It’s time to rock your taste buds with our collection of 15 delicious pizza side dishes. Pizza is already the ultimate party on your plate, but guess what? The after-party just got way cooler.
Picture this: a gooey slice of pizza, and right next to it, a squad of mouthwatering sidekicks that bring their A-game. From zesty salads that bring your palate to life to cheesy mozzarella bites that’ll have you coming back for more. Witness the dynamic duos that redefine pizza night.
Whether you’re a pizza party host or an at-home pizza connoisseur, our handpicked lineup of pizza side dishes is here to sprinkle magic on your meal.
So, grab a plate, unleash your inner pizza artist, and let’s turn your pizza experience into a blockbuster hit.
Craving a crispy, savory snack that’s a little out of the ordinary? Look no further than pasta chips!
These crunchy delights are super easy to make and offer a fun twist on your typical chip.
Cooking Tip: For extra crispiness, be sure to spread the pasta out in a single layer on a baking sheet. This will ensure that each chip gets evenly crispy without any sogginess.
If you’re looking for a healthier alternative to classic French fries, zucchini fries with parmesan are the answer.
These fries are not only delicious but also a great way to sneak in some veggies.
Cooking Tip: To make sure your zucchini fries get extra crispy, place a wire rack on top of your baking sheet before arranging the fries. This allows the air to circulate around the zucchini, preventing them from becoming soggy.
Who can resist a plate of crispy baked chicken wings? These tangy, flavorful wings are an absolute crowd pleaser.
To make them, simply toss your chicken wings in a marinade of your choice – whether it’s buffalo sauce, teriyaki glaze, or honey mustard – before baking them in the oven.
Cooking Tip: For an extra crispy texture, pat the chicken wings dry with a paper towel before marinating them. This helps crisp up the skin during the baking process.
For an elegant touch to your pizza night, indulge in some prosciutto-wrapped avocado bites.
These little morsels are a perfect blend of creamy, salty, and savory flavors. Simply slice ripe avocados, wrap each slice with a piece of prosciutto, and secure with a toothpick.
Cooking Tip: Choose ripe but firm avocados for this dish. They should be soft enough to slice but not overly mushy.
If you’re a fan of buffalo spice, you’re in for a treat with roasted buffalo cauliflower.
This vegetarian side dish offers all the spicy goodness of buffalo wings without the meat. Toss cauliflower florets in a mixture of buffalo sauce and melted butter, then roast until they’re tender and slightly crispy.
Cooking Tip: Line your baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent the cauliflower from sticking and to make cleanup a breeze.
You might think you know Brussels sprouts, but wait until you’ve tried them roasted the Ina Garten way.
The Barefoot Contessa herself knows how to transform these often misunderstood veggies into something truly irresistible.
Cooking Tip: To achieve that beautiful caramelization, make sure not to overcrowd the baking sheet. Give the Brussels sports some space so they can roast evenly.
Colorful and bursting with flavor, Rachael Ray’s roasted peppers are a versatile side dish that adds a pop of vibrancy to your meal.
Roasting bell peppers enhances their sweetness and imparts a slight smokiness. After roasting, peel the skins, remove the seeds, and drizzle with a touch of olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
Cooking Tip: Roasting peppers until the skins are charred makes peeling them easier. Place the roasted peppers in a bowl, cover them with plastic wrap, and let them steam for a few minutes before peeling.
When Paula Deen shares a recipe, you know it’s going to be comforting and satisfying. Her Lady and Sons’ salad is no exception.
This Southern-inspired dish features a medley of fresh vegetables, hard-boiled eggs, bacon, and cheddar cheese, all tossed in a creamy dressing.
Cooking Tip: To hard-boil eggs perfectly, place the eggs in a saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 9-12 minutes. Plunge the eggs into cold water to stop the cooking process.
For a salad that’s both elegant and refreshing, look no further than this radicchio salad recipe. Radicchio’s bitter undertones are balanced by the sweetness of fruits like oranges or pears.
Toss radicchio leaves with your choice of fruits, toasted nuts, and a zesty vinaigrette for a delicious contrast of flavors and textures.
Cooking Tip: To tame radicchio’s bitterness, you can soak the leaves in cold water for about 30 minutes before using them in your salad.
For a wholesome and hearty side dish, Mediterranean farro salad is a winner. Farro, an ancient grain, is cooked until tender and mixed with a medley of Mediterranean ingredients like cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, feta cheese, olives, and fresh herbs.
A simple lemon vinaigrette ties it all together.
Cooking Tip: Cooking farro is similar to cooking rice. Use a 2:1 ratio of farro to water, simmer it until tender, then let it rest for a few minutes before fluffing.
If you’re craving something light, tangy, and a bit exotic, Thai cucumber salad is the way to go.
Thinly sliced cucumbers are dressed in a zesty mixture of lime juice, fish sauce, sugar, and chili flakes. Topped with chopped peanuts and fresh cilantro, this salad is a party of flavors.
Cooking Tip: To prevent your cucumber salad from becoming too watery, lightly salt the cucumber slices and let them sit for a few minutes. Then, gently squeeze out excess moisture before tossing them with the dressing.
For a side dish that’s both crisp and subtly aromatic, shaved fennel salad is a delightful choice. Thinly slice fennel bulbs and toss them with lemon juice, olive oil, and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese.
The result is a light and refreshing salad that’s perfect for balancing out the flavors of pizza.
Cooking Tip: Use a mandoline or a sharp knife to thinly shave the fennel bulbs. The thin slices ensure a delicate and tender texture.
Last but not least, we have mozzarella bites – the ultimate bite-sized indulgence.
These crispy, golden nuggets are made by coating mozzarella cheese in breadcrumbs and then frying until they’re irresistibly gooey on the inside and crispy on the outside.
Cooking Tip: To prevent the cheese from melting too quickly while frying, you can freeze the mozzarella bites for about 15-20 minutes before frying.
Conclusion
The perfect side is like the secret ingredient that takes your pizza experience from ordinary to extraordinary. Whether you’re a salad lover or a wing whizz, these side dishes are here to turn your pizza nights into legendary feasts.
So, next time you’re savoring that gooey slice of heaven, don’t forget to give a shout-out to the amazing sides that made it even more epic.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Cold Sides Go With Pizza?
Cold sides that pair well with pizza include fresh salads, coleslaw, antipasto platters, hummus, and veggies. These sides offer a refreshing contrast to the warm flavors of pizza and add variety to the meal.
What Doesn’t Go Well With Pizza?
Foods that might not pair well with pizza include strongly spiced dishes, delicate seafood, extremely sweet dishes, foods with similar textures, and incompatible ethnic foods.
It’s best to consider flavors and textures that harmonize to enhance the pizza palate.
What To Eat After Pizza?
Try indulging in sweet post-pizza treats like fruit parfaits, gelato, chocolate-dipped fruits etc. These dessert options provide a satisfyingly sweet finish to your pizza feast, catering to various tastes and cravings.
I'm Barbara Hunt, the founder of WomenChefs.org. Being a mom of two, I understand the challenges of meal planning and the monotony it can bring.
That's why I created WomenChefs.org, a platform dedicated to showcasing the skills and delicious dishes crafted by amazing women. My goal is to provide a space where women can find delectable recipes that tantalize their taste buds and ignite their senses.
I hope you'll join me in exploring WomenChefs.org and discovering your next favorite recipe. Let's embrace culinary diversity and try something new together!
