A beautifully prepared side dish doesn’t just accompany your pasta – it elevates it. In this blog post, we explore the finest Italian contorni and accompaniments that bring balance, flavour, and a touch of elegance to your table, along with the best types of pasta dishes to pair with each.
8 Traditional Italian Side Dishes to Pair With Pasta
From classic insalate to seasonal vegetables and artisan breads, discover the perfect pairings to complement your next pasta course the San Carlo way.
1. Mushrooms
Mushrooms bring a rich, earthy depth to any meal, and at San Carlo, our funghi piemontese – a medley of mixed mushrooms sautéed in garlic and parsley butter, served in a crisp filo pastry basket – offers a luxurious touch to your pasta course.
Best pasta dishes to pair with mushrooms:
- Ravioli Tartufo – enhancing the truffle’s umami with complementary mushroom notes
- Tagliatelle Bolognese – balancing the robust flavour of the beef ragù
- Risotto San Carlo – for a double hit of woodland richness
2. Aubergine
Aubergine is a beloved ingredient in Italian cuisine, and our melanzane alla parmigiana – a classic Sicilian dish of layered Sicilian aubergine with Grana Padano and rich tomato sauce – is both comforting and full of flavour.
Best pasta dishes to pair with aubergine:
- Rigatoni Norma – for a harmonious pairing of aubergine-rich flavours
- Lasagne Emiliane – adding a soft, creamy contrast to the meat and pasta layers
- Penne Arrabbiata – tempering the heat with smooth, cheesy richness
3. Tenderstem Broccoli
Vibrant and full of flavour, tenderstem broccoli with garlic and chilli adds a bold, slightly spicy kick that brings freshness and balance to richer pasta dishes.
Best pasta dishes to pair with broccoli:
- Spaghetti Carbonara – cutting through the creaminess with a bright, peppery edge
- Pappardelle all’Anatra – contrasting the slow-cooked meat with freshness and heat
- Spaghetti Frutti di Mare – enhancing the seafood with a zesty, garlicky bite
4. Garlic Bread
At San Carlo, our garlic flatbread is a beloved favourite, offering a variety of flavours to perfectly complement your pasta. From the classic sea salt and garlic, to cheesy or tomato, each type of garlic bread adds a delightful touch to any meal.
Best pasta dishes to pair with garlic bread:
- Tagliatelle Bolognese or Mafaldine con Ragú di Manzo – a classic and beautiful paring with the richness of the beef
- Spaghetti Gamberoni Piccanti – the garlic enhances the flavour of lighter, fresh pasta dishes
- Spaghetti Carbonara – the perfect match for indulgent, creamy dishes
5. Mixed Salad
Salads are a classic and refreshing side to serve with pasta. They add a crisp, light contrast to the rich, hearty flavours of pasta dishes. Whether it’s a simple green salad or a more robust mix with vegetables, cheese, and vinaigrette, salads help balance the meal and cleanse the palate.
Best pasta dishes to pair with salad:
- Spaghetti Puttanesca – sharpens the bold, briny flavours of the olives and capers
- Tortellini Panna e Prosciutto – balances the rich, stuffed pasta
- Zitoni Toscanini – cleanses the palate and adds texture
Burrata makes an exceptional side dish for pasta, offering a rich, creamy contrast that enhances the overall dining experience. At San Carlo, our burrata side dish is crafted with authentic burrata sourced from Corato in Puglia – an area renowned for producing some of Italy’s finest cheeses. Its delicate outer mozzarella shell and luscious creamy center perfectly balance bold pasta flavours.
Best pasta dishes to pair with burrata:
- Penne Arrabbiata – the heat of chili is soothed by the cool, rich texture of the cheese
- Zitoni Toscanini – the creaminess of the burrata creates a cool contrast to the spiced sausage
- Ravioli Tartufo – enhances the richness of the aromatic truffle
7. Zucchini
Light, crispy, and irresistibly moreish, our zucchine fritte at San Carlo – golden-fried courgette sticks – add a delightful crunch and subtle sweetness to your pasta experience.
Best pasta dishes to pair with zucchini:
- Spaghetti Frutti di Mare – enhancing the freshness of clams with a crisp contrast
- Spaghetti Puttanesca – balancing the acidity of tomato with a savoury bite
- Tagliatelle Montecarlo – offering texture alongside the citrusy, seafood-infused pasta
8. Antipasto Platter
An antipasto platter, also known as an Italian charcuterie board, is a hearty and flavourful option that showcases a variety of cured meats, cheeses and marinated vegetables. At San Carlo, our San Carlo Antipasto is a generous plate that captures the diverse regional flavours of Italy, perfect for sharing and adding depth to any meal.
Best pasta dishes to pair with antipasto:
- Rigatoni alla Norma – the robust antipasto flavours complement the rich aubergine and tomato sauce
- Spaghetti alla Puttanesca – the antipasto’s briny olives and pickled vegetables echo the bold, salty notes of the sauce
- Spaghetti Carbonara – the variety of textures provides a smooth counterpoint to the rich, creamy sauce
Whether it’s a crisp side salad, garlicky sautéed greens, or a warm garlic bread, these classic sides add balance and flavour to your plate.
Why not book a table at your nearest San Carlo restaurant and try out some of these tasty pairings yourself!
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