What to Serve with Italian Sausage Sandwiches: 15 Amazing Sides to Take Your Meal to the Next Level

Italian sausage sandwiches are a classic comfort food that never seem to go out of style. There’s just something irresistible about the savory sausage paired with melted cheese nestled between bread or a bun. But while the sandwiches themselves are delicious, they can get a bit heavy on their own. That’s why it’s important to serve them with lighter brighter side dishes that provide contrasting flavors and textures.

In this article, we’ll explore 15 amazing side dishes that perfectly complement Italian sausage sandwiches. From classics like potato salad to unexpected surprises like kimchi, these sides will elevate your sandwich experience. Read on to discover new and creative ways to round out your next Italian sausage sandwich meal!

Start with Crispy Parmesan Potatoes

First off you can’t go wrong with a side of crispy seasoned parmesan potatoes. They’re the ultimate comfort food and pair amazingly with the savory sausage. Russet or yellow potatoes work best here since they get nice and crispy in the oven. Simply slice them into wedges, toss with olive oil, salt, pepper and parmesan, and roast at a high temperature until golden brown. The potatoes soak up all the cheesy, garlicky flavors for a perfect side dish.

Go Fresh with an Italian Chopped Salad

For a burst of freshness, a classic Italian chopped salad with fresh veggies drizzled with a tangy Italian dressing is the way to go. Chop up romaine lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and toss with diced salami, pepperoncinis and provolone cheese. Then drizzle on a red wine vinaigrette and sprinkle with oregano, basil and red pepper flakes. The bright, acidic flavors cut through the richness of the sausage sandwich beautifully.

Bake Up Cheesy Polenta Fries

For an indulgent side, baked polenta fries are hard to beat. Simply cut chilled polenta into fry shapes, brush with olive oil, and bake until crispy. Then, toss the fries with grated parmesan for the ultimate cheesy upgrade. The smooth, corny interior contrasted with the crispy exterior makes these fries incredibly addictive. They’re rich yet still lighter than starchy potato fries.

Pickled Veggies Add Crunch and Tang

Quick pickled vegetables like carrots, radishes, cucumbers or even red onions are ideal for serving with Italian sausage sandwiches. They offer tons of fresh crunch along with bracing acidic flavor that balances out the sandwich’s richness. Only a quick brine in vinegar, salt, sugar and spices is required here – no lengthy canning process needed. Feel free to play around with different vinegar types and spice blends too.

Saute Up Garlicky Broccolini

For a lighter veggie option, sauteed broccolini is a great choice. Blanch the broccolini briefly to soften, then saute in olive oil with minced garlic and red pepper flakes. The bright green veggie pairs perfectly with the sausage’s deep flavors. You can use regular broccoli here too, just adjust the cooking time. Some lemon zest at the end adds a nice burst of citrus as well.

Bake Beans from Scratch for Sweetness

Making your own baked beans from scratch is worth the extra effort, and they make for an amazing sausage sandwich companion. Kidney beans stewed low and slow with smoked ham hocks, molasses, mustard, brown sugar and tomato paste result in the richest, sweetest beans ever. The sweet, smoky flavors are ideal with spicy Italian sausage.

Cool Things Down with Pasta Salad

For a make-ahead option, pasta salad is easy, tasty and perfect for serving a crowd. Rotini or fusilli work great for holding creamy dressings and mix-ins. Load it up with chopped veggies like cucumbers, peppers and tomatoes, add cubes of provolone or mozzarella cheese, olives, artichoke hearts, salami – anything goes! A dressing made with mayo, vinegar, dried Italian herbs, salt, pepper and garlic powder pulls it all together.

Pick Up the Heat with Spicy Giardiniera

If you like things spicy, giardiniera is a fantastic accompaniment to Italian sausage sandwiches. This Italian pickled vegetable blend often contains carrots, cauliflower, celery, peppers and other veggies pickled in a chili-spiked vinegar brine. The combination of heat, tangy flavor and crunch goes great with the richness of the sausage and cheese. You can find giardiniera in the olive bar section of many grocery stores too.

Get Your Crunch On with Coleslaw

Creamy coleslaw should not be overlooked as a side for Italian sausage sandwiches! The cool, crunchy cabbage pairs perfectly with the warm, indulgent sausage filling. Stick with a tangy dressing, like an apple cider vinegar and olive oil vinaigrette with mustard and celery seed. Toss the shredded cabbage with shredded carrot for sweetness and crunch. The vinegar in the coleslaw will also help cut through the sausage’s grease.

Add a Little Korean Flair with Kimchi

For an unexpected but amazing flavor combo, serve kimchi alongside your Italian sausage sandwich. The fermented napa cabbage offers a spicy tang that balances nicely with the rich sausage. The crunchy texture also contrasts with the soft bread and cheese. Introduce your tastebuds to something new by swapping out pickles or giardiniera for kimchi.

Roast Up Earthy Beets for a Pop of Color

For a colorful, nutrient-packed side, try roasting some beets to pair with your sandwiches. Beets are loaded with earthy, sweet flavor that goes well with sausage. Simply wrap beet bulbs in foil and roast until tender, then peel and slice or dice them. Toss the beets with fresh orange or lemon juice, salt and pepper. The tangy citrus keeps the beets from becoming too cloyingly sweet.

Char Up Corn for Sweetness

If you want something sweeter, charred corn on the cob is a perfect summery side for sausage sandwiches. The natural sweetness of the corn complements the savory sausage beautifully. Grill or broil the corn, rotating periodically, until lightly charred all over. Then slather with a compound butter (try mixing in chipotle powder, lime zest or Italian herbs for extra flavor) and get that corn-on-the-cob experience.

Bake Up Creamy Scalloped Potatoes

For the ultimate in comfort food sides, creamy scalloped potatoes fit the bill. Sliced russet potatoes layered with a creamy bechamel sauce studded with garlic, thyme and Parmesan cheese is a match made in heaven with Italian sausage sandwiches. The potatoes soften as they bake while the sauce gets irresistibly creamy. It’s a indulgent, nostalgic side dish perfect for a cold weather meal.

Serve Mac and Cheese for Comfort

Whipping up a pan of classic homemade macaroni and cheese is easier than you think! Elbow macaroni tossed in a creamy cheddar cheese sauce flavored with Dijon mustard is simple, family-friendly accompaniment for sausage sandwiches. Or go all out and add mix-ins like crispy bacon, caramelized onions, roasted red peppers – anything to make it your own! The indulgent, cheesy pasta pairs perfectly with the sausage.

Marinate Tomatoes for a Light Finish

For an easy no-cook side, marinated cherry tomatoes are just the thing. The sweet burst of tomato flavor balances sausage’s richness. Toss halved cherry tomatoes with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, minced garlic, basil and crushed red pepper. Let marinate for 30 minutes up to overnight – the longer time allows more flavor to develop. Tomatoes pair nicely with both sweet and spicy sausage varieties.

Add Crunch with Pickled Red Onions

Quick pickled red onions are another bright, fresh topping that goes great with Italian sausage sandwiches. Thinly sliced red onions tossed in vinegar, salt, sugar and spices pickle in just 30 minutes. The onions mellow out and become mildly sweet with a nice crunch. Their vibrant color and acidity cut through the rich flavors of the sandwich. Keep them in the vinegar brine for up to 2 weeks.

Now that you’ve got 15 amazing side dish ideas to elevate your Italian sausage sandwiches, it’s time to start cooking! Mix and match different sides to create a well-rounded meal. The fresh flavors and contrasting textures will take your sandwiches from boring to brilliant in no time. Get creative with produce that’s currently in season for the freshest flavors. Your family or guests will be seriously impressed by these crave-worthy combinations.