What Side Dishes Go with Italian Beef

If you’re having a night in with your loved one, then Italian beef is the perfect meal!

Italian beef is a delicious meal that comes in many varieties. It’s often served in bars and pubs, or in the middle of a street festival, and it can be made using just about any kind of meat (usually corned beef).

But what are some of the best sides for italian beef?

To discover what to serve with italian beef, check out our list of delicious side dishes for italian beef below. These are some of our favorites.

What To Serve With italian beef

1. Peas and Pancetta 

One of my favourite side dishes for Italian Beef is peas and pancetta. It’s so simple and delicious, and there’s no need to spend hours prepping veggies in advance when you can just pop a bag of frozen peas in the microwave for 5 minutes!

For the pancetta, you can use some store-bought sliced pancetta, or, if you prefer to make your own, it’s really easy to do.

Simply fry up some pancetta in a pan, and then chop it up once it’s cooked through. You can also add a dash of sage to the pancetta for added flavor, if you have some.

2. No Cream Italian Herb Pasta

A side serving of creamy pasta and herbs is the perfect match for an Italian beef feast.

No matter how much or how little you put on your plate, you can still have leftovers, as you can simply reheat the pasta and serve it with more sauce.

This is a great way to save money, as there’s hardly any effort involved in preparing it, and it’s really filling too!

3. Chicago-Style Hot Giardiniera

Chicago-style hot giardiniera is one of my favorite appetizers because it’s chock-full of flavor, and it also really complements the Italian Beef.

This appetizer has some great health benefits, too – it’s packed full of vegetables that are packed with fiber and antioxidants. It’s also super easy to make, which makes it even more appealing.

The secret ingredient in this recipe is a type of pickled vegetable that is a combination of corn, cauliflower and peppers. You can easily make your own, or buy a jar of giardiniera from the supermarket.

4. Rice pilaf

Rice pilaf is a perfect side dish to pair with Italian beef, as it can be prepared in just a few minutes, so is great for serving at a large meal when you’re looking to feed lots of people at a lower price.

It’s also one of the quickest recipes around, making it perfect for a quick weeknight meal.

You can either make your own from scratch, or buy it from the supermarket.

Make sure that the rice is cooked properly, and it will have a lovely lightness and fluffy texture. If you like, you can add a little extra Parmesan cheese and some freshly chopped herbs.

5. Pasta Genovese

Pasta genovese is a great side dish to serve with italian beef because of the wonderful combination of crunchy noodles and soft meat.

The best thing about it is that it can be made in advance so you can enjoy it later with the family. You can even make it up to a few days ahead if you’d like.

It doesn’t require much effort, and it will leave your house smelling fantastic.

6. Bread Sticks

Italian beef is a hearty dish made with boiled, sliced bologna meat that’s been marinated in a savory sauce.

That sauce is what makes it taste so delicious.

This dish is often served with french fries, so breadsticks are the perfect accompaniment.

Breadsticks are fun to make, as you can choose from a range of shapes and sizes.

Making your own gives you more control over how you serve it, and allows you to enjoy it with all your family, no matter what dietary requirements they may have.

7. Parmesan Knots

I like to serve some Parmesan knots with my homemade Italian beef because they go really well with the flavors in the meat.

They’re delicious on their own, but they work especially well as an accompaniment to a hearty meal like Italian beef.

Making your own is easy enough that you can do it even if you don’t have much experience making bread or pasta. You can always find more tips in the side dish section on our website.

8. Cheesy Corn Fritters

If you’re making something meaty with an Italian twist, corn fritters are a good choice. They’re really easy to make too, and they add a fresh zing to your meal.

Cheese makes them extra tasty, but you can choose a savory variety or a sweet one if you prefer.

They work really well as an appetizer or even as a side dish, and are great to make in large batches so you can keep them warm in a low oven while your guests are waiting for their main course.

9. Baked Parmesan Risotto

As well as being a good accompaniment for your beef lasagne, baked parmesan risotto works really well with your Italian beef, too.

If you have any leftover pasta, then you can turn it into an easy lunchtime rice salad by tossing it through some leftover cooked vegetables.

10. Braised Beef Rolls with Gremolata

Italian beef is an American classic that’s traditionally served in a soft roll, topped with a tangy giardiniera.

You could use any type of roll that you like, but I like to choose a baguette variety. I find they hold up better to dipping into the hearty beef mixture.

A sprinkle of fresh rosemary is a wonderful way to enhance the flavor of your rolls, and it also makes for a lovely finishing touch once the beef rolls are cut and placed on the plate.

11. Sauteed Spinach

Italian beef is a hearty, meaty dish that’s perfect for a hearty side dish like sauteed spinach.

It’s easy to make, and it’s a really healthy option for your guests.

You can use any leftover sauce from your beef dish to drizzle over the spinach, or simply leave it out and serve the dish on its own.

12. Italian Roasted Vegetables 

Italian roast vegetables are a great choice when serving with Italian beef.

I like to serve them with a creamy cheese sauce, as I find that they work really well with a tangy and savory dip.

They’re also super quick and easy to prepare, and are really popular with everyone at the table.

13. Stuffed Zucchini Boats

Stuffed zucchini boats are a fantastic side option if you’re serving Italian beef.

As they’re stuffed with a tasty meat and vegetable filling, they hold their shape really well and can be served straight away, or popped into the oven at the end of your meal to warm them through.

This recipe makes about 12 filled zucchini boats, but it’s so easy to scale up to a larger batch if you want.

14. Easy Black Beans and Rice

I love serving my favorite beef and potatoes dish, but I also love making it a little different for my family, as they have a strong preference for a vegetarian option.

Black beans are perfect for adding extra protein and flavor, and you can choose to use the regular canned variety, or use dried black beans and cook them yourself to boost their flavor.

I like to use this easy and simple side dish as it makes a real meal out of the dish, and I think that the fresh herbs and veggies make a really good combination.

15. Baked Brussel Sprouts Casserole

If you’re serving up your Italian beef to guests who aren’t familiar with the dish, then try baking some brussels sprouts casserole instead.

The casserole comes out a deep red color and is so much more attractive than the limp, brownish-green variety of brussels sprout that’s often served up on its own.

It’s a really hearty side dish that won’t make anyone feel underfed, and it’s easy enough to put together that you can prepare it in advance and just reheat it before serving.

16. Italian Sausage Stuffed Onions 

You can’t go wrong with an Italian sausage stuffed onion, which is also a great way to use up any leftovers from your Italian beef and other Sunday roast dinners.

This recipe is ideal if you’re serving your Italian beef on the side of your dinner guests, because you’ll need just one or two servings to fill everyone’s plate.

Once you’ve made the onions, you can store them in the fridge so they’re ready to reheat for lunchtime sandwiches, or serve alongside a simple salad for a quick and easy meal.

17. Italian Chopped Salad

For this recipe, I chose to serve my Italian beef on a bed of crispy green salad leaves with a simple vinaigrette dressing.

Salads are another great option for serving alongside any type of meat or poultry, so be sure to include them as part of your meal planning. You can always switch it up too, by adding fresh herbs, crunchy croutons, and slices of fresh avocado.

It’s important to remember that salads are best when served immediately after they’re prepared, so you might want to consider having them ready for guests in the kitchen while you’re cooking, and serving them on the table as soon as your Italian beef comes out.

Your dinner guests will really appreciate the freshness of the salad, and you’ll be able to enjoy it together.

18. Peperonata (Sautéed Peppers and Onions)

A tasty, quick and simple side dish that will go with anything.

I like to serve my peperonata as a starter at the end of a dinner party, as it’s a great way of using up any leftover roast potatoes too.

The peppers and onions are sautéed in a little oil until they’re tender, then served alongside the beef.

You can easily make this dish on a weeknight, as it only takes a couple of minutes to cook.

19. Caprese Salad

Caprese salad is one of my favorite summer salads, and it goes particularly well with Italian beef.

The cheese-filled bocconcini are a great addition to this dish, and the crunchy sweetness of the cucumber makes it a refreshing choice to complement the rich meatiness of the beef.

You can make a really quick and easy caprese salad by slicing a few ripe tomatoes and topping them with some fresh basil leaves.

20. Easy Garlic Broccolini

I really like serving garlic bread or a salad alongside Italian beef, but I find that they can both be a bit on the heavy side.

Garlic broccolini is really light and fresh, and is a fantastic accompaniment to a meal of this kind.

It’s great for adding extra flavor and texture to a meal without adding too much bulk to your plate!

21. Apple, Celery, and Mushroom Stuffing

I like to serve apple, celery and mushroom stuffing alongside my Italian beef. It’s a great alternative to bread and butter, and is great to dip into the gravy that’s left in the pan once the meat has been removed.

You can buy this in ready-made form from a supermarket, or you can make it yourself from scratch and enjoy the delicious, comforting flavor of homemade stuffing.

22. Easy Sautéed Zucchini

Whether you’re cooking an Italian beef casserole or just cooking individual servings, a side of sautéed zucchini works well.

You can serve it hot or cold, as the zucchini will hold its shape even after being cooked, which means your guests can pick up and eat the whole thing like they would a regular slice of pizza.

23. Bolognese Sauce

For all of you pasta lovers out there, there’s no need to feel bad about not wanting to eat your pasta anymore.

There are plenty of delicious options out there that don’t include pasta at all. If you’re thinking of serving your Italian beef with a bowl of noodles or pasta, then I’d recommend choosing a side dish that includes some sort of sauce.

I love my bolognese sauce recipe because it’s so easy to make and can be served warm or cold.

24. Sauteed Green Beans with Parmesan Crisps

Sauteed green beans are another great side dish option, and they work really well with Italian beef, so you can have a tasty combo of tastes and textures without having to prepare anything complicated.

The crunchy bits on top are a nice contrast to the tender green beans underneath, but you can leave them off if you prefer.

If you’re using frozen or canned beans, make sure to defrost them in the fridge overnight.

25. Artichoke Salad

Italian beef is definitely one of my favorites, and I love this artichoke salad for the side.

Artichoke hearts are the perfect match for the rich flavors of Italian beef, and the combination of crunchy breadcrumbs and tangy olives makes this a super simple dish to prepare.

You’ll find that it goes well with lots of different dishes, but it’s especially good when paired with the meatloaf in this recipe for an amazing meal of comfort food!

26. Beef and Bacon Baked Beans

I like to think of these as “beef and bacon” beans because they are basically just that. They’re really simple to make and pack a real punch of flavor.

These will definitely be a hit with everyone in your household, and are great for a party because they’re so easy to prepare and serve in individual portions.

This recipe is definitely worth bookmarking for your next family gathering.

For a tasty variation, you can swap the chili powder for cayenne pepper.

27. Lasagna Soup

Lasagna soup is the perfect way to enjoy leftovers of an Italian beef dinner. You’ll be surprised at how versatile it is too – you can serve it hot or cold, in small portions or large bowls.

It has a nice, zingy tomato flavor, and is loaded with veggie goodness. I think that it’s the perfect way to use up any leftover pasta, even if it’s a bit on the thick side.

You can make your own, or you can simply buy a ready-made can from the supermarket, but either way, this soup is simple, tasty, healthy and a fantastic way to use up all those leftovers!

28. Beef Taco Casserole

There are some great options when it comes to serving up your favorite Italian beef fixings alongside your own homemade version.

Of course, a good taco casserole is the ultimate option, but if you want to serve up your own homemade version, I really like this Beef Taco Casserole.

You can use any leftover meat you have on hand (beef, chicken, pork or veal), and it’s ready in just 30 minutes. It’s also really simple to make and looks just as appetizing as those freshly prepared takeaways.

29. Baked Brussel Sprouts Casserole

Another side dish that’s big on flavor, texture, and ease of preparation is baked Brussels sprouts casserole.

You’ll find that this one has more of an American flavor, but it’s great for warming up on chilly winter evenings.

If you’re making this in advance, you can keep it in the fridge until it’s time to serve. Simply reheat at 180°C for 20 minutes, or until piping hot throughout.

And if you really love garlic, you can even make your own roasted garlic paste to use in place of the plain butter.

30. Bolognese Ground Beef Stuffed Mushrooms

A traditional Bolognese sauce can be paired with Italian beef or any other meaty stew, but it’s particularly great when served alongside this delicious dish.

Stuffed mushrooms are often associated with holidays and special occasions, but they are a great option for entertaining friends and family every day of the week. You can make them ahead of time and simply reheat when you are ready to serve.

They are a quick and easy recipe to make and they will have your guests begging for more!

The stuffing is a mixture of fresh spinach, parmesan cheese, herbs, and olive oil, and it’s so flavorful that you won’t need any other accompaniment.