The 16 Best Pasta Side Dishes for Steak

Looking for the best pasta side dishes for steak? 

Whether you fancy something creamy and indulgent, light and fresh, traditionally Italian, or a little more innovative, you’ll find something here that will be the perfect accompaniment for your next steak dinner. 

Just need to grab some quick ideas and head off to the kitchen? 

No problem! 

Some of the best pasta side dishes for steak include pesto pasta salad, Greek pasta salad, creamy mushroom pasta, pasta alla vodka, truffled mac and cheese, cacio e pepe, Cajun pasta, garlic butter pasta, and spaghetti puttanesca. 

Read on for more ideas, as well as easy to follow recipes… 

1. Pesto pasta salad 

A pesto pasta salad is a great dish to have in your culinary repertoire.

It can make an easy pack up lunch to take into work, it can be served on a sunny afternoon with a glass of crisp, white wine, or of course, it can be a delicious pasta side dish for steak. 

My favourite pesto pasta recipe includes cucumber, cherry tomatoes, peas, and basil, making it vibrant, colourful, and packed full of essential vitamins and minerals.

A touch of creme fraiche brings an element of light creaminess, and it’s satisfying without being too heavy or rich. 

2. Greek pasta salad 

Al dente pasta, crisp cucumber, juicy tomatoes, tangy feta cheese, and an authentic dressing, this greek pasta salad will remind you of summer holidays, and it’s a fabulous side dish for grilled chicken and steak. 

If you’re short on time, make this side dish in advance and chill in the refrigerator.

When it comes to serving your meal, you’ll just need to prepare your steaks, and you’re good to go! 

(Be sure to also take a browse through the best salads that go with steak for more steak night inspiration!) 

3. Chilli, tomato, and prawn pasta 

Serving prawn pasta with steak is a tasty and creative spin on surf and turf! 

This chilli, tomato, and prawn pasta recipe takes just half an hour from start to finish, and it’s the kind of elegant and sophisticated dish that you’d be proud to serve up at a dinner party or special birthday meal. 

Best of all, you’ll need just six ingredients, so you don’t need to worry about spending ages trawling round the supermarket.

In fact, you’re likely to have most of the items you’ll need already in your kitchen. 

4. Creamy mushroom pasta 

If you enjoy a mushroom sauce with your steak, you really need to try this creamy mushroom pasta as a side dish. 

I like to use spaghetti for this particular recipe as I find the silky sauce coats it perfectly, though any longer pasta like linguine or bucatini will work just as well. 

I go with any mushrooms that I happen to have in the fridge at the time, though don’t be afraid to get experimental.

If it’s a special meal or you’re just feeling a little fancy, you can use exotic mushrooms like shiitake or oyster. 

5. Pasta alla vodka 

If you’ve never heard of vodka pasta before, you’d be forgiven for thinking that it sounds a little bit strange!

Many home chefs consider the white spirit to be the secret ingredient though when it comes to the tastiest, most delicious pasta sauce. 

The recipe first rose to prominence in the 1980s in Italy and the USA, when it started to appear on menus at late night discos and bars.

It’s enjoyed a resurgence in popularity over the past few years, and has become something of a cult hit on social media platforms like TikTok. 

The vodka really brings out the taste of the tomato, and adds a touch of heat and a little bit of a sharp bite.

You can’t taste the alcohol in the finished dish, and as it burns off during the cooking process, you won’t get drunk! 

Some recipes will suggest that you add bacon, but when it comes to the best pasta side dishes to serve with steak, I prefer to keep things simple and let the steak be the real star of the show. 

6. Truffled mac and cheese 

If you’re putting together a special menu and you want to bring some luxury to the proceedings, steak with a side dish of truffled mac and cheese is a real show stopper! 

Think luxurious baked pasta, with lashings of bubbling creamy sauce, and a rich, earthy flavour thanks to the combination of truffled cheese, truffle oil, and a dash of truffled salt. 

7. Super quick broccoli pasta 

This quick broccoli pasta recipe is one that I use regularly as a side dish for steak, on those evenings when I need something quick and easy that doesn’t require a load of complicated ingredients. 

You’ll use two heads of broccoli to make this dish, making it a great way to get some extra veggies on the table whilst also serving up something that’s family friendly and kids will love. 

8. Garlic butter pasta

Sometimes, the simplest dishes are the most satisfying. 

Creating your own garlic butter pasta is so straightforward that you don’t even need to follow a recipe!

Just toss cooked spaghetti or angel hair pasta with melted butter, minced garlic, chopped parsley, and a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese for an elegant side. 

This one’s my go-to option for when I want to make a delicious meal but the fridge is looking a little bare. 

9. Cacio e pepe

Cacio e pepe is another simple pasta recipe that’s perfect with steak. 

You’ll need just 4 easy ingredients – spaghetti, parmesan, pepper, and butter – and it’s surprisingly rich and indulgent. 

If you can, splurge a little on the best quality pasta you can find. It’s worth it to really make this dish a showstopper! 

10. Gorgonzola and walnut pasta 

Gorgonzola and walnut pasta is ideal if you want something a little out of the ordinary, and it has a delicious tang from the cheese as well as a satisfying crunch from the nuts. 

Make your own with these instructions:

1. Ingredients: You’ll need pasta (such as fettuccine or penne), gorgonzola cheese, heavy cream, walnuts, butter, garlic, salt, and pepper. Optional ingredients include parsley for garnish and a splash of white wine for added depth.
2. Preparation: Start by toasting the walnuts in a dry skillet until they’re fragrant and lightly browned. Be careful not to burn them. Once toasted, chop the walnuts coarsely and set them aside.
3. Cooking Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving a little of the pasta water.
4. Making the Sauce: While the pasta is cooking, melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for a minute until fragrant. Then, add the heavy cream and crumbled gorgonzola cheese. Stir until the cheese has melted and the sauce is creamy. If the sauce is too thick, you can thin it with a bit of the reserved pasta water. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Combining: Add the drained pasta to the sauce and toss to coat evenly. If you opted to use white wine, you can add it to the sauce before adding the pasta, allowing it to cook off slightly.
6. Serving: Transfer the gorgonzola and walnut pasta to serving dishes. Sprinkle with the toasted walnuts and garnish with chopped parsley if desired. Serve immediately while the sauce is warm and creamy.

11. Four cheese pasta 

This easy four cheese pasta recipe is beautifully silky and smooth, and best of all, it only takes 15 minutes to make from scratch. 

It’s a classic in Italian restaurants all around the world, and it’s even better when served as a side dish for your favourite cut of steak. 

I like to garnish with a little fresh parsley and plenty of freshly cracked black pepper. 

12. Cajun pasta 

For something a little out of the ordinary to serve with your steak, try Cajun pasta! 

It’s bold, it’s smokey, and it has a satisfying kick of Southern spices without being too hot for those with more delicate tastebuds.

Here’s a quick guide on how to make it:

1. Ingredients: Gather pasta (like fettuccine or penne), olive oil, Cajun seasoning, garlic, onion, bell peppers, heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. Fresh parsley and green onions for garnish.
2. Preparation: Chop the garlic, onion, and bell peppers into fine pieces. Grate the Parmesan cheese and set aside.
3. Cooking Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook it according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside, reserving some pasta water.
4. Sautéing: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté the garlic, onion, and bell peppers until soft. Sprinkle with Cajun seasoning to taste.
5. Making the Sauce: Lower the heat and add the heavy cream to the skillet, stirring to combine with the vegetables. Allow the sauce to simmer until it starts to thicken. Add the Parmesan cheese and stir until melted and smooth. If the sauce is too thick, thin it with a bit of the reserved pasta water.
6. Combining: Toss everything together until the pasta is evenly coated with the creamy Cajun sauce.

13. Spaghetti puttanesca  

Spaghetti puttanesca is loaded with the deeply savoury flavours of capers, olives, and anchovies, making it a really grown up and sophisticated dish to serve alongside steak. 

If you feel a little cautious about using anchovies, don’t be. 

This dish isn’t fishy, and the anchovies simply serve to add to the umami flavours. 

14. Caprese pasta salad

For summery vibes, or when you’re cooking your steaks outside on the barbecue, consider making a Caprese pasta salad.

Here’s a quick guide for how to make it:

1. Ingredients: You’ll need pasta (such as farfalle, rotini, or penne), ripe cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella cheese (preferably in pearl size or chopped into bite-sized pieces), fresh basil leaves, extra-virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper.
2. Preparation: Halve the cherry tomatoes and tear the basil leaves into smaller pieces. If you’re using a larger ball of mozzarella, cut it into bite-sized cubes.
3. Cooking Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse under cold water to cool it down and stop the cooking process.
4. Combining: In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta, halved cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, and torn basil. Drizzle with a generous amount of extra-virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Chilling: Toss all the ingredients until they are well mixed. For the best flavour, cover the bowl and let the salad chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving. 
6. Serving: Before serving, give the salad another toss and adjust the seasoning if needed. You can also drizzle a little more olive oil or balsamic vinegar on top for added flavour.

15. Pasta with butternut squash and sage brown butter 

For an impressive option for pasta side dishes for steak, try this pasta with butternut squash and sage brown butter. 

This one is perfect for a dinner party, or those evenings when you’re just in the mood for experimenting with new flavour combinations and you’re a little tired of cream and tomato based pasta dishes! 

16. Anchovy pasta with garlic and parsley

Let’s round things off with this delicious anchovy pasta with garlic and parsley, an absolutely beautiful dish that’s adapted from an Anthony Bourdain recipe.  

It’s easy to prepare and so comforting, yet it’s also something that you could expect to be served in a seriously good restaurant. 

You really need to try it! 

I like to alternate through these pasta side dishes for steak, and it keeps my weekly meal plans varied and interesting.

The Greek pasta side dish is my go-to for sunny weekends in the summer months, whilst the truffled mac and cheese is one that I return to whenever I’m planning a dinner party. 

What’s your favourite kind of pasta to serve with steak?

And which of these recipes will you be trying soon? 

Before you go, take a look at what to serve with braised steaks.