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What To Serve With Baked Ziti – 11 Delicious Sides

If you’re wondering what to serve with your baked ziti, you’ve come to the right place.

In this article, I list 11 of the most popular side dishes for baked ziti.

In a rush? Here’s the short answer.

The best dishes to serve with baked ziti are cheesy garlic bread, chicken cordon bleu, mozzarella sticks, sticky ribs, and steak kabobs. Try Italian green salad, blackened shrimp, roasted eggplant salad, Caprese stuffed mushrooms, skillet green beans, and broccoli slaw for healthier options.

Ready? Let’s jump right in.

Cheesy garlic crack bread

Garlic bread is the go-to accompaniment for a pasta dish like baked ziti. 

But want to know what’s better than garlic bread? This cheese and garlic crack bread. 

Every bread piece you pull is oh-so-cheesy, buttery, and garlicky with this dish. 

It even has that picture-perfect cheese pull. 

But that’s not even the most satisfying part of this indulgent dish. 

When all the pre-cut bread pieces have been pulled, you’re left with a crispy base that’s extra buttery and cheesy. 

You’ll never go back to plain garlic bread when you taste this cheese and garlic crack bread

Caprese stuffed mushrooms 

Caprese salad is a classic accompaniment for pasta dishes. 

But if you find Caprese salad boring, try making these Caprese stuffed mushrooms instead. 

It’s a straightforward dish to make. 

You stuff your portobello mushrooms with mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, and basil, then bake them. 

This lets the mozzarella melt and the cherry tomatoes roast, releasing their natural sweetness. 

This dish may remind you of a healthier version of pizza, just without the crust. 

Even your pickiest eaters will have difficulty saying no to these Caprese stuffed mushrooms

Mozzarella sticks

If you’re a cheese lover, make your ziti extra cheesy with a serving of crispy mozzarella sticks. 

Mozzarella sticks are easy to make at home. 

You can even make a big batch to freeze so you can have them anytime you want. 

The secret to the best homemade mozzarella sticks? 

Double coating your cheese.  

It prevents the cheese from leaking and ensures your mozzarella sticks crisp up nicely. 

I like to pair my mozzarella with a marinara dipping sauce or ranch dressing. 

Expect your guests to hoard these homemade mozzarella sticks when serving them at your party. 

Broccoli slaw

Baked ziti can be a complete meal on its own, but it sorely lacks a fresh and nutritious component. 

This broccoli slaw is a light and refreshing alternative to your typical coleslaw. 

It’s dressed with a honey mustard vinaigrette, adding a sweet, spicy, and tangy bite that will make your taste buds sing. 

Take your cue from Detoxinista – skip the prep work and use a bag of broccoli slaw mix instead. 

Steak kabobs

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/784048616391038269/

Serving baked ziti at a summer party? 

Make these steak kabobs to go with your delicious pasta dish!

They feature tender and juicy marinated steak pieces skewered with onions, bell peppers, and zucchini. 

But, you can definitely choose any vegetables you want to add to your skewers. 

These steak kabobs cook in just 10 minutes, so your guests can easily grab a skewer (or two) as you’re grilling them. 

Follow Recipe Rebel’s lead and marinade your steak pieces overnight. 

It’s more convenient and also makes the steak pieces more flavorful and tender. 

Blackened shrimp and asparagus skillet

Elevate your baked ziti dish by serving it with this blackened shrimp and asparagus skillet.

This dish features plump, juicy shrimp tossed in chili powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, and red pepper flakes. 

The asparagus spears are then cooked in the same pan as the shrimp, allowing them to get coated with the same spices.  

These spices give the dish the perfect heat to undercut the richness of a creamy and saucy dish like baked ziti. 

Liven up any meal with this blackened shrimp and asparagus skillet

Italian green salad

A good bowl of Italian green salad is my go-to side dish for a decadent dish like ziti. 

It’s a quick and easy dish to prepare, especially when you’re pressed for time.

It also doesn’t involve any cooking – you just need to chop your ingredients and toss them in your dressing. 

All of the components of this salad are tied together with a tasty Italian dressing. 

This easy Italian green salad uses a lettuce base, but other leafy greens like kale and arugula also work great.

Chicken cordon bleu

Hosting a dinner party? 

Impress your guests by serving a dinner meal with your amazing baked ziti and this classic chicken cordon bleu

Just the thought of that Swiss cheese and ham swirl in the tender chicken pieces is enough to make anyone’s mouth water.

Want to take things up a notch? 

Whip up a quick mustard sauce to drizzle over your cordon bleu slices. 

It’s not the simplest dish to prepare, but seeing how gorgeous this chicken cordon bleu is makes the effort worthwhile.

Skillet green beans 

Add pops of freshness to your baked ziti with these skillet green beans. 

It is a simple dish that comes together in just 15 minutes, prep work included. 

You get crisp and tender green beans with a lovely green hue. 

They have a lightly spicy and zesty kick, making them the ideal side dish for your rich, cheesy baked ziti. 

This meat-free side dish is perfect if you’re making a vegetarian baked ziti. 

Make your dinner extra nutritious by adding these skillet green beans on the side.

Sticky Asian ribs

These Asian ribs have a sticky, sweet, and savory flavor that goes well with a saucy pasta dish like ziti. 

You don’t even have to fire up your grill to achieve these results.

The ribs are baked in the oven, low and slow, until they’re fork-tender and practically falling off the bone.

Don’t expect these sticky Asian ribs to last long – they’ll be devoured as soon as you set them down. 

Roasted eggplant salad

This roasted eggplant salad combines two dishes together.

Fresh tomato salad and roasted eggplant – on a bed of cucumber-yogurt sauce. 

You get a combination of bright, smoky, and tangy flavors from the vegetables and the yogurt sauce. 

It makes for a delicious and unique side dish for your baked ziti. 

This roasted eggplant salad with cucumber-yogurt sauce and tomatoes is a meat-free side dish that even non-vegetarians will love.

The best side dishes for baked ziti

  • Cheesy garlic crack bread
  • Caprese stuffed mushrooms
  • Mozzarella sticks
  • Broccoli slaw
  • Steak kabobs
  • Blackened shrimp and asparagus skillet
  • Italian green salad
  • Chicken cordon bleu
  • Skillet green beans
  • Sticky Asian ribs
  • Roasted eggplant salad

What To Serve With Baked Ziti

In this short recipe, I show you exactly what to serve with your baked ziti.
5 from 1 vote
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Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: baked ziti side dishes, what to serve with baked ziti
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 1 person
Calories: 156kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 portion baked ziti

Instructions

  • Prepare your baked ziti according to your favorite recipe.
  • In the meantime, choose one of the following sides to serve alongside it.
  • Side dishes include: cheesy garlic crack bread, Caprese stuffed mushrooms, mozzarella sticks, broccoli slaw, steak kabobs, blackened shrimp and asparagus skillet, Italian green salad, chicken cordon bleu, skillet green beans, sticky Asian ribs, and roasted eggplant salad.
  • Serve immediately and enjoy!

Nutrition

Serving: 100g | Calories: 156kcal

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