Spaghetti is a classic Italian pasta that’s a dinnertime staple in most homes, and with good reason. From savory sauces to delicious side dishes, with these ideas, you’ll have the perfect way to turn simple paste into a complete dining experience.
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What to with Serve for the Perfect Spaghetti Dinner
From classic spaghetti and meatballs to a cheesy cacio e pepe, there are so many things you can do with spaghetti and so many great side dishes and pairings to complete a delicious meal. Whether you’re looking for the best sides to complete your classic spaghetti dinner or some unique and creative ideas to add a little excitement, you’ve come to the right place.
First up, we’re sharing some of our favorite sauces and the recipes that are great ways to prepare spaghetti. Then we will cover all the best easy sides, appetizers, and wines to serve on your spaghetti night.
Spaghetti Sauce Varieties
One of the most common ways to serve spaghetti is with some variety of tomato sauce. Classic marinara is always a popular choice, but you can also add tons of veggies like bell peppers, onions, and mushrooms, or throw in some crushed red pepper flakes for a little spice.
1. Marinara Sauce
Spaghetti with Meat Sauce
For a heartier take on a pasta dinner, try a meat sauce. Ground beef, Italian sausage, or even ground turkey are all great options to add some filling and tasty protein to your pasta sauce. You could also make spaghetti Bolognese, another favorite meat sauce that is typically made with fresh veggies and a touch of milk or cream.
2. Homemade Meat Sauce
3. Authentic Bolognese Sauce
Cacio e Pepe
If you’ve never had cacio e pepe, you’re in for a treat. Although it sounds fancy, it’s really just a grown-up variation on macaroni and cheese. Cacio e pepe translates to “cheese and pepper,” and that’s exactly what you’ll find in this sauce – typically Pecorino Romano or parmesan cheese and freshly cracked black pepper.
4. Bucatini Cacio e Pepe
Carbonara
Another creamy and indulgent sauce for your spaghetti, carbonara is a sauce made with parmesan, eggs, cream, garlic, and pancetta or bacon. It’s a great choice when you’re looking for something a little fancier for a special dinner or event.
5. Spaghetti alla Carbonara
6. Simple Spaghetti with Olive Oil Recipe
Bread
Bread is the perfect side dish to serve with spaghetti, and no pasta dinner would be complete without it. Garlic bread is always a classic side dish that will pair with any kind of pasta, and it’s super easy to make your own. Just slather on some butter, garlic powder, garlic salt, and a bit of Italian seasoning, then put it under the broiler for a few minutes.
If you’re looking for some really great homemade bread recipes, here are some great options. Then take it to the next level with a delicious dipping sauce of olive oil, minced garlic, and Italian herbs and spices.
7. Olive Garden Copycat Breadsticks
8. Ciabatta Garlic Bread Recipe
9. One Hour Rosemary Focaccia Bread
Salads
If you’re looking for something green to balance out all those carbs, look to your favorite salad recipe as a delicious side dish to round out your spaghetti dinner. There are several varieties of side salads that we love to serve with pasta. I like a simple green salad with some romaine lettuce, cucumbers, carrots, cherry tomatoes, and a dressing made with olive oil and red wine vinegar. You can also throw in some garbanzo or cannellini beans for extra fiber and some pepperoncini for a touch of spice.
Here are some of our other favorites.
10. Caesar Salad
11. Caprese Salad with Balsamic Reduction
12. Traditional Tuscan Panzanella
Veggies
If you’re not in the mood for salad, or if it’s during the colder months and you’re looking for some warm veggie sides, there are lots of great options.
13. Roasted Garlic Parmesan Asparagus
14. Balsamic Brussel Sprouts
15. Roasted Parmesan Green Beans
16. Sheet Pan Roasted Veggies
17. Herb and Garlic Marinated Mushrooms
18. Roasted Butternut Squash
Soups
Soups are another nice alternative to salads during the colder months and can be a great way to sneak in some veggies as well. There are a couple of traditional Italian soups that pair particularly well with spaghetti.
19. Italian Wedding Soup
20. Slow Cooker Minestrone Soup
21. White Bean Soup with Sausage and Vegetables
22. Authentic Pasta e Fagioli
Wine Pairings
A great wine will complement your spaghetti meal, and we’ve got a few favorite recommendations, based on the type of pasta recipes you choose.
Cabernet Sauvignon – If you’re going with a rich red sauce like traditional marinara, try a Cabernet Sauvignon. This full-bodied red has plenty of acidity that will pair well with the natural acidity of the tomatoes.
Italian Reds – If you’re having a Bolognese sauce, try an Italian red like Barolo or Barbaresco. Both are excellent choices that will stand up to the rich sauce. Barbera is another great option if you’re looking for something a little bit more budget friendly.
Whites and Light Reds – Try a white like a Chianti or pinot grigio with a rich and cheesy cacio e pepe sauce. You could also go with a light and fruity red like a pinot noir.
Sauvignon Blanc – If you’re going with an olive oil based sauce, try a light-bodied red like Beaujolais Nouveau or a crisp and acidic white wine like a sauvignon blanc.
Alternative Pasta Shapes
Want to try a different type of pasta that’s similar to spaghetti and will work perfectly with most of the same sauces? Try bucatini, a slightly thicker noodle with a small hole in the center. You can also use fettuccine, another long noodle with a wider and flatter shape, or capellini, a much thinner and more delicate noodle.
I hope these suggestions have given you plenty of inspiration for your next spaghetti dinner. Next time you’re in the mood for spaghetti, you can have fun creating an Italian feast that the whole family will love!
What to Serve with Spaghetti
Ingredients
- Marinara Sauce
- Homemade Meat Sauce
- Authentic Bolognese Sauce
- Bucatini Cacio e Pepe
- Spaghetti alla Carbonara
- Simple Spaghetti with Olive Oil Recipe
- Olive Garden Copycat Breadsticks
- Ciabatta Garlic Bread Recipe
- One Hour Rosemary Focaccia Bread
- Caesar Salad
- Caprese Salad with Balsamic Reduction
- Tuscan Panzanella
- Roasted Garlic Parmesan Asparagus
- Balsamic Brussel Sprouts
- Roasted Parmesan Green Beans
- Sheet Pan Roasted Veggies
- Herb and Garlic Marinated Mushrooms
- Roasted Butternut Squash
Instructions
- Choose a sauce or side.
- Gather up the ingredients.
- Make and enjoy!
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