What Should You Serve With Pasta Salad?

Many hosts struggle with deciding what to offer with pasta salad. You know that if you serve pasta salad at a family barbecue or picnic, it will be the first dish to vanish. Therefore you’ll need a lot of sides to keep your visitors pleased.

Spaghetti salad is a meal made out of pasta, veggies, and a dressing. Although most pasta salads are served cold, it is feasible to make a warm pasta salad with the correct components. Pasta salad veggies are normally cut into bite-sized bits and may be served raw or cooked.

Pasta salad is an extremely adaptable meal that may give a wide range of tastes and textures. Tomatoes, onions, olives, peppers, and cheese are frequent pasta salad components.

Typically, the dressing is an acidic vinegar-based Italian dressing. Nevertheless, creamy dressings like Ranch or Caesar sauce may also be utilized. Spaghetti salad may be served as an appetizer or as a main entrée. It is also often served at picnics, potlucks, and barbeques.

What To Serve With Pasta Salad: 10 Amazing Side Dishes

Your picnic meal with your buddies is quickly approaching. And you can bet your favorite pasta salad will be on the menu. Now you must determine what to offer with pasta salad in order to provide your visitors with a full supper.

We’ve compiled our top ten suggestions to help you decide what to serve with pasta salad. They are as follows:

1. Barbeque Chicken

When considering what to serve with pasta salad, barbecue chicken is an excellent option. The barbecue sauce’s robust tastes compliment the pasta salad’s fresh, light flavors. And a creamy dressing on the pasta salad helps to balance out the spiciness of the BBQ chicken.

These two foods complement each other in terms of texture. The delicate chicken and moreish noodles create a great contrast to the salad’s crisp veggies. Let your bbq chicken to come to room temperature before serving for the best results.

2. Deviled Eggs

When considering what to serve with pasta salad, deviled eggs may not be the first thing that comes to mind. Nonetheless, they make an excellent side dish.

The creamy smoothness of the eggs complements the heaviness of the pasta wonderfully. In addition, the spicy taste of the deviled egg yolk balances off the richness of the pasta salad. Not to mention, deviled eggs offer a protein boost to the meal, making it more substantial and fulfilling.

3. Caprese Skewers

When asked, “What to serve with pasta salad?” a more refreshing side dish may be the solution. The tomatoes and mozzarella provide a bright, fresh taste to the creamy dressing and substantial pasta. The creaminess of the mozzarella also contrasts well with the crisp veggies in the pasta salad.

Both recipes are great for picnics and summer barbecues since they may be served at room temperature. Assemble the skewers just before serving for the finest results.

4. Meatball Subs

The iconic meatball sub has flavorful meatballs, spicy marinara sauce, and cheesy delight on soft bread. The pasta salad’s creamy sauce and fresh vegetables offset the heaviness of the meatballs and cheese. And the mix of textures creates a delectable supper.

Keep meatball subs warm in a slow cooker or chafing dish when serving them at an outdoor gathering. Then put the bread and toppings out for visitors to make their own sandwiches.

5. Grilled Hotdogs

Few things are more pleasurable to eat in the summer than a grilled hot dog. So why are grilled hot dogs such a good choice for what to offer with pasta salad?

Part of the explanation is due to the texture contrast. The silky, creamy pasta salad complements the crunchy, charred hot dog perfectly. But, the tastes are also complimentary, with the salty, smoky sausage complementing the acidic vinaigrette and crisp veggies in the pasta salad. As a consequence, the meal is both filling and refreshing.

6. Grilled Corn on the Cob

Corn on the cob and pasta salad are two of the most popular picnic and BBQ foods. They’re simple to prepare, can be served hot or cold, and go well together.

In the pasta salad, the sweetness of the corn contrasts with the acidity of the tomatoes. While the creamy dressing complements the crisp corn kernels. And the supple pasta stands up to the hardness of the grilled corn.

7. Flame-Grilled Beef Burgers

There are many reasons why flame-grilled beef burgers are an excellent choice for what to serve with pasta salad. For starters, the rich, savory taste of the beef complements the creamy, acidic sauce of the pasta salad wonderfully. In addition, the crisp veggies in the pasta salad provide a lovely contrast to the delicate meat.

For extra freshness and texture, top your flame-grilled beef burger patties with lettuce, tomato, onions, and pickles.

8. Cheesy Garlic Bread

If you’re searching for something hearty to offer with pasta salad, cheesy garlic bread is the way to go.

The rich, creamy taste of the cheese complements the tanginess of the pasta salad dressing. The crisp crust of the bread contrasts with the softer texture of the pasta. The tastes of the pasta, tomatoes, olives, and dressing are all enhanced by the garlic. Warm cheesy garlic bread is excellent.

9. Jamaican Jerk Chicken

Jerk chicken from Jamaica is a tasty and spicy meal that goes nicely with pasta salad. And it’s a great alternative for what to offer with pasta salad. This is especially important if you’re serving it during a picnic or barbecue, since it may be served cold or hot.

The richness of the pasta salad balances out the spice of the jerk chicken. At the same time, the pasta salad’s veggies and cheese give a delicious balance. And the acidity of the tomatoes in the pasta salad balances out the meaty chicken.

10. Cornbread

Most people image a light and refreshing meal cooked with fusilli pasta, fresh salad veggies, and a creamy dressing when they think of pasta salad. Adding cornmeal to the mix, on the other hand, results in a whole distinct taste profile.

The rich and savory tastes of the cornbread complement the chilled, creamy pasta salad well. The delicate texture of the bread complements the creaminess of the dressing. Cut your cornbread into squares to make it simpler to grip while serving.

Conclusion

When determining what to serve with pasta salad, there are several side dishes to pick from. Maybe you want something traditional, like grilled hot dogs or hamburgers. Maybe you’d want to try something a bit more exotic, such as Jamaican jerk chicken. In any case, our list of the 10 best pasta salad sides includes something for everyone.