What To Serve With Spaghetti Bolognese: 12 Best Choices
Spaghetti bolognese is inarguably one of Italy’s most loved culinary exports, and if you’re anything like me, this delicious pasta dish will feature on your meal plan at least once a month.
It’s perfect for batch cooking meaning you can keep a few portions in the freezer.
It’s almost guaranteed to be a hit with even the fussiest of kids.
And after a hard day, you really can’t beat a steaming bowl of rich ragu and ribbons of satisfying spaghetti.
If you’re wondering what to serve with spaghetti bolognese, I have 12 ideas here for you to browse through.
From the quick and easy that you can have on the table in next to no time at all, to the slightly more complex that will take a little longer in the kitchen, you’ll find exactly what you’re looking for right here…
1. Caprese salad
Caprese salad is a simple combination of sliced tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, fresh torn basil, and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar.
This side dish for bolognese really couldn’t be any easier to prepare, but when you take a little care with the presentation, it looks like something that you’d see in a sophisticated restaurant.
The quality of the ingredients is important here, so if you can afford to, it’s worth spending a little more to source the very best tomatoes and mozzarella.
2. Garlic bread
If you regularly cook for your family and you’re also juggling a busy lifestyle, make sure that you keep a couple of garlic breads in your freezer.
They’re a tasty side dish for a huge variety of different meals, and you just need to pop them in the oven whilst you’re prepping your main course.
Of course, if you have the time then you can make your own from scratch, but don’t be scared to take a few shortcuts that will make life easier!
I prefer a baguette style bread so it can be used for scooping up the sauces, though you might want to choose a pizza style bread if you fancy a bit of a change.
3. Leafy green salad
A green salad doesn’t have to be boring.
Select your favourite green leaves, such as spinach, watercress, and rocket, then toss together in a serving bowl and drizzle with a combination of extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
If you like, you can also add some shavings of parmesan cheese.
Some people prefer to serve their salad as a starter, particularly when it comes to Italian food, so that’s something that you might want to consider.
I personally prefer to put everything in the middle of the table and invite everyone to dig in!
4. Cheesy tomato garlic ciabatta
My cheesy tomato garlic bread recipe uses ready made ciabatta buns to save on time and fuss, and the result is a restaurant quality starter or side dish that you’ll want to make time and time again!
You can use tinned or fresh tomatoes, any type of cheese that will melt when grilled, and a sprinkling of your favourite fresh or dried herbs.
It’s the kind of recipe that you can put your own spin on, so you’ll find the combination of toppings that all your loved ones will enjoy.
5. Sautéed broccoli
Broccoli is such a fantastic choice for what to serve with spaghetti bolognese, for a variety of different reasons.
It’s packed full of goodness and makes a great addition to a healthy diet, it’s filling, and it’s also straightforward to prepare.
Not to mention that a splash of green on your plate will give you extra points for presentation!
I recommend sautéing in some olive oil, ensuring that you retain the crunch.
(If you love spaghetti dishes, you might also be interested in what to serve with spaghetti aglio e olio!)
6. Texas toast
Once you’ve discovered the beauty of Texas toast, you’ll want to use it as a side dish for all kinds of different recipes and meals!
So what is it exactly?
Well, it’s quite simply bread that’s sliced to double its usual thickness, and toasted until it’s crispy and crunchy on the outside, but super soft and fluffy on the inside.
Before serving, it’s slathered with a generous helping of butter.
It’s indulgent, and it tastes so good when it’s dipped into that rich tomato sauce!
7. Rosemary focaccia
Focaccia is a traditional Italian bread with a delightfully springy and spongy texture.
I like to think of it as a more sophisticated version of garlic bread, and it’s ideal for what to serve with spaghetti bolognese when you want to create a meal that’s a bit more special than your everyday evening meal.
If you want to take on the challenge of making your own, check out this rosemary focaccia recipe.
It’s made in a sheet pan, and it’s a lot easier than you might initially think!
For more meal planning inspiration, you might also want to browse what to serve with focaccia.
8. Summer panzanella
Panzanella is a Tuscan salad that’s made with chunks of stale bread, tomatoes, and red onion.
It’s delicious served in the summer months when you can source the very best fresh produce, and it can really brighten any rich pasta dish that it’s served alongside.
Make your own dressing using olive oil and red wine vinegar.
9. Roasted asparagus with shaved parmesan and balsamic vinegar
Asparagus is rich in fibre, folate, and a wide variety of vitamins.
It’s delicious when it’s simply grilled and served with some parmesan shavings and a generous drizzle of balsamic vinegar.
10. Olives and a vodka martini
If you’re debating what to serve with spaghetti bolognese, why not think outside the box slightly and wow your guests with some olives and a vodka martini?
This option couldn’t be any easier to prepare, but it’ll make your evening that extra bit special!
Look out for giant stuffed olives in the deli section at your local supermarket, and serve with cocktail sticks so everyone can get stuck right in.
11. Freshly sliced melon
There’s no denying the fact that spaghetti bolognese can be a really filling meal, so you might decide that you want to skip any heavy sides.
If that’s the case, consider slicing up and serving some fresh melon pieces.
It acts as a great palate cleanser between courses, and it takes just seconds to prepare.
12. Italian green beans
I regularly make a batch of Italian green beans, and they’re one of my favourite ways to get extra vegetables into a meal!
Simply sauté the beans in butter and freshly chopped garlic, then sprinkle with grated parmesan cheese.
Choosing just one or two of these options can really take your next meal up to the next level!
Do you have a favourite?
Are there any sides that you love that haven’t been mentioned here?
Leave a comment and share your thoughts!
