Who does not love lasagna? We all probably have fond memories of our grandma’s or mom’s lasagna. But have you made it at home for others recently? Knowing what to serve with lasagna is half the work.
In this article, we will show you the best side dishes for lasagna. Soon, you will be making new memories with this delicious dish and your loved ones.
What Is Lasagna?
Lasagna is a type of flat, wide pasta used in a dish in which layers of filling are stacked in between. The recipe is originally Italian, from Naples, and it dates back to the Middle Ages. These days you can find it everywhere, often served with variations depending on the restaurant or region.
The meat in the dish usually consists of ragu, a mix of tomato sauce and ground beef, and other vegetables. The cheese in lasagna is ricotta or Parmesan, and then the pasta is topped with mozzarella in some cases. You should assemble the pasta separately, and then oven-bake it and serve it in squares.
These days, you will find vegetarian lasagna, made with chicken, or even that contains no pasta but uses vegetables instead, such as eggplant or zucchini. Cooking this dish may take a long time because you have to bake the pasta for at least one hour. You can also find a white lasagna made with cream and cheese, instead of tomatoes.
Nutrition Facts
One piece of lasagna with meat (232 g) has the following nutritional content (*):
- 322 calories
- 162 g water
- 17.3 g protein
- 11.5 g fat
- 37.5g carbohydrate
- 3.71 g fiber
- 7.73 g sugar
- 190 mg calcium
- 1.69 mg iron
- 46.4 mg magnesium
- 267 mg phosphorus
- 480 mg potassium
- 905 mg sodium
- 38.5 µg selenium
- 10.2 mg vitamin C
- 39.9 mg choline
- 97.4 µg vitamin A
- 37.1 mg cholesterol
Lasagna is a traditional dish that many families prepare for Sunday dinners or celebrations. However, it can be somewhat high in calories and fat, so it is best to choose your ingredients carefully. Make sure you can accompany your lasagna with something tasty and complementary.
What Goes With Lasagna Anytime
Below are some options for side dishes that you can serve with lasagna at any time!
#1. Garlic Bread
Serving garlic bread is very common when it comes to Italian meals. In this case, you can accompany your tasty lasagna with pieces of garlic bread made right at home.
Ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 loaf baguette bread
- 2 teaspoons fresh parsley
- 3 teaspoons Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Follow these steps to prepare your garlic bread:
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
- Combine the melted butter and garlic in a bowl.
- Cut your bread into slices of the width you want. Then using a brush, or simply a spoon, sprinkle the butter and garlic onto the bread.
- Place the pieces with the butter side up onto a baking sheet.
- Bake the bread for about eight minutes. But the time may vary depending on how thick your bread pieces are.
- Add salt and pepper if you want.
- Serve warm with lasagna on the side.
#2. Broccoli with Olive Oil and Garlic
Another great side dish to add to your lasagna meal is broccoli. This vegetable is crunchy, flavorful, and very nutritious, but it will not overpower your lasagna at all.
Ingredients:
- 1 broccoli head, chopped
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ lemon, juiced
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Sea salt and pepper to taste
Follow these steps to prepare your broccoli with olive oil and garlic:
- Start by preheating your oven to 400 degrees F.
- Wash and chop your broccoli into smaller pieces.
- In a bowl, mix the olive oil, garlic, and red pepper flakes.
- Place your broccoli on a baking sheet. Drizzle the olive oil mixture over the broccoli, but save some for later.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Roast in the oven for 10 minutes. Check and turn the broccoli before adding more of the olive oil mixture if needed.
- Serve warm, with Parmesan cheese on top if you want.
#3. Classic Caesar Salad
Nothing goes better with a thick lasagna square than a green, fresh salad. In this case, a classic caesar salad is perfect for adding more crunch and flavor.
Ingredients:
- A bunch of romaine lettuce
- ½ cup of toasted croutons
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 lemon, juiced
- 1 teaspoon mustard powder
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Caesar salad dressing or dressing of choice
- Sea salt and pepper to taste
Follow these steps to prepare your classic caesar salad:
- Wash your romaine lettuce.
- In a bowl, mix the lettuce, toasted croutons, lemon juice, mustard powder, sea salt, and pepper.
- Serve your salad with grated Parmesan on top, drizzle the dressing on top as desired.
#4. Tomato Salad with Feta Cheese
Tomatoes go great with lasagna because they add some acid to break through the density of the dish. Adding feta cheese makes the side dish even better but can be swapped with mozzarella or Parmesan if preferred.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, chopped
- 1 red onion, chopped
- ¼ cup red wine vinegar
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ cup feta cheese, crumbled
- ¼ cup fresh parsley
- 1 teaspoon dry basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Follow these steps to prepare your tomato salad with feta cheese:
- Wash your vegetables. Chop your tomatoes into smaller halves, then the onions into slices or cubes.
- In a large bowl, mix the tomatoes, onions, red wine vinegar, olive oil, parsley, basil, salt, and pepper.
- Toss until all ingredients are mixed. Add the crumbled feta cheese, and mix some more.
- Serve the salad cold with extra parsley on top.
#5. Grilled Zucchini, Summer Squash, and Corn
Grilled vegetables are a great way to add some nutrients and new flavors to your lasagna meal. If you do not like any of these vegetables, swap them out for others, like carrots, eggplant, or tomatoes.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup corn
- 2 zucchinis, chopped
- 2 summer squash, chopped
- 2 tablespoons minced garlic
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
- ½ tablespoon fresh oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
Follow these steps to prepare your grilled zucchini, summer squash, and corn:
- Preheat your grill of choice.
- Wash and chop your vegetables.
- Rub the corn, zucchini, and summer squash with olive oil. Sprinkle them with salt and pepper.
- Start by grilling your corn first, until brown on the sides, which should take about five minutes. Add the zucchini until it has grill marks on both sides for about two minutes. Do the same with the squash but only for about one minute.
- Transfer your grilled vegetables to a bowl. Add the chopped parsley and oregano, and toss.
- Serve with extra olive oil and lasagna on the side.
#6. Spinach with Lemon and Pine Nuts
As you can see, greens go very well with lasagna and tomato-based dishes. In this case, spinach can be a perfect addition to your meal and it is very easy to make.
Ingredients:
- A bunch of spinach
- 1 ½ tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 2 tablespoons toasted pine nuts
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ lemon, juiced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Follow these steps to prepare your spinach with lemon and pine nuts:
- Wash your spinach and gently dry in a spinner or with a paper towel.
- In a saucepan, heat the olive oil and garlic. Add the lemon juice and garlic powder, and then the spinach. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Cook your spinach until it softens and shrinks, for about 5 to 8 minutes. Toss in the toasted pine nuts and cook for another minute.
- Serve warm with shaved Parmesan if you want to.
#7. Italian Chopped Salad
When you want a salad to go with your lasagna, but you also want something that has tons of flavor and crunch, then this is the right choice. You can always add or swap some of these ingredients to match your taste.
Ingredients:
- 2 heads romaine lettuce, chopped
- 1 red onion, chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, chopped
- ⅓ cup black olives, chopped
- ⅓ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- ⅓ cup balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: Parmesan cheese
Follow these steps to prepare your Italian chopped salad:
- Wash your lettuce, onion, and tomatoes. Chop them into smaller pieces, along with the black olives and sun-dried tomatoes.
- Add all the vegetables to a large bowl, and toss everything.
- Separately, mix the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic powder, oregano, salt, and pepper. This will be your dressing.
- Serve your salad cold with the dressing drizzled on top. Add Parmesan cheese on top if you want.
How Can I Pick The Perfect Side Dish?
Lasagna is a staple dish in many households, and it is often a family favorite too. Serving something with it has to be done right, or you could ruin the meal. Try any of these side dishes to accompany your tasty lasagna recipe next time you make it.
When it comes to letting your lasagna shine, you should choose something simple and straightforward. You could choose to make the garlic bread and classic caesar salad. Serving them together is a good choice too.
If you need something that adds crunch and complements your tomato sauce, then you can try some vegetables. Go with the broccoli with olive oil and garlic or the Italian chopped salad. You can also make these two side dishes within minutes, so they work when you are in a rush.
To surprise guests with more flavors, or if you are trying to serve a vegetarian lasagna, then choosing side dishes that are different can be a good idea. You could choose the tomato salad with feta cheese, the grilled zucchini, summer squash, and corn, or the spinach with lemon and pine nuts. Add the garlic bread with any of these side dishes too!
Conclusion
Next time you make a lasagna, you can add some delicious side dishes that make the meal even better. These recipes are all easy to make, healthy, and nutritious. Try cooking one or two together to elevate the flavors in your lasagna.
See more: How to reheat lasagna in oven
*image by dar19.30/depositphotos
