Pizza is one of the greatest Italian cuisine meals given to the rest of the world and the only problem is figuring out what to make as a side.
There are tons of ways to enjoy your pizza. From the classic pepperoni pizza to deep-dish pizza, from Detroit-style pizza and Chicago-style pizza, they’re all delicious. You can serve the classic bread sticks or salad with pizza, but sometimes it’s fun to get creative and switch things up a bit.
Side dishes for pizza can be easy to order at a restaurant but seem difficult to think of once you get back to the place.
Pizza has long been a beloved comfort food, a culinary favorite enjoyed across many generations. While the myriad of toppings, sauces, and crusts bring an effortlessly satisfying feast, one cannot overlook the impact that a well-crafted side dish can have on the overall pizza-eating experience.
Side dishes for pizza are not only a means to elevate the flavors but also act as supplementary components that can focus on diverse elements of the meal. From the classic garlic bread to the more unexpected yet delightful options, incorporating a side dish creates a cohesive, well-rounded dining experience that brings added depth to your pizza night.
The pizza sides in this list will help you find exactly what you’re looking for, regardless of the situation.
If you’re wondering what to serve with pizza, grab a couple of choices from below, and the people your serving will feel like there’s a full-course meal happening.
You’ll find pizza side dishes that will please any palate and take any pizza to the next level.
Note your favorite recipe when you’re wondering “What goes with pizza?” from below so you can create an entire experience, not just a good pizza.
Source: homemadeinterest.com
1. Antipasto Salad
You don’t even need noodles to make a great classic Italian side.
This antipasto recipe uses a bunch of veggies instead of carbs so it’s keto-friendly.
You can use a bunch of different veggies for this dish so you don’t have to stick to the exact recipe.
Source: tastesbetterfromscratch.com
2. Soup
It really doesn’t matter what your main entree is, soup always goes well.
With pizza, soup makes an easy app to pair because it doesn’t take a lot of time to make but is a great balance to the heavy pizza.
The two go hand in hand with the cheese on the pizza so you shouldn’t have to think too hard about this one.
Soup can be anything from American classics like tomato soup or beef vegetables, all the way to homemade chili or traditional Italian minestrone.
You could even have some meatball soup to match your Italian dish.
Soup goes a long way and doesn’t cost a lot of money so it’s perfect if you need to feed a lot of guests but don’t have a large budget.
Source: allrecipes.com
3. Fruit
You don’t need much in order to get the perfect side dish for pizza.
Just try a simple mix of fruit because it balances out the heaviness of the cheese and spices.
Try serving grapes, slices of pineapple, slices of apples, orange wedges, or any other fruity side that you can think of.
The great thing about this dish is that it’s easy to throw together with no prep time needed because fruit only needs to be cut up before serving.
Source: acouplecooks.com
4. Ratatouille
The classic ratatouille is a must-have for any side dish list to pair with pizza.
It’s fresh, quick, and easy to make, so you’ll love it as well. Just make sure to throw down some olive oil before putting in the veggies.
The sauce is what separates this dish from other appetizers and the ratatouille has a ton of veggies.
It’s the perfect side to serve kids who don’t like vegetables because it’s mostly sauce and will go with just about any pizza.
Make sure to get some breadsticks on the side so you can soak up all the great sauce of the ratatouille.
Source: selfproclaimedfoodie.com
5. Cannoli
There is nothing quite like a great cannoli and this Italian dessert is the perfect way to end the evening.
You can buy pre-made cannoli shells if you want to save time, but you can also make your own dough with just a few ingredients.
The filling for these desserts are easy to make as well so that you have enough time before your party to prep everything.
This is a classic Italian dessert to serve with your pizza and very few people will complain.
Source: purewow.com
6. Italian Bruschetta Bar
The Italian bruschetta bar is perfect for parties due to the small portions of each type of food.
Sorta like tapas, but Italian flavors and seasonings.
People can choose what they want so it’s easy to serve a large group without spending too much time preparing anything.
To make it even easier, a store bought bread for this dish and let everyone create their own small sandwiches.
You can even do activities where guests have to vote for their favorite flavor of bruschetta so you know what people like best.
Source: foodtasia.com
7. Mango Sorbet
If you’re looking for a way to cleanse the palate after a heavy cheesy pizza, try serving some mango sorbet.
This dessert is refreshing and it’s easy to keep in the freezer so that you always have it on hand anytime you need a quick and easy dessert.
The great thing about this side dish is that it just takes a few minutes to prepare, which means that you can focus on setting up the rest of the night.
Source: carlsbadcravings.com
8. Caesar Salad
If you ever have the thought, “What goes good with pizza?”, then you have found the holy grail.
Caesar salad is a great balance for the salty pizza because the savory anchovy-flavored dressing balances out the flavor.
The fresh greens really make this Caesar pop and are a great way to get in some veggies when you’re not sure what to serve with pizza.
On the side, Caesar salad goes well with garlic breadsticks so you have everything you’re looking for in one delicious dish.
The real trick is to make your own dressing from home so that all the flavors really pop. Top it off with some parmesan cheese and you can really start to get the best flavors.
Source: lifestyleofafoodie.com
9. Tiramisu
Once you’ve had a belly full of pizza it’s time for dessert and tiramisu is a traditional Italian dessert that has become famous around the world.
While it’s not technically a side dish, this tiramisu recipe can be completely prepped ahead of time so that you just have to serve it when people are really ready for that sweet compliment.
This dessert is fairly easy to make but keep in mind that it usually takes about 4 hours to prepare.
So make this one ahead of time and serve it when people are gathering for the party because they will be raving about how good the tiramisu turned out.
Source: 40aprons.com
10. Spinach Artichoke Dip
This is a classic for a pizza side because you overload on the cheesy goodness.
You’ll need some bread in order to eat this dip and make sure you have some extra napkins nearby to clean up the mess you’ll make.
Spinach artichoke dip is a tasty treat that everyone gets excited about because it’s packed with cheese and salt.
You can even use tortilla chips or vegetables for dippers so your guests aren’t just limited to using their own crust to dip.
Go crazy and dip your pizza into your spinach artichoke dip, because why not?
This dip goes fast, so you might as well make another batch if you want some leftovers.
Source: eatwell.com
11. Turkey Meatballs
Turkey meatballs can be the perfect pizza side dish because they’re meaty and filling enough to serve as a main dish.
If you don’t want to buy pre-made meatballs then it’s easy to make your own at home with just a few spices and herbs.
You could also use beef or sausage but turkey is a lighter meat that isn’t heavy on fat.
Source: afarmgirlsdabbles.com
12. Potato Salad
This classic side actually balances out the pizza really well because potatoes are a starch and you can use the ranch dressing as a filler.
I know what you’re thinking, “How does potato salad go with pizza?” but trust me when I say it’s a perfect match.
Potato salad has veggies in it like red onion, cauliflower, or even roasted broccoli so you get a little healthy mix with your heavy, cheesy pizza.
Every single person who makes potato salad has their own unique recipe. You can follow this recipe or you can make it your own and add even more flavor.
Potato salad goes well with all kinds of appetizers so you can make some really fun combinations.
Source: platingsandpairings.com
13. Chicken Wings
If you’re wondering what to eat with pizza then get a hearty side like chicken wings.
You can prepare them yourself and make them as spicy as you want, or just buy pre-made ones and heat them up in the oven.
If you’re feeling creative then bake your chicken wings with different seasonings like garlic powder and chili powder to give it a bit more flavor during cooking.
However you decide to make these wings is up to you, but just know that they are a crowd pleaser and everyone will be raving about how good they were if you get them just right.
What makes them even better is that you can serve your chicken wings with various sauces like ranch, barbecue, hot sauce, or just stick with some marinara sauce if you’re looking for something simple.
Source: thecomfortofcooking.com
14. Garlic Cheese Bread
When you’re already eating bread covered in cheese you might as well go all the way.
This garlic cheese bread recipe does wonders for your taste buds because it gives your meal that extra kick of flavor.
Garlic cheese bread is wonderful with pizza and if you have some marinara sauce waiting on the side, you can have a tasty dipping sauce for your bread.
You could even use some pizza dough if you wanted to make your bread.
Making a batch of garlic cheese bread is easy too if you have a bread maker. If you don’t, then feel free to use a store-bought loaf of Italian bread and be sure to toast it before serving.
Garlic bread is your secret weapon when it comes to making your guests feel like they got the entire experience.
Source: closetcooking.com
15. Pasta Salad
Instead of going hot on hot for your side, try serving a cool pasta salad to cool off.
Pasta salad is a classic side and it’s easy to make with a lot of different variations so you don’t have to serve up the same one every time.
You can cook up your own pasta or just buy the pre-made type from the store, but either way, it will save you time.
The great thing about pasta salads is that they are filling enough to serve as a main dish and they go great with added vegetables.
What makes it better is that you can prep this dish ahead of time so that you can focus on your party and don’t have to waste mental energy worrying about the sides.
Source: valentinascorner.com
16. Coleslaw
Instead of layering on more bread with your cheese pizza, try coleslaw instead.
This is a refreshing dish and it’s one of those foods that can balance both the flavor and the texture of pizza.
Coleslaw is great for preparing ahead of time because all you need to do is put together a quick dressing to top the fresh veggie.
Coleslaw goes well with all sorts of sandwiches or barbecue dishes, but it’s also perfect for pizza night.
You can serve coleslaw on the side or you can use it as one of your toppings if you want to make things interesting.
Source: therecipecritic.com
17. Onion Rings
Some deep-fried onion rings are a great side to your pizza.
Getting an air-fryer would really help you out here because it would cut down on the need to deep fry.
If you’re making onion rings for a group, then try having some marinara sauce alongside so that people can dip their onion rings into it.
If you are really short on time, you can always buy your onion rings already made and just heat them up in the oven for 6-8 minutes.
Source: amandascookin.com
18. Mozzarella Sticks
You couldn’t have a more classic side than mozzarella sticks for your pizza night.
You can fry these up the day before and just reheat them when it’s time to eat.
Mozzarella sticks go perfectly with some marinara sauce on the side so you have a delicious combination that everyone gets excited about.
Homemade mozzarella sticks are a fun recipe to make with the entire family because few people can deny the combination of fried batter with cheese.
You can also get this store-bought and buy a ton for not a lot of money so it won’t be a burden to make.
Source: chilipeppermadness.com
19. Jalapeno Poppers
Want to kick things up a bit?
Try this appetizer of jalapeno poppers to get people excited for the delicious main dish that you have in store.
If you love cheese, then adding this spicy treat to your pizza is a great option.
You can bake these yourself or just buy them from the store and get creative with how you’re going to serve them.
They’re a great combo to mix with your pizza because of the flavor and they make a fantastic late-night snack.
Don’t be afraid to mix in some veggies into your jalapeno poppers to fill out the poppers and get a little more healthy ingredients into you side.
Source: thedinnerbite.com
20. Roasted Vegetables
Roasted vegetables are what you can make to keep things on the lighter side.
Roasting vegetables is a healthy alternative because it adds some flavor and doesn’t add that many calories.
It’s easy to roast vegetables in the oven, but if you’re not an experienced chef, then just let someone else do the work of getting them ready for your pizza night.
You can buy a bag of frozen vegetables or you can even buy some fresh and chop them up yourself.
It’s also the perfect side if you are looking for something that can please the more health-conscious friends that come over.
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21. Zucchini Fries
A great side to make with pizza is zucchini fries because they go so great with cheese and marinara sauce.
Zucchini fries are a fun twist on French fries and it’s one of those dishes that you can’t stop eating.
If the thought of making your own zucchini fries is overwhelming, just buy some frozen ones to save yourself time.
You can serve these alongside marinara sauce for dipping or you can even make your own marinara sauce if you want to get creative.
Zucchini fries are the perfect alternative for someone who’s on a diet, but if they’re not, then feel free to pile them high on your plate.

21 Best Side Dishes For Pizza: What to Serve on Pizza Night (+Fruit Salad)
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh pineapple chunks
- 2 cups sliced strawberries
- 3 sliced bananas
- 2 peeled and sectioned oranges
- 1 cup grapes
- 2 cups berries blueberries or raspberries
- 2/3 cup orange juice
- 1/3 cup lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp. each orange and lemon zest
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
Instructions
- Boil juices and zest for 5 minutes and stir in vanilla.
- Add to the fruit bowl.
Notes
Organize all the required ingredients.
Enjoy the food.
Nutrition
