Italian
What Goes With Pasta?
Pasta pairs best with a crisp green salad, garlic bread, or a light vegetable side. Avoid starchy sides — pasta is starch, so add something green or acidic for balance.
Best Pairings for Pasta
Caesar Salad
saladThe classic Italian-American restaurant serve — crisp, acidic salad cuts through pasta's richness and starch.
Garlic Bread
breadUsing bread to mop up pasta sauce is quintessentially Italian. Crusty garlic bread is the definitive pasta partner.
Caprese Salad
saladTomato, mozzarella, basil — the Italian flavour profile aligns perfectly with most pasta dishes. Light and refreshing.
Roasted Broccoli
vegetableThe slight bitterness of roasted broccoli with its crispy edges provides vegetal balance to a rich pasta dish.
Italian Sausage
otherFor pasta as a side rather than main — Italian sausage is the natural protein partner.
Antipasto / Mixed Olives
otherA simple antipasto board (cured meats, olives, pickles) as a starter pairs the Italian meal perfectly.
Chianti / Italian Red Wine
drinkChianti Classico was literally designed to pair with pasta — the high acidity mirrors the tomatoes in most pasta sauces.
Sparkling Water with Lemon
drinkA fresh palate cleanser between bites — Italian dining tradition that works brilliantly.
Roasted Cherry Tomatoes
vegetableBurst cherry tomatoes with olive oil and basil work as a simple side that reinforces pasta's flavour profile.
Serving Tips
- 1Balance starch with acid or greens — pasta is rich and starchy, so a sharp salad or lightly dressed vegetables create contrast.
- 2Make sauce ahead and double the batch — pasta sauces improve with time and freeze beautifully for quick future meals.
- 3For a dinner party: pasta as a main, green salad as a first course, garlic bread alongside. Simple and universally loved.
Frequently Asked Questions
What salad goes with pasta?
Caesar salad, caprese salad, arugula with lemon, or a simple mixed green salad with Italian vinaigrette all pair beautifully. The salad should be light and acidic to contrast the rich starchy pasta.
What bread goes with pasta?
Garlic bread is the definitive partnership — toasted crusty bread with butter and garlic for sauce-mopping. Focaccia, bruschetta, or a simple baguette also work beautifully.
What wine goes with pasta?
Match wine to the sauce: Chianti or Barbera for tomato-based sauces. Pinot Grigio or Vermentino for cream sauces. Verdicchio for seafood pasta. Barbera d'Asti for meaty bolognese.
What protein goes with pasta?
Most pasta dishes already include protein in the sauce (meatballs, chicken, shrimp, sausage). If serving pasta as a side, Italian sausage, grilled chicken, or salmon fillet are the natural proteins.