Whether you’re making dough from scratch, buying store-bought and using homemade toppings, or just calling for delivery (no judgement), pizza is always a good answer to the age-old question: “What’s for dinner?” While I’m happy to fill up on cheese and carbs, sometimes it’s nice to have a little something on the side, too. Maybe you want to balance out your slice with a salad, or would rather dig into meat or carbs. Great—I’ve got 35 delicious recipes to serve with pizza, from a crunchy Greek wedge salad to cheesy mozzarella bites.
Wondering What to Serve with Pizza? These Are the 35 Best Side Dishes Out There
Caesar salad, anyone?
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Published May 28, 2024
Liz Andrew/Erin McDowell/The Minimalist Kitchen
- Time Commitment: 15 minutes
- Why We Love It: sheet pan recipe, <10 ingredients, <30 minutes, vegetarian
- Serves: 3 to 4
Just when you thought summer squash couldn't get more magical, a flurry of grated Parm proves you wrong. "I'm on a mission to cacio e pepe every side dish under the sun, from cauliflower and Brussels sprouts to salad," says PureWow senior food editor Katherine Gillen. Go wild with the freshly cracked black pepper.
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: make ahead, kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser, vegetarian
- Serves: 6 to 8
You already drizzle your slice with ranch, right? Up the ante with these spuds doused in a zingy mix of sour cream, buttermilk, vinegar and four types of fresh herbs. "Maybe no one at your table can agree on hot dogs versus burgers, but we can all agree that ranch dressing is delicious and deserves a spot on the table," asserts Gillen.
- Time Commitment: 35 minutes
- Why We Love It: high protein, kid-friendly, make ahead
- Serves: 4
Its salty-savory flavor comes from olives and Worcestershire sauce instead of anchovies, but I'm particularly obsessed with the yogurt dressing and crunchy croutons. Skip the chicken to lighten up the salad.
- Time Commitment: 25 minutes
- Why We Love It: <30 minutes, beginner-friendly, vegetarian
- Serves: 4
A healthy coating of homemade basil pesto takes zoodles to a whole new level. Save time by buying pre-spiralized zucchini at the supermarket, then add some fresh Parmesan and you're golden.
5. Citrus, Fennel and Avocado Salad
- Time Commitment: 35 minutes
- Why We Love It: no cook, beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser, make ahead, vegan
- Serves: 4 to 6
I love the contrast of bright citrus with any rich, cheesy dish, especially pizza. This salad pairs blood oranges, navel oranges and ruby-red grapefruit with peppery arugula, sharp fennel and creamy avocado.
- Time Commitment: 15 minutes
- Why We Love It: <30 minutes, no cook, vegetarian
- Serves: 4
This salad has all the crunch of a classic wedge, but swaps bacon and blue cheese for lighter, Mediterranean ingredients (which means more room for pizza). If you’re not a fan of iceberg, you can also use the dressing and toppings on a different type of lettuce.
7. Cacio e Pepe Brussels Sprouts
- Time Commitment: 35 minutes
- Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser, vegetarian
- Serves: 6 to 8
I’m of the opinion that roasted Brussels sprouts go with just about everything. Add some Parm and pepper and they’re glorious next to a slice of ’za.
- Time Commitment: 35 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly, low carb
- Serves: 6
Caesar salad is a classic pizza pairing (see no. 3 on this list), but there's a new twist in town. It doesn't use a shred of lettuce, kale or any other leafy green. Without further ado, meet the asparagus Caesar salad.
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients, vegetarian
- Serves: 6 to 8
Instead of the usual stick shape, you'll fry tiny balls of cheese for a bite-size twist. Warning: Once you start to pop, you won’t be able to stop. If you serve them with marinara, you can dip your crust, too. (Just saying.)
- Time Commitment: 20 minutes
- Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, vegan, no cook, crowd-pleaser, <30 minutes
- Serves: 3
Wedges of avocado will have even the salad-averse reaching for the serving spoons. Plus, Gaby Dalkin’s basil vinaigrette—which is like pesto meets dressing—is dangerously delicious.
- Time Commitment: 1 hour
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, make ahead, special occasion-worthy
- Serves: 6
A delightful start to a pizza party with friends. You only need a few store-bought ingredients—like cured meat, cheese and an assortment of crunchy bread or crackers—to build this stunning appetizer.
12. Beet Carpaccio with Burrata
- Time Commitment: 10 minutes
- Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, <30 minutes, vegetarian
- Serves: 4
No beef, no problem. Serve this side by Aida Mollenkamp with a white pizza for beautifully balanced flavors, or zhuzh it up with prosciutto.
13. Gluten-Free Cheese Cauliflower Breadsticks
- Time Commitment: 50 minutes
- Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, gluten free, kid-friendly
- Serves: 4
If you're craving breadsticks but don't want to add a boatload of extra carbs to your meal, look no further. Plus, these handhelds come together in less than an hour.
14. Broccoli Salad with Creamy Almond Dressing
- Time Commitment: 15 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, <30 minutes, vegan, no cook
- Serves: 6 to 8
Unlike a traditional broccoli salad, this one ditches the mayo-based dressing for a tasty vegan sauce made from almond butter, miso and orange juice. Feel free to boil or sauté the broccoli if you don't like it raw.
15. Kale Salad with Crispy Chickpeas
- Time Commitment: 1 hour
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy, beginner-friendly
- Serves: 6
I adore salads with a million toppings, but with a hefty main course like pizza, I'm in the mood for something simple that’s packed with protein but still feels light. That's where this chickpea- and cheese-topped delight comes in.
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, vegetarian, kid-friendly
- Serves: 8
These poppable eggplant Parm bites are a worthy dish to serve with pizza at your next house party—just don't forget a side of marinara sauce for dipping. (And a glass of red, obvi.)
- Time Commitment: 1 hour
- Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser, vegetarian, special occasion-worthy
- Serves: 6
Artichokes seem intimidating, but they’re actually easier to work with than you think. With pizza, I suggest roasting the veggie in the oven until it's golden and crispy. Serve it with an easy garlic aioli for dipping, and voilà.
18. Prosciutto Fig Salad Board
- Time Commitment: 15 minutes
- Why We Love It: <30 minutes, no cook, special occasion-worthy, <10 ingredients
- Serves: 4
This fancy-looking salad takes mere minutes to pull together. Spend the rest of your newfound free time hanging out on the couch with a glass of wine and a pepperoni slice.
- Time Commitment: 10 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, vegetarian, <10 ingredients, <30 minutes, no cook
- Serves: 6
Serving pizza at a pool party? I love this berry-filled twist on the classic caprese by Maria Lichty that screams summer. Might I suggest adding cantaloupe or watermelon to the mix?
20. Shaved Asparagus and Arugula Salad with Farro and Edamame
- Time Commitment: 40 minutes
- Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, vegan, special occasion-worthy
- Serves: 4
Bright, crunchy and colorful, this simple salad will fill you up if you're trying to resist another slice. (But I'd never blame you for giving in on pizza night.)
21. Prosciutto Bites
- Time Commitment: 45 minutes
- Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, beginner-friendly
- Serves: 6 to 8
Because what isn’t tastier when it’s wrapped in prosciutto? These little bites of salty goodness are a delicious finger food or addition to a game day spread where pizza is the main course.
22. Lemon-Garlic Roasted Broccoli Salad
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: vegetarian, sheet pan recipe, beginner-friendly
- Serves: 2
A hearty broccoli salad that's finished with pomegranate seeds, salty feta, avocado and a drizzle of lemon-balsamic dressing. Yup, I recommend making a double batch.
23. Garlic Bread
- Time Commitment: 40 minutes
- Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser, vegetarian, kid-friendly
- Serves: 6 to 8
Might as well make your meal a full-on carb fest, no? Sauté whole garlic cloves in olive oil to infuse it and tenderize the garlic. Then, mash it into a spreadable paste, season it, slather it on the bread and bake to perfection.
24. Broccoli Rabe with Chickpeas and Ricotta
- Time Commitment: 45 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients, vegetarian
- Serves: 6
A new love triangle recently grabbed my attention: spicy broccoli rabe mixed with starchy chickpeas and a dollop of creamy, fresh ricotta. I won't tell if you steal a bite (or four) before you serve it to your guests.
25. Zucchini “Fries”
- Time Commitment: 1 hour
- Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser, sheet pan recipe
- Serves: 4 to 6
I love how crispy these get in the oven—like breadsticks with extra vitamins. Even picky kids might not mind that you used zucchini instead of potatoes (as long as there's still ketchup on the table, of course).
Erin McDowell
- Time Commitment: 40 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, high protein, beginner-friendly
- Serves: 6 to 8
Wings and pizza are a Super Bowl party's dreamy pairing, but what if you hate the saucy mess, sticky fingers and leftover bones? Problem solved: These meatballs are spicy, tangy and tender, plus will cut down on your guests' napkin usage.
27. BLT Pasta Salad
- Time Commitment: 40 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, make ahead, kid-friendly, <10 ingredients
- Serves: 8
Because sometimes, the best pairing for carbs is more carbs. This salad combines all the crunchy, savory, creamy ingredients of the classic BLT sandwich, minus the bread.
28. Pan-Roasted Broccoli ‘Steaks’ with Garlic-Sesame Vinaigrette
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: vegetarian, special occasion-worthy, one pan
- Serves: 4
This recipe for pan-roasted broccoli from Ronny Joseph Lvovski’s Primal Gourmet Cookbook doesn’t even ask you to turn on the oven. All it calls for is ten minutes of cooking and your trustiest skillet.
29. 20-Minute Shrimp Scampi Zoodles
- Time Commitment: 20 minutes
- Why We Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, high protein, one pan
- Serves: 4
Just like the classic version, these shrimp-topped zoodles are buttery and bright, but lower in carbs than real pasta. Whip them up in a single skillet for a satisfying pizza side.
30. Cauliflower, Pomegranate and Apple Salad
- Time Commitment: 55 minutes
- Why We Love It: vegetarian, beginner-friendly, make ahead
- Serves: 4
Crisp, tart apples and juicy pomegranate seeds add brightness to spiced cauliflower and nutty tahini. Substitute maple syrup or agave for honey in the dressing to make it vegan (and prepare it ahead of dinner to save time).
31. Scallion and Chive Flatbread
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 40 minutes
- Why We Love It: special occasion-worthy, make ahead, crowd-pleaser
- Serves: 12
The quickest way to make pizza night “fancy?” Edible flowers. And this easy riff on garden focaccia is just the vehicle for them. (You can buy edible flowers online at places like Gourmet Sweet Botanicals.)
32. Baked Chicken and Ricotta Meatballs
- Time Commitment: 35 minutes
- Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, one pan, high protein
- Serves: 4
You adore meatballs in all forms, so why limit yourself to appetizers and spaghetti? These baked chicken and ricotta meatballs, from Yasmin Fahr’s Keeping It Simple, are tender, quick-cooking and easy to make on a weeknight.
- Time Commitment: 20 minutes
- Why We Love It: <30 minutes, make ahead, crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly
- Serves: 4 to 6
Creamy pasta salad meets cool, crisp greens for the ultimate alfresco side. Set the pie down on the picnic table, fetch a bottle of white and go to town.
34. Kale and Brussels Sprout Caesar Slaw
- Time Commitment: 25 minutes
- Why We Love It: no cook, crowd-pleaser, make ahead, vegetarian
- Serves: 8
The dressing is totally vegan, since it starts with a creamy base of sunflower seeds and blanched almonds. In case you need help shredding the Brussels sprouts, it’s as simple as thinly slicing with a sharp chef’s knife.
35. Swedish ‘Pizzasallad’ Cabbage Slaw
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: no cook, vegan, one bowl, beginner-friendly
- Serves: 4
In case you couldn't tell by the name, this punchy side dish is served at most Swedish pizza joints alongside a fresh pie. Its vinegary flavor cuts right through a cheesy slice.
