Ribbony texture with richer taste from the egg yolks, fettuccine offers a different shape and mouth-feel compared to spaghetti or linguine. This is with the perfect mixture of decadent flavors and warm comfort.
Fettuccine is a shelf stable, versatile food. It is recognized as one of the fastest dishes to prepare with cream, butter, and parmesan cheese, making an easy sauce that pairs well with other ingredients and side dishes.
What to eat with fettuccini? Fettuccine pairs wonderfully with seafood and meat such as grilled chicken, shrimp, meatballs, and bacon to load with protein for a main dish. Additionally, serve fettuccini with vegetable side dishes including mushroom, salads, broccoli, spinach, greens, potatoes, and asparagus.
Even though the dish is loaded with carbs from the pasta noodles and creamy sauces, adding bread or bruschetta to start the main course or dipping the remaining sauce is beautiful way to finish the meal.
This article will provide in-depth information on what can be served with fettuccine including the meats, sauces, salads, vegetables, spices and wines that go well together.
What can I serve with fettuccini?
From meat to vegetable based ingredients, there are many sides that you can serve with fettuccine. Either the pasta is with cream or tomato sauce, adding the proper sides will elevate the dish to the next level.
From creamy sauce to refreshing tomato base, add these elements to fettuccini for more flavor, texture and wholesome goodness:
- Vegetables: asparagus, broccoli, green beans, peas, arugula, potatoes
- Fruits: dried apricots, cocktail fruit, peaches, berries, figs, plums, oranges, lemon, currants
- Seafood: sea scallops, shrimp, lobster tails, squid rings, crab, mussels
- Fish: tilapia, cod, rockfish, mackerel
- Nuts: walnuts, pine nuts
- Cheese: blue, parmesan, ricotta, goat
- Herbs: basil, thyme, lemon verbena, sage, oregano
- Spices: cinnamon, pepper, black pepper, smoked paprika, chili pepper
What meat to serve with fettuccini?
Adding healthy and nutritious protein on a plain pasta dish makes a huge difference in taste and nutrition. Fettuccine is a versatile dish that can be served with meat, seafood, and cured meats alike.
What sauce goes well with fettuccini?
The general rule for preparing fettuccini is that the heartier sauce is paired with the wider noodles. As a result, wider ribbons like pappardelle pair excellently with the rich, thick, meaty sauces.
In contrast, fettuccine is typically paired with simple cream sauces like alfredo. Other sauces that can be paired with fettuccini include:
- marinara
- pesto
- brown butter
- cheese garlic
What salad goes well with fettuccini?
On the lighter side, freshly prepared salad with acidic dressing is a good pairing with fettuccine to offer a crisp and refreshing taste prior to the main dish.
If you are looking for a quick and light side dish that goes well with fettuccine, here are classic salads that go with all type of fettuccine sauces:
- Italian chopped salad
- caesar salad
- arugula salad
- spring green salad
- wedge salad with blue cheese dressing
What vegetable goes well with fettuccini?
Whether adding leafy or root vegetables, they add color, texture and nutritional value to fettuccine dishes. These veggies can be sautéed, stir-fried, steamed, and roasted depending on the recipe.
The vegetables that go well with fettuccine are:
- spinach
- broccoli
- zucchini
- asparagus
- brussels sprouts
- cauliflower
- peas
- eggplant
- green beans
- carrots
What wine goes well with fettuccini?
The bond between fettuccine and wine is found strongest in the buttery character of Chardonnay-based wines. Especially when fettuccine is served with creamy alfredo sauce, then white wine is a match made in heaven.
Depending on the sauce type, the wine pairing options may vary:
- Cream sauce: Chardonnay, Soave, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio, Prosecco, Riesling
- Meat sauce: Chianti, Zinfandel, Valpolicella, Montepulçiano d’Abruzzo, Barbera d’Alba
- Tomato sauce: Barbera, Montepulciano, Sauvignon Blanc
- Olive oil sauce: Barbera, Dolcetto, Sauvignon Blanc, Vermentino
- Clam sauce: Italian Chardonnay, Gavi, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio, Prosecco, Soave
Eat with Fettuccini: Conclusion
Determining what to prepare as a side dish with fettuccine depends on personal preference and favorites food pairings. There are many side dish, vegetable, sauce, or wines to accompany fettuccini pasta when properly prepared.
Creamy or red sauce based fettuccine can be spiced up with seafood, meat, roasted vegetables, and salad. The sides are served to enhance the flavor and texture of plain pasta.
In general, fettuccine is served with Alfredo sauce, and therefore Chardonnay is the ultimate choice. However, the wine selection can be determined by sauce that is added to the pasta.
Serving a fresh salad prior to fettuccine is healthy and light way to get the meal started. Go with classic salads such as Italian, caesar, or wedge salad with blue cheese dressing.
There you have it! There are many ways to enjoy and served fettuccine. From cheese, wine, vegetables, and sauce selection, you will never get bored with these flavor combinations and recommended sides to enjoy with your dinner.