What Vegetables Go Well with Tomato Sauce – 10 Tasty Sides

AndrewByAndrew Updated on

What vegetables go well with marinara sauce? This is such an important question to ask if you’re a veggie lover like me.

Marinara sauce can be a tricky ingredient because it has such strong flavors. So, you need to always be careful about what you pair it with.

I know it is very easy to get overwhelmed by the options. Trust me, I’ve been there.

And the truth is I’ve made some terrible pairings in my lifetime. But the world didn’t end.

In fact, those mistakes taught me some valuable lessons about what NOT to do when it comes to pairing tomato sauce with vegetables.

That’s why I’m here to help. So you don’t have to make the same mistakes I did.

I will share with you my list of vegetables that go well with marinara sauce. These are tried and true pairings that will complement the sauce, and not overpower it.

Vegetables That Go Well With Marinara Sauce

  1. Bell peppers
  2. Mushrooms
  3. Green beans
  4. Broccoli
  5. Carrots
  6. Artichoke Hearts
  7. Spinach
  8. Zucchini
  9. Asparagus
  10. Eggplant

Bell peppers

Ain’t nothing more classic than this pairing. The sweetness of the bell pepper pairs so well with the acidity of the marinara sauce.

If you try this pairing, I suggest roasting your bell peppers first. It brings out their natural sweetness and makes them even more of a treat.

I like to add some red onion to this mix too. It really pulls all the flavors together. And of course, a little bit of freshly grated Parmesan cheese never hurt anybody.

Mushrooms

This is another classic pairing that can’t be beaten. The earthiness of the mushrooms goes so well with the acidity and sweetness of the marinara sauce.

I find that mushrooms have a lot of umami flavor, which pairs well with the acidity in marinara sauce. It is such an earthy pairing, and the mushrooms add an excellent depth of flavor to the sauce.

I like to use portobello mushrooms because they have a really meaty texture. But you can use any kind of mushrooms you like. I also love to add some extra garlic when I’m making this pairing. It really kicks up the flavor a notch.

Green beans

This is such an underrated pairing. I think many people are afraid to pair green beans with marinara sauce because they think the flavors will clash. But that’s not the case at all.

In fact, I think that the sweetness of the green beans pairs really well with the acidity of the marinara sauce. I also appreciate how crunchy and fresh green beans are. They give a nice crisp to the dish, which I really enjoy.

If you’re looking for a unique way to pair green beans with marinara sauce, I suggest blanching them first. Then, add them to the sauce and let them cook for a few minutes. This will allow the green beans to absorb all of the flavors from the sauce without getting mushy.

Broccoli

I know that some people are not the biggest fans of broccoli. But I think that when it’s paired with the right sauce, it can be absolutely delicious.

And what better sauce to pair it with than marinara? The acidity in the sauce helps to offset the bitterness of the broccoli. And when it’s cooked properly, broccoli has a really nice crunch to it.

I like to pair broccoli with marinara sauce when I’m looking for a light and healthy meal. It’s a great way to get your veggies in without feeling weighed down.

And what’s more? The broccoli florets soak up all of the deliciousness of the sauce. Perfection!

Carrots

As a proud millennial with an undying aesthetic, I am all about this pairing.

The orange hue of the carrots pairs perfectly with the red hue of the marinara sauce. And when they’re cooked properly, carrots have a slight sweetness to them that helps to balance out the acidity of the sauce.

Being such a fun and unexpected pairing, carrots and marinara sauce is a combination that you definitely need to try. Did I mention that my favorite thing about carrots is how they brighten up the plate? I also love the sweetness that they add to the dish.

I like to add some chopped parsley to this dish for a pop of color. And if you’re feeling really fancy, you can even garnish with some shaved Parmesan cheese.

Finally, if you’re looking for a fun and unique way to serve carrots with marinara sauce, I suggest roasting them first. Roasted carrots have an unbelievable flavor that pairs really well with the sauce. You can also grate them into the sauce for a more subtle flavor.

Artichoke Hearts

If you think about the fact that many people consider tomatoes to be a fruit, it makes sense that artichoke hearts would go well with marinara sauce.

After all, they’re both fruits! But seriously, the marinara sauce’s acidity helps offset the artichokes’ sweetness. And I love how they add a nice pop of color to the dish.

I like to use jarred artichoke hearts because they’re already cooked and really easy to use. But you can also use fresh artichokes if you prefer. Just be sure to cook them before adding them to the sauce.

Spinach

Have you ever had one of those days where you’re just not ready to eat your veggies? Yeah, me too.

But what if I told you that there’s a way to make eating your veggies fun and delicious? That’s right, my friend. Spinach and marinara sauce is the pairing that you never knew you needed.

I love how the acidity in the marinara sauce helps to bring out the sweetness of the spinach. And when it’s cooked properly, spinach has a really nice texture. It’s soft but still has a slight crunch to it.

If you’re looking for a fun and unique way to serve spinach with marinara sauce, I suggest wilting it first. This will help to bring out the flavor of the spinach and make it more palatable.

Zucchini