Cheesy, saucy, and chewy, every bite of lasagna gives an explosion of flavor that cannot be ignored. The layers of all dente pasta bound together with sauce and goodness is a match made in heaven.
Whether it is meat or vegetarian based lasagna, it has loads of ingredients in each layer that can be served with select side dishes to make a fulfilling meal.
What to eat with lasagna? Lasagna is a classic main entrée that pairs well with antipasto, breadsticks, roasted and steamed vegetables.
Traditionally lasagna is served with a salad that is recommended to serve separately. It balances well with the rich, greasy and filling taste, therefore a side salad makes a wonderful palate cleaner.
Lasagna is a season-less meal that can be frozen and popped in the oven to freshly cook. Every bite is fun with all the layers of ingredient in this form of pasta.
From pairing with good-old garlic bread to chicken wings and side salads, these combos are tasty and transform the prepared lasagna meal into a memorable experience.
This article gives the most flavorful and delicious side dishes to serve with lasagna. Answered below are frequently asked questions about what to eat with lasagna for a complete and fulfilling meal.
What is a good side dish with lasagna?
The best side dishes to eat with lasagna include antipasto, which gives the lasagna dinner an authentic Italian flair. There are also breadsticks which are a classic pairing.
Other than antipasto and breadsticks, here are other dishes that pair well with lasagna:
- Salad: Caesar, arugula, tomato, wedge
- Roasted vegetables: broccolini, broccoli, brussels sprouts, asparagus, cauliflower, tomatoes
- Sautéed vegetables: kale, spinach, green beans
- Grilled vegetables: zucchini
- Steamed vegetables: fresh peas, broccoli rabe
- Bread: garlic bread, bruschetta
What vegetables to eat with lasagna?
If the lasagna is filled with meat or seafood, it is great idea to add a vegetables side dish to help to balance the flavor as well as nutritional value. Vegetables can be served sautéed, grilled, roasted, and steamed, but not all veggie taste good with lasagna.
To help you narrow down the list, here are vegetables that taste good with a slice of lasagna.
- brussels sprouts
- broccoli
- cauliflower
- asparagus
- zucchini
- green beans
- snap peas
- carrots
- broccoli rabe
- eggplant
What kind of bread to eat with lasagna?
To have an authentic feel, bread can be served with small bowls of olive oil and balsamic vinegar for dipping. Garlic breadsticks make the lasagna experience even more fun.
Bread and pasta are the most classic pairing ever, and this is for good reasons.
Bread works as the sponge that absorbs all the flavorful pasta sauce. The bread can be seasoned with garlic and salt to give a unique and delicious taste based on personal preference.
Similar to pasta, in between lasagna layers, there are lots of juicy sauces that taste amazing when dipped with a slice of bread. Not only garlic bread or breadsticks, here are other kinds of bread to eat with lasagna.
What wine goes with lasagna?
Just like other pasta dishes, lasagna also goes well with wine. However, wine pairing may vary because it depends on the ingredients, meat or sauce used in the layered dish.
In general, Chianti or Merlot are types of wine that go well with baked dishes such as lasagna because of their light, well-balanced and soft taste. Additionally, it has a very pleasing aroma of red berries with subtle notes of cherry and spices.
Here are lasagna and wine pairing recommendation to follow based on the ingredients:
- Meat lasagna: Chianti, Nero d’Avila, Primitivo, Barbera, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel
- Vegetable lasagna: Languedoc, Roussillon red, Gavi, Viognier, oak-aged chardonnay
- Seafood lasagna: Chardonnay, Chenin blanc, Soave
What dessert to serve with lasagna?
Even though lasagna is known for being filling and high in calories per serving, there is always room for a sweet dessert. Dessert preferences are personal, however classic desserts to serve after lasagna dish include:
- gelato
- florentine cookies
- fruit tarts
- sorbet
- cannolis
- panna cotta
- biscotti
Eat With Lasagna: Conclusion
Lasagna is very hearty, easily making it a dish that can be eaten on its own, but why not look into pairing it with classic and delicious sides. Often served with a salad to balance out the meal and not overwhelm the fulfilling cheese and pasta flavor.
Generally, it is paired with antipasto, breadsticks, roasted and steamed vegetables on a side. The best part of this dish is that it still complements well with other side dishes including salads and cooked vegetables.
Depending on the meat, seafood, or vegetable based ingredients, the wine option can vary. In general, Chianti and Merlot taste good with most baked pasta dishes.
Don’t forget to serve sweet classic Italian dessert at the end including gelato, biscotti with coffee, or cannolis to make the lasagna a wholly memorable dish.
If the lasagna that you are serving is saucy and needs help to scoop, consider preparing loaf of ciabatta, asiago, or focaccia. These bread will do the magic by absorbing the sauce and work as a sponge so you won’t miss any delicious sauce left behind on the plate.