8 creative side dishes for your next pizza night.
Photo by Sumaiya Ahmed on Unsplash
If you love pizza — and honestly, who doesn’t? — pizza night is likely a regular occurrence in your house. Whether you go all out and make your own or order delivery from the local pizza joint, this meal is probably the tastiest one of the week, and the one your kids look forward to the most.
But, if pizza is the only thing you serve, you’ve been missing out. There are so many different foods you can — and should — dish up on the side. Below, you’ll find some of the best side dishes to serve alongside your favorite pie. And, who knows, one recipe might even join the ranks of your family’s favorite foods, right up there with pizza.
Garlic bread
Ah, the most iconic pizza night side — garlic bread. Nothing pairs better with a Margherita pie than a cheesy, crunchy loaf of bread. And the best part is this side is one of the easiest ones to make. All you need is bread, garlic, cheese oil, and some seasonings. After you make the garlic paste, scoop it onto the bread and pop it in the oven. When the bread is crispy and fragrant, you know it’s ready. Let it cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving.
Oven-roasted broccoli
If you’re throwing a frozen pizza in the oven, you might as well pull out that bag of frozen broccoli as well. Now, before you wrinkle your nose, just know that these florets will turn out to be the tastiest side dish you’ve ever made in 15 minutes. Plus, you only need a few basic ingredients to season and top the broccoli and add to its flavor. Once you try this recipe, you may never go back to roasting raw broccoli again.
Kale salad
You — and the kids in particular — may not be too keen on kale as a side dish either. By itself, this leafy green can be a bit bitter, after all. as it does tend to have a bitter flavor by itself. But, mix it together with some lemon and parmesan cheese and you might just change your mind. This salad definitely delivers on flavor and is a healthy complement to carb-loaded pizza slices. Chock-full of antioxidants, fiber, and vitamins, kale salad can turn any pizza night into one with a balanced meal.
Roasted lemony asparagus
Once again, citrusy lemon unites with a green vegetable to create the perfect side dish for pizza dinners. With just four ingredients, this asparagus can bring a lighter side to a heavy meal of dough, sauce, and cheese. And the bright colors will make pizza night way more appetizing and nutritious. Season your asparagus and pop it in the oven for about 20 minutes and serve immediately for the hottest, most flavorful asparagus you and your family have ever tasted.
Asian spicy sesame cucumber salad
Crunchy and satisfying, this Asian cucumber salad has a spicy kick and lots of tasty sesame seeds on top. And, with just a handful of ingredients, this recipe is super easy to make — no baking or cooking required. Simply mix the dressing ingredients together and combine everything in a big bowl. If your kiddos aren’t fond of spicy foods, omit the red pepper flakes. Toss and serve next to your pepperoni pizza slice. You might even find that sesame seeds go great on pizza, too!
Bruschetta bar
Stick with the Italian theme and go all out with a build your own bruschetta bar. Set up is super easy and the possible combinations are practically endless. This recipe will provide you with instructions for making a few spreads, including tomato basil, marinated eggplant, and white bean, among others. There are also instructions for making your own toast points. However, whatever else you decide to put out on the bar — from prosciutto to arugula — is totally up to you.
Chopped caprese salad
Another Italian staple is the Caprese salad. Simple and delicious, this combination of mozzarella, basil, tomato and balsamic is the perfect accompaniment to any pizza. Caprese salad only takes 10 minutes to make and this recipe’s measurements will allow you to serve four people, perfect for a small family and easy to double or triple if need be. Just remember to drizzle the balsamic instead of mixing it in. This will keep the salad looking and tasting fresh all evening.
Spinach artichoke dip
Can’t get enough cheese? This spinach artichoke dip should do the trick. This comfort food contains three different kinds of cheese plus a fair amount of vegetables so you don’t have to feel too bad about indulging. You can even add in carrot shavings, baby kale or other vegetables if you’d like. Although, if it’s pizza night, odds are you aren’t too worried about eating healthy food. So dig into this dip with some tortilla or pita chips and maybe even some garlic bread and enjoy!