What To Serve With Carbonara: 17 Delicious Sides

Trying to find the tastiest, most satisfying ideas for what to serve with carbonara?

If so, I’ve got you covered! 

From classic, Italian inspired options to some more creative and on-trend choices, in this guide I’m going to share the very best options with you, so you can serve up a meal to remember! 

Just need some quick ideas? 

No worries! 

Some of the best side dishes for carbonara include cheesy tomato garlic bread, steamed greens, courgette fries, grilled aubergine salad, Italian breadsticks, parmesan crisps, and focaccia bread. 

Read on for more ideas, as well as easy to follow recipes and step by step instructions for making these dishes at home… 

1. Cheesy tomato garlic bread

Sometimes, a double serving of carbohydrates is exactly what you need! 

These cheesy tomato garlic breads are easy to make with store cupboard ingredients, and they’re perfect for scooping up that silky pasta sauce. 

I like to add a sprinkle of dried red chilli flakes to give them a bit of a kick, but you can leave these out if you’re looking for something that’s a little more child friendly, or if you just prefer to keep things simple. 

2. Steamed greens

Make sure that everyone is getting their 5-a-day by serving a side of steamed green veggies with your carbonara. 

You could choose peas, courgette, cabbage, or any other vegetable that you enjoy or that you need to use up. 

Add a grind of fresh black pepper, and you’re ready to go.

Remember that when it comes to cooking green vegetables, less is often more.

Resist the temptation to overcook, and retain that satisfying crunch. 

3. Puntarelle salad with anchovies and capers 

Puntarelle is a bitter green leaf that’s popular in Italian cooking, and its punchy flavour lends itself really well to being the base of a salad that will be a real talking point at your dinner table. 

This puntarelle salad with anchovies and capers is quick to prepare, and can be served as a start or as a side dish. 

Fresh anchovies are always delicious, but if it’s easier, you can substitute with their tinned counterparts.

I always like to have a few tins in my pantry, as they add a deeply unami flavour to lots of different dishes and can prove to be really handy on those weeknights when you’re not quite sure what to cook! 

4. Courgette fries 

Making up a batch of courgette fries is an excellent way to add more veggies to your meal, but keeping fussy eaters happy! 

Simply cut your courgettes into chips, and coat with a mix of flour and parmesan cheese.

Deep fry until golden, and drain on some kitchen paper. 

If you have an air fryer, you can make tasty courgette fries without any messy deep frying.

You could also bake them in the oven if you want to keep things a little lighter. 

5. Tenderstem broccoli 

Tenderstem broccoli is readily available in most supermarkets and greengrocers, but it always looks sophisticated and is suitable for the fanciest of dinner parties! 

Steam or boil, and serve with sea salt and black pepper, and a knob of fresh butter. 

Broccoli is high in nutrients including vitamin C, vitamin K, iron, and potassium. 

6. Grilled aubergine salad 

This grilled aubergine salad recipe combines aubergines, crushed garlic, red wine vinegar, and mixed herbs, and it’s proof that sometimes you really do just need a small handful of ingredients to make something really special. 

Aubergine is also a nutritional powerhouse, and is rich in a wide variety of antioxidants. 

7. Grissini (Italian breadsticks) 

Italian breadsticks are always a great choice for what to serve with carbonara, or for that matter, any other pasta dish that you might be planning! 

Put them in the middle of the table, and allow everyone to get stuck in over conversation whilst you prepare the main course. 

I like using this grissini recipe, and if I have enough time, I experiment with making different shapes.

It’s the kind of activity that little ones will love getting involved with too! 

8. Amalfi style prawns

If you’re looking for a light and summery option as a side dish for carbonara, I highly recommend trying these Amalfi style prawns. 

The vibrant lemon and mint flavours make them an ideal choice for a starter too, and they take just 5 minutes to cook. 

9. Chilli prawn bruschetta 

If you do a lot of Italian cooking, bruschetta is likely to be something that you return to time and time again.

It’s easy to prepare, yet can be impressive enough for a dinner party, and it’s a wonderful way to showcase seasonal and fresh ingredients. 

Why not shake things up a little and try this chilli prawn and bruschetta recipe? 

If you’re a lover of fresh seafood, it might just turn out to be one of your new favourites! 

10. Italian stuffed tomatoes 

Stuffed tomatoes are a fabulous choice as a side dish, and the beauty is that you can create your own recipe using whatever you might have in your fridge and kitchen cupboards that might need using up. 

Popular filling choices include rice, onion, kale, spinach, cheese, and a blend of your favourite fresh herbs. 

The quality of the tomatoes can make a real difference here, so try to keep this option for when you can find beautiful in-season tomatoes in your area.

If you’ve grown them yourself in a greenhouse, even better! 

11. Antipasti plate 

When you choose an antipasti plate for what to serve with carbonara, you can make sure that you have something for everyone. 

Add nibbles such as olives, sun-dried tomatoes, breadsticks, deli meats, and cheeses to a platter in the middle of the table and let everyone help themselves. 

Eating like this is a really sociable way to enjoy food, and it’s also completely stress free. 

12. Stuffed courgette flowers 

You’ve probably eaten courgettes before, but have you ever made use of the flowers? 

They have a delicate flavour and though they can be enjoyed raw, they lend themselves well to being stuffed with cheese and then fried in a light batter. 

13. Italian pinwheels 

I always try to keep some puff pastry in my freezer, so I can make my own Italian pinwheels to accompany pasta dishes! 

Simply roll out flat, and spread with your chosen fillings.

Tomato, cheese, and fresh herbs is always a good combination, then roll, slice into bitesized pieces, and bake in the oven until golden. 

If you’re expecting guests, you could have these ready and waiting for their arrival, and serve with a glass of wine or a cocktail. 

14. Parmesan crisps

Parmesan crisps are simple yet stylish, and I love serving them as a nibble with a glass of white wine before serving up a carbonara main course.

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking.

Spoon small mounds of grated Parmesan onto the prepared baking sheet. Flatten each mound slightly to form circles, ensuring there is space between them as they will spread a little while baking.

Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 3-5 minutes, or until the cheese melts and turns a light golden brown.

Watch them closely to avoid burning.

Remove the baking sheet from the oven and allow the crisps to cool for a few minutes.

They will continue to crisp up as they cool.

Once cooled, use a spatula to gently lift the Parmesan crisps off the baking sheet.

15. Stuffed mushrooms

The deeply savoury flavour of mushrooms perfectly complement the creaminess of carbonara, and stuffed mushrooms make for an easy and elegant side dish. 

Here’s how to make them:

1. Ingredients: Select large mushrooms, such as cremini or portobello, suitable for stuffing. For the filling, gather ingredients like cream cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, garlic, chopped herbs (like parsley or thyme), breadcrumbs, cooked sausage or crabmeat (optional), salt, and pepper. Olive oil is also needed for drizzling.
2. Preparation: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Clean the mushrooms with a damp cloth and carefully remove the stems. Chop the stems finely, as they can be included in the filling for added flavour.
3. Making the Filling: In a bowl, mix the cream cheese with Parmesan, minced garlic, chopped herbs, and breadcrumbs. If you’re using sausage or crabmeat, ensure it’s cooked and then fold it into the mixture. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
4. Stuffing the Mushrooms: Spoon the filling into the mushroom caps, pressing down gently to fill them. Arrange the stuffed mushrooms on a baking sheet.
5. Baking: Drizzle a little olive oil over the stuffed mushrooms. Bake in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes or until the mushrooms are tender and the tops are golden brown.
6. Serving: Let the stuffed mushrooms cool slightly before serving, as the filling will be hot. They can be garnished with additional herbs or a sprinkle of cheese for presentation.

16. Bacon wrapped asparagus

Bacon wrapped asparagus is another sophisticated side dish that would be perfect for dinner parties or special occasions.

Here’s how to prepare it:

1. Ingredients: You’ll need fresh asparagus spears, thin slices of bacon, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Optional ingredients include garlic powder, brown sugar, or balsamic glaze for added flavour.
2. Preparation: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Trim the woody ends from the asparagus spears. If the spears are thick, you can also peel the lower stalks with a vegetable peeler for more even cooking.
3. Wrapping the Asparagus: Lightly coat the asparagus spears with olive oil and season them with salt, pepper, and any additional seasonings you like. Take a slice of bacon and wrap it spirally around each asparagus spear, starting from the bottom and working your way up. The bacon should overlap slightly as you wrap. If you’re using brown sugar, sprinkle it over the bacon-wrapped asparagus before cooking.
4. Cooking: Arrange the bacon-wrapped asparagus on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a wire rack set over a baking sheet to catch the drippings. Make sure the spears are not touching each other to ensure even cooking.
5. Baking: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for about 20-25 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy and the asparagus is tender. The exact time may vary depending on the thickness of the asparagus and bacon.
6. Serving: Once done, remove the bacon-wrapped asparagus from the oven. If desired, you can drizzle them with balsamic glaze for a sweet and tangy finish. 

17. Focaccia bread 

For a classic Italian favourite, serve your carbonara with some authentic focaccia bread. 

You can make your own if you like, though you’ll often find high quality ready made varieties in your local supermarket, if you want to save some time. 

No one will know unless you tell them! 

Whether you want something quick and easy that you can whip up without any fuss after a long day at the office, or you’re planning a special meal and you want to take the time to try something new and impressive, there’s something here for every occasion. 

What’s your favourite choice for what to serve with carbonara?