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Enhance Meal: 8 BEST Side Dishes for Lasagna

Lasagna is an Italian dish consisting of flat pasta, cheese, and sauce, typically Bolognese or Marinara.

There are many different ways to make lasagna, but it generally consists of a cheese layer, tomato sauce, and pasta noodles.

It is one of the most popular dishes in America, where this Italian dish has been happily adopted into our local cuisine.

The lasagna flavor is very strong and distinct, with each chewy layer playing off the next in a symphony of taste.

The dish is usually served with a sauce on top of it, though some prefer to have their lasagna without any additional sauces.

Especially delicious are the freshly baked layers of cheese and flat pasta combined with rich tomato or meat sauces.

Some may claim that lasagna is one of the best Italian dishes of all time, though taste preference can vary depending on personal opinion.

Serving lasagna with a side dish of salad dressing or sauce is very common.

Depending on the amount of lasagna to be served will determine what kind of side dish is best.

Lasagnas are commonly enjoyed with serves made up of pasta like spaghetti or fettuccine, but they can also be paired with cheese bread or garlic bread to make a complete meal.

In this article, we will list some of the best side dishes to serve with lasagna.

Why Consider Serving Side Dishes for Lasagna?

why consider serving side dishes for lasagna

Lasagna is a delicious dish, but it can feel a little overwhelming when you only have a plate of it.

Side dishes can add a burst of flavor and texture that is satisfying and complementary to the main course.

Another benefit is variety.

Side dishes can add a little bit of comfort, crunch, protein, and a little bit of veggie to your meal plan.

They can also help you get in your daily carbohydrate intake without overwhelming you with the sheer amount of carbs in lasagna.

Carbs are important for energy, but too many carbs can cause weight gain if consumed improperly.

With so many possibilities, what are some side dishes that go well with lasagna?

What to Serve with Lasagna? 8 BEST Side Dishes

what to serve for lasagna best side dishes

Below are some popular side dishes to serve alongside lasagna.

1 – Mashed Potatoes

mashed potatoes

The rich, cheesy goodness of lasagna is best paired with an equally heartwarming side dish.

And who doesn’t love mashed potatoes? Lasagna and mashed potatoes are the perfect comfort food combo.

Mashed potatoes are one of those dishes that make us feel warm inside.

Just thinking about it makes us want to curl up on the couch with a glass of red wine and binge-watch Netflix.

To make:

  • Place five peeled potatoes in a pot with salt and cover them with cold water.
  • Bring to a boil over medium heat before simmering for 30 minutes or until they are fork-tender.
  • Strain out the potatoes and transfer them back to the pot.
  • Mash them with a potato masher or beat them using an electric hand mixer until smooth and fluffy.
  • Add in some warm milk, butter, salt to taste, and pepper before mashing it all together.

2 – Sauteed Spinach

sauteed spinach

Spinach is packed with vitamins and nutrients that are vital to your health.

But the best reason to eat it? It doesn’t go soggy when you cook it.

And even if it does, who cares – the lasagna will cover up any imperfections in taste or texture.

Sauteed spinach can be an elegant side to the lasagna.

Start by heating olive oil in a pan over medium heat.

Add chopped garlic (about three cloves) and red pepper flakes (optional).

Once the garlic starts to brown, add fresh spinach leaves (not frozen) to coat them in oil for about 1 minute until they are wilted—season with salt and pepper before removing from heat.

3 – Tomato Feta Salad

tomato feta salad

Feta is a refreshing addition to any salad.

It adds creaminess and tang that make this side irresistible.

Fresh tomatoes and cheese mixed with fresh basil and balsamic vinegar make for a truly delectable experience.

First, dice up the tomatoes (leave the skin on) and place them in a large bowl with 2 cups of spinach leaves (it doesn’t have to be exact).

Add the chopped basil and 1/2 cup of feta.

Top with a couple of tablespoons of balsamic vinegar and salt and pepper to taste.

You can enjoy this with or without the lasagna – it’s that good.

4 – Classic Wedge Salad

classic wedge salad

This salad is the perfect side to bring to a potluck.

It has all the flavors that everyone loves, and it doesn’t require anything extra, like dressing or croutons.

Even better, you can use store-bought bacon pieces instead of frying your own.

To make this salad, chop up iceberg lettuce into small pieces before topping them with crispy bacon pieces, crumbled blue cheese, and a dollop of mayonnaise.

5 – Instant Pot Minestrone Soup

instant pot minestrone soup

Soup is the answer to many of life’s problems, including what to serve with lasagna.

This minestrone is quick and easy – toss everything into your Instant Pot, and you have a delicious dinner ready in no time.

Start by placing carrots, onions, garlic, celery, tomatoes (diced), zucchini (diced), broth, red beans (rinsed and drained), green beans (rinsed and drained) in the Instant Pot.

Season with oregano, basil, bay leaves, salt, pepper, rosemary before setting it to high pressure for 15 minutes.

After that is finished cooking, turn off the heat and carefully release the pressure.

Mix in pasta or rice for a hearty meal easy enough to make any night of the week.

6 – Garlic Knots

garlic knots

Garlic knots are the perfect way to top off your lasagna lunch or dinner.

You can eat them as a complete meal or as an accompaniment.

Either way, the cheesy garlic flavor makes us feel like we’re eating dinner at our mom’s house.

To make these:

  • Combine yeast and warm water in a large bowl (1/4 cup of warm water should do the trick).
  • Set it in a warm place for 5 minutes before mixing salt, olive oil, and flour.
  • Knead for about 10 minutes until you have a smooth dough ball.
  • Place back in the bowl and let it rise for another 20 minutes.
  • Punch down the dough before rolling out 6 – 8 pieces.
  • Get your hands dirty and roll each piece in your palms before tying it in a knot.

I like to place the knots on parchment paper about 1 inch apart because they do rise.

Bake at 375 Fahrenheit for 20 minutes before brushing them with olive oil (optional).

7 – Summer Vegetable Gratin

summer vegetable gratin

Gratin is an easy way to transform leftover veggies into something delicious.

They are also a great side dish because you can make them both hot and cold.

This recipe is a summery twist on the classic vegetable gratin, adding fresh asparagus and zucchini to broccoli and cauliflower.

You’ll need about 3 cups of chopped vegetables seasoned with salt and pepper.

Layer the vegetables in a gratin dish before pouring some marinara sauce over them.

Top with 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (optional) and cheese (we like mozzarella).

If you are cooking this right away, preheat your oven to 375 Fahrenheit before baking for about 20 minutes.

If you’re making this in advance, cover and refrigerate before baking for 30 to 40 minutes when you are ready to serve it.

8 – Prosciutto Bread

prosciutto bread

This is the perfect addition to any Italian dinner.

Prosciutto bread, or as we like to call it, ham and cheese bread, is a yeast-based dough that has been filled with delicious ingredients like prosciutto (cured ham), mozzarella, and parmesan cheese.

You can make this in about an hour, and the result is a super tasty bread that everyone will love.

This bread is pretty versatile. You can serve it warm, or you can let it sit out at room temperature for a while.

It goes well with just about any kind of Italian dish.

Lasagna is no exception. There are many different ways to use this bread.

You can tear off a piece and dip it into your lasagna sauce, you can cut the bread up into bite-sized pieces and serve them with your lasagna, or you can crumble it over the top of your lasagna before serving.

Conclusion

In conclusion, lasagna is great, but it isn’t complete without a side dish.

This list has eight great options for you to choose from and will take your lasagna to the next level.

What makes this food so delicious is the combination of flavors and how easy it is to make.

You can easily find all of these ingredients at any grocery store, and they are easy to prepare.

These are perfect for any lasagna and will make your meal that much better.

what to serve with lasagna

What to Serve with Lasagna? 8 BEST Side Dishes

5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Side Dishes
Servings 1 Serving

Ingredients
  

  • Mashed Potatoes
  • Sauteed Spinach
  • Tomato Feta Salad
  • Classic Wedge Salad
  • Instant Pot Minestrone Soup
  • Garlic Knots
  • Summer Vegetable Gratin
  • Prosciutto Bread

Instructions
 

  • Choose your favorite recipe from the list of options.
  • Organize all required ingredients and prepare a delicious meal in 30 minutes or less!
Did you make this recipe?Mention @EatDelights or tag #eatdelights!

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