favorites, mix and match, and enjoy every bite.

Is baked ziti Italian or Italian-American?

Baked ziti is considered Italian-American. It takes inspiration from traditional Italian baked pasta dishes like pasta al forno but has evolved into a staple comfort food in American kitchens, especially in the Northeast.

Can I serve cold side dishes with baked ziti?

Yes, cold sides like Caprese salad, cucumber tomato salad, or a simple green salad work well. The contrast in temperature can balance out the heat and richness of the pasta.

How do I keep baked ziti and sides warm for a dinner party?

Use a low oven (around 200°F) to keep baked ziti and oven-friendly sides warm. For bread, wrap it in foil and store it in the warm oven. Room temp salads can be dressed just before serving to keep them fresh.

If you make these recipes, I would really appreciate it if you would give them a star rating and leave your review in the comments! If you have a picture of your finished dish, post it on Instagram using the hashtag #laurenslatest and tagging me @laurens_latest.

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Hi, I'm Katie, a professional recipe developer who spends countless hours perfecting recipes so you can know with confidence that what you see is exactly what you’ll get.

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