When you’re looking for what to serve with amatriciana, you want to make sure that the dish you choose is both easy and delicious.
And I’ve got just the thing: these 14 side dishes!
What to Serve with Amatriciana?
The best side dish to serve with amatriciana is a simple green salad. The crunchy texture and freshness of the greens will complement the richness of the sauce. Add some crusty bread and you’re all set!
The thing is, amatriciana is a simple dish that’s perfect for weeknight dinners, but if you’re planning on serving it to guests, it can be hard to find something that will complement its rich flavors without overpowering them (and your stomach).
I’ve got some great suggestions for you here:
1. Creamy Mashed Potatoes
If you need a side dish for your amatriciana, look no further!
These mashed potatoes are a classic Italian dish that will complement your amatriciana perfectly.
They’re creamy and delicious, and they can be made in just minutes.
Just boil the potatoes until they’re soft enough to mash with a fork or ricer, then add some butter, milk (or cream), salt, pepper, and sour cream.
Mix it all together until smooth, then serve!
2. Simple Green Beans
This is one of my favorite ways to eat canned green beans.
Just cook them in butter until they’re tender-crisp (about 5 minutes), add some garlic powder and Parmesan cheese, top with fresh parsley—and that’s it!
Super simple but very tasty—this side dish will go great with any kind of pasta dish you’re making.
3. Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Brussels sprouts are a great side dish to serve with amatriciana.
They’re easy to prepare and they’re full of vitamins that your body needs!
This recipe is simple: just throw some Brussels sprouts on a baking sheet, drizzle them with olive oil, salt, and pepper and roast them in the oven until they’re browned and delicious.
4. Creamy Polenta
If you’re looking for a heartier side dish, try creamy polenta.
This is a classic Italian dish and it’s so easy to make!
Just get some polenta, boil it in water until it’s soft, then add cream and butter.
It’s best served with a thick sauce like amatriciana, so don’t forget to serve it with extra sauce on the side!
5. Arugula, Walnut, and Pecorino Salad
This is a great side dish for any Italian meal.
The bitterness of the arugula pairs nicely with the salty pork in this recipe, and the pungent taste of pecorino cheese will help cut through all that richness.
You can make this salad ahead of time and keep it in the fridge until you’re ready to eat.
6. Roasted Fennel and Orange Salad
This salad has a light citrus flavor that will complement your amatriciana without overpowering it.
It also has a nice texture that makes it easy to pick up with your fork and eat alongside your pasta!
This salad is best served chilled or room temperature so it doesn’t get too soggy when eaten with hot food.
7. Tomato-Parsley Salad
If you like fresh tomatoes as much as I do, this recipe is a must!
It’s a classic Italian dish that can be served cold or warm, and it’s super easy to make.
Just chop up some tomatoes, throw in some parsley, olive oil and salt, and voila!
A quick and delicious side for your amatriciana.
8. Roasted Broccoli Florets with Parmesan Cheese
This is another one of my favorite sides—it’s crunchy and flavorful and goes with just about anything.
Plus, it’s easy to make:
- Just toss broccoli florets in olive oil before baking them until they’re golden brown.
- Then sprinkle on some Parmesan cheese for an extra treat!
9. Garlic Breadsticks (Or Regular Bread)
I love garlic breadsticks so much that I could eat them every day!
To make them at home, all you need is some bread dough (and if you don’t have any on hand yet, no problem—just use regular bread instead).
Roll out the dough into strips using a rolling pin, then brush each strip with olive oil and rub it with garlic cloves until they’re golden brown!
They’re so good dipped in tomato sauce!
10. Roasted Vegetables
Roasting vegetables is my favorite way to prepare them because it brings out so much flavor.
You can use whatever veggies you have on hand—butternut squash would be great here—but make sure they’re cut into bite-sized pieces first so they roast quickly.
Then toss them with olive oil and seasonings (I recommend garlic), spread them out on a baking sheet, and roast those babies at 400F degrees until they’re tender but not mushy (about 10 minutes).
This is another great option for serving cold or warm—either way will work!
11. Arugula Salad With Balsamic Vinaigrette
This simple salad is great for any meal—especially when you’re making an Italian feast!
Just wash some arugula leaves and chop them up into bite-sized pieces; toss them with olive oil and vinegar; sprinkle on salt and pepper; maybe even throw in some crumbled cheese if you’re feeling fancy.
You’ll love how fresh this salad tastes with just a hint of sweetness from the balsamic vinegar!
12. Braised Cauliflower
This recipe is simple but flavorful, so it’s perfect for serving alongside your amatriciana.
Just chop up some cauliflower florets, add them to a pot with some butter or olive oil, salt and pepper, then cover them and let them cook over medium heat until they’re tender—about 10 minutes or so.
Your amatriciana will be even more delicious when it’s paired with this side dish!
13. Broccoli Salad
This one is a little more laborious, but it’s worth it—this broccoli salad is a crowd pleaser for sure!
- Boil the broccoli until it’s tender (about 5 minutes) then set aside to cool.
- Add bacon bits, raisins, pine nuts and green onions (all optional).
- Mix together with mayo and mustard (or other dressing of your choosing), then add salt and pepper to taste before serving over lettuce leaves or on its own as an appetizer!
14. Focaccia Bread
Focaccia bread is another classic Italian dish that makes a great side for amatriciana.
It’s super easy to make and can be served warm or cold.
For this recipe, you’ll need a loaf of focaccia bread, olive oil, rosemary sprigs, salt and pepper.
- First, brush your loaf of focaccia with some olive oil and then sprinkle on some rosemary sprigs.
- Sprinkle on some salt and pepper and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes (or until golden brown).
- You can also make this dish by using olive oil instead of brushing it on the bread—this way you won’t lose any of those delicious herbs or spices!
What to Serve with Amatriciana (14 Easy Sides)
Ingredients
- Creamy Mashed Potatoes
- Simple Green Beans
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts
- Creamy Polenta
- Arugula, Walnut, and Pecorino Salad
- Roasted Fennel and Orange Salad
- Tomato-Parsley Salad
- Roasted Broccoli Florets with Parmesan Cheese
- Garlic Breadsticks (Or Regular Bread)
- Roasted Vegetables
- Arugula Salad With Balsamic Vinaigrette
- Braised Cauliflower
- Broccoli Salad
- Focaccia Bread
Instructions
- Pick your favorite side dish from this list to serve with your meal.
- Prepare the ingredients according to the recipe.
- Be ready to munch in no time!
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.