What Dessert Goes With Spaghetti? 18 Luscious Choices

Searching for some ideas and inspiration for what dessert goes with spaghetti?

Look no further!

Next time you’re planning a spaghetti dinner, whether it be a creamy carbonara or a rich, tomatoey bolognese, you can simply refer to this guide and choose the sweet treat that you fancy preparing for your dinner guests.

As a general rule, I like to consider options that have Italian roots, to honour the theme at the table.

Sometimes though, all that matters is that you choose something that’s the perfect pairing for your main, regardless of its roots.

Here are your ideas for what dessert goes with spaghetti…

1. Tiramisu

A tiramisu is possibly Italy’s most famous and well loved dessert.

It consists of layers of sponge cake, soaked in coffee and brandy and combined with mascarpone cheese before being dusted with powdered chocolate and garnished with coffee beans.

It’s elegant and it’s rich, and it’s definitely worthy of being served at a dinner party alongside a spaghetti main course.

2. Cannoli

Cannoli are Italian pastries, and they typically consist of tube shaped pastry shells which are filled with a sweet, creamy, ricotta based filling.

They’re often decorated with chocolate chips and chopped pistachios, and as they’re bitesized, the make for the perfect finger food dessert.

3. Orange polenta cake

This orange polenta cake recipe is moist and fruity, and delicious.

Polenta can be used in cakes instead of flour, and the result is a denser bake with a pleasantly grainy texture.

It’s wonderful when served hot from the oven, but it’s just as good when prepared the day before and served sliced with a hot drink.

(If you’re planning a special occasion, you might also want to take a look at desserts that go with wine and cheese!)

4. Vanilla ice cream

Spaghetti can be a really filling and satisfying meal, and so you may want to choose a dessert that’s a little lighter.

If that’s the case, a few scoops of good quality vanilla ice cream is a tasty solution. It’s also one of the quickest and easiest desserts you’ll ever come across, giving you more time to relax and enjoy the conversation after the meal.

5. Fruity semifreddo

Semifreddo is a soft and creamy Italian dessert that literally means ‘half cold’ or ‘half frozen’. It’s often likened to ice cream, though a key difference is that semifreddo isn’t churned or scooped. Instead, it’s moulded and sliced, usually in a metal loaf tin, a little similar to cake.

If you decide to make this dessert, make sure you line the tin so you can easily remove the finished product. You’ll also want to ensure that you keep the ingredients and the utensils as cold as possible during the preparation process, as it can begin to melt very easily.

6. Lemon ricotta cake

Lemon ricotta cake is another delectable option if you want something light and citrusy after your spaghetti main course.

Though this cake works fabulously as a dessert, it’s also wonderful at breakfast with a cup of freshly brewed coffee. Make sure that you save a slice or two to enjoy the next day!

7. Torta Barozzi

The original recipe is traditionally kept top secret, though this variation of torta Barozzi is absolutely delicious, and lends itself so well to being served as a dessert for spaghetti.

It’s made using chocolate, peanuts, rum, and coffee, making it super rich and indulgent. I like to serve a small slice, warm from the oven, with a drizzle of fresh cream to round off a meal.

8. Cantucci (Italian almond cookies)

These famous Italian almond cookies are twice baked for extra crunch, and are so satisfying when dipped in a hot drink after a meal.

They make a great dessert if you like to keep things simple and informal.

9. Crema di caffe (Italian coffee cream)

Crema di caffe is a whipped speciality coffee that’s served with a spoon, making it a delicious choice for a dessert.

It’s creamy, it’s delicious, and it takes just a few minutes to prepare.

10. Lemon meringue pie

Lemon meringue pie consists of a shortened pastry base, filled with lemon curd and topped with toasted, fluffy meringue peaks.

It’s the kind of sweet treat that lends itself well to any season, and you can prepare it in advance if you’re having guests for dinner.

If you’re in the mood for something a little more out of the ordinary, I highly recommend this pineapple meringue pie. I love the tropical twist, and it’s always a hit with friends and family!

11. Strawberry panna cotta

Strawberry panna cotta is fruity, creamy, and perfect for when you’re looking for a lighter choice after a filling meal.

You’ll need double cream whole milk, gelatine, sugar, and vanilla to make the base, and strawberries, cornflour, and sugar for the topping. I like to serve these with some biscuits for scooping and dipping – shortbread or an almond variety are great choices!

12. Old fashioned chocolate fudge

Did you know that you can make fudge in the slow cooker? Since I discovered this a few years ago, a selection of fudge with a cup of tea or coffee is one of the most highly requested desserts in my household!

Of course you can make any flavour variety that you like, but my personal favourite is old fashioned chocolate. It pairs perfectly with an Italian meal, and though it’s rich and indulgent, the fact that it can be served in bitesized morsels means it doesn’t have to be too heavy.

13. Millionaire’s shortbread

Millionaire’s shortbread is also sometimes known as caramel shortbread, and it consists of a shortcrust pastry base, a layer of caramel, and a topping of chocolate.

It requires a little time and attention, but it’s absolutely worth the effort.

14. Pizzicati cookies

Pizzacati are simple buttery biscuits, that can be filled with your favourite jam or even a little chocolate hazelnut spread!

These are also sometimes known as bow tie cookies or pinch cookies, and they’re super fun to make.

15. New York cheesecake

Having a good New York cheesecake recipe in your personal recipe book is a brilliant idea that will give you plenty of dessert options for upcoming family meals, special occasions, and dinner parties.

It’s larger and more indulgent than its traditional cheesecake counterpart, and usually has more cream cheese and cream to make it that extra bit richer.

16. Cappuccino

After a particularly filling spaghetti meal, you might decide that you want to offer a simple cappuccino for dessert.

It’s the ideal option if you want to give your guests something to enjoy to round off the meal over a conversation at the table, but you don’t have the time to prepare something more substantial from scratch.

17. Vanilla shortbread

If you want to serve a little bite alongside your Italian cappuccino, a quick and easy vanilla shortbread could be just the ticket.

You can make these yourself in hardly any time at all and with just a handful of ingredients, and you can wrap some up in pretty boxes for your guests to take home as a little momento from their evening.

18. Roasted oranges

Roasted oranges are vibrant, colourful, zesty, and packed full of flavour, and they’re a worthy dessert option when you want something that’s easy to prepare but that will impress your guests.

Simply cut an orange into thin slices, drizzle with honey, cinnamon, and vanilla extract, and roast in a hot oven for around 10 minutes or until cooked and golden.

Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, if you like.

Whatever kind of spaghetti you’re thinking of preparing, there’s a dessert choice here that’s sure to fit the bill and help you to create a family meal that everyone will love.

Which of these options is your favourite, and which will you be trying first?