26 Tasty Side Dishes For Pizza

By

Alana Al-Hatlani

Updated on August 12, 2024

Chopped Kale Salad with Toasted Breadcrumbs — Photo:
Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Whether ordering in or making it from scratch, it can be hard to know what to serve with pizza. Refreshing and crunchy salads are often a go-to, but sometimes it's nice to load up on carbs and serve garlic bread with pizza, too. We also have ideas for just about every vegetable you could have in your crisper drawer, from Brussels sprouts to green beans. For a complete meal, try serving one or two of these tasty side dishes on your next pizza night. We doubt you'll have many leftovers.

01 of 26

Garlic Parmesan Green Beans

Garlic Parmesan Green Beans — Caitlin Bensel

Even the simplest green bean recipe is a great idea but this quick twist on the classic adds bacon, Pamesan cheese, and garlic.

02 of 26

Roasted Broccoli

Roasted Broccoli — Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox

A simple side dish like this goes with just about anything, including pizza. For extra flavor, feel free to drizzle the florets in some of the ranch you dip pizza crusts in.

03 of 26

Lemony White Bean Salad with Broccoli

Lemony White Bean Salad with Broccoli — Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

This tangy green salad helps balance out the cheesy, richness of pizza. The peppery arugula and creamy white beans add tons of flavor and texture to the salad, keeping it more interesting than your average side salad.

04 of 26

Garlic Parmesan Green Beans

garlic parmesan green beans — Photographer: Isaac Nunn, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn

Bacon, garlic, and Parmesan are the trio of super savory ingredients that take ordinary green beans to the next level in this quick recipe.

05 of 26

Oven-Roasted Asparagus

oven roasted asparagus on a white oval dish — Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

With only 10 minutes of hands-on cooking, this side dish couldn't be easier. Just don't forget to trim the woody stems of your asparagus before getting started.

06 of 26

Roasted Artichokes With Creamy Garlic Dipping Sauce

Southern Living Roasted Artichokes with Creamy Garlic Dipping Sauce — Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Mary Clayton Carl Jones

Equally as delicious as an appetizer, we love how these bright and savory artichokes work as a side dish alongside pizza. The dipping sauce also happens to be great for dunking pizza crusts.

07 of 26

Greek Salad With Baked Feta

Southern Living Greek Salad with Baked Feta in a bowl to serve — Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

Pizza might be Italian, but the fresh flavors of this bright Greek salad pair perfectly with any of your favorite pies. The secret to our recipe is baking the feta instead of just crumbling it on top.

08 of 26

Sautéed Squash And Zucchini

Southern Living Sauteed Squash and Zucchini in a serving bowl — Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen

This simple sauté is a great base recipe from which to add your own culinary flair. Anything from red pepper flakes, to Parmesan, or even Italian or Cajun seasoning, can add dimension to this classic dish.

09 of 26

Sugar Snap Pea Salad

Southern Living Sugar Snap Pea Salad on a platter to serve — Frederick Hardy II, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

Although entirely optional, edible flowers make this salad extra pretty and will wow any guests you're hosting. Source them from your local farmers' market or speciality grocer.

10 of 26

Spinach Salad With Warm Bacon Dressing

Spinach Salad With Warm Bacon Dressing — CAITLIN BENSEL; FOOD STYLIST: TORIE COX

Our warm bacon dressing makes eating a whole bowl of spinach a real pleasure.

11 of 26

Heirloom-Tomato Salad

Southern Living Heirloom-Tomato Salad on a platter to serve — Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely

Heirloom tomatoes are practically perfect on their own, so we use a light touch in this recipe, adding just a few flavor enhancing ingredients to the beautiful produce.

12 of 26

New-Fashioned Two-Bean Salad

Southern Living New-Fashioned Two-Bean Salad in a bowl to serve with a glass of sparkling water — Antonis Achilleos, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster

Dill, chives, and tangy buttermilk create a refreshing dressing for these crisp pole beans. Thinly sliced radishes add extra crunch and a peppery bite, too.

13 of 26

Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Southern Living Roasted Brussels Sprouts on a platter to serve — Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

When roasted until crispy and deeply golden brown, Brussels sprouts become beautifully tender and deeply flavorful. Finished with crushed red pepper flakes and a little Parm, just like your pizza, they're irresistible.

14 of 26

Tomato-Mozzarella Salad

Southern Living Tomato Mozzarella Salad on a platter to serve — Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Three words: bacon garlic dressing. Drizzled over fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil, you'll have a Southern-style caprese salad worthy of any pizza party.

15 of 26

Prosciutto-Wrapped Asparagus

Southern Living Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus on a platter to serve — Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Prosciutto forms a crispy and salty shell on these tender asparagus spears. Although you could also do this bacon, thin slices of prosciutto are easier to wrap around the veggie and are just as (if not more) delicious.

16 of 26

Chopped Salad

Southern Living Chopped Salad topping the lettuce mixture with the other toppings — Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

If you're hosting people over for pizza night, impress your guests with this loaded Chopped Salad. The format is super forgiving too. As long as you have the delicious dressing to pull the salad together, you can swap out as many of the toppings as you like and it will still turn out great.

17 of 26

Garlic Knots

Southern Living Garlic Knots ready to serve with pizza sauce for dipping — Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Ana Kelly, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless

We think these are just as good as your local pizzeria's. Plus, thanks to store-bought pizza dough, they come together in about 1 hour.

18 of 26

Garlic Bread

Southern Living Garlic Bread sliced on serving board — Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

This recipe is so good that we promise it's worth peeling and mincing six cloves of fresh garlic. The jarred stuff just doesn't have the same great taste.

19 of 26

Leafy Green Salad With Sunflower Seed Dressing

Southern Living Leafy Green Salad with Sunflower Seed Dressing on a platter to serve — Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Christine Keely

A beautiful salad like this is a nice palate cleanser from all the cheesiness of pizza. The crunchy sunflower seeds in this recipe add great texture and a nuttiness that makes eating your greens a lot more delicious.

20 of 26

Romaine Salad With Oranges And Radishes

Southern Living Romaine Salad With Oranges and Radishes on serving platter — Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Melissa Gray; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely

Peppery radishes and sweet-tart oranges dress up romaine lettuce into a refreshing side salad. For added color and flavor, use a mix of different radishes, like watermelon or purple daikon.

21 of 26

Chopped Kale Salad with Toasted Breadcrumbs

Chopped Kale Salad with Toasted Breadcrumbs — Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

If you're bored with your classic caesar salad recipe, try our kale spin on the classic recipe. Aside from a change of greens, we also swap the croutons for crispy toasted breadcrumbs.

22 of 26

Roasted Broccolini

roasted broccolini - Southern Living — Jennifer Causey; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

Give broccoli the night off and mix things up with its longer cousin, broccolini. Roasted until crisp-tender and then showered in Parm, we'd honestly serve this side dish with just about anything.

23 of 26

Caesar Salad Bites

Caesar Salad Bites — Photo: Jennifer Davick/Prop Styling: Lydia DeGaris Pursell/Food Styling: Marian Cooper Cairns

You're already eating pizza with your hands, why not build a handheld salad, too? These Caesar Salad Bites capture everything you love about dish in a single lettuce cup.

24 of 26

Cherry Tomato Caprese Salad

Cherry Tomato Caprese Salad — Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Lydia Pursell; Food Styling: Toni Brogan

Look for an assortment of tomatoes at your local supermarket for this salad. Different colors, sizes, and varieties will add flavor and visual interest.

25 of 26

Roasted Pepper-Tomato Salad With Crispy Black-Eyed Peas

Southern Living Roasted Pepper-Tomato Salad With Crispy Black-Eyed Peas — Greg Dupree; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely; Food Stylist: Melissa Gray

This salad replaces croutons with crispy black-eyed-peas. You get the same crunch, but completely different flavor.

26 of 26

Watermelon Radish Salad

Southern Living Watermelon Radish Salad on a plate to serve — Frederick Hardy II, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

Firm and crunchy, with a mild peppery bite, watermelon radishes are a nice contrast to the cheesy goodness of pizza. Layered over tender Little Gem lettuce and topped with salty pecorino, you get a salad that tastes as good as it looks.

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Tell us why!

Related Articles

Southern Living Barbecue Pork Pizza sliced and ready to serve

Barbecue Pork Pizza

Mexican Street Corn Pizza

Mexican Street Corn Pizza

BBQ Chicken pizza on parchment paper

BBQ Chicken Pizza

Southern Living Sheet Pan Veggie Supreme Pizza cut and ready to serve

Sheet Pan Veggie Supreme Pizza

Southern Living Pepper Loverâs Sheet Pan Pizza in the pan cut into pieces to serve

Pepper Lover's Sheet Pan Pizza

Supreme Pizza - Southern Living

Extra Cheese

15 Deliciously Popular Pizza Toppings

Mushroom and Egg Pizza

Why You Should Put Eggs On Your Pizza

Southern Living Tennessee Onion Pizza baked and ready to serve

Tennessee Onion Pizza Is An Instant Southern Classic

Southern Living Barbecue Pork Pizza sliced and ready to serve

How Long Does Pizza Last In The Fridge?

Christmas Tree Pull-Apart Bread Video Still

Christmas Tree Pull-Apart Bread

Supreme Pizza

15 Easy Homemade Pizza And Calzone Recipes To Make Tonight

Southern Living Cornbread Casserole with a serving scooped out into a bowl

What To Serve With Chili: Our 26 Best Side Dish And Topping Ideas

Southern Living Sugar Snap Pea Salad on a platter to serve

30 Sides To Serve With Quiche

Southern Living Mexican Corn on a platter to serve with beers

Our 20 Best Side Dishes To Serve With Tacos

Southern Living Tomato Pudding