Perfect Pairings: 10 BEST Side Dishes for Fettuccine Alfredo

When Italians want to enjoy a hearty meal, they often turn to Fettuccine Alfredo.

This popular pasta dish is made from melted butter, and Parmesan cheese with cream added for extra richness.

The sauce coats the fettucini noodles in an irresistibly creamy texture that tastes light yet rich at the same time.

But what should you serve with this delicious pasta? Check out these ten side dishes that go perfectly with fettuccine alfredo.

What to Serve with Fettuccine Alfredo? 10 BEST Side Dishes

Just like any other dish, pasta is best with a side to accompany it.

That’s why many restaurants serve dishes that go well together, such as fettuccine alfredo and garlic bread.

Serving an appetizer like garlic bread or some soup before the main dish will get everyone excited and ready for more food.

1 – Garlic Bread

We have mentioned garlic bread a couple of times in this post already, but this is a perfect side dish to serve with fettuccine alfredo.

While it’s not as filling or substantial as other dishes, garlic bread can be delicious and flavorful on its own.

It also goes well with the sauce of the pasta dish because they both have butter in them, so your mouth will taste like heaven once you bite into each one together.

This type of bread usually has some topping, such as cheese, sprinkled on top for even more flavor.

2 – Stuffed Mushrooms

Another option for a side dish is to serve mushrooms. One of the best types of this dish is called “Stuffed Mushrooms”.

You can either buy these pre-prepared or make them on your own.

Fill some mushrooms with caps with leftover ground beef and cheese from the main meal and pop them into the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until they turn golden brown.

The best part about this is that you can make it as spicy or mild as you want.

It’s also easy to use your favorite type of cheese, so if cheddar isn’t your thing, then don’t worry – any other kind will work just fine.

So what are some of the most delicious fillings for these mushrooms? Try ones including ground beef and bacon, chopped tomatoes with basil, black olives, feta cheese, or ham and Swiss cheese.

3 – Sauteed Greens

If you’re looking for a side dish to go with your fettuccine alfredo, look no further than sauteed greens.

The taste of Sauteed Greens ranges from earthy to crispy, depending on the variety.

The texture is usually soft and chewy, with a crisp exterior layer that melts in your mouth when you bite into it.

Sauteeing greens is simple and can be done in bulk when you’re prepping meals ahead of time (a great tip if you find yourself getting home late from work).

Add water to the pan along with the green vegetables – usually, a vegetable broth will do just fine.

Add salt and pepper, depending on preference, then cook until they are soft enough to eat without biting into them too much.

This process should take about 15-20 minutes at most.

Serve alongside some fettuccine alfredo, or mix for a delicious one-pot dinner.

4 – Creamed Spinach

You might not know this, but spinach is a healthy, leafy vegetable that’s full of good-for-you minerals.

It also has the potential to be one of your most flavorful side dishes.

Creamed spinach with garlic and onion are great in pasta dishes or on their own as well.

The creamed spinach tastes rich and has a creamy texture with the perfect balance of spices, buttery flavor, and salt.

It’s also delicious served alongside potatoes and other vegetables or as a topping for any dish.

This is an excellent dish for vegetarians and vegans to enjoy, too.

5 – Pan-Seared Asparagus

For those who love pasta but don’t want to eat it every day, how about adding a healthy side dish such as pan-seared asparagus?

Not only is this vegetable rich in vitamins and minerals like vitamin A, folate, and thiamine (B1), it’s also loaded with fiber.

The rich cream sauce contrasts nicely against crisp asparagus that has been pan-seared with salt, pepper, and a bit of garlic.

You can add a tablespoon of butter to help the asparagus brown and caramelize, or you can use olive oil for a healthier option.

The recipe is easy and quick and takes only 20 minutes to make.

6 – Scalloped Potatoes

When it comes to pasta dishes, Fettuccine Alfredo is a staple in American cuisine.

Typically served with marinara sauce or red clam sauce and topped off with Parmesan cheese, you can find this dish at many restaurants across the United States as well as your home kitchen.

Today we will explore how you might serve Scalloped Potatoes alongside this entrée for an exciting variation on what may otherwise become repetitive fare.

This combination of creamy, cheesy pasta with potatoes layered with milk and cream cheese before baking in the oven gives you a dish that is filling yet light.

The scalloped potatoes are rich but not overwhelmingly so, providing an excellent accompaniment to this heavy dish as well as lighter options such as salads or even soup.

7 – Garlic Roasted Potatoes

Ever had roasted garlic with a side of potatoes? It’s an Italian dish that makes fettuccine Alfredo taste even better.

The smell and flavor are incredible. You can’t beat the garlicky aroma. The texture varies depending on how they are cooked.

Some people prefer crunchier for snacking, while others like their potatoes soft to balance out other dishes.

If you love the garlic-y, buttery flavors of this recipe, then don’t wait another minute before trying it out on your next spaghetti night.

8 – Herb-Buttered Rice Pilaf

One of the most common dishes served at weddings is pasta.

But how often do you see a wedding with rice pilaf as its side dish? Rice pilaf, when made correctly, can be just as tasty if not more so than your traditional Fettuccine Alfredo.

The delicate, buttery flavor of Herb-Buttered Rice Pilaf perfectly complements the rich sauce in your favorite Fettuccine Alfredo.

The rice pilaf is a savory and flavorful side dish that will bring out all the flavors from its pasta counterpart.

And don’t forget to add some extra Parmesan cheese on top for an added touch of decadence.

9 – Cornbread Stuffing with Pecans and Bacon Bits

The best way to make your favorite pasta dish even better is by adding a side of cornbread stuffing with pecans and bacon bits.

The cheese-laden flavor will be the perfect contrast.

This stuffing has a rich flavor that is achieved due to the cornbread’s sweetness and its savory qualities from bacon fat.

The texture also comes out beautifully with slight crispness on top paired with soft bread crumbs.

You can make this dish with any bread, but it is traditionally served warm and covered in various meats.

For example, you may use turkey bacon, sausage links or patties, ham slices, chopped-up chicken breast, or pork chops for the meat.

Another way to add flavor by using eggs would be poaching them before adding them into your stuffing mixture.

This will give off a fantastic smell that can’t even compare to fresh baking ones alongside your meal.

10 – Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes

One of my favorite side dishes to serve during the holidays is buttermilk mashed potatoes.

Buttery, creamy, and smooth in texture with a light tangy taste and earthy undertones that complement any dish it is served with.

This is an easy dish to make as it requires minimal effort, and the ingredients are usually readily available at your local supermarket.

All you need for this recipe is potatoes- I recommend Yukon Gold, but Russet will work just fine too, butter or margarine (unsalted), milk (low-fat preferred), and a little salt to taste.

The key is to use a ricer or masher to mash the potatoes to be light and fluffy.

Then, add in the butter, milk, salt, and pepper to taste as well.

For vegetarians/vegans, I recommend substituting vegan margarine for butter, giving you an earthy flavor profile without being too strong tasting.

Conclusion

With so many options for side dishes, it can be hard to choose which ones will compliment your pasta dish the best.

The ten recipes we’ve listed are some of our favorites that go well with Fettuccine Alfredo – or any other type of pasta dish you may have in mind.

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