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28 Best Side Dishes for Chicken Parmesan Besides Pasta

Chicken parmesan is one of those classic Italian dishes that everyone loves, and it’s hard to find a better pairing than pasta.

But what if you want to try something new?

Side Dishes for Chicken Parmesan Besides Pasta

We’ve got some great suggestions for side dishes to go with your favorite chicken parmesan.

We’ve included everything from veggies to baked potatoes and even some sweeter options!

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28 Best Side Dishes for Chicken Parmesan Besides Pasta

Chicken Parmesan

We’re all about chicken parmesan, but some days you just need a break from the pasta.

Or maybe you want to mix things up and try something new.

So, what are the best side dishes for chicken parmesan besides pasta?

The best side dishes for chicken parmesan besides pasta are mashed potatoes, sautéed spinach, or grilled asparagus. These side dishes can be served hot or cold, depending on your preference.

If you’re serving the dish cold, you can go with mashed potatoes and a salad.

If you’re serving the dish hot, try sautéing some spinach and serving it over the chicken parmesan on a bed of mashed potatoes.

This will add color and texture to your meal without any fuss!

Continue scrolling for 28 of our favorites:

1. Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon Bits

Roasted Brussels Sprouts are a great alternative to pasta because they’re lower in carbs, which means they won’t leave you feeling weighed down and tired.

Plus, they’re so versatile!

You can eat them on their own as a snack or add them to your lunch for some added crunch and flavor.

2. Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Garlic Mashed Potatoes are also a great choice for when you want something other than pasta, because they pair perfectly with chicken parmesan’s signature sauce—and who doesn’t love garlic?

3. Sautéed Mushrooms

Sautéed Mushrooms

Who doesn’t love mushrooms?

They’re rich and earthy and taste great sautéed in butter with a couple cloves of garlic.

Plus, they’re super easy to make—just slice them up and cook them until they start to brown.

4. Baked Sweet Potato Fries

Baked Sweet Potato Fries

You can never go wrong with these delicious oven-baked fries!

Just cut up your sweet potato into fry shapes, toss ’em with olive oil and spices (we recommend chili powder), and bake ’em at 425 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes or until they’re golden brown and crispy on the outside.

5. Cauliflower Au Gratin

Cauliflower Au Gratin

This simple dish is full of flavor and will surprise even the pickiest eaters at your table.

The key is roasting the cauliflower until it’s golden brown before tossing it in a cheesy sauce, then baking it until bubbly and melty.

6. Green Beans with Bacon and Garlic

Garlic and Bacon Green Beans
Source: juliasalbum.com

Another way to spice up your veggies?

By adding bacon!

We love green beans because they’re light enough not to overpower your entrée but hearty enough to stand up to heartier meats like chicken parmesan or steak—not to mention the added flavor from the bacon and garlic make them taste even better than usual!

7. Buttered Asparagus

Buttered Asparagus

You can use either fresh or frozen asparagus in this dish—just make sure it’s sliced thinly and cooked quickly in a hot pan with some butter.

The butter will caramelize on the bottom of the pan, which will give your asparagus an amazing flavor while you cook it!

8. Steamed Broccoli Florets

Broccoli

This is one of our favorite ways to eat broccoli. It’s super simple to make, but it tastes incredible!

Just steam some florets until they’re tender but not mushy, then toss them in seasoned olive oil (coconut oil works great here) and garlic powder or chopped garlic cloves.

9. Cheesy Rice Pilaf

Cheesy Rice Pilaf

This is a great option if you want something that’s easy to make.

The cheesy rice pilaf is super simple to make, so even if you’re not much of a cook, you’ll be able to put this together in no time at all.

Plus, it’s got a ton of flavor and texture that will really enhance your meal!

10. Butternut Squash Gratin

Butternut Squash Gratin
Source: leitesculinaria.com

This butternut squash gratin is another great option if you’re looking for something unique.

It has a creamy texture thanks to the butternut squash and is full of flavor thanks to the sausage and spices.

This recipe also requires just 10 minutes of prep time!

11. Creamy Corn Pudding

Creamy Corn Pudding

This dish is so simple, but it’s also so good.

It doesn’t take long to make and it’s perfect for when you’re craving something sweet but don’t want to feel guilty about it later. It’s like eating dessert for dinner!

12. Crispy Breaded Onion Rings

Crispy Breaded Onion Rings
Source: AllRecipes.com

These breaded onion rings are SO crispy, they’ll make your mouth water before they even hit the table.

They’re perfect for dipping in ranch or ketchup and can be topped with anything from cheese to bacon bits to jalapeños for some added spice.

13. Roasted Vegetables

Roasted Vegetables

We love roasted vegetables because they’re easy to make, super healthy, and can be made ahead of time so you don’t have to worry about them when dinner is ready to serve.

Plus, they’re a nice alternative to pasta!

14. Homemade Garlic Bread

Cheesy Garlic Bread

You can’t go wrong with this classic side dish—just spread some garlic butter over sliced bread, sprinkle it with Parmesan cheese and bake it on low heat until golden brown and delicious!

15. Homemade Potato Salad

Potato Salad

This is a classic for good reason: it’s delicious!

All you need is potatoes, eggs, mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar and salt—then mix everything together in a bowl until it comes together.

Then toss with chopped celery and onion, if desired. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve!

16. Coleslaw

Coleslaw

Coleslaw is another great option for a side dish.

It’s quick to make and delicious—it pairs well with everything from tacos to grilled meats to burgers.

And did we mention that it takes less than 10 minutes?

That should be enough time for you to get everything else ready for dinner!

17. Cornbread

Cornbread

Cornbread is great because it’s sweet, savory, and has that crispy crust on the outside that contrasts nicely with the tender inside.

Plus it’s already made for you—you can just pop it in the oven for 20 minutes and voila!

It’ll be ready when your chicken parmesan is done cooking.

18. Baked Sweet Potatoes with Brown Sugar, Butter and Cinnamon

Source: thecookierookie

Nothing says comfort food like a delicious baked sweet potato.

This recipe is easy to make and will leave your taste buds tingling as soon as you take your first bite.

Serve this dish with any chicken meal for a perfect dinner option for any night of the week.

19. Zucchini Noodles (zoodles)

zoodles

If you’re looking for a lighter option instead of pasta, try making zucchini noodles instead!

They’re super easy to make and are ready in less than 10 minutes—perfect if you’re on a time crunch or just want something quick and easy while still enjoying all the flavors of chicken parmesan!

20. Cauliflower “rice”

This is a great option because it’s low-carb and low-calorie, but still has enough bulk to fill you up.

Plus, it’s super easy to make at home—just chop up the cauliflower into small pieces, then steam it until tender. You can even use a food processor if you want to get fancy!

Then just season with salt and pepper or any other spices of choice (we like garlic powder).

21. Broccoli Rabe

Sautéed Broccoli Rabe
Source: loveandlemons.com

Broccoli rabe is an Italian vegetable that looks like spinach but has a much more intense flavor profile—it’s often described as having a mustardy taste with hints of garlic and pepper.

We think it goes really well with chicken parmesan because of its boldness—the flavors are strong enough on their own, so they don’t get lost in the richness of the sauce or cheese!

22. Spinach Salad

Spinach salad

This classic dish is a great way to add some extra greens into your diet while still enjoying your favorite chicken parmesan dish.

Simply toss baby spinach leaves with lemon juice, salt, pepper, and olive oil to create an easy side dish that pairs perfectly with your meal.

23. Beet and Goat Cheese Salad

Beet and Goat Cheese Salad
Source: AllRecipes.com

If you love beets as much as we do (and why wouldn’t you?), then this beet salad is probably right up your alley.

Paired with creamy goat cheese, it’s a perfect way to get some veggies in while still indulging in one of our favorite meals ever!

24. Roasted Cauliflower

Roasted Cauliflower

Cauliflower is so versatile and delicious—you can quickly roast it with olive oil or toss it in a savory sauce and broil it until tender.

It’s a great low-carb alternative to pasta that will fill you up without weighing you down.

Plus, cauliflower is chock-full of vitamins and minerals!

25. Caramelized Onions

Caramelized onions are super easy to make: just cook thinly sliced onions in olive oil or butter over low heat until they’re golden brown, sweet, and delicious!

You can serve these with the chicken parm or eat them on their own as a side dish.

26. Butternut Squash Puree

Butternut Squash Puree
Source: www.mybakingaddiction.com

The butternut squash puree is a great substitute for pasta, and it’s super easy to make!

Just cube up 1 medium butternut squash, roast in the oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes or until tender, and then puree with a stick blender or food processor.

You can add salt and pepper if you like, but this dish doesn’t really need any additional seasoning—the flavor of the squash is delicious on its own!

27. Quinoa Pilaf with Almonds and Raisins

Quinoa Pilaf with Almonds and Raisins
Source: AllRecipes.com

This side dish is an excellent alternative to the traditional rice pilaf that you might make with your chicken parm.

It has a little more protein than rice does (so it’ll keep you fuller longer), plus it has a nice nuttiness that pairs perfectly with the sauce in your chicken parm (and even better when mixed together).

28. Buttered Carrots

Buttered carrots are a perfect alternative to pasta and will add some extra flavor and texture to your dish.

Plus, they’re really easy to make: just boil them in water until they’re soft enough for you to pierce with a fork, then drain them and toss them with butter (and salt if you’d like).

The butter will melt right into the carrots’ natural sweetness and create a delicious sauce that will complement your parmesan chicken perfectly!

Chicken Parmesan

28 Best Side Dishes for Chicken Parmesan Besides Pasta

If you're trying to pick the right side dishes for chicken parmesan and don't want any pasta, there are a few things to consider.
First off, make sure you pick a side that complements your main dish. For example, you might want to stick with something light or mild so that it doesn't overpower your meal.
You could also try pairing it with something sweet like mashed potatoes or beans—something that will contrast nicely with the savory flavors of your main dish.
Second, make sure that whatever you choose is easy to prepare. This way it'll be quicker and easier on you when you're making dinner!
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 people
Calories 260 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • Roasted Brussels Sprouts
  • Garlic Mashed Potatoes
  • Sautéed Mushrooms
  • Baked Sweet Potato Fries
  • Cauliflower Au Gratin
  • Green Beans with Bacon and Garlic
  • Buttered Asparagus
  • Steamed Broccoli Florets
  • Cheesy Rice Pilaf
  • Butternut Squash Gratin
  • Creamy Corn Pudding
  • Crispy Breaded Onion Rings
  • Roasted Vegetables
  • Homemade Garlic Bread
  • Homemade Potato Salad
  • Coleslaw
  • Cornbread
  • Baked Sweet Potatoes with Brown Sugar, Butter and Cinnamon
  • Zucchini Noodles (zoodles)
  • Cauliflower "rice"
  • Broccoli Rabe
  • Spinach Salad
  • Beet and Goat Cheese Salad
  • Roasted Cauliflower
  • Caramelized Onions
  • Butternut Squash Puree
  • Quinoa Pilaf with Almonds and Raisins
  • Buttered Carrots

Instructions
 

  • Pick your favorite side dish from this list to serve alongside your chicken parmesan dinner.
  • Prepare the ingredients according to the recipe.
  • Be ready to munch in no time!
Keyword Side Dishes for Chicken Parmesan Besides Pasta
CEO at Happy Muncher | benjamin@happymuncher.com | Website | + posts

Hi, I'm Benjamin. I love cooking, long walks, and my girlfriend! Here you’ll find simple and delicious recipes that you can make in 30 minutes or less.