What To Eat With Garlic Bread? 15 Meal Ideas

Garlic bread is a classic side dish that pairs perfectly with so many meals.

But sometimes, it can be tough to decide what to eat with garlic bread.

After all, there are so many delicious options!

So if you are wondering what to eat with garlic bread, then you have come to the right place.

I’m sharing 15 of the best meal ideas for garlic bread including pasta dishes, sandwiches, salads and more.

Whether you want something light and healthy or comforting and cozy, there is sure to be something on this list that will satisfy your cravings.

Read Also: Garlic Bread Wine Pairing – The Best Wines for Garlic Bread

Why Pair Garlic Bread With A Meal?

Garlic bread is a classic accompaniment to many meals, and for good reason.

The combination of garlic, butter, and crunchy bread makes it an ideal side dish that pairs well with almost any main course.

Garlic has a strong flavor that can help cut through the richness of heavier dishes like pasta or lasagna.

It also adds texture to the meal, providing a contrast between soft ingredients like cheese and vegetables and crunchier items such as chicken or fish.

Garlic bread is also great for soaking up sauces from dishes like spaghetti bolognese or chili con carne.

Its mild flavor won’t overpower other flavors in the dish but will still add some depth to your meal.

Plus, it’s easy to make at home with just a few simple ingredients: butter, garlic powder (or fresh garlic), parsley flakes (optional), salt (optional) and Italian-style bread slices.

What To Eat With Garlic Bread? 15 Meal Ideas

Garlic bread is a delicious and versatile food, but what should you pair it with?

Here are 15 meal ideas that will help you create the perfect dish for any occasion.

From simple sides to hearty mains, these dishes are sure to satisfy your cravings:

1. Classic Beef Lasagna

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• What Is It? Lasagna is a classic Italian dish made with layers of pasta, cheese, and meat or vegetables. The most common type of lasagna is made with beef and ricotta cheese, but there are many variations that can be made to suit different tastes.
• Serving Ideas: Garlic bread pairs perfectly with lasagna as it adds an extra layer of flavor to the dish. To make garlic bread even more delicious, try adding some herbs such as oregano or basil for added flavor. Serve the garlic bread alongside a salad for a complete meal. For an even heartier meal, serve the lasagna with a side of roasted vegetables or sautéed mushrooms.

2. Chilli Con Carne

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• What Is It? Chilli con carne is a classic Mexican dish made with ground beef, beans, tomatoes, and spices. The ingredients are simmered together to create a hearty and flavorful stew that can be served over rice or in tacos.
• Serving Ideas: Garlic bread is the perfect accompaniment to chilli con carne. The buttery garlic flavor of the bread complements the spicy flavors of the chili perfectly. Serve it alongside your chili for an easy and delicious meal. You can also use garlic bread as a topping for your chili by crumbling it on top before serving. This adds texture and crunch to each bite!

3. Spaghetti Bolognese

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• What Is It? Spaghetti Bolognese is a classic Italian dish made with ground beef, tomatoes, onions, garlic, and herbs. The sauce is simmered for several hours to create a rich and flavorful base that pairs perfectly with spaghetti noodles.
• Serving Ideas: Garlic bread is the perfect accompaniment to spaghetti bolognese. The buttery flavor of the garlic bread complements the richness of the sauce while providing an additional layer of texture. For an extra special touch, top your garlic bread with freshly grated Parmesan cheese before baking it in the oven. You can also serve your spaghetti bolognese with a side salad or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.

4. Mushroom and Pea Risotto

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• What Is It? Mushroom and pea risotto is a classic Italian dish made with Arborio rice, mushrooms, peas, and Parmesan cheese. The rice is cooked in a flavorful broth until it’s creamy and tender. The mushrooms and peas add texture and flavor to the dish.
• Serving Ideas: Mushroom and pea risotto pairs perfectly with garlic bread for an easy weeknight dinner. For a heartier meal, serve the risotto alongside grilled chicken or fish. To make it even more filling, top the risotto with crumbled bacon or crispy prosciutto before serving. If you’re looking for something lighter, try adding some fresh herbs like parsley or basil to brighten up the flavors of the dish.

5. Hunters Chicken (Chicken New Yorker)

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• What Is It? Hunters Chicken, also known as Chicken New Yorker, is a classic British pub dish. It consists of chicken breasts that are stuffed with ham and cheese, then topped with a creamy mushroom sauce and served over garlic bread.
• Serving Ideas: Hunters Chicken pairs well with roasted vegetables such as carrots, parsnips, or potatoes. For a lighter meal, serve it alongside a green salad or steamed broccoli. To make the meal more filling, add some cooked pasta or rice to the plate. Garlic bread is the perfect accompaniment for this dish; its buttery flavor complements the creamy sauce and adds an extra layer of texture to each bite.

6. Creamy Pesto Gnocchi Bake

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• What Is It? Creamy Pesto Gnocchi Bake is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that pairs perfectly with garlic bread. The dish consists of gnocchi, pesto sauce, cream cheese, Parmesan cheese, and mozzarella cheese. This creamy and cheesy combination creates a rich flavor that is sure to please any palate.
• Serving Ideas: This dish can be served as an appetizer or main course. For an appetizer, serve it with garlic bread for dipping into the creamy pesto sauce. As a main course, pair it with a side salad or roasted vegetables for added nutrition and texture. If you’re looking for something more substantial, add cooked chicken or shrimp to the mix before baking for extra protein.

7. Spicy Italian Sausage Pasta

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• What Is It? Spicy Italian Sausage Pasta is a classic Italian dish that combines spicy sausage, garlic, tomatoes, and pasta. The flavors of the sausage and garlic are balanced by the sweetness of the tomatoes and the creaminess of the cheese. This dish is sure to be a hit with everyone at your dinner table!
• Serving Ideas: Garlic bread pairs perfectly with this spicy Italian sausage pasta. The crunchy texture of the bread complements the creamy sauce and helps to balance out all of the flavors in this dish. For an extra kick, top your garlic bread with some freshly grated Parmesan cheese or sprinkle it with red pepper flakes for added heat. Serve alongside a simple green salad for a complete meal that will satisfy even picky eaters!

8. Peri Peri Chicken Burgers (Nando’s Copycat)

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• What Is It? Peri peri chicken burgers are a copycat version of the popular Nando’s dish. This burger is made with a spicy marinade, grilled chicken breast, and topped with lettuce, tomato, and mayonnaise. The marinade consists of garlic, chili peppers, lemon juice, olive oil, paprika, oregano and other spices.
• Serving Ideas: Peri peri chicken burgers pair perfectly with garlic bread for an easy meal that packs a punch! Serve the burgers on toasted buns or in pita pockets along with some crispy fries or sweet potato wedges. For an extra kick of flavor add some sliced jalapenos or pickled onions to your sandwich. If you’re looking for something lighter try serving the burgers over a bed of greens such as arugula or spinach for a healthy alternative.

9. Macaroni and Cheese with Garlic Bread Cubes

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• What Is It? Macaroni and cheese with garlic bread cubes is a delicious twist on the classic comfort food. This dish combines creamy macaroni and cheese with crunchy, buttery garlic bread cubes for an irresistible combination of flavors and textures. The garlic bread cubes are made by cutting up slices of store-bought or homemade garlic bread into small cubes, then toasting them in the oven until golden brown.
• Serving Ideas: Macaroni and cheese with garlic bread cubes can be served as a main course or side dish. For a main course, serve it alongside roasted vegetables or grilled chicken for a complete meal. As a side dish, it pairs well with salads, soups, stews, burgers, sandwiches, and more. You can also top it off with extra shredded cheese or herbs like parsley for added flavor.

10. Creamy Mushroom Pasta

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• What Is It? Creamy Mushroom Pasta is a classic Italian dish that combines mushrooms, garlic, and cream to create a rich and flavorful sauce. The pasta is usually served with Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley for added flavor.
• Serving Ideas: Creamy Mushroom Pasta pairs perfectly with garlic bread. The creamy sauce complements the crunch of the bread while the garlic adds an extra layer of flavor. For a heartier meal, add grilled chicken or shrimp to the pasta dish. To make it even more indulgent, top it off with some freshly grated Parmesan cheese before serving.

11. Crispy Garlic Parmesan Salmon

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• What Is It? Crispy Garlic Parmesan Salmon is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that pairs perfectly with garlic bread. The salmon is coated in a crunchy mixture of panko breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, and garlic before being baked to perfection. The result is a crispy, flavorful fish that can be served as an entrée or appetizer.
• Serving Ideas: Crispy Garlic Parmesan Salmon can be served with a variety of sides such as roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or rice. For an extra special touch, serve the salmon on top of freshly toasted garlic bread for an irresistible combination of flavors and textures. You can also use the leftover crumb mixture from the salmon to make garlic toast by sprinkling it over slices of French baguette before baking them in the oven until golden brown and crispy.

12. Creamy Roasted Tomato Ricotta Pasta with Crispy Prosciutto

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• What Is It? Creamy Roasted Tomato Ricotta Pasta with Crispy Prosciutto is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that combines the flavors of roasted tomatoes, creamy ricotta cheese, and crispy prosciutto. The pasta is cooked al dente in a rich tomato sauce before being topped with ricotta cheese and baked until golden brown. The prosciutto adds an extra layer of flavor to the dish, making it even more irresistible.
• Serving Ideas: This dish pairs perfectly with garlic bread for a complete meal. The creamy texture of the ricotta complements the crunchy texture of the garlic bread while the salty flavor of the prosciutto adds depth to both dishes. For an added touch, sprinkle some freshly grated Parmesan cheese over top before serving. Alternatively, this dish can also be served as part of an antipasto platter alongside other Italian favorites such as olives, salami, artichoke hearts, and mozzarella balls.

13. Greek Salad with Feta and Garlic Bread

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• What Is It? Greek salad with feta is a classic Mediterranean dish that combines fresh vegetables, herbs, and feta cheese. The salad typically includes tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, olives, bell peppers, oregano or mint leaves, and crumbled feta cheese. It is usually dressed with olive oil and lemon juice or vinegar.
• Serving Ideas: Greek salad with feta pairs well with garlic bread for a delicious meal. Serve the salad as an appetizer before the main course or as a side dish to grilled meats such as chicken or lamb. For a light lunch option, top the salad with grilled shrimp or salmon for added protein. To make it more filling for dinner time meals serve it alongside roasted potatoes and steamed vegetables like broccoli or green beans.

14. Baked Eggplant Parmesan with Garlic Bread

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• What Is It? Baked Eggplant Parmesan is a classic Italian dish made with layers of eggplant slices, tomato sauce, and cheese. The eggplant is usually breaded and fried before being layered in the baking dish. The dish is then baked until the cheese melts and the eggplant is tender.
• Serving Ideas: Baked Eggplant Parmesan pairs perfectly with garlic bread for a delicious meal. Serve it as an appetizer or side dish to any Italian-inspired dinner. For a heartier meal, serve it over cooked pasta or rice. To make it even more flavorful, top it off with fresh herbs like basil or oregano before serving.

15. Creamy Garlic-Paprika Shrimp Skillet

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• What Is It? Creamy Garlic-Paprika Shrimp Skillet is a delicious and easy dish that pairs perfectly with garlic bread. This one-pan meal combines succulent shrimp, creamy sauce, and smoky paprika for an unforgettable flavor combination. The garlic bread adds a crunchy texture to the dish while also providing a savory base for the flavors of the shrimp.
• Serving Ideas: To make this meal complete, serve it alongside some steamed vegetables or a simple salad. For an extra kick of flavor, top your skillet with freshly grated Parmesan cheese or chopped parsley before serving. If you’re looking for something more substantial, try adding cooked pasta or rice to the skillet as well. No matter what you choose to pair it with, this Creamy Garlic-Paprika Shrimp Skillet is sure to be a hit!