All of these sides are great with lasagna! Fresh salads and bright, crisp, tender vegetables turn it into a meal.
Not sure what to serve with lasagna to turn it into a meal? We can help! Alex and I have spent years perfecting the art of putting together a meal with the right sides. It’s not easy! You have to use the right flavors, colors, and ingredients to go with and contrast the main dish. Even more important: it’s got to be easy enough to make while making the main event.
With that in mind, here are our picks for the best salads and sides to go with lasagna! They all use fresh, seasonal vegetables and offer a nice change from the heavy, cheesy main dish. You can also make some vegetable sides on the stove while the lasagna bakes. These sides will be perfectly crisp and flavored. So what are you waiting for? Let’s get started.
Lasagna is an iconic Italian dish that is loved by many for its savory meat sauce tender noodles and gooey cheese. It’s a hearty and indulgent meal that is perfect for feeding a crowd. But what should you serve alongside this Italian classic? One vegetable side that pairs perfectly with lasagna is green beans. Here’s why green beans make an ideal accompaniment to lasagna and how to cook them to bring out their best flavor.
Why Green Beans Go Well with Lasagna
There are a few key reasons why green beans complement lasagna so nicely:
Texture Contrast
Lasagna is soft, rich, and heavy with its layers of pasta, cheese, and sauce Green beans provide a nice textural contrast with their crunchy, crisp snap The fresh texture balances out the dish and makes it more complex and dynamic.
Color Vibrancy
In addition to texture, green beans add a pop of vibrant color against the beige lasagna noodles and red sauce. Their bright green hue livens up the plate.
Nutritional Balance
Lasagna is heavy and can be high in calories, fat, and carbs. Green beans are an ideal choice because they are low in calories and high in beneficial nutrients like vitamin C, vitamin K, and fiber. Adding them to your plate helps balance the meal nutritionally.
Flavor Compatibility
Green beans have a mild, earthy flavor that complements the richer, bolder flavors in lasagna. The beans don’t overpower the dish but add a subtle layer of flavor. Their versatility allows the other ingredients to shine.
Easy Preparation
Green beans require minimal prep and cook quickly, making them an effortless vegetable side to throw together while the lasagna is in the oven. You don’t need an elaborate recipe to enjoy them with this classic pasta bake.
Best Ways to Cook Green Beans
There are a few simple methods for preparing green beans that result in tender veggies with the perfect amount of crispness:
Steaming
Steaming green beans preserves color, texture, and nutrients. To steam:
- Wash and trim ends of beans. Leave whole or cut into pieces.
- In a steamer basket or colander, place beans over boiling water.
- Steam for 4-5 minutes until vibrant green and crisp-tender.
- Toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
Sauteing
Sauteing green beans in a skillet adds depth of flavor. To saute:
- Heat olive oil in skillet over medium heat.
- Add chopped green beans and saute for 3-5 minutes.
- Season with salt, pepper, garlic, and herbs like thyme or rosemary.
Roasting
Roasting caramelizes the natural sugars in the beans, intensifying their flavor. To roast:
- Toss beans in olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread on baking sheet.
- Roast at 425°F for 15-20 minutes, tossing halfway through.
Blanching
Blanching briefly boils the beans to cook them while maintaining their crunch and color vibrancy. To blanch:
- Bring large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Add beans and boil for 2-3 minutes.
- Drain beans and immediately rinse under cold water to stop cooking process.
Perfect Pairings with Lasagna and Green Beans
In addition to green beans, there are a few other side dishes that pair wonderfully with lasagna:
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Garlic Bread: The classic! Garlic bread mops up any extra sauce.
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Caesar Salad: Cool, crisp romaine lettuce balances the hot pasta.
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Broccoli: Another green veggie that adds texture, color and nutrients. Roast or steam it.
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Bruschetta: Share an appetizer of toasted bread with fresh tomato and basil.
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Meatballs: For a heartier meal, serve lasagna with sautéed Italian meatballs.
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Wine: Enjoy a bold Italian red wine like Chianti or Montepulciano.
Tips for Serving Green Beans with Lasagna
Here are some final tips for successfully serving green beans alongside lasagna:
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Cook the green beans right before assembling and baking the lasagna so both components are fresh and hot.
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For brighter color, keep the green beans separate from the lasagna on the plate rather than mixing them in.
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Season the beans boldly. They can handle garlic, lemon, herbs and Parmesan cheese.
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If you want, quickly sauté the green beans in the same pan after browning the ground meat for the sauce.
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Steam or microwave frozen green beans while the lasagna bakes as a fast and easy shortcut.
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If you have any leftovers, store the lasagna and green beans separately to prevent the veggies from getting soggy.
Satisfying and Simple
Enjoying steamed, sautéed or roasted green beans alongside lasagna is a sure way to round out the meal beautifully. The colors pop against one another, the textures contrast, and the flavors balance out. Green beans hold up well when prepared ahead, require minimal work, and enhance the nutritional quality of the dish. When in need of an easy, satisfying vegetable pairing for lasagna, you can feel good about adding healthy and delicious green beans to your plate. With a serving of green beans, lasagna becomes a well-balanced meal perfect for any occasion.
And now…our best sides to go with lasagna!
Our pick for the best side dish to go with lasagna is Italian chopped salad. It goes so well with the dish and is so easy to make. Homemade Italian dressing covers a mix of crisp romaine, tomatoes, shallot and Parmesan cheese shavings. The best part? Olives and jarred pepperoncini, which round it out with salty and tangy notes. Every time we serve it, this one gets big praise.
Look no further for the best and easiest garlic bread recipe. This tasty side dish goes perfectly with lasagna. It’s got just the right savory, garlicky flavor. It’s tender on the inside, and crunchy on top from broiling it with Parmesan cheese. It has a lighter version of garlic bread because it has less butter than most recipes. But most of all: it’s gosh darn delicious.
It’s the easiest salad recipe you’ll ever make, and it goes great with lasagna. You don’t even need to make a salad dressing for this simple arugula salad. In under 10 minutes, you’ve got an elegant salad that goes with literally everything. Dress baby arugula simply with olive oil and lemon juice, then add Parmesan shavings and thinly sliced shallots. Done! Simple, understated, and oh so good.
Classic is classic for a reason, and the classic wedge salad does not disappoint. Every time we serve it, people ooo and ahh. Because it really is perfect: the crunchy iceberg lettuce goes well with the rich, salty blue cheese dressing. Also, it looks beautiful. There’s a reason this salad has been wowing us for 100 years.
This steamed cauliflower is flavored Mediterranean style, with bright lemon zest, olive oil and savory Italian seasoning. Steamed until crisp tender, its seriously tasty. As a fresh and healthy option, its a fantastic contrasting side to go with lasagna. (Or try the Instant Pot Cauliflower version. ).
That’s right, this spinach apple salad goes great with lasagna. It’s so easy to make that no one will believe it only took minutes. Start with a bed of greens and add crisp apple and pear. It’s dressed in our best balsamic vinaigrette, which is a tangy-sweet sauce. The best part? Maple-glazed pecans or walnuts! Some time in a hot skillet with maple syrup makes the nuts shiny and slightly sweet.
If you want to serve green beans with lasagna, you can make them on the stove while the lasagna bakes. They only take 10 minutes to make and are very simple. The beans are steamed until crisp tender, and mixed with lemon zest for brightness. (If youve got a pressure cooker, try our Instant Pot version. ).
The meaty flavor goes great with lasagna, and these are the best sautéed mushrooms I’ve ever had. They’re soft and juicy, and the finish is bright. Fresh thyme and oregano give an herby punch. Take one bite and youll exclaim “Wow!”.
Another great side to go with lasagna: broccoli! And this one is the best broccoli around. You will steam it until it is bright green and crisp. Then you will mix it with red onion, feta crumbles, olive oil, and more feta. You can make it while the lasagna bakes; it only takes 10 minutes! You can also use our Sautéed Broccoli or Roasted Broccoli recipes. Or broccolis elegant cousin, this Perfect Roasted Broccolini!.
The fennel orange salad is the last of our sides and salads that go with lasagna. It has beautiful, juicy oranges and sliced raw fennel, which gives the salad a subtle licorice flavor. If you put it on top of some greens with some garnishes and a homemade citrus vinaigrette, it tastes and feels so good! It’s one of the most surprising salads we’ve ever made.
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- Author: Sonja Overhiser
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 8 1x
This Italian chopped salad goes great with lasagna! It has vegetables, homemade Italian dressing, and Parmesan cheese. An amazing salad!
- 1 recipe Homemade Italian Dressing
- 1 Romaine heart (3 cups)
- 5 cups leafy lettuce
- 1 large shallot
- 1 English cucumber (2 cups chopped)
- ½ cup cherry tomatoes
- ½ cup ripe green olives, halved
- ½ cup jarred sliced pepperoncini
- ¼ cup Parmesan shavings or shreds, plus more to serve
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
- Make the Homemade Italian Dressing.
- Chop romaine and lettuce. Thinly slice the shallot. Peel and chop cucumber. Slice tomatoes and olives in half.
- Add all the salad ingredients, including the dressing, to a bowl and toss to mix. If you’re making it ahead of time, put each part in the fridge separately. Before serving, let the dressing come to room temperature.
- Category: Salad
- Method: Raw
- Cuisine: Italian
And some favorite lasagna recipes
Of course, we couldn’t just tell you what to eat with lasagna! Let’s talk about our favorite ways to make it:
The perfect side dish, so yummy!
FAQ
What do green beans go well with?
What do Italians serve with lasagne?
Can you cook green beans with lasagna?
These green beans are a fabulous side to go with lasagna: whip them up on the stovetop while the lasagna bakes! They take only 10 minutes to put together and couldn’t be easier. The beans are steamed until crisp tender, and mixed with lemon zest for brightness. (If you’ve got a pressure cooker, try our Instant Pot version.)
Can one eat lasagna?
Lasagna can be eaten, but we must know what the person needs, or better. If you seek weight loss, or control the consumption of pasta and cheese. If you are looking for weight loss, it is advisable to replace the layers of pasta with vegetables, such as zucchini or eggplant, helping to balance the nutritional value.
What to eat with lasagna?
Or broccoli’s elegant cousin, this Perfect Roasted Broccolini! Last up in our sides and salads to go with lasagna: fennel orange salad! It features beautiful juicy oranges and a famous pairing: sliced raw fennel, which adds a subtle licorice essence. Throw it over greens with a few garnishes, top with a zingy homemade citrus vinaigrette, and wow!
What to eat with green beans?
A side of garlicky green beans is a great way to add a burst of flavor and vibrant color to your meal! These tender-crisp beans tossed with lemon juice and finished with freshly grated Parmesan are perfect for any occasion. 3. Roasted Brussels Sprouts Air-fried Brussels sprouts cook from frozen in less than 15 minutes!