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.

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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Sautéed Asparagus
Green and lemony, sautéed asparagus is a quick spring side cooked with olive oil and garlic—an elegant addition to pizza night.
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.
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.
Air Fryer Asparagus
Quick, healthy, and delicious—air fryer asparagus is a convenient green side that complements a slice of pizza.
Steamed Artichokes
When tender, steamed artichokes are creamy and mildly nutty—a classic appetizer that pairs beautifully with pizza and Italian mains.
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.
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.
Sautéed Eggplant
Sautéed eggplant cooks quickly on the stove and pairs well with tomato flavors—great on crostini or alongside pizza.
Olive Tapenade
A bold olive tapenade is a delicious spread for crostini or crackers—an easy, savory appetizer to enjoy before pizza.
Air Fryer Eggplant
Air‑fried eggplant is slightly charred outside and tender inside—drizzle with chimichurri or herbs for a pizza-friendly side.
Sautéed Zucchini
Quick and versatile, sautéed zucchini works as a side or a healthy pizza topping. It’s ready in about 10 minutes.
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.
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.
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.

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.

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
Soups
Zucchini Soup
Sides
Eggplant Caponata (Healthier)
Starters
Crostini Recipe
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.
25 Best Side Dishes for Pizza
Video
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
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How to store: Keep prepared sides refrigerated in airtight containers for up to 3 days.
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How to reheat: Warm on the stovetop or in the microwave and finish with fresh herbs, salt, and pepper before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Calories: 250kcal
Carbohydrates: 40g
Protein: 6g
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