✔ Updated · 32 sides: salads, breads + dips, veggies and appetizers
Pizza night is even better with a few fun extras on the table, from a crunchy salad to garlicky knots for dunking. Here are 32 sides that turn a pizza into a proper party.
The best side dishes for pizza are a crisp salad such as Caesar, Caprese or an Italian chopped salad to cut the richness, plus a bread side like garlic knots or breadsticks with dipping sauces. For a party, add chicken wings, mozzarella sticks or an antipasti board. Roasted broccoli, Brussels sprouts or artichokes add something green.
- Classic pizzeria: Caesar salad, garlic knots, wings
- Light: arugula salad, Caprese, roasted veggies
- Party spread: antipasti board, mozzarella sticks, onion rings, dips
- Kid-friendly: breadsticks, potato wedges, ranch and veggie sticks
How to Choose a Side for Pizza
Pizza already brings bread, cheese and sauce, so the best sides add what's missing: something fresh and crunchy, something green, or something fun to share. A big salad plus one snacky side is my favorite combo.
Use the oven wisely. If it's full of pizza, go for no-cook salads, dips and antipasti, or cook sides in an air fryer or on the stove.
Salads
1. Caesar Salad
Crisp romaine, Parmesan and crunchy croutons in a creamy, garlicky dressing. The pizzeria classic for a reason.
2. Caprese Salad
Sliced tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and basil with olive oil and balsamic. Fresh, simple and very Italian.
3. Italian Chopped Salad
Romaine, salami, provolone, chickpeas, pepperoncini and olives in a red wine vinaigrette. A meal in itself.
4. Arugula With Lemon and Parmesan
Peppery arugula tossed with lemon juice, olive oil and shaved Parmesan. Light and takes 2 minutes.
5. Kale and Chickpea Salad
Massaged kale with crispy chickpeas, lemon and Parmesan. Hearty, crunchy and holds up well on a buffet.
6. Avocado Tomato Salad
Creamy avocado, cherry tomatoes and red onion with lime. Cool and fresh next to hot, cheesy pizza.
7. Melon and Prosciutto
Sweet cantaloupe wrapped in salty prosciutto. No cooking, and it looks fancy on the table.
8. Shaved Asparagus and Parmesan Salad
Raw asparagus ribbons with lemon, olive oil and Parmesan. Crisp, bright and a little elegant.
9. Creamy Coleslaw
Cool, crunchy and tangy. Great with BBQ chicken pizza and wings.
Get the recipe →Breads and Dips
10. Garlic Knots
Little knots of pizza dough baked and brushed with garlic butter and parsley. Made for dunking in marinara.
11. Breadsticks
Soft, buttery breadsticks with a sprinkle of garlic salt and Parmesan. Kids go crazy for these.
Get the recipe →12. Cheesy Garlic Bread
Crusty bread loaded with garlic butter and mozzarella, baked until bubbling. Carb on carb, no regrets.
13. Crazy Bread
Copycat-style breadsticks tossed in garlic butter and Parmesan. Serve warm with a cup of marinara.
Get the recipe →14. Bruschetta
Toasted bread rubbed with garlic and topped with juicy chopped tomatoes, basil and olive oil.
15. Garlic Butter Dip
Melted butter with garlic and a pinch of salt for dipping crusts. Two minutes and totally addictive.
16. Homemade Chili Oil
Olive oil warmed with chili flakes and garlic. Drizzle it over slices for a spicy kick.
17. Ranch Dip
Cool, herby ranch for dipping crusts, wings and veggie sticks. A must for pizza night in many homes.
Get the recipe →Vegetable Sides
18. Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Halved sprouts roasted until crisp and caramelized, then tossed with balsamic. Nutty and moreish.
19. Roasted Broccoli With Lemon
Broccoli roasted at 425°F until charred at the edges, finished with lemon and Parmesan.
20. Oven-Baked Artichokes
Artichoke hearts tossed with olive oil, garlic and breadcrumbs and baked until golden.
21. Eggplant Parmesan Bites
Breaded eggplant rounds baked crisp and topped with marinara and mozzarella. Little bites of comfort.
22. Grilled Portobello Mushrooms
Meaty mushrooms grilled with balsamic and garlic. A great vegetarian side for veggie pizza nights.
23. Roasted Zucchini With Parmesan
Zucchini spears roasted with olive oil and Parmesan until golden. Quick and kid-friendly.
Appetizers and Party Sides
24. Chicken Wings
Crispy wings tossed in buffalo, BBQ or lemon pepper sauce. The ultimate pizza night partner. Cook to 165°F.
Get the recipe →25. Mozzarella Sticks
Breaded mozzarella fried or air-fried until golden and stretchy, with warm marinara for dipping.
26. Onion Rings
Crunchy battered onion rings are a fun, salty extra for a game-day pizza spread.
Get the recipe →27. Antipasti Board
Salami, prosciutto, provolone, marinated artichokes, peppers and olives. Snack on it while the pizza bakes.
28. Marinated Olives
Olives warmed with olive oil, garlic, orange zest and herbs. Make them days ahead.
29. Chicken Meatball Skewers
Mini chicken meatballs on skewers with a marinara dip. Cook chicken meatballs to 165°F.
30. Bacon-Wrapped Figs
Sweet figs or dates wrapped in bacon and baked until crisp. Sweet, salty and gone in minutes.
31. Fried Pickles
Tangy pickle chips in a crispy coating with ranch for dipping. Great with a meaty pizza.
Get the recipe →32. Seasoned Potato Wedges
Crispy, seasoned wedges are a favorite pizza side in the UK and with kids everywhere.
Get the recipe →
Pizza Night Menus
| Pizza night | Sides to pick | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| Family night | Breadsticks, Caesar salad, veggie sticks with ranch | Easy, kid-friendly and covers something green |
| Game day | Wings, mozzarella sticks, onion rings, coleslaw | Shareable finger food |
| Date night | Caprese, arugula salad, marinated olives, bruschetta | Light, fresh and Italian |
| Veggie pizza night | Grilled portobello, kale and chickpea salad, garlic knots | Filling without meat |
| Party buffet | Antipasti board, Italian chopped salad, garlic bread | Make-ahead and easy to graze |
Drinks for Pizza Night
Italian sodas (sparkling water with a splash of fruit syrup), lemonade and iced tea are fun alcohol-free picks for everyone. For adults of legal drinking age (21+ in the US), a crisp white wine like Pinot Grigio, a light red like Chianti, or a cold beer all go well with pizza.
More Pizza Ideas
Making your own? Check out our sloppy joe pizza, or browse sides for chicken wings for more game-day ideas.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best side dish for pizza?
A crisp salad is the best all-round side for pizza, because it adds freshness and crunch to balance the cheese. Caesar, Caprese and arugula salads are the most popular. For something more indulgent, garlic knots, breadsticks or chicken wings are pizzeria favorites.
What appetizers go with pizza?
Great appetizers for pizza include chicken wings, mozzarella sticks, garlic knots, bruschetta, an antipasti board with cured meats and cheese, marinated olives, fried pickles and onion rings. Pick one or two so guests still have room for the pizza.
What vegetables go with pizza?
Roasted broccoli, Brussels sprouts, zucchini, asparagus, artichokes and grilled mushrooms all go well with pizza. Raw veggie sticks with ranch are easy for kids. A big green salad is the simplest way to add vegetables to pizza night.
What do you serve with pizza at a party?
For a party, serve pizza with a big salad, a tray of wings, garlic knots or breadsticks, an antipasti board and a few dips like marinara and ranch. Add a no-cook dessert and plenty of drinks, including alcohol-free options.
What salad goes best with pizza?
Caesar salad is the classic, but a simple arugula salad with lemon and Parmesan, a Caprese salad or an Italian chopped salad also work well. Look for crisp greens and a tangy dressing to cut through the rich cheese.
