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

In this article, I list 39 of the most popular side dishes for bruschetta.

In a rush? Here’s the short answer.

The best main dishes to serve with bruschetta are spaghetti bolognese, Tuscan white bean soup, and Italian-style meatball kabobs. For a light side, try a cucumber gazpacho, zucchini chips or an Italian salad. For more tapas style sides, try prosciutto and melon skewers or a meat and cheese platter.

Ready? Let’s get started!

Italian-style meatball kabobs

Kabobs are one of my favorite summer foods.

They’re fun, filling, and easy to make your own.

These kabos have an italian spin on them with meatballs and a pesto marinade.

Psst… cubes of chicken would also be great with the pesto flavor.

Why we love the recipe: it’s great for a party.

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Italian-style meatball kabobs
Make it all veggies
Rainbow vegetable kabobs
Make it different
Grilled vegetale salad

Cucumber gazpacho

Another great summer side to pair with bruschetta is gazpacho (a cold soup).

Traditional gazpacho is made with tomatoes, but since bruschetta is normally topped with tomatoes I went for a less traditional flavor.

Cucumbers!

Psst… I have loads more ideas on what to eat with gazpacho here

Why we love the recipe: it’s a no-cook, refreshing option.

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Cucumber gazpacho
Make it a classic
Authentic gazpacho
Make it warm
Mushroom soup

Prosciutto and melon skewers

This has to be one of my favorite tapas dishes.

You get a delicious combination of sweet and salty flavors, with some creaminess from the cheese.

It’s so simple to make too – you only need four ingredients and a wooden stick.

No melons? Lightly steamed zucchini is a good winter substitute.

Why we love the recipe: it will look great on a brunch spread.

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Prosciutto and melon skewers
Make it fun
Antipasto skewers
Make it simple
Caprese skewers

Italian green salad

You can never go wrong with a simple side salad.

This version features chunks of mozzarella, mini pepperonis, garlic croutons, leafy lettuce, and a flavorful Italian dressing that’s got a little bit of everything – sweetness, saltiness, spiciness, and acidity.

Pro tip: to make this low-carb, skip the croutons and add roasted chickpeas instead.

Why we love the recipe: it will allow the bruschetta to shine.

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Italian green salad
Make it simple
Kale salad with fresh lemon dressing
Make it hearty
Italian potato salad

Tuscan white bean soup

Turn your bruschetta into a complete meal with a side of hearty soup.

Tuscan white bean soup is warm, herby, and filled with creamy cannellini beans and nutritious veggies like spinach and carrots.

The secret to making a really good soup is in the broth – go for a high quality one.

Other similar dishes I like are Tuscan chicken or Tuscan salmon.

Why we love the recipe: it’s comfort food heaven.

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Tuscan white bean soup
Make it meaty
Tuscan sausage potato soup
Make it simple
Butternut squash soup

Spaghetti bolognese

Stick to the classics with a bruschetta starter followed by a spag bol dinner.

Everyone has their own way of making a bolognese sauce, but this recipe has a secret ingredient… parmesan rinds.

Adding a piece of parmesan rind to the mixture helps mellow out and acidic notes from the tomatoes.

Why we love the recipe: you know everyone is going to love it.

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Spaghetti bolognese
Make it different
Carbonara
Make it a salad
Mediterranean pasta salad

Pan-seared scallops

It may seem intimidating to make scallops at home but it’s actually easy.

The best way to ensure your scallops don’t dry out is to brine them before searing them. The brine also brings the scallop’s natural sweetness out (yum!).

Your scallops are done when they have a nice golden crust and opaque flesh.

Why we love the recipe: it’s a gourmet dish you can whip up in a flash.

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Pan-seared scallops
Make it different
Baked salmon
Make it simple
Pan-seared halibut

Meat and cheese platter

Planning a party?

Treat your guests to some juicy bruschetta alongside a selection of meats and cheese.

It’s so much fun putting one of these platters together, you just need to make sure you’ve got a good balance of flavors.

You need something savory, sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and spicy.

Why we love the recipe: it’s a gorgeous dish for the holidays.

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Meat and cheese platter
Make it simple
Fruit platter
Make it different
Mini pizzas

Scrambled egg

You can eat bruschetta any time of day, including for breakfast!

Top the toasted bread with a spoonful of scrambled eggs and tomatoes, and you have a quick morning snack ready to go.

You can get creative too, swapping the tomatoes for mushrooms, bacon, or even avocado.

Why we love the recipe: it’s super easy and you probably already have all the ingredients you need.

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Scrambled egg
Make it fancy
Cloud eggs
Go vegan
Tofu scramble

Panzanella salad

If you love tomato bruschetta, then you’re going to love the textures of this salad too.

It’s kind of like a deconstructed bruschetta but with other tasty additions like avocado, corn, and basil.

Don’t forget to add those diced shallots for an extra pop of flavor.

Why we love the recipe: it’s an easy summer salad.

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Panzanella salad
Make it simple
Arugula salad with shaved parmesan
Make it wintery
Winter panzanella salad

Air fryer zucchini chips

Chips are a great light side that won’t take any attention away from your bruschetta.

You could stick with commercial, store-bought chips, but if you have half an hour to spare, why not make your own?

All you need for these chips is some zucchini and half a tablespoon of oil.

Why we love this recipe: each serving only clocks in at 40 calories.

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Air fryer zucchini chips
Fire up the oven
Homemade baked potato chips
Make it tangy
Dill pickle chips

Octopus salad

Planning a fancy date night.

This salad is guaranteed to impress.

The octopus is mixed with olives, red onions, and fresh herbs, then tossed in a simple lemon dressing.

And to make things really easy, you can use frozen octopus.

Why we love the recipe: it’s simple but elegant.

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Octopus salad
Swap the seafood
Shrimp and avocado salad
Make it a classic
Crispy calamari

Pistachio tiramisu

If you’re serving an Italian starter or main, tiramisu is a must-have dessert.

There are loads of variations of tiramisu (even a peanut and jelly one!), but I like adding a nutty twist with almond extract and pistachios.

The pistachios add a great crunch to the top to contrast with the rest of the soft, creamy textures.

Why we love the recipe: it’s a delicious spin on a traditional recipe.

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Pistachio tiramisu
Make it different
Strawberry tiramisu
Make it refreshing
Lemon sorbet

The best side dishes to serve with bruschetta

Italian-style meatball kabobs
Cucumber gazpacho
Prosciutto and melon skewers
Italian green salad
Tuscan white bean soup
Spaghetti bolognese
Pan-seared scallops
Meat and cheese platter
Scrambled egg
Panzanella salad
Air fryer zucchini chips
Octopus salad
Pistachio tiramisu