Aglio e olio is a true classic in the world of pasta.
It’s simple, it’s garlicy, and oh-so satisfying.
Yet, even the most perfect dish can leave you wondering, “What else can I add to round out the meal?”
If that’s the question on your mind, you’ve hit the jackpot here. We’re about to walk you through seven killer sides that transform your aglio e olio from a solo act into a harmonious symphony.
These aren’t just any sides; they’re the best companions to elevate your pasta night from great to unforgettable.
Ready to discover your pasta’s new best friends?
Why Consider Serving Side Dishes with Aglio e olio?
When you’re having spaghetti Aglio e olio, side dishes will help provide the missing tastes that your pasta might lack.
Since Aglio e olio has a relatively mild taste, you need something strong to satisfy your food cravings.
Side dishes come in handy in delivering these missing flavors.
No doubt, you can completely consume Aglio e olio on its own as it is comforting to eat.
But it is always better to serve the pasta with a side dish that will keep your taste buds active and refreshed with various flavors.
What to Serve with Aglio e olio? 7 BEST Side Dishes
It’s always a debate between vegetables and meats when choosing a side dish for spaghetti.
Regardless of your choice, there’s a clear-cut way to make them into a delicious dish.
1. Caesar Salad
What can you not expect from a salad that contains so many items? Caesar salad is your go-to salad when you cannot decide which salad to make.
The eggs, olive oil, lemon juice, sauce, cheese all make up for the complexity in the taste of the Caesar salad.
While the salad is rich in calories, it isn’t always the second choice for any salad lover.
While plain Worcestershire sauce is primarily used for this recipe, you can switch things up and easily make a homemade Caesar dressing to add to your Caesar salad.
2. Stuffed Eggplant Parmesan
This low-carb recipe is a twist on the classic eggplant parmesan.
It is easier to make and creatively unique.
Mushrooms, quinoa, and eggplant pulp make a great stuffing for this recipe.
Kids love them equally, so you need not prepare an alternate dish while cooking this.
It is hearty and comfortable to eat, so not many have an issue with stuffed eggplants.
You can even store leftovers for up to 3 days if refrigerated in an airtight container.
3. Roasted Broccoli With Lemon
This is a cheat to eating broccoli. Once you try this side dish, you’ll have a whole new idea about broccolis.
To roast the broccoli, drizzle olive oil on them and roast them on a pan or bake them in the oven; it’ll surely taste amazing.
The smell of olive oil enriches the natural flavor of broccoli, and when combined with the freshness of lemon juice, it simply becomes irresistible.
If you fancy eating beautiful-looking food, remember to cut the broccoli into different shapes.
4. Mushrooms and Roasted Tomatoes
This is a quick way to cook mushrooms when you are out of ideas or want to try something new.
You need only put all the ingredients together and season them with Italian seasoning.
Make your Italian seasoning with oregano, rosemary, and other herbs if you don’t have it ready.
Bake this mixture for 25 to 30 minutes in a preheated oven.
The tomatoes are good even without being sliced as they retain a lot of flavors and give a juicy feeling with each bite.
This recipe takes 30 minutes to make but once done, the leftovers can be stored for up to a week.
5. Persimmon and Chickpea Salad
This is one dish that all vegans will love.
It is also gluten-free and dairy-free, and any recipe with persimmon will make the dish addictively sweet.
This salad is something you can make with just a few ingredients.
Persimmon and roasted chickpeas mixed with the goodness of fresh lemon juice give this salad a refreshing flavor.
Add some shredded goat cheese to the assembled salad to make this salad even more enticing.
This sweet and filling salad will cleanse your palate and provide a wonderful aftertaste.
A simple tip would be to cut the persimmon in exciting shapes for an extra zing to your meal.
6. Kale and Brussels Sprouts Slaw
Brussels sprouts are not the most loved food.
They, however, make some of the best side dishes, so you shouldn’t skip them out.
Cheese and pepper are the stars of this dish, and they make the dish so addictive.
The mixture of kale and sprouts also gives a pleasant texture to the slaw.
This side dish is so fun as you can add it directly to your spaghetti or eat them separately.
7. Cheese and Cauliflower Breadsticks
This is another gluten-free side dish that you can creatively include in your spaghetti Aglio e olio.
It is no lie that cauliflowers can be hard to add to recipes, and making them into breadsticks is a creative way of using them.
Mozarella and parmesan cheese make this dish so utterly satisfying that you’ll immediately be drawn to its taste.
Though a vegetable, cauliflower makes delicious breadsticks.
Dip them in a marinara sauce and enjoy it with your spaghetti.
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