What to Serve with Pizza (26 Amazing Side Dishes)

Whether you’re in the mood for a full-blown Italian-themed night, or you’re just looking for a side that matches well with pizza, these 26 sides for pizza keep the Italian flavors flowing. You can serve these side dishes with any type of pizza. Order in, or make it at home – it doesn’t matter because now you have quick and easy side options to whip up that will match perfectly. 

The good thing about pizza is that it’s a comfort food through and through – no matter if it’s a fancy pizza with all the bells and whistles or if it’s a plain cheese pizza. It will please everyone, and now you’ve got a list of sides to match whatever pizza vibe you’re going for. This roundup is a great resource to have on hand if you’ve got an Italian night or pizza night coming up. It ranges from classic garlic bread to fancy bruschetta to a variety of salad options. Let’s dive right into this delicious list! 

1. Pull Apart Garlic Bread

Don’t let making bread at home scare you off. This pull-apart garlic bread is easy and foolproof. It results in a soft and fluffy aromatic loaf that just screams “Pair me with pizza!” Not only does it fill the house with amazing smells, but it’s also an easy crowd-pleaser because of the easy way it can be eaten. Have your friends gather around and enjoy! 

2. Grilled Romaine Caesar Salad

Caesar salad is classic when you’re considering sides for pizza, but this recipe takes it to a new level by grilling the romaine. The charred flavor balances the salty and creamy dressing while adding to the oven-brick pizza flavor you may be going for. It’s a great option for a date night in when you have someone to impress. 

3. Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks

You’re already having cheese and (pizza) dough, so why not add more to the mix?! The air fryer has been a game-changer around here. These mozzarella sticks are amazing and you won’t be able to buy them at the grocery store again. Since they’re more special than just any store-bought mozzarella sticks, it’ll feel like the perfect side for your pizza slices. 

4. Classic Italian Bruschetta

Bruschetta is a toasted bread with tomatoes or a variety of toppings, like this Roasted Pepper Bruschetta. Serving bruschetta alongside your pizza will give the meal extra texture and refreshing flavor. Bruschetta typically has fresh tomatoes and garlic on it, which keeps the freshness alive. Your pizza can have all of the roasted elements! 

5. Sides for Pizza: Crispy Fried Onion Rings

Onion rings aren’t a staple when considering pizza sides, but they definitely work. This recipe for crispy onion rings is made with onions, buttermilk, and seasoned flour. All you have to do is add in a bit of dried Italian herbs into the flour, and you’ve got Italian-themed onion rings. 

6. The World’s Best Green Salad

If you love to serve a salad along with your pizza but don’t want to spend too much time preparing it, this recipe is perfect for you. It takes under 10 minutes to put together, but it’s still very flavorful. Serving this green salad with pizza will keep things light and healthy, so the pizza stays the indulgent treat that it is. 

7. Cream Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms

Cream cheese stuffed mushrooms are a fantastic vegetarian side dish to serve with pizza. The mushrooms give a meaty texture and flavor to the dish, so it ends up being very hearty and filling. While the cream cheese keeps it creamy and delectable, the parmesan, thyme, and rosemary give these mushrooms the Italian flare needed to pair with pizza. 

8. Sides for Pizza: Caprese Salad

Of course, Caprese salad is on the list for sides for pizza! It’s an Italian classic and will round out all of the flavors in your meal. When layered correctly, it can be beautifully presented. And it goes well with a buffet-style pizza get-together, as it’s easy to serve oneself with simple tongs or a fork. 

9. Baked Garlic Parmesan Potato Wedges

Garlic, parmesan, and Italian herbs were meant for potatoes. And of course, that makes this dish perfect to pair with pizza. It keeps the flavors in the same family but allows you to vary the carb source. Potatoes and pizza – you can’t get a better dinner than that! These potato wedges are crispy and delicious – perfect for family pizza night. 

10. Antipasto Skewers

Antipasto skewers with tortellini are a quick, easy, and delicious side dish that can be served for any occasion. They are loaded with salty and tangy flavors that are balanced out with fresh ingredients like basil and tomatoes. You can load up on the cured meats too, to increase the protein content of your meal, since pizza will fill your carb and fat allotment! 

11. Baked Spinach and Artichoke Dip

This quick and easy low-carb artichoke spinach dip recipe is thick and rich, creamy, and absolutely delicious. It’s the perfect pizza pairing because it doesn’t add a ton of carbs to your already carb-heavy pizza. You can have this dip done in 30 minutes – just about the amount of time it takes the pizza to get there. 

12. Sides for Pizza: Homemade Garlic Knots

These homemade garlic knots take no shortcuts when it comes to making them at home. No store-bought dough is needed (although that can be quick). You’ll get immense flavor by following this recipe step by step and making these garlic knots from scratch. The great thing about this recipe versus the pull-apart garlic bread is you can make a large batch, and freeze leftovers for next time. Cook once, eat twice! 

13. Air Fryer Calamari

You may not think Calamari goes on this list of sides for pizza, but it can hold its own, trust me. This air fryer version keeps it less greasy but still packs on the flavor. Air fryer calamari is the perfect no-guilt side dish that will keep people raving about it and asking when you’ll make it again.

14. Sides for Pizza: Jennifer Anniston Salad

This isn’t just any salad. Jennifer Anniston’s salad is light, refreshing, gluten-free, and will add a healthy element to any pizza party. Not only does it give flavor, but it gives a great balance of textures too. Filled with plant protein and fresh nutrients, this salad rounds out the meal perfectly. 

15. Italian Coleslaw

With this Italian twist, you can turn the BBQ classic side dish into an amazing, fresh side for pizzeria night. Creamy Italian dressing adds a zesty flavor while also providing the creaminess that coleslaw needs. A bit of parmesan added makes it a bit salty without too overpowering. All the flavors combined will balance out any pizza it’s paired with. 

16. Garlic Herb Roasted Vegetables

Another healthy option as a side for pizza is roasted vegetables. This recipe for roasted vegetables is dressed up with the addition of fresh garlic and dried herbs. The garlic must be added part-way into the roasting process, or it tends to get very brown and nearly burn, which will not taste good at all so keep that in mind throughout the process. 

17. Smashed Parmesan Broccoli

Smashed parmesan broccoli will change the way you eat broccoli forever! This recipe for Lemon Parmesan Smashed Broccoli is vegetarian-friendly and perfect for serving alongside your favorite pizza. It might even turn your littles into broccoli-loving eaters. With just a little lemon, olive oil, cheese, and seasonings, you can turn stinky broccoli into a must-have side dish. 

18. Sides for Pizza: The Best Ever Oven Fries

Who says you can’t have fries with pizza? No one probably. These fries are perfectly seasoned,  crispy, and easy to make right at home. Order your pizza, then get to work on these fries, and you’ll have a homey, comforting dinner for Friday night movie night in under an hour. 

19. German Cucumber Salad

This recipe for creamy marinated cucumber dill salad is quick to prepare, takes minimal effort, and is low-budget. It’ll give you a great twist for any pizza dinner that you’re serving, and even though it’s minimal effort, it will elevate the dinner party. It has a great flavor profile that will bring a bit of freshness to a robust pizza. 

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20. Air Fryer Green Bean Fries

You can air fry just about anything, including green beans. They are the perfect way to incorporate vegetables into your family dinner or even to just munch on as an afternoon snack. These crunchy beans go along perfectly with a roasted garlic and pepperoni pizza. The crunch will add a fun texture, and you can feel good about getting in some nutrients from the green beans as well. 

21. Sides for Pizza: Ratatouille

If you’re looking for more of a fancy or unique side dish for a pizza dinner party. This light and refreshing dish can be frozen ahead of time and then baked in the oven, if you want something that is going to save you time the night of. It’s vegan, gluten-free, and full of Italian-flavored veggies. 

22. Sides for Pizza: Crispy Buffalo Cauliflower Wings

Buffalo wings are definitely a pizza side dish favorite, but these crispy buffalo cauliflower wings will give you a healthy, vegan substitute. That doesn’t mean they’re lacking in flavor though. Cauliflower florets, unsweetened almond milk, almond flour, onion salt, garlic powder, paprika, buffalo sauce, and crushed grain-free crackers or crushed pork rinds can be used to make these cauliflower wings.

23. Three Cheese Truffle Mac and Cheese

You should not only have mac and cheese as a side dish for pizza, but make it truffle mac and cheese of course. Using three cheeses is genius too. It packs this mac and cheese with amazing flavors, and no one will refuse all the melty goodness it offers. Think of pairing it with a meat lovers pizza! 

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24. Sides for Pizza: Loaded Hummus and Pita

If you’re serving the small squares of pizza, a “snack” food like hummus and pita goes along perfectly. Loaded hummus is packed with fresh veggies and chopped nuts, giving it amazing textures. This loaded hummus and pita with small pizzas is a winning combo for girls’ wine night. 

25. Grilled Asparagus Salad with Lemon and Feta

This is less of a salad and more of a bowl of veggies filled with amazing flavors. Grilling asparagus gives it a nice char flavor and keeps it tender, but still firm enough to have a great texture. Mix it with lemon juice, olive oil, and feta, and you’ve got a tasty side dish for your vegetable pizza. 

26. Lemon Pepper Chicken Skewers

Lastly, a protein-heavy side dish will always be a great option. Most pizzas (even meat lovers) will offer more carbs and fat than protein, so pairing a slice or two with chicken skewers rounds out the meal well. Lemon pepper has a bright, tangy flavor that keeps the meal from being too heavy. 

Break away from the boring packaged salad side dish you always serve with your pizza, and try one of these delectable sides for pizza instead. You’ll delight your friends and family with the new addition to pizza night, and love how easy it is to actually whip it up!