25 Delicious Pasta Side Dishes

Savor a taste of Italy in your own kitchen with delicious pasta sides that are sure to impress!

Pair this list with a bottle of your favorite wine and you’ll be in for a fun-filled Italian feast.

From creamy alfredo to spicy pesto, there’s something for everyone on this list of 30 pasta side dishes.

Let the good times roll with these scrumptious dishes!

1. One Pot Garlic Parmesan Pasta

Cutting through a slew of holiday recipes, this one-pot garlic parmesan pasta is the ultimate dinner.

It’s so creamy and garlicky that you might even forget it’s vegan!

And with its array of herbs and spices, this sauce is sure to please any palate.

Serve it over a bed of rice for an easy-to-make meal!

2. Copycat Panera Macaroni And Cheese Recipe

I’m a sucker for creamy comfort food, and I think Panera has perfected it with this mac and cheese recipe.

It’s loaded with cheese, breadcrumbs, and milk.

It also boasts a wonderful blend of cheddar, swiss, mozzarella, and parmesan.

The best part?

It’s ready in just 30 minutes!

3. Pasta Alla Carbonara

This recipe will give you the perfect pasta dish for your next Sunday brunch.

It’s creamy, savory, and very meaty.

Use this recipe if you want to make a big batch of homemade carbonara sauce in order to freeze it for later.

You can also prepare this recipe the night before and keep it in the fridge until you’re ready to cook it up.

Just pop it in the microwave or oven when you’re ready!

4. Creamy Garlic Shells

This is a simple dish that tastes like heaven.

It’s creamy, garlic-flavored, and ready in 30 minutes.

Seriously, this is an easy dinner you can make on a busy weeknight with minimal prep!

Cook the pasta while the sauce cooks and serve when it’s all bubbly.

I love to add some parmesan cheese or a crunchy salt and pepper to my plate of these cheesy shells.

5. 5-Cheese Marinara

This is a terrific recipe if you’re looking to extend your pasta meal with more cheese and carbs.

It’s simple enough to make on a busy night but big enough to wow your guests.

You’ll add everything except the pie crust, then let it sit for a few hours before adding the cheese.

This will allow everything to meld into one heavenly dish.

6. Pasta Primavera

This pasta primavera, or green leafy salad, is a fresh and vibrant side dish that’s sure to delight your palate.

It’s full of fresh veggies like watercress, beets, fennel bulb, and arugula.

You’ll also add Italian parsley to the mix and finish it off with loads of yummy cheese.

It has a lovely earthy flavor from the beets and crunch from the arugula.

With this hearty salad, you can feed your tastebuds anything and feel good about it!

7. Cheesy Taco Pasta

When I think of a meal that’s ready in just 15 minutes, pasta is usually where my mind goes.

But not when it comes to this cheesy taco pasta!

You’ll love how flawlessly the flavors work together.

The ground beef and taco seasoning are perfect.

The tomato sauce and cheese come together like a dream.

And don’t even get me started on the avocado slices!

8. Parmesan Orzo Pasta

This is a great recipe to try if you want something light and easy, but don’t have time for the traditional pasta.

It’s lighter and milder than most of the other recipes on this list.

The orzo gives it a nice firm texture that works well with the rich flavors from the cheese, tomato paste, garlic, basil, and onion.

If you want to make this one extra special, try roasting some broccoli florets in olive oil before adding them to the mix.

It will give it a slightly bitter flavor that complements everything else pretty well.

9. Lemon Garlic Parmesan Shrimp Pasta

Give your dinner guests a taste of classic Italian cuisine with this easy lemon garlic parmesan shrimp pasta dish.

The fresh lemon, garlic, and parmesan flavors are balanced out by the tender shrimp.

It makes for an ideal comfort food that you can enjoy any night of the week.

You’ll love how it tastes so good on its own but also pairs so well with other dishes.

This recipe is a terrific way to get in some veggies into your diet.

10. Pesto Pasta

It might not be the most exciting recipe, but this pesto pasta is one of my favorites.

You’ll combine fresh basil and pine nuts, creating a nutty, buttery base that pairs perfectly with the more robust flavors of the pesto.

The addition of parmesan cheese adds a heavenly creaminess to the dish.

This makes it so much better than just plain ol’ pasta sauce, which can be too sweet or bland to some people.

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/62276407339287788/

11. White Sauce Pasta

White sauce pasta is a delicious and easy way to show your guests how much you love them.

It is the perfect match for a variety of dishes, from chicken Alfredo to shrimp carbonara.

The trick to making it so good?

White sauce is made with Parmesan cheese, which makes it cheesy and creamy.

Need more flavor?

How about some garlic powder ?

Or maybe some red pepper flakes!

You can get creative with the herbs and seasonings.

Trust me; this dish tastes just as great with extra seasoning as without.

12. Italian Pasta Salad

This Italian pasta salad is the epitome of summer.

It’s packed with fresh veggies, crunchy nuts, and a zesty dressing made from balsamic vinegar, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic powder, and basil.

It’s an easy way to sneak in some nutrition while you enjoy your favorite summer flavors.

Plus, it’s pretty much irresistible!

You can whip up this simple lunch item any time of day.

So feel free to eat it at home when you have time.

This pasta salad is great on its own or paired with fresh veggies like leafy greens, cucumbers, tomatoes, red onions, radishes (or whatever you like), and/or crackers.

Serve this pasta salad over whole wheat orzo noodles for even more flavor and texture.

13. 20 Minute Tortellini Pasta Carbonara

This recipe is a combination of carbonara, tortellini, and chicken in a creamy tomato-based sauce.

What I love most about this is that it’s so versatile! Add your favorite veggies to the dish and you have a meal that won’t disappoint.

I love pairing this with some smoked salmon for a healthier taste.

But it also works well as an appetizer or light lunch!

14. Skinny Avocado Ranch Pasta Salad

If you’ve ever made your own ranch dressing, you already know how to do it.

With this recipe, all you’ll need is avocado and goat cheese.

The creamy avocado and tangy goat cheese are the perfect match for the sweet and crisp pasta.

It’s a simple recipe that tastes like a million bucks!

15. Broccoli Pasta

I’m not a huge fan of pasta salads, but this broccoli pasta is something I can eat every day.

It’s so yummy, you won’t need to miss out on the carbs to enjoy it.

The added garlic and balsamic vinegar really give it a lovely flavor.

Serve with some grilled chicken and bread for an easy meal.

16. Creamy Tomato Cucumber Pasta Salad

Creamy tomato cucumber pasta salad is the perfect dish for a cold day.

The creamy sauce provides a wonderful contrast to the fresh flavors of tomatoes, cucumbers, and basil.

It’s served with a side of lightly seasoned cheddar cheese for a satisfying meal.

17. Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

Sometimes, you just need a comforting pasta salad that’s packed with flavor.

This bacon ranch pasta salad is hearty, full of veggies, and delightfully flavorful.

It’s also best served cold, which means you can enjoy this dish without the guilt!

Plus, it’ll be fresh and still warm when you dig in.

It’s also delicious enough to eat on its own but would taste even better with your favorite burger toppings.

18. Garlic Butter Mushroom Pasta

This garlic butter mushroom pasta recipe is a vegetarian-friendly dish that’s packed with flavor.

It features light, tender mushrooms and plenty of garlic for an extra punch of flavor.

Plus, it includes only five ingredients!

This recipe is perfect for a quick meal or hearty dinner.

It can be served over roux-based noodles or topped with toppings like parmesan cheese.

19. Angel Hair Pasta With Garlic And Herbs

This pasta is oh-so-moist and bursting with flavor.

The garlicky sauce on top of the angel hair pasta is absolutely amazing and makes it taste even better.

I love how herby, garlicy, and bright this dish is.

It’s also full of protein so you can eat it without getting sick.

It’s super easy to make and will keep you full for hours!

Plus, if you have leftover angel hair spaghetti, this recipe is a great way to use up some leftovers.

20. Cheddar Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

The sweet and salty flavors of cheddar cheese and creamy ranch combine to create a dish that’s as good as it gets.

This pasta salad is filled with protein-rich ingredients like chicken, blueberries, and cherry tomatoes.

It also has crunchy pieces of bacon to give it a bit of added flavor.

Finally, the dressing adds an additional layer of decadence that makes this pasta salad extra special.

For the best result, serve this pasta salad immediately after making it.

It tastes even better when you eat it right away!

21. Lobster Mac And Cheese

Lobster mac and cheese is one of my favorite meals.

The fragrant, creamy sauce is to die for.

The texture of this dish is heaven on your tongue.

It’s also quite simple to make.

All you’ll need are 8 ingredients – pasta, butter, milk, cheddar cheese, lobster meat, saltine crackers, Parmesan cheese, and lobster stock.

It takes 5 minutes to whip up the sauce and another 3-5 to cook the pasta in the stock.

22. One Pot Broccoli Pasta

Broccoli isn’t a lot of people’s go-to side dish.

But this recipe will change that.

The secret behind creating such thick and delicious pasta is the tomato broth.

It adds an extra layer of flavor to the already flavorful broccoli and tomatoes.

The result is a mouthwatering meal that smells as good as it tastes.

23. Grilled Zucchini Pasta Salad

Let’s be honest, pasta salad isn’t the easiest dish to make.

But when it’s made right, you can have a healthy and satisfying meal on the table in minutes a day.

And this grilled zucchini pasta salad recipe is nothing short of genius!

It has all of your favorite summer veggies in one bowl.

Then, you add melted mozzarella cheese, fresh basil, and a little balsamic vinegar for an extra kick of flavor.

Yum!

24. Pasta Salad With Sun-Dried Tomatoes And Artichoke Hearts

If you visit the Italian section of a supermarket, you’ll find tons of different kinds of pasta.

But if you want something more unusual for dinner, give this recipe a try.

It’s colorful, full of flavor, and tastes great!

The sun-dried tomatoes add an extra layer of sweetness, while artichokes provide a lovely texture.

Plus, it only takes about 30 minutes to make.

So it’s perfect for busy weeknights when you need something satisfying but don’t have time to sit down and eat a big meal.

25. Fettuccine Alfredo

Fettuccine Alfredo is another classic pasta dish that’s perfect for a busy weeknight.

Creamy, cheesy, and rich, it’s the definition of comfort food.

This recipe is sure to please everyone from kids to adults, making it ideal for every holiday meal.

And when you add in some fresh herbs like basil and parmesan cheese ?

It takes on a whole new level of deliciousness!

---