If you’re wondering what to serve with your fettuccine alfredo, you’ve come to the right place.
In this article, I list 45 of the most popular side dishes for fettuccine alfredo.
In a rush? Here’s the short answer.
The best dishes to serve with fettuccine alfredo are lemon steamed broccoli, peas and pancetta, lemon herb grilled chicken, and Italian salad. You can also serve pork Milanese, blackened cod, marinated flank steak, or bacon-wrapped scallops. For an unusual but tasty option, try roasted brussel sprouts.
Ready? Let’s jump right in.
Lemon steamed broccoli
Fettuccine alfredo is a dish of pure carbs, so a fresh, nutrient-dense side dish is always going to be a welcome addition.
My go-to is this steamed broccoli dish – vibrant crisp-tender florets are tossed in a lemon butter mixture, infusing them with a bright citrusy flavor.
Ideal for balancing out the ultra creamy sauce.
Why we love this recipe: it’s the ultimate healthy addition to any meal.
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Lemon butter broccoli
Fire up the oven
Roasted garlic lemon broccoli
Make it different
Sauteed lemon garlic spinach
Pork Milanese
Keep the Italian theme going by serving your fettuccine alfredo with crowd-favorite crispy pork Milanese.
Typical recipes call for boneless cutlets, but this recipe goes for the bone-in version because it has more flavor.
Psst… if you’re short on time, it’s fine to use store-bought breadcrumbs.
Why we love this recipe: it makes regular dinners more special.
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Pork Milanese
Make it fancy
Roasted garlic herb rack of pork
Make it crispy
Pork roast with crackling
OMG garlic bread
Give your simple garlic bread a makeover with additions like parmesan cheese, lemon zest, basil, and red pepper flakes.
They add nutty, cheesy flavors with a hint of freshness.
Enjoy a slice or two of this jazzed-up garlic bread alongside your fettuccine alfredo and a glass of your favorite white wine.
Why we love this recipe: you can’t go wrong with the classics.
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OMG garlic bread
Make it healthy
Fresh tomato bruschetta
Make it fun
Garlic swirl rolls
Bacon-wrapped scallops
Make your alfredo date-night worthy with some bacon-wrapped scallops.
This combo gives you a smoky, savory bite with a hint of sweetness from the scallops.
The trick to getting this side right is to par-cook the bacon first, so it crisps up just as the scallops get that gorgeous sear.
Why we love this recipe: everything’s better with bacon!
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Bacon-wrapped scallops
Preheat the oven
Oven-baked bacon-wrapped shrimp
Make it fancy
Butter-poached lobster tails
Roasted asparagus with sun-dried tomatoes
Want something more out there than steamed broccoli?
What about this roasted asparagus dish? It’s simple, but super nourishing.
The grassy asparagus goes nicely with the tart bite from the sun-dried tomatoes, and the final touch is a sprinkle of parmesan cheese and lemon.
Plus some pine nuts for crunch.
Why we love this recipe: it will bring a brilliant pop of color to the plate.
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Oven-roasted asparagus with sun-dried tomatoes
Keep it simple
Sauteed asparagus
Add a savory note
Prosciutto-wrapped asparagus bundles
Italian salad
Sometimes all you need is a simple side salad.
This salad is easy to make, doesn’t require any extra cooking, and it’s open to customization.
I always like to throw in some cucumber for extra crunch.
Why we love this recipe: it tastes just like what you’d get at Olive Garden.
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Simple Italian salad
Make it easy
Simple tossed green salad
Make it different
Kale Caesar salad
Marinated flank steak
You won’t need to shell out big bucks to enjoy a fancy steak dinner with the help of this budget-friendly flank steak!
This cut has a reputation of being tough and lean, but it’s nothing a good balsamic and soy marinade can’t fix.
Pro tip: it’s good to plan ahead because you’ll need to marinate the steak for at least 4 hours for best results.
Why we love this recipe: it’s got loads of tips and tricks to make sure you get tasty results.
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Marinated flank steak
Make them fancy
Filet mignon with garlic herb butter
Make it plant-based
King oyster mushroom steaks
Garlic parmesan roasted brussels sprouts
Brussel sprouts get a bad rep, but I don’t think they deserve it.
They can actually be really tasty – as long as you don’t boil them to death!
This recipe roasts the sprouts to give them caramelized, golden edges and a crisp-tender center.
… sprouts aren’t just for Christmas people.
Why we love this recipe: it takes a basic ingredient and elevates it to new heights.
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Garlic parmesan roasted brussels sprouts
Change the flavor
Roasted balsamic brussels sprouts
Make it fun
Smashed brussels sprouts
Lemon-herb marinated grilled chicken
I love crispy fried chicken as much as the next guy, but this is my favorite chicken recipe.
The meat is marinated in lemon and herbs, which infuses the chicken with a bright flavor as well as tenderizing the meat to ensure it stays juicy.
Prop slices of this tasty chicken over your fettuccine alfredo for a satisfying meal.
Why we love this recipe: the leftovers will taste great all week.
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Lemon-herb marinated grilled chicken
Skip the grill
Baked lemon pepper chicken
Make it fun
Buffalo wings
Grilled portobello mushrooms
Ease your way into meatless Mondays with a massive mushroom.
Portobello mushrooms are filled with umami flavor and they have a chewy texture pretty similar to meat.
Don’t fancy this as a side? It would make an excellent starter too.
Why we love this recipe: it only takes 15 minutes to make.
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Grilled portobello mushrooms
Skip the grill
Baked lemon pepper chicken
Make it fun
Buffalo wings
Peas and pancetta
Peas and pancetta is a scrumptious combination you can enjoy mixed into your alfredo.
It’s perfectly balanced with sweet and salty notes.
And the vibrant green color pops off the plate too.
All it takes is some chopped garlic, white wine, and shaved parmesan to make this simple veggie dish super flavorful.
Why we love this recipe: it turns budget ingredients into something super tasty.
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Peas and pancetta
Make it a salad
Pea salad
Skip the meat
Green beans and corn medley
Marinated tomatoes
Make your alfredo shine by topping it with these marinated tomatoes.
It’s a no-frills side that won’t overpower your elegant pasta dish – it just brings a burst of freshness and color.
Psst… for best results, let the tomatoes soak for 24 hours.
Why we love this recipe: it’s perfect for summer.
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Marinated tomatoes
Make a classic
Caprese salad
Preheat the oven
Cherry tomato confit
Spicy prosciutto straws
Spruce up your alfredo meal with a piece (or two) of these prosciutto straws.
They’ll add even more elegance to the meal and a much-needed crunchy texture.
Psst… these are still just as tasty without the prosciutto, so don’t worry if you need to skip it.
Why we love this recipe: you’re guaranteed no leftovers.
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Spicy prosciutto straws
Skip the pastry
Prosciutto chips
Make it different
Sweet and spicy bacon twists
Blackened cod
Want a protein-loaded side that won’t be too heavy?
Try this simple blackened cod.
It will be ready to serve in 15 minutes, and that blackened seasoning rub gives you a deep, earthy flavor with a slight fiery kick that pairs well with your fettuccine alfredo’s creamy sauce.
Why we love this recipe: it’s ideal for busy weeknight dinners.
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Blackened cod
Change the flavor
Parmesan-crusted cod
Preheat the oven
Oven-baked tilapia
Zucchini noodles
These zucchini noodles will blend into your creamy alfredo so well that you’ll easily be able to hide them from fussy eaters.
And if you’re using a different type of pasta, don’t worry! You can cut the zucchini into any shape.
Tip: don’t cook the ribbons too much or they’ll become pretty soggy.
Why we love this recipe: it’s a great way to sneak more veggies into your meal.
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Zucchini noodles
Use a different vegetable
Spaghetti squash
Make it easy
Shredded cabbage
The best side dishes to serve with fettuccini alfredo
- Lemon steamed broccoli
- Pork Milanese
- OMG garlic bread
- Bacon-wrapped scallops
- Roasted asparagus with sun-dried tomatoes
- Italian salad
- Marinated flank steak
- Garlic parmesan roasted brussels sprouts
- Lemon-herb marinated grilled chicken
- Grilled portobello mushrooms
- Peas and pancetta
- Marinated tomatoes
- Spicy prosciutto straws
- Blackened cod
- Zucchini noodles
What To Serve With Fettuccine Alfredo
Ingredients
- 1 portion fettuccine alfredo
Instructions
- Prepare your fettuccine alfredo according to your favorite recipe.
- In the meantime, choose one of the following sides to serve alongside it.
- Side dishes include: lemon steamed broccoli, pork milanese, omg garlic bread, bacon-wrapped scallops, roasted asparagus with sun-dried tomatoes, italian salad, marinated flank steak, garlic parmesan roasted brussels sprouts, lemon-herb marinated grilled chicken, grilled portobello mushrooms, peas and pancetta, marinated tomatoes, spicy prosciutto straws, blackened cod, and zucchini noodles.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!