What to Serve with Spaghetti Carbonara? 7 Tasty Side Dishes

Spaghetti Carbonara is a classic that never disappoints.

Creamy, savory, and just downright comforting, it’s the kind of meal that feels like a hug from the inside.

Yet, even the most perfect dish can be elevated to new heights with the right accompaniments.

Ever wonder what to pair with this Italian gem to round out your dining experience? You’re in luck!

We’ve rounded up seven tasty side dishes that complement the rich flavors of Spaghetti Carbonara without stealing the show.

From fresh salads to roasted veggies, get ready to make your meal even more memorable.

Why Consider Serving Side Dishes with Spaghetti Carbonara?

Although spaghetti carbonara is a whole meal in itself, and you can also never go wrong with an order of spaghetti carbonara, there are ways to elevate this dish.

It would be best if you had side dishes to bring this main dish to the next level.

It doesn’t matter if you like a decadent side dish, a crunchy one, spicy, salty or something fresh; you can always find a good pairing for spaghetti carbonara because that’s how versatile this dish is.

You don’t have to worry about the flavor profile when serving spaghetti with carbonara sauce.

If you’re looking to impress your guests with a good pasta meal for the next meal, you can try out different side dishes to complement your main dish.

Here are 7 hand-picked recipes for the best side dishes you can serve with spaghetti carbonara.

What to Serve with Spaghetti Carbonara? 7 Tasty Side Dishes

1. Balsamic Vinegar Bruschetta

There’s no denying the goodness of a classic Bruschetta with any pasta, and it’s also versatile, so you can either have it as a snack or a side dish.

The best part about a Bruschetta is that you can get as creative as possible.

Add some extra cheese or leave the cheese and add some other vegetables to top it off; you can do just about anything with it.

The critical ingredient for this side dish is the Balsamic vinegar with the Bruschetta.

Make sure your bread is evenly toasted and crunchy for a burst of textures in your mouth.

2. Stuffed Eggplant Parmesan

You can go for Stuffed Eggplant Parmesan for a much more adventurous side dish with your spaghetti.

It’s is an upgraded version of eggplant parmesan.

With more fillings inside the eggplant, you get a much more flavorful side dish with your spaghetti carbonara.

The ideal filling for this eggplant side dish idea is to make it as savory as possible with fresh tomatoes and complimentary dishes to contrast the cheesy flavor of the carbonara.

Make sure to season your filling well so that even the eggplant shell is seasoned correctly during the roasting process.

3. Classic Crunchy Caesar Salad

There’s nothing like going for a restaurant standard side dish like a Caesar salad.

The richness of the Caesar salad dressing mixed with the crunchy vegetables makes it just the right amount of flavor to compliment a spaghetti carbonara dish.

You can even add bits of chicken breast to give the salad a heavier, tenderer taste.

We recommend adding black olives to this salad to give it a good aftertaste and compliment the carbonara sauce on the spaghetti.

If you are making this side dish during peak pineapple season, you can add pineapple slices for that citrusy flavor.

The sweetness in the pineapple and the freshness of the rest of the salad ingredients come together so well.

4. Brussels Sprouts Roasted in Parmesan

The perfect way to add vegetables to your meal is to go for something roasted and well-seasoned.

With just a touch of Parmesan, butter and garlic, this Parmesan roasted Brussels sprouts side dish will be a meal you cannot forget.

Add a touch of crushed red chili flakes for a pop of heat.

Grate some good-quality parmesan on top of the roasted Brussels sprouts and let it melt away into the nooks and crannies of the Brussels sprouts.

For the butter and garlic, you can lightly melt the butter and roast the chopped garlic before lathering your roasted Brussels sprouts with it.

The unique flavor and aroma of the Brussels sprouts coupled with the mild spaghetti flavor are unlike any other combination.

5. Garlic Lemon Broccoli

Broccoli has never sounded more appetizing.

For this dish, you will want to keep the stalks of the broccoli to give it a good crunch.

Lather your chopped broccoli with garlic and oil and pop it in the oven for roasting.

You can add any seasoning of your choice or go for a simple salt and pepper seasoning instead.

Once you have your roasted broccoli ready, drizzle some lime juice on top before serving.

The touch of tang in the broccoli and the rich and creamy flavor of the spaghetti carbonara is to die for.

6. Long Green Beans with Nuts

Sautéed green beans are always a staple for side dishes, but you haven’t unlocked its full potential unless you have tried this long green beans with the nuts recipe.

After you sauté the beans in olive oil, sprinkle salt and pepper and add some roasted nuts on top.

Our recommendations are walnuts or pecans.

The crunchiness of the nuts with the soft and creaminess of the spaghetti is a texture combination that can never go wrong.

7. Toasted Garlic Bread

There’s nothing like sticking to the original pair and adding toasted garlic bread as a side dish to your spaghetti carbonara.

This recipe for toasted garlic bread is so good that you will want only to use this recipe for future garlic bread dishes.

With a rich and creamy garlic and butter mixture slathered on top, you cannot go wrong with the combination of garlic and pasta.

Conclusion

Spaghetti carbonara is one of the most flexible dishes; likewise, even the side dishes are just as versatile.

It can go with many different flavors, and no matter how complex the taste notes, all these side dishes seem to go perfectly well with spaghetti carbonara.

Try some of these exciting side dishes the next time serving pasta and absolutely wow your guests.