What To Serve With Lasagna

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Lasagna is a classic comfort food, and the right sides can make it a complete meal. From garlic bread and fresh salads to hearty soups, these easy recipes are great for serving alongside your lasagna. Pick a few favorites to create a simple dinner everyone will enjoy.

 

What Makes the Best Side Dishes for Lasagna?

A great lasagna side dish should complement the rich, cheesy pasta without making the meal feel too heavy. The right sides add fresh flavors, different textures, or something simple to round out the plate. Here’s what makes a side work well:

• Balances a Rich Main Dish – Lasagna is hearty and filling, so fresh salads, roasted vegetables, or light sides can help balance the meal.
• Adds a Different Texture – Soft, cheesy lasagna pairs well with something crisp or crunchy. Think fresh salads, roasted vegetables, or toasted garlic bread.
• Brings Fresh Flavor – Simple ingredients like fresh tomatoes, basil, garlic, and herbs can add brightness to a rich pasta dinner.
• Easy to Serve – The best sides don’t need a lot of extra work. Garlic bread, dinner rolls, simple salads, and roasted vegetables are easy choices for a busy weeknight.
• Works for Any Occasion – A casual family dinner calls for simple sides like garlic bread or a Caesar salad. For guests, add a cheese board, bruschetta, or stuffed mushrooms to make the meal feel a little more special.

If you’re not a big fan of beef, you should try this Chicken Lasagna! There are so many different ways to make lasagna, like my Slow Cooker Lasagna, Lasagna Dip, White Spinach and Artichoke Lasagna, speedy Skillet Lasagna, fancy Lasagna Cups, or my super easy Lasagna Soup. Can you tell I LOVE lasagna!?

What Makes the Best Side Dishes for Lasagna?

When deciding what to serve with lasagna, I like to look for sides that bring something different to the table. Lasagna is rich, cheesy, and hearty, so a mix of warm breads, fresh salads, roasted vegetables, and simple soups gives you plenty of ways to build a complete meal. I’ve gathered some of my favorite lasagna side dishes below, so you can pick a few that fit your dinner.

Garlic Breads & Dinner Rolls

A pan of lasagna practically begs for something bready on the side. These garlic breads, biscuits, focaccia, and rolls are perfect for soaking up extra sauce and adding a warm, comforting bite to dinner.

• Homemade Garlic Bread – A classic choice for lasagna night with plenty of garlic flavor and a crisp, buttery finish.
• Hasselback Garlic Cheesy Bread – This cheesy garlic bread makes a fun addition to the dinner table with plenty of pull-apart bites to share.
• Garlic and Herb Pull Apart Biscuits – Soft, fluffy biscuits filled with garlic and herbs make an easy side for a cozy pasta dinner.
• Easy Garlic Bread – Keep things simple with this easy garlic bread recipe that pairs beautifully with a saucy slice of lasagna.
• Cheesy Pull Apart Garlic Bread – Warm, cheesy, and made for sharing, this is a great pick when you want something extra with your pasta.
• Cheesy-Stuffed Garlic Butter Crescent Rolls – These buttery crescent rolls have a cheesy center that makes them a fun alternative to traditional garlic bread.
• Craigo’s Breadsticks – Soft breadsticks are always welcome at the table and give everyone something to dip into leftover sauce.
• Dinner Rolls – Simple homemade dinner rolls are a great option when you want a soft bread that works with just about any lasagna dinner.
• Focaccia Recipe – This homemade focaccia has a soft center and golden edges, making it a delicious choice for serving alongside pasta.

Fresh Salads & Vegetable Sides

Fresh salads and vegetable sides are a great way to add something lighter to your plate. Crisp greens, juicy tomatoes, roasted vegetables, and hearty grains bring plenty of variety to a rich lasagna dinner.

• Brussels Sprouts Caesar Salad – A fun twist on classic Caesar salad with hearty Brussels sprouts that pair well with a cheesy pasta main dish.
• Caprese Salad Dressing Recipe – Drizzle this simple dressing over fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil for an easy side that brings fresh flavor to the table.
• Classic Coleslaw Recipe – Crisp cabbage and creamy dressing make this a refreshing side for a family-style lasagna dinner.
• Roasted Vegetable Quinoa Salad – This hearty salad combines quinoa with roasted vegetables for a side that adds plenty of texture and color.
• Roasted Root Vegetables – A simple tray of roasted root vegetables makes an easy side when you want something warm and savory alongside your lasagna.

Appetizers & Shareable Sides

Planning a dinner with family or friends? Add a few appetizers to the table before serving the main course. These easy-to-share recipes give everyone something to snack on while the lasagna is warming up.

• Simple Bruschetta – Fresh tomatoes and herbs served over toasted bread make an easy appetizer before a hearty pasta dinner.
• Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms – These savory stuffed mushrooms are a great bite-sized starter for a dinner party or holiday meal.
• Spinach Artichoke Dip – Creamy, cheesy, and easy to scoop with bread or crackers, this dip is always a welcome addition to the table.
• Jalapeno Artichoke Dip – Add a little heat to your appetizer spread with this creamy dip that’s perfect for sharing.
• Cheese Board – A simple cheese board gives guests something to nibble on before dinner and can be customized with your favorite cheeses and snacks.

Soups to Serve With Lasagna

Soup and lasagna make a cozy combination for a chilly night or a relaxed weekend dinner. Keep the soup simple so the lasagna stays the star of the meal.

• Minestrone Soup – Loaded with vegetables, beans, and pasta, this classic soup makes a comforting start to an Italian-inspired dinner.
• Tomato Basil Soup – The bright tomato flavor and fresh basil make this a natural pairing for cheesy lasagna.
• Zuppa Toscana (Olive Garden Copycat) – This creamy soup is hearty enough for a cozy dinner and works especially well for a big family meal.

How to Choose What to Serve With Lasagna

You don’t need a table full of side dishes to make lasagna dinner feel complete. A couple of well-chosen sides are usually enough.

• Balance the Richness: Lasagna is hearty and cheesy, so a fresh salad or roasted vegetables can lighten up the plate.
• Mix Up the Textures: Pair soft lasagna with something crisp, crunchy, or toasted, such as bruschetta or garlic bread.
• Keep the Menu Simple: Choose one bread and one fresh or vegetable side for an easy dinner that doesn’t require too much extra prep.
• Think About the Occasion: For a weeknight, keep it simple with garlic bread and salad. For guests, add a cheese board, stuffed mushrooms, or a shareable dip.
• Match the Season: Fresh salads and bruschetta work well for warmer months, while roasted vegetables and cozy soups are perfect for cooler evenings.

The Full List of What to Serve With Lasagna (Over 20 of The Best Side Dishes!)

Click on the links below to find all of the delicious side dish recipes mentioned above, perfect for deciding what to serve with lasagna.

What Main Dishes to Serve with Lasagna Sides

These lasagna side dishes can easily be served with other hearty mains when you want to switch things up. Here are a few simple pairings:

• Spaghetti or Baked Ziti → Garlic bread + Caprese salad
• Chicken Parmesan → Focaccia + roasted root vegetables
• Meatballs → Dinner rolls + Brussels sprouts Caesar salad
• Stuffed Shells → Bruschetta + roasted vegetables
• Italian Sausage → Minestrone Soup + cheesy pull-apart garlic bread

So there you have it, my favorite sides to serve with lasagna. You can stick with the classics or try something a little more adventurous. Either way, these recipes are a great way to take your lasagna night up a notch. Good food is always better with good company, and these side dishes make pretty tasty companions.

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.