This is the ultimate collection of Italian side dishes for any main dish, from bruschetta to focaccia, and risotto, the options are endless.

From crispy bruschetta topped with fresh tomatoes and herbs to creamy risotto bursting with flavor, these accompaniments add depth to any meal.
Roasted vegetables like zucchini, eggplant, and bell peppers are popular choices, often seasoned with garlic and olive oil.
Another classic is the caprese salad, featuring ripe tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil drizzled with balsamic vinegar.
For those seeking comfort food, a warm serving of polenta or a helping of garlicky sautéed spinach hits the spot.
These versatile side dishes not only enhance the dining experience but also showcase the rich culinary traditions of Italy.
For more recipe roundups, check out my Hungarian desserts, unique cakes, flourless desserts, Spanish desserts, sourdough discard recipes, fancy desserts, types of donuts, and Asian recipes.
Jump to:
- 1. Zesty Italian Pasta Salad
- 2. Bruschetta With Mozzarella
- 3. Air Fryer Garlic Bread
- 4. No Knead Focaccia Bread
- 5. Tomato Burrata Salad
- 6. Burrata Caprese Salad
- 7. Creamy Pesto Pasta
- 8. Eggplant Involtini with Tomato Sauce and Ricotta
- 9. Italian Grinder Salad
- 10. Mascarpone Polenta
- 11. White Asparagus (Italian Style with Tomatoes)
- 12. Sauteed Zucchini Italian Style (With Garlic And Lemon)
- 13. Parmigiana di Melanzane - Eggplant Parmigiana
- 14. Grilled Chicken Caprese Salad with Avocado
- 15. Panzanella Toscana with Fresh Mozzarella Caprese
- 16. Sautéed Rapini (Broccoli Rabe with Garlic and Oil)
- 17. Risotto Ai Funghi
- 18. Italian Cannellini Beans with Sage and Garlic
- 19. Italian Roasted Potatoes
- 20. Peas and Pancetta
- 21. Olive Garden Salad
- 22. Italian Green Beans
- 23. Italian Potatoes with Salsa Verde
- 24. Roasted Broccolini with Parmesan-Pine Nut Breadcrumbs
- 25. Tuscan Butter Beans with Spinach and Sun-dried Tomato
- 26. Italian Salad
- 27. Italian Roasted Vegetables
- 28. Panzanella Salad
- 29. Parmesan Risotto
- 30. Simple Italian Salad
- 31. Grilled Zucchini with Parmesan
- 32. Caprese Focaccia
- 33. Baked Parmesan Zucchini Sticks
- 34. Italian Roasted Peppers
- 35. Arancini di Riso: Sicilian Rice Balls
- 36. Sun-Dried Tomato Risotto
- 37. Sicilian Braised Greens with Pine Nuts
- 38. Sourdough Ciabatta Rolls
- 39. Italian Stuffed Artichokes
- 40. Italian Antipasto Pasta Salad
- Faq's
- 📖 Recipe
- 40+ Best Italian Side Dishes For An Italian Feast
- 💬 Comments
1. Zesty Italian Pasta Salad
This zesty Italian pasta salad is made with fresh vegetables, mozzarella pearls, and salami, and topped with an Italian salad dressing.

2. Bruschetta With Mozzarella
This bruschetta with mozzarella is the most perfect appetizer to serve for any occasion! It is light, fresh, easy to make, quick, and always a crowd-pleaser!

3. Air Fryer Garlic Bread
This air fryer garlic bread is crispy and flavorful and comes together in 10 minutes! It is made with french bread and a delicious mix of butter, garlic, fresh herbs, parmesan, and dried herbs.

4. No Knead Focaccia Bread
This no knead focaccia bread is soft and fluffy from the inside and crispy on the outside. I was shocked by how easy and amazing this no knead focaccia bread is!

5. Tomato Burrata Salad
This fresh tomato burrata salad is made with fresh cherry tomatoes that are marinated in garlic, and balsamic vinegar, and is topped with a ball of burrata cheese that is drizzled with pesto and served with toasted bread.

6. Burrata Caprese Salad
This burrata caprese salad is the ultimate summer salad! It is a fun twist on the classic caprese salad but is made with burrata!

7. Creamy Pesto Pasta
This creamy pesto pasta is perfect for busy weeknights, it comes together in 30 minutes and is creamy, herby, savory, and delicious.

8. Eggplant Involtini with Tomato Sauce and Ricotta
This eggplant involtini recipe features roasted eggplant stuffed with an herby ricotta filling and baked in a garlicky homemade tomato sauce dotted with melted cheese.
9. Italian Grinder Salad
Crunchy lettuce teams up with a delicious creamy dressing, cheese, and those classic Italian flavors we all adore.
10. Mascarpone Polenta
This mascarpone polenta is rich and nourishing with subtle notes of sweet corn, creamy mascarpone cheese, and hints of black pepper. It's delicious enough to serve for date night yet simple enough to enjoy when you're craving comfort food after a long day at work.
11. White Asparagus (Italian Style with Tomatoes)
This white asparagus recipe, made with tomatoes as they do in Italy, is so easy, nutritious, and delicious as a side dish, or even a main course for a vegan menu.
12. Sauteed Zucchini Italian Style (With Garlic And Lemon)
If you need a really tasty zucchini recipe, try this Italian sautéed zucchini with garlic and lemon for a flavorful side dish. It pairs so well with chicken, fish, or beef and it is perfect for summer!
13. Parmigiana di Melanzane - Eggplant Parmigiana
Parmigiana di melanzane or eggplant parmigiana is one of the most famous Italian recipes, here you'll find all the tips to prepare this wonderful vegetarian comfort food recipe!
14. Grilled Chicken Caprese Salad with Avocado
This Grilled Chicken Caprese Salad with Avocado is extra scrumptious with the best honey balsamic dressing you’ve ever tasted. Healthy, satisfying, and done in under 30 minutes!
15. Panzanella Toscana with Fresh Mozzarella Caprese
Panzanella Toscana with Fresh Mozzarella Caprese is a Tuscan-inspired, bread and vegetable salad with a strong nod to the southern Italian island of Capri–with fresh mozzarella, extra tomatoes and extra basil.
16. Sautéed Rapini (Broccoli Rabe with Garlic and Oil)
It has bitter notes and a distinct flavor that pairs well with lots of different meat and pasta dishes. It’s also a nutritional powerhouse, dense with vitamins and minerals, making it a great accompaniment to any meal!
17. Risotto Ai Funghi
Risotto ai funghi, also known as mushroom risotto, is a rich, creamy, and delicious dish that is both comforting and filling. This hearty dish is made with mushrooms, arborio rice, and other tasty flavors, resulting in an earthy and savory flavor.
18. Italian Cannellini Beans with Sage and Garlic
The Italian side dish that goes with everything from chicken to pork to beef. You'll find cannellini beans with sage in restaurants all over Tuscany especially!
19. Italian Roasted Potatoes
Easy Italian Roasted Potatoes is the dish that you savor and wonder ‘where have you been all my life’! So simple. Fresh flavors! Easy to make!
20. Peas and Pancetta
Peas and Pancetta is the simplest Italian side dish yet it's packed full of delicious flavours from the salty cured pancetta, sweet peas, garlic and fresh parsley. Serve this easy side with almost any main dish or with an Italian roast dinner.
21. Olive Garden Salad
Olive Garden Salad is easy to make at home with zesty copycat Italian dressing! It makes the best side dish with fresh lettuce, tomatoes, olives, pepperoncini, and more.
22. Italian Green Beans
The simplest, most delicious side dish recipe and the best way to eat green beans! These Italian Green Beans are sauteed in butter, bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese.
23. Italian Potatoes with Salsa Verde
These Italian potatoes with fresh Italian salsa verde make the perfect side to any meal or a great Italian potato salad.
24. Roasted Broccolini with Parmesan-Pine Nut Breadcrumbs
Perfectly roasted, crisp-tender broccolini with parmy, crunchy Italian breadcrumbs, also known as pangritata. A beautiful and delicious spring side dish!
25. Tuscan Butter Beans with Spinach and Sun-dried Tomato
These Tuscan butter beans are fat with smooth white beans, sprinkled with spinach, studded with sun-dried tomatoes, and splashed with cream.
26. Italian Salad
This 15-minute Italian Salad features sun-dried tomatoes, artichokes, cherry tomatoes, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, and a mix of baby spinach and baby arugula.
27. Italian Roasted Vegetables
Italian Roasted Vegetables is a healthy side flavored with Tuscan seasoning and Parmesan cheese. Makes a delicious low carb accompaniment to any meal.
28. Panzanella Salad
This classic Tuscan bread and tomato salad is one of my absolute favorite summertime meals, transforming a handful of humble ingredients into something so special and satisfying.
29. Parmesan Risotto
Parmesan Risotto is an Italian side dish perfect for Easter dinner. Creamy rice with lemon juice, spring peas, and Parmesan cheese.
30. Simple Italian Salad
This simple Italian salad is the only side salad recipe you need. It fits perfectly with any pasta dish and finds good company alongside a whole roasted chicken or delicate fish dinner.
31. Grilled Zucchini with Parmesan
This grilled zucchini is great hot off the grill or at room temperature. Learn how to grill zucchini with Parmesan to add a tasty twist to this summer classic.
32. Caprese Focaccia
This easy caprese focaccia recipe is crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and topped with fresh mozzarella, juicy cherry tomatoes, and basil leaves.
33. Baked Parmesan Zucchini Sticks
This baked Zucchini Sticks recipe, coated in two different kinds of bread crumbs, Italian herbs and Parmesan cheese, makes a quick and easy side dish, appetizer or even dinner. Serve plain, with your favorite marinara or ranch dressing.
34. Italian Roasted Peppers
Learn three different, simple techniques to make classic Italian Roasted Peppers – on the stovetop, under the broiler, or in the oven using a traditional roasting method – along with a simple recipe to marinate them.
35. Arancini di Riso: Sicilian Rice Balls
Arancini are delicious, crispy, deep fried Sicilian balls of rice. They have a meat sauce and mozzarella cheese filling and crunchy breadcrumb coating. Similar Italian rice balls are called supplì in Rome and the nearby region.
36. Sun-Dried Tomato Risotto
This creamy rice dish looks like a fancy restaurant-quality meal yet is super easy to make! Sun-Dried Tomato Risotto is classic Italian comfort food that will be a perfect first course, main course, or side dish to any meal!
37. Sicilian Braised Greens with Pine Nuts
Braised greens topped with toasted pine nuts and raisins in a white wine sauce. An easy recipe to serve over pasta or even as simple side!
38. Sourdough Ciabatta Rolls
pillowy airy rolls of flat-ish bread with a crisp crust – these Easy Sourdough Ciabatta Rolls are naturally leavened with your sourdough starter
39. Italian Stuffed Artichokes
Italian Stuffed Artichokes Recipe (Sicilian Style)– rich flavors of a savory breadcrumb and Pecorino Romano cheese stuffing, expertly blended with garlic, fresh parsley, and extra-virgin olive oil all cooked inside a steamed-tender artichoke! A classic Italian recipe you will love.
40. Italian Antipasto Pasta Salad
Italian Antipasto Pasta Salad – the epitome of summer pasta salads! It's loaded with fresh pasta, cured meats, cheese & a variety of veggies all tossed in a zesty homemade Italian vinaigrette!
Faq's
Italian side dishes typically include roasted or grilled vegetables such as eggplant, zucchini, and bell peppers.
Other popular options are sautéed leafy greens like spinach or chicory, as well as simple salads dressed with olive oil and vinegar.
Italians also favor starchy sides like roasted potatoes or creamy polenta, which pair well with meat and fish dishes.
A crisp green salad with a tangy vinaigrette offers a refreshing contrast to rich pasta dishes.
Garlic bread or bruschetta provides a satisfying crunch and complements the Italian flavors. Roasted vegetables, such as zucchini, bell peppers, or asparagus, add color and nutrition to the meal.
Five traditional Italian favorites include pasta carbonara, Margherita pizza, osso buco, risotto alla Milanese, and tiramisu.
More Italian recipes
Chocolate Panna Cotta- This chocolate Panna Cotta is a creamy, chocolaty, and delicious twist on the classic Italian Panna Cotta that will make you want more!
Torta Caprese (Italian Chocolate Torte)- This Torta Caprese is a famous Italian chocolate torte made with ground almonds, dark chocolate, cocoa powder, and whipped egg whites.
Italian Wedding Cookies- Italian wedding cookies are shortbread-like cookies that are tossed in powder sugar and made with only a few simple ingredients!
If you tried any of these recipes, don’t forget to leave a rating and a comment below. We love hearing from you.
If you liked this post
📖 Recipe

40+ Best Italian Side Dishes For An Italian Feast
Ingredients
- Zesty Italian Pasta Salad
- Bruschetta With Mozzarella
- Air Fryer Garlic Bread
- No Knead Focaccia Bread
- Tomato Burrata Salad
- Burrata Caprese Salad
- Creamy Pesto Pasta
- Eggplant Involtini with Tomato Sauce and Ricotta
- Italian Grinder Salad
- Mascarpone Polenta
- White Asparagus (Italian Style with Tomatoes)
- Sauteed Zucchini Italian Style (With Garlic And Lemon)
- Parmigiana di Melanzane - Eggplant Parmigiana
- Grilled Chicken Caprese Salad with Avocado
- Panzanella Toscana with Fresh Mozzarella Caprese
- Sautéed Rapini (Broccoli Rabe with Garlic and Oil)
- Risotto Ai Funghi
- Italian Cannellini Beans with Sage and Garlic
- Italian Roasted Potatoes
- Peas and Pancetta
- Olive Garden Salad
- Italian Green Beans
- Italian Potatoes with Salsa Verde
- Roasted Broccolini with Parmesan-Pine Nut Breadcrumbs
- Tuscan Butter Beans with Spinach and Sun-dried Tomato
- Italian Salad
- Italian Roasted Vegetables
- Panzanella Salad
- Parmesan Risotto
- Simple Italian Salad
- Grilled Zucchini with Parmesan
- Caprese Focaccia
- Baked Parmesan Zucchini Sticks
- Italian Roasted Peppers
- Arancini di Riso: Sicilian Rice Balls
- Sun-Dried Tomato Risotto
- Sicilian Braised Greens with Pine Nuts
- Sourdough Ciabatta Rolls
- Italian Stuffed Artichokes
- Italian Antipasto Pasta Salad
Instructions
- Select your favorite recipe that caught your eye.
- Make a shopping list and purchase the ingredients.
- Make your favorite Italian side dishes!
Emmanuel
So good!