What to Serve with Crostini? 10 BEST Side Dishes

It would not be your fault if you mistook a crostini for a bruschetta at some point.

But one thing is for sure; they are both fantastic appetizers that taste heavenly.

Crostini’s are so versatile with the toppings used that there are hundreds of recipe variations to fall in love with.

And the best part is, you can be the chef for the day and try your own unique combinations; we know it’ll taste amazing.

Crisp on the outside and tender on the inside texture are why these “little crusts” are so popularly served on numerous occasions.

And if you’re here, we know you’re wondering what side dishes best pair with the fantastic crostinis.

Read on to learn about the finest sides you can serve with your favorite appetizer.

Why Consider Serving Side Dishes with Crostini?

Along with olive oil and highly flavored toppings like tangy black olive paste, and goat cheese, they are topped with slices of meat or seafood.

With various seasonings at the end and finely mixed and matched, crostinis are the perfect appetizers.

While the crostini is often best served alone, adding sides put more variety and flavor to the already delicious “little crusts”.

Also, judging by how small and delectable they are, you’d be tasked with making more than usual cause you’ll find yourself dealing with the guest’s appetites.

But one thing’s for sure, crostinis paired with the right sides will add more substance that’ll satisfy any taste buds.

What to Serve with Crostini? 10 BEST Side Dishes

This is our list of the ten best side dishes you should be serving with crostini:

1 – Garlic Butter Rice

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Simultaneously switching to a side that is heavy, like garlic butter rice, after a great appetizer will do the trick of prolonging appetite.

If you’re dealing with a crostini topped with something sweet or tangy, rich garlic butter rice will enhance the eating experience and blend in the flavors nicely.

Also, garlic butter rice will only need a few ingredients you find anywhere, and you won’t be doing any heavy-duty cooking.

That’s a plus one in our book. And if you’re on the health-conscious side of the table, make sure to use brown rice instead of white since it has more nutritional value.

2 – Queso

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Since the Italian and Mexican cuisines pair well, we went with the robust queso dip that is flavor packed and best served on the side for a traditional crostini.

There are so many variations of this dip, from the types of cheeses used to other spices.

But other than that, the queso only needs regular ingredients to taste phenomenal.

A simple recipe includes white American cheese, garlic, tomatoes, jalapenos, onion, and various spices that you can quickly get from your local grocery store.

Replace the nachos with crostinis, and you have yourself a filling meal.

3 – Beef Bourguignon

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The French stew Beef Bourguignon might be the only side dish you’d ever serve with your crostinis again.

It is packed with proteins and gives you that richness and savoriness you might be missing with your light “little crusts” appetizers.

A traditional Beef bourguignon is only delicious because of its high-quality ingredients, including onions, mushrooms, beef stock, bacon, and a regular piece of red wine braised beef.

This dish might take longer than you’re used to, but the flavor combination is worth the effort.

4 – ShakShouka

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One of the most low-calorie but filling dishes you can serve with your crostinis that are toasted or grilled to perfection is ShakShouka.

Since the traditional ShakShouka consists of ingredients like eggs, tomatoes, onion, peppers, and garlic, it is packed with nutrients that are generously great for your overall health.

The most used spices for this side dish would be paprika, cayenne pepper, or cumin, but you can use any blend of spices that pleases your taste buds.

Serve them with your crostinis as the perfect dip, or eat them one after another for a burst of flavor.

5 – Chicken Tikka Masala

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You’d never expect how well a side dish like chicken tikka masala brings the most robust flavors to the table.

This curry is usually served with rice or roti, an Indian flatbread.

But you can substitute it with a crostini and make it a whole meal.

The traditional chicken tikka masala usually needs a lot of various spices, yogurt, boneless chicken, and herbs.

But thread carefully since chicken tikka masala can get quite spicy for the guests.

Regardless, if you’re bent on serving it, minimize the spice and serve it together with the crostini for a great evening.

6 – Spanish Rice

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Another Mexican/Spanish side dish included on our list to serve with your crostinis is the flavorful Spanish rice.

Since the crostinis are appetizers and considered light, adding a rice-based dish with rich ingredients like garlic, onion, and various spices is the best way to include a tremendous savory experience.

You can add saffron for a sweeter flavor or stick to cumin used in Mexican rice for a more spicy bite.

But no matter the case, combining this side dish with the crostinis will make up for an exceptional full meal.

7 – Shrimp Salad

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Shrimps go hand in hand with well-toasted or grilled crostinis as toppings.

So why not serve it as a side dish and call it a whole meal?

Not only are shrimps packed with proteins, but they are low in calories, fat, and carbs, making them one of the healthiest side dishes you can serve.

Add in some greens, with a bit of mayo dressing and other ingredients, and have a tasty shrimp salad.

It is one of the easiest salads to make, so you won’t be wasting any precious time serving this along with your grilled or toasted crostinis.

8 – Yankee Pot Roast Beef

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Nothing like a traditional American beef dish that is slow-cooked to excellence and has all the intense flavors combined.

It is packed with the rich and savoriness you need to pair your light appetizer crostinis.

And since you do not need anything fancy to make a pot roast, it is an ideal combination.

Just go for the classic route of adding a tough cheap cut to perfectly slow cook it, and add vegetables like carrots, onions, and potatoes at the end.

Make sure to serve it with broth to give it the full, beefy taste that will perfectly complement the crostinis.

9 – Antipasto Tray/Platter

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Making crostinis into a whole meal can be quite a task, but the results are a different flavor-packed wonder.

Instead of topping the freshly grilled/toasted crostinis, why not serve it as a full-course meal with an antipasto tray/platter? Of course, the crostinis are the main attraction.

You can pick out the healthiest vegetables known to the culinary world, the finest cheese, peppers, and, yes, the incredible cured meat cuts.

This gives more options for the guests to top their crostinis with everything they like.

It also gives you more time to worry about preparations rather than think about what side dishes to pair with your appetizer.

10 – Italian Pasta Salad

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Not only is pasta healthy, but if you need the filling element as a side dish paired with crostinis, serving pasta salad is a good option.

The main ingredient is the salad dressing, oil, vinegar, or mayonnaise, which you can get in any grocery store.

Mix it with well-seasoned pasta and vegetables that blend exceptionally, like tomatoes, onions, and cucumbers.

The healthy choice of vegetables adds to the overall health-beneficial feature, and crostinis pair harmoniously well when served together.

Conclusion

Crostinis are one of those appetizers that are so versatile for their own good that you may sometimes have difficulty pairing side dishes that complement the overall flavor.

After all, they are pretty light, and you may find yourself pairing them with a side dish that completely overpowers their taste.

But once you get it right, you can never go wrong with it, and they taste phenomenal when paired.

We hope our list of the ten best side dishes helps you choose and serve them confidently on any occasion.