25 Perfect Side Dishes to Serve with Pizza

If you’re looking for easy and delicious side dishes for pizza, you’ve come to the right place.

Here are 25 of the best salads, slaws, vegetable sides, and finger foods that pair beautifully with pizza.

Whether you’re serving Ooni pizza, Neapolitan, thin crust, deep dish, homemade, or New York–style pizza tonight, these quick sides will complement your meal.

Sides for pizza

Vegetables and salads are excellent companions to pizza, adding brightness, texture, and balance. Roasted vegetables—bell peppers, zucchini, and eggplant—bring sweet, caramelized flavors that pair well with cheese. Lighter options like steamed, raw, or sautéed sides offer a fresh, nutritious contrast to a cheesy slice and help create a well-rounded meal.

Let’s get started with this pizza-friendly collection of side dishes and appetizers.

Our 25 best side dishes for pizza

1
raw zucchini salad with cherry tomatoes

Zucchini Salad

Vibrant, fresh, and aromatic—zucchini salad with cherry tomatoes is a light, flavorful side that brightens any pizza meal. It’s quick to make and perfect for spring and summer.

2
cucumber tomato salad with basil

Tomato Cucumber Onion Salad

This crunchy, refreshing salad combines ripe tomatoes and crisp cucumbers in a tangy dressing—an ideal starter or side to balance rich, cheesy pizza flavors.

3
panzanella salad

Panzanella Salad

A traditional Italian summer salad of fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, and chunks of day‑old bread. Juicy and satisfying, it’s a refreshing accompaniment to hot pizza.

4
fennel orange salad in a white bowl

Fennel and Orange Salad

Crunchy, fresh, and light, fennel and orange salad makes a bright starter or side. It shines in autumn and winter when oranges are at their sweetest.

5
red cabbage slaw on a white platter

Red Cabbage Slaw

An easy, crunchy slaw with apples and optional candied walnuts. The colorful salad adds contrast to cheesy pizzas and works well with richer varieties.

6
confit tomatoes slow bake

Tomato Confit

Tomato confit is a flavorful topping for pizza and focaccia. Serve it as a side or spoon it over pizza bianca, marinara, or margherita for an intense tomato boost.

7
Roasted brussels sprouts on a platter

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Maple Syrup

Sweet and crispy roasted Brussels sprouts tossed in a maple vinaigrette make a comforting vegetable side that pairs especially well with casual pizza nights or holiday menus.

8
eggplant pizza

Eggplant Pizza

A roasted eggplant pizza makes a great starter or crowd-pleasing appetizer for a pizza party—kid-friendly, easy to prepare, and fun to serve.

9
air fryer green beans with fork

Air Fryer Green Beans

Ready in about 15 minutes, air fryer green beans are a fast, crisp side you can enjoy year‑round with fresh or frozen beans.

10
Italian salsa verde

Italian Salsa Verde

Fresh herbs and bold flavors make salsa verde a versatile condiment—drizzle it over pizza or serve on the side to add vibrant green color and sharp flavor.

11
air fryer zucchini with chipotle sauce

Air Fryer Zucchini

Ready in about 20 minutes, air fryer zucchini is a juicy green side. You can also use it as a pizza topping to add extra vegetables to your slice.

12
sautéed asparagus served with lemon

Sautéed Asparagus

Green and lemony, sautéed asparagus is a quick spring side cooked with olive oil and garlic—an elegant addition to pizza night.

13
roasted zucchini with breadcrumbs topping

Roasted Zucchini

Garlic‑infused and aromatic, roasted zucchini is simple to prepare and pairs well with many pizza styles, especially thin-crust and California‑style pizzas.

14
roasted eggplant slices with garlic and olive oil seasoning

Roasted Eggplant

Roasted eggplant is an easy, delicious side and a classic vegetable topping for pizza. It also works well as an appetizer with marinara and mozzarella.

15
air fried asparagus with mustard vinaigrette

Air Fryer Asparagus

Quick, healthy, and delicious—air fryer asparagus is a convenient green side that complements a slice of pizza.

16
steamed artichokes

Steamed Artichokes

When tender, steamed artichokes are creamy and mildly nutty—a classic appetizer that pairs beautifully with pizza and Italian mains.

17
Roasted broccoli on a white platter

Oven Roasted Broccoli

Oven‑roasted broccoli develops rich, savory flavors—an unexpectedly addictive side that’s perfect for pizza parties, snacks, or pre‑dinner appetizers.

18
roasted bell peppers with a fork

Roasted Bell Peppers

Marinated roasted bell peppers make a tasty antipasto or side and can also be used as a flavorful pizza or pasta topping.

19
Sautèed eggplant in a bowl

Sautéed Eggplant

Sautéed eggplant cooks quickly on the stove and pairs well with tomato flavors—great on crostini or alongside pizza.

20
Olive tapenade in a white bowl

Olive Tapenade

A bold olive tapenade is a delicious spread for crostini or crackers—an easy, savory appetizer to enjoy before pizza.

21
air fryer eggplant

Air Fryer Eggplant

Air‑fried eggplant is slightly charred outside and tender inside—drizzle with chimichurri or herbs for a pizza-friendly side.

22
sautéed zucchini

Sautéed Zucchini

Quick and versatile, sautéed zucchini works as a side or a healthy pizza topping. It’s ready in about 10 minutes.

23
chickpea salad

Quick Chickpea Salad

This nutritious chickpea salad is easy to make in about 15 minutes. With a lemon vinaigrette it pairs nicely with thin, crispy pizza and is naturally vegan and gluten‑free.

24
avocado salad with cucumber and tomatoes

Avocado Salad

Creamy avocado and sweet cherry tomatoes add a lovely contrast to a pizza rossa. This 10‑minute salad creates a balanced and satisfying side for family meals.

25
Arugula salad with red apple

Arugula Salad

A simple arugula salad with shaved Parmesan and crisp red apple slices brings a peppery, tangy finish that complements any pizza style.

Storage

How to store sides for pizza: Most of these sides keep for up to three days in the refrigerator when stored in an airtight container. Reheat gently in the microwave or on the stovetop with a splash of water if needed.

How to reheat: Reheat in the microwave or warm on a pan with a little water. For best results, consult individual recipes for make‑ahead, reheating, and storage details.

bell peppers marinated

More Side Dishes for Pizza

If you want to increase your vegetable intake while enjoying pizza, consider these vegetable compilations and recipe collections:

  • Best asparagus recipes with grilling, roasting, and steaming techniques.
  • 25 best vegetable sides, including raw salads and Italian starters.
  • 30 zucchini recipes: grilled, roasted, stuffed, and marinated ideas.
  • 35 eggplant recipes: soups, bruschetta, grilled, roasted, and air fryer dishes.
  • 12 artichoke recipes, including tips for cooking and using leftovers.
brussels sprouts in air fryer with honey mustard dressing

What is a good appetizer with pizza?

Simple salads, easy soups, and flavorful dips make pizza dinners more interesting and add color to the table. Try pairing pizza with one or more of these approachable appetizers:

  • Eggplant zaalouk served with crostini
  • Zucchini soup with homemade croutons
  • Italian caponata served with chickpea farinata
  • Shaved Brussels sprouts salad with walnuts and mustard vinaigrette
  • Crostini topped with pesto or tapenade
Zucchini soup recipe.

Soups

Zucchini Soup

Authentic Sicilian caponata recipe styled in a skillet with a spoon, perfect as a Mediterranean side or plant-based appetizer.

Sides

Eggplant Caponata (Healthier)

crostini recipe with colorful toppings and lemon wedges

Starters

Crostini Recipe

shaved brussels sprouts salad

Salads

Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad

If you’re planning a pizza party, consider mini pizzas, flatbread pizzas, or no‑knead focaccia as additional options. These recipes provide reliable methods and many topping ideas to customize your menu.

For more side-dish ideas, browse the sides category page on the site.

Side dishes for pizza

25 Best Side Dishes for Pizza

By: Nico Pallotta
5 from 4 votes
Looking for ideas for what to serve with pizza? We’ve gathered side dishes including roasted vegetables, easy toppings, and colorful salads to inspire your next meal.
Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 20 mins
Servings: 4 people
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American Italian

Video

Tomato Cucumber Salad is a tasty appetizer idea

Ingredients

  • Check each individual recipe for ingredients required.
  • Try something new for your pizza party: cook a favorite recipe and serve it alongside pizza.

Instructions

  • How to store: Keep prepared sides refrigerated in airtight containers for up to 3 days.
  • How to reheat: Warm on the stovetop or in the microwave and finish with fresh herbs, salt, and pepper before serving.

Notes

Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days. You can eat these sides at room temperature or reheat them gently in the microwave. Freezing is not recommended for most of these recipes.

Nutrition

Serving: 200g
Calories: 250kcal
Carbohydrates: 40g
Protein: 6g

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