Best Vegetable Side Dishes For Pasta - 25 Yummy Sides

There are so many different vegetable side dishes that can be served with pasta and it can be tough to decide which recipes will complement your meal the best.

I love trying new vegetable side dishes for pasta. It’s always fun to experiment with different flavors and textures. So recently, I went on researching what goes well as their side dish.

After some trials and errors in the kitchen, I finally came up with a few vegetable side dish recipes that I think would be great for your next pasta meal!

Vegetable Side Dishes For Pasta

Spinach And Garbanzo Beans
Tangy Broccoli With Almonds
Blue Cheese And Spinach Salad
Japanese-Style Spinach
Wedge Salad
Sesame Sugar Snap Peas
Steamed Zucchini
Herb And Arugula Salad With Balsamic Vinaigrette
Balsamic-Parmesan Sauteed Spinach
Sauteed Pea Shoots With Garlic

Spinach And Garbanzo Beans

Looking for a new veggie side dish to go with your pasta? Try spinach and garbanzo beans! This tasty combo is packed with nutrients and has a slightly nutty flavor that pairs well with many types of pasta.

Plus, it’s super easy to make – just sauté the spinach and beans in a little olive oil until they’re heated through. If you’re looking for a bit more flavor, try adding some garlic or Parmesan cheese to the mix.

And if you’re watching your weight, rest assured that this dish is low in calories but high in fiber, making it a nutritious and satisfying choice.

Tangy Broccoli With Almonds

This dish is healthy and flavorful, making it a great choice for a vegetable side dish. The broccoli is cooked in a light dressing of balsamic vinegar, garlic, and olive oil, and then topped with toasted almonds. The result is a dish that is tangy, crunchy, and slightly sweet.

The health benefits of this dish are numerous. Broccoli is a great source of vitamins C and K, as well as fiber. Additionally, the toasted almonds add healthy fats and protein.

Moreover, this dish can be paired with almost any pasta dish. It would be particularly good with tomato-based pasta or simple cheese tortellini. The only downside to this dish is that it can be a bit time-consuming to prepare. However, the results are definitely worth the effort.

Let me share some tips and tricks that I have learned as I prepared this dish:

To save time, you can purchase pre-toasted almonds.
You can also substitute other nuts, such as pistachios or walnuts.
If you are short on time, you can cook the broccoli for less time so that it is slightly crunchy. This will also help to prevent the vegetables from becoming mushy.

Blue Cheese And Spinach Salad

I’m a big fan of Blue Cheese And Spinach Salad. I love the taste and texture of this dish, and I think it’s a great way to get your veggies in. The health benefits of Blue Cheese And Spinach salad are numerous, and there are many ways to pair it with other foods.

However, there are also some potential drawbacks to using this dish as a vegetable side dish:

It is high in calories and fat. If you are watching your weight, you may want to avoid this dish.
The strong flavor of blue cheese can be overwhelming for some people. If you are serving this dish to guests, you may want to consider using a milder cheese or omitting the cheese altogether.

Despite these drawbacks, I still think this dish is a great option for a vegetable side dish. The flavor is unique and the health benefits are hard to beat. So if you are looking for a new way to get your veggies in, I highly recommend trying this recipe.

Japanese-Style Spinach

Japanese-Style Spinach is a great way to add some extra veggies to your pasta dish. They have a slightly sweet taste and are super creamy, making them a perfect pairing for any pasta. Plus, they’re full of nutrients like vitamins A and C, as well as iron. Spinach is also a low-calorie vegetable, so you can enjoy it without worry.

Despite this, you need to be mindful of some things when preparing this dish such as the following:

They cook very quickly, so be sure to watch them closely.
They may release water while cooking, so it’s best to drain them before adding them to your pasta dish.

Wedge Salad

A wedge salad is a great way to enjoy the flavors of your favorite pasta dish while getting a serving of vegetables. The crisp lettuce and juicy tomatoes are a perfect complement to the creamy pasta sauce and hearty noodles. Wedge salad also has several health benefits.

Lettuce is a good source of fiber, which can help regulate digestion. The tomatoes are a good source of vitamins A and C, which are important for immunity and skin health. And the olive oil dressing provides healthy fats that can help promote heart health.

I also want to remind you of a few things you need to remember as you make your wedge salad:

The salad should be served chilled or at room temperature so it doesn’t wilt under the heat of the pasta.
The dressing should be light so it doesn’t overwhelm the delicate flavors of the salad.
The salad should be chopped into bite-sized pieces so it’s easy to eat with a fork.

Sesame Sugar Snap Peas

Sesame sugar snap peas are a vegetable side dish that can be served with pasta. They are sweet and have a crunchy texture. They are also a good source of fiber and vitamins A and C.

When choosing a replacement for traditional pasta, it is important to consider the taste, texture, and health benefits of the new dish. Hence, sesame sugar snap peas are a good option because they are tasty and nutritious.

Here are some friendly reminders that you should take note of when making this side:

The peas should be cooked quickly to maintain their crunchy texture.
They can be served with a variety of pasta dishes, but they pair best with lighter sauces.
They can be a healthy alternative to pasta, but they should not be overused as they are high in sugar.

Steamed Zucchini

Steamed zucchini is a great way to enjoy this summertime squash while still getting all of the nutrients your body needs. Zucchini is packed with vitamins A, C, and B6, as well as potassium and folate. It’s also low in calories and fat-free, making it a perfect addition to any meal.

The best way to steam zucchini is to slice it into thin strips and then steam them for 3-5 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when they’re tender but still have a slight crunch.

Moreover, steamed zucchini can be served with just about anything – try pairing it with grilled chicken or fish, pasta, or rice. You can even add it to salads for a boost of flavor and nutrition. And don’t forget to top it with your favorite sauce or dressing – I love balsamic vinegar or pesto.

Steaming is also a great way to cook zucchini if you’re trying to avoid adding extra fat or calories to your diet. Just be sure not to overcook them – no one likes soggy veggies!

Herb And Arugula Salad With Balsamic Vinaigrette

This salad is a mix of fresh herbs like parsley, dill, and mint, along with arugula and radicchio. The dressing is a balsamic vinaigrette, which brings out the flavor of the herbs.

This dish is a great vegetable side dish for pasta because it is light and refreshing, but still has a lot of flavors. The herbs in this salad are also very healthy, so you can feel good about eating this as a side dish.

To make your experience with this side better, be sure to remember these tips:

Make sure to use fresh herbs – they will have much more flavor than dried herbs.
Be careful not to overdress the salad – the vinaigrette should just lightly coat the leaves.
If you are serving this to guests, you may want to chop the herbs a bit more finely so that they are not too strong.

Balsamic-Parmesan Sauteed Spinach

Balsamic-Parmesan Sauteed Spinach is a delicious, healthy vegetable side dish that pairs perfectly with pasta. The spinach is sauteed in olive oil and garlic, then finished with a splash of balsamic vinegar and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. The result is a light, fresh, and flavorful dish that is packed with nutrients.

Spinach is an excellent source of vitamins A, C, and K, as well as iron and calcium. It also contains lutein and zeaxanthin, two powerful antioxidants that have been shown to protect against age-related macular degeneration.

Moreover, Balsamic-Parmesan Sauteed Spinach is a quick and easy dish to prepare, and it can be made ahead of time and reheated when needed. It is also highly versatile – it can be served as a standalone dish or paired with grilled chicken or fish.

When making Balsamic-Parmesan Sauteed Spinach, be sure to use fresh spinach leaves for the best flavor and texture. If using frozen spinach, thaw it before cooking. And remember to season the dish generously with salt and pepper before serving.

Sauteed Pea Shoots With Garlic

Sauteed Pea Shoots With Garlic is a great way to enjoy your vegetables. They have a delicate flavor and a crispy texture that makes them a perfect side dish for pasta.

Sauteed Pea Shoots With Garlic is also a good source of vitamins A and C, as well as fiber and iron. And, because they’re low in calories, fat, and sodium, they’re a healthy choice for people watching their weight.

Here are some tips when it comes to choosing and serving Sauteed Pea Shoots With Garlic:

Look for bright green shoots with firm stems. Avoid those that are yellow or wilted.
To prepare them for sauteing, trim off the ends of the shoots and cut them into bite-sized pieces.
When sauteing, be sure to use light oil, such as olive oil or canola oil, to prevent the shoots from burning.
If you want a bit of color in your dish, feel free to add some chopped garlic or red pepper flakes to the pan.
Serve Sauteed Pea Shoots With Garlic alongside your favorite pasta dish or as a simple side dish for grilled chicken or fish.

Conclusion

I’ve got a variety of recipes that are sure to please everyone at the dinner table. I hope this gives you some ideas of vegetable side dishes to make that go well with pasta.

There are so many options to choose from, so be sure to experiment and find the ones that you like best. Now, grab your favorite pasta dish and get cooking!

Best Vegetable Side Dishes For Pasta – 25 Yummy Sides