25 Delicious Pizza Sides You Need To Try

Pizza is one of those foods universally loved and always welcome at any home or on any occasion. Whether it is for dinner, lunch, or even Friday night parties, this delightful combination of cheese, carbs, and savory tomato sauce just seems to always have everyone hooked, and we’re definitely not complaining.

However, while it can be more than satisfying to devour multiple slices of your favorite pizza, it is sometimes better to have a little something on the side to make a wholesome meal.

The great thing is that there are so many different options to choose from when it comes to what you can serve with pizza, so you’re never short of options.

So, in this post, you’ll find the best pizza sides to pair with your cheesy slices of deliciousness.

Whether you’re making your pizza from scratch with a homemade dough, tossing frozen pizza into the oven, or ordering in, We’ve put together different options that are perfect for any occasion.

Quick Table: Pizza Sides

Recipe	Calories Per Serving	Preparation Time
Baked Parmesan Zucchini Sticks	117	40 Min
Fruit Salad	143	20 Min
Cheese Breadsticks	193	1 Hr 30 Min
Spicy Cheesy Broccoli	288	35 Min
Italian Salad	200	15 Min
Parmesan Carrot Fries	319	30 Min
Caprese Salad	180	15 Min
Cheesy Oven Roasted Tomatoes	193	15 Min
Buffalo Chicken Wings	265	60 Min
Spinach Orzo	333	30 Min
Deviled Eggs Salad	330	10 Min
Panko Breaded Mozzarella Sticks	686	15 Min
Oven-Baked Artichoke Hearts	136	40 Min
Baked Potato Skins	373	1 Hr 35 Min
Kale Slaw	274	15 Min
Bacon Cheese Fries	522	20 Min
Caprese Pasta Salad	289	30 Min
White Bean Arugula Salad	426	15 Min
Caesar Salad	289	30 Min
Stuffed Mushrooms	324	45min
Marinated Olives And Feta Cheese	146	10 Min
Italian Sausage Bites	324	45min

1. Baked Parmesan Zucchini Sticks

Pairing your pizza with zucchini is a great way to add a healthy element to an otherwise carb-heavy meal, but if you really want to make them taste fun, then you have to try parmesan zucchini sticks.

These baked parmesan sticks are super delicious and feature a crispy coating of panko bread crumbs, parmesan, and Italian seasoning.

Calories Per Serving: 117

Preparation Time: 40 Minutes

2. Fruit Salad

Fruit salad is a refreshing side dish loaded with a natural sweetness that creates a perfect balance of flavor when paired with cheesy pizza.

This delicious salad features a mix of apples, pineapples, mangoes, berries, peaches, bananas, and grapes, all combined with fresh citrus and honey dressing.

This salad can be customized to fit your preference, so feel free to add or remove any fruits you like.

Calories Per Serving: 143

Preparation Time: 20 Minutes

3. Cheese Breadsticks

Pizza and cheese breadsticks are a delicious combination perfect for when you want to fully indulge in cheesy carbs to your heart’s content. 

These breadsticks are buttery and loaded with garlic powder, cheese, and dried herbs. They are really easy to make and start with a pizza dough base, so if you’re making homemade pizza, this is a really great use for any leftover dough you may have.

Calories Per Serving: 193

Preparation Time: 1 Hr 30 Minutes

4. Spicy Cheesy Broccoli

Serving your pizza with broccoli is a great way to create a well-balanced meal, and this spicy, cheesy broccoli is an incredible dish that both kids and adults will like.

These roasted broccolis have a tangy and spicy taste from a coating of lemon, sriracha, and sweet chili sauce. The addition of pepper jack cheese also makes them gooey and cheesy.

Calories Per Serving: 288

Preparation Time: 35 Minutes

5. Italian Salad

Looking for a flavor-filled salad to serve with pizza at a girl’s night or weekend get-together? This Italian salad is a great option to try.

It features a colorful mix of tomatoes, red onions, mozzarella cheese, romaine lettuce, banana peppers, olives, bell peppers, and a red wine vinegar dressing.

Calories Per Serving: 200

Preparation Time: 15 Minutes

6. Parmesan Carrot Fries

Parmesan carrot fries are a unique side dish with a subtle sweet taste and a cheese exterior that goes perfectly with pizza.

These veggie-based fries are baked and have a crispy and slightly chewy texture that makes them easy to devour. Serve them with a spicy mayo sauce, and you’ll be floored by the taste.

Calories Per Serving: 319

Preparation Time: 30 Minutes

7. Caprese Salad

Caprese salad is a classic Italian salad that is super easy to make and filled with fresh mozzarella, which pairs nicely with the melted mozzarella cheese on pizza.

This elegant salad features a simple combination of tomato slices and mozzarella tossed in olive oil and drizzles with a tangy balsamic glaze.

Calories Per Serving: 180

Preparation Time: 15 Minutes

8. Cheesy Oven-Roasted Tomatoes

Caprese salad is very refreshing, but if you want to enjoy those similar flavors in a warmer side dish with the same gooey cheese texture of pizza, these oven-roasted tomatoes are the way to go.

All this dish requires is a mixture of tomatoes topped with mozzarella cheese and basil and baked till melted and bubbly.

Calories Per Serving: 193

Preparation Time: 15 Minutes

9. Buffalo Chicken Wings

Crispy buffalo wings make a great addition to a serving of pizza if you’re craving a meaty side dish. 

With their crisp exterior and delicious coating of a sweet and spicy buffalo sauce, these chicken wings are sure to be a favorite with any crowd.

Calories Per Serving: 265

Preparation Time: 60 Minutes

RELATED: Are Pizza Rolls Healthy (Are They Bad For You)

10. Spinach Orzo

When served with pizza, a creamy dish like spinach orzo is sure to make a comforting combo that anyone will love.

It is super quick to make, so if you’re ordering your pizza, you can have this delicious dish ready before the delivery arrives. All you’ll need is orzo pasta cooked in heavy cream and broth mixture and then combined with parmesan and spinach.

Calories Per Serving: 333

Preparation Time: 30 Minutes

11. Deviled Egg Salad

If you’re looking for a creamy and flavor-filled protein side to go with pizza, then you’ve got to try this devilled egg salad.

It is really easy to whip up and features a combination of boiled eggs, mayonnaise, chives, turkey bacon, onions, pepper, and mustard.

Calories Per Serving: 330

Preparation Time: 10 Minutes

12. Panko Breaded Mozzarella Sticks

Mozzarella sticks are a classic treat always appreciated by any crowd. Their gooey, cheesy interior makes a perfect pairing for cheesy pizza.

Mozzarella sticks may be typically considered a kids thing, but coat them in a flavorful panko breadcrumb mix and fry them till golden brown and melted, and they’re sure to be devoured by both adults and kids.

Calories Per Serving: 686

Preparation Time: 15 Minutes

13. Oven-Baked Artichoke Hearts

With a combination of artichokes, butter, garlic, cheese, and Italian-style bread crumbs, these oven-baked artichoke hearts are sure to be a favorite with any crowd.

They are quite easy to make as you’ll only need to use canned artichokes instead of dealing with the hassle of peeling layers of a whole artichoke to reveal the heart.

Calories Per Serving: 146

Preparation Time: 40 Minutes

14. Baked Potato Skins

Baked potato skins are a delicious dish that can be served as an appetizer before your pizza arrives or enjoyed as a light side dish.

They are crispy and loaded with a mix of cheddar cheese, Monterey jack cheese, crispy bacon, green onions, and sour cream. Feel free to add some chives to these baked potatoes if you prefer.

Calories Per Serving: 373

Preparation Time: 1 Hour 35 Minutes 

15. Kale Slaw

If you want to make your pizza a healthy-ish meal, serving it with kale is always a good idea. 

However, if you dread eating kale, combine it with crunchy broccoli slaw, apples, dried cherries, almonds, and a honey-lime dressing to make an irresistible kale slaw. The combination is sure to knock your socks off.

Calories Per Serving: 274

Preparation Time: 15 Minutes

RELATED: What Country Eats The Most Pizza?

16. Parmesan Eggplant Crisps

Parmesan eggplant crisps are a delicious treat with a crunchy parmesan-filled exterior yet soft and perfectly seasoned on the inside. 

They make the perfect bite-size dish to serve with pizza if you’re at a party and need something guests can enjoy while moving around.

Calories Per Serving: 146

Preparation Time: 30 Minutes

 17. Bacon Cheese Fries

People typically serve their fries with a burger, but there is seriously no dish that isn’t made better with a serving of salty fried potatoes.

If you’re on board with the fries and pizza idea, then there’s no better way to serve them than with even more cheese.

These delicious bacon cheese fries feature crispy fries loaded with mozzarella, feta cheese, cheddar cheese, ranch, green onions, and crumbled bacon.

Calories Per Serving: 522

Preparation Time: 20 Minutes

18. Caprese Pasta Salad

Caprese pasta salad is another Caprese Inspired side dish with a combination of tomatoes and mozzarella cheese, perfect for serving with pizza. 

This flavorful salad is great for when you want to indulge in a full carb load. With a mix of cooked pasta, basil, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, grape tomatoes, mozzarella balls, and balsamic glaze, this delicious salad is sure to be a crowd pleaser.

Calories Per Serving: 289

Preparation Time: 30 Minutes

19. Broccoli Salad

This broccoli salad will make a great addition to your plate if you’re a fan of dipping your pizza in a ranch.

It is crunchy, super easy to make, and contains a mixture of broccoli florets, cheddar cheese, crispy cooked bacon, and a generous amount of ranch dressing.

It’s a great side dish to throw together at the last minute as barely any cooking is required.

Calories Per Serving: 136

Preparation Time: 30 Minutes

20. White Bean Arugula Salad

If you want a delicious salad filled with flavor and ingredients that will make you forget you’re eating vegetables, then white bean arugula salad might just be the perfect dish for you.

This delicious salad features a mix of white beans, onions, prosciutto, and parmesan cheese chunks tossed in a flavorful lemon vinaigrette.

Calories Per Serving: 426

Preparation Time: 15 Minutes

21. Caesar Salad

Caesar salad is a restaurant favorite often enjoyed at Italian restaurants, but when made at home, it makes an impressive side dish and goes well with pizza.

This salad is loaded with flavor and contains a combination of romaine lettuce, parmesan cheese, crispy garlic croutons, and a tangy caesar dressing.

Calories Per Serving: 289

Preparation Time: 30 Minutes

22. Fruit Salsa

Sweet and savory flavors are always a delight to the palate when combined, and if you’re looking to add a touch of sweetness to your savory pizza, then a fruit salsa is the side to serve with any pizza.

This sweet and tangy salsa contains a finely chopped mixture of strawberries, kiwis, and granny smith apple.

Calories Per Serving: 137

Preparation Time: 20 Minutes

23. Stuffed Mushrooms

Mushrooms are a common topping for pizza, and if you’re a fan of their chewy and savory taste, then you can make them a major side attraction on your plate by stuffing them with delicious goodies.

These stuffed mushrooms are elegant and bite-sized, making them the perfect dish to serve when entertaining a small crowd. They are filled with a mixture of cream cheese, parmesan, fresh herbs, and scallions.

Calories Per Serving: 324

Preparation Time: 45 Minutes

24. Marinated Olives And Feta Cheese

Marinated olives and feta cheese are a flavorful combo with unique Mediterranean flavors that are well suited to any kind of Pizza.

It is a creamy and salty dish with a mix of feta, olives, rosemary, lemon juice, pepper flakes, olive oil, and oregano.

Calories Per Serving: 146

Preparation Time: 10 Minutes

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25. Italian Sausage Bites

If you’re looking for a fun, meaty side to pair with your pizza, these Italian sausage bites are a great side dish to make.

They are easy to make yet flavorful and feature bite-sized slices of sausage links cooked with oregano and olive oil until browned.

Calories Per Serving: 324

Preparation Time: 45 Minutes

Frequently Asked Questions

What Side Dishes Go Well With Pizza?

Pizza goes well with many different side dishes as it has a savory cheese flavor that pairs really well with many things.

For example, you can try roasted vegetables like Brussel sprouts, broccolini,  and zucchini or opt for light salads like Caesar salad or Caprese salad.

Some other common sides include garlic breadsticks,  pasta salad, chicken wings, and even soup.

What Toppings Can You Put On Pizza?

When it comes to pizza toppings, the sky is really the limit as there are multiple choices ranging from popular classics like pepperoni to more controversial options like pineapple.

The choice of topping will typically depend on your choice of pizza or your preference.

Still, some common options include bell peppers, mushrooms, olives, spinach, artichokes, mushroom, tomatoes, corn, broccoli,  onions, sausages, cured meats, bacon, and chicken. 

There’s really almost nothing you can’t use as a pizza topping, so feel free to get creative when making your pizza.

However, try to stick with mild or savory options like vegetables, meats, and cheese, as they pair better with the savory flavors of the pizza base.

What Desserts Can You Serve With Pizza?

The best desserts to serve with pizza include ice cream, chocolate chip cookies, tiramisu, sorbets, cannoli, gelato, chocolate mousse, brownies, and cheesecake.