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    Home » Side Dishes

    33 Italian Side Dishes (Contorni)

    Published: Jan 15, 2022 · Modified: Jan 22, 2023 by Mamma C · This post may contain affiliate links

    Pinnable image of cooked eggplant for Italian Side Dishes

    Enjoy this collection of my best Italian side dishes! Whether you need menu ideas for Easter or Christmas or just want a great side dish for pizza, you'll find delicious options here.

    sliced cooked mushrooms on white plate, red napkin

    33 Italian Side Dishes

    You'll love these recipes for my best Italian sides! You'll find many authentic Italian side dishes plus some with an Italian twist!

    Italian Vegetable Recipes

    We love our Italian veggie dishes! Choose from a wide variety, including many vegan options simply prepared with olive oil, garlic, etc.

    Pan-Fried Eggplant with Tomato Sauce

    This Italian eggplant side dish from Naples will knock your socks off! Thin eggplant planks are fried in oil, then layered with tomato sauce, Parmesan and basil.

    Italian Stuffed Artichokes (The Best!)

    Every leaf of these baked stuffed artichokes contains a slice of garlic and
    sliver of Romano cheese! My family has been making these for many
    decades. We don't use bread crumbs here, to allow the flavor of the roasted artichokes, cheese and garlic to shine through.

    Italian Sautéed Escarole Recipe

    This escarole dish from Naples includes garlic, raisins and pine nuts for a delicious feast for the senses! Even kids love its sweet-and-savory vibe.

    Escarole-Stuffed Pizza (Pizza di Scarola)

    Promise me you'll try this Escarole-Stuffed Pizza from Naples! It's one of my most special recipes, and you won't believe how good it is!

    Peas with Onions (and Bacon)

    Whether you use bacon or pancetta or skip the meat altogether, you'll love these Italian peas with onions!

    Roasted Butternut Squash Cubes

    This roasted butternut squash is so delicious with my favorite Italian seasoning, but you almost can't go wrong. This is the perfect accompaniment for chicken, turkey or pork.

    Italian Broccoli with Gremolata

    My go-to Italian vegan dish features lemon, garlic and parsley and is so refreshing!

    Marinated Zucchini with Mint (Zucchine alla Menta)

    Don't miss this traditional Italian side dish from Naples! This vegan, gluten-free zucchini recipe features vinegar, garlic and fresh mint.

    Italian Zucchini Fritters Recipe

    Nonna's batter-fried zucchini is so addictive! This dish from Naples is legendary in my family!

    Italian Zucchini Bake

    There's a reason this is one of my most popular recipes! You have to try this Italian Zucchini Bake, featuring Parmesan and Romano!

    Marinated Roasted Bell Peppers

    This classic Italian side dish will be one of the best of your life! Roasted peppers are sautéed with olive oil and garlic for additional depth of flavor. This is the real deal, folks!

    Caponatina (Eggplant Caponata Recipe)

    This sweet-and-sour eggplant salad from Sicily is amazing! Enjoy it as a cold Italian side dish or serve it at room temperature.

    Baked Breaded Eggplant Slices

    You'll love this method for crispy eggplant "fried" without much oil! Romano cheese brings a nice pop of flavor. Dip these in marinara sauce or use them in eggplant Parmigiana!

    Eggplant Parmigiana Recipe

    Prepared without bread crumbs as in Naples, this Eggplant Parmigiana is so delicious! It's one of our favorite Italian vegetable side dishes.

    Rapini (Broccoli Rabe) with Garlic

    This authentic Italian dish from Naples features slightly bitter greens sautéed with garlic in oil. Briefly boiling the rapini first decreases any bitterness!

    Italian Carrot Salad with Basil

    Mom's Italian Carrot Salad is so refreshing and delicious! This is the perfect vegan side dish everyone will love.

    Mom's Spinach-Ricotta Pie

    Don't miss this legendary Spinach-Ricotta Pie recipe from Mom! This is one of my favorite dishes of all time.

    Italian Sautéed Mushrooms with Garlic and Tomatoes

    These Italian mushrooms prepared as in Naples are so delicious! They go so well with beef, pork, veal or chicken.

    Italian Green Beans with Tomatoes and Garlic

    This Italian green bean recipe from Naples features garlic, tomatoes and olive oil! Serve it at room temperature and prepare to swoon.

    Green Beans with Bread Crumbs

    These green beans with cheesy Homemade Italian Bread Crumbs will be the highlight of your meal! This is a huge family favorite!

    Italian Potato Side Dishes

    When pasta isn't on the menu, potatoes are a great Italian starch to include! Enjoy these much-loved family recipes!

    Italian Potato Salad with Green Beans

    This Italian summer dish from Naples is excellent for potlucks! The vinegar-based potato salad is so delicious, you'll want to enjoy it all year.

    Oven-Roasted Potatoes with Seasonello

    My favorite seasoning from Italy makes these roasted potatoes delizioso! They're the perfect side dish for Italian sausage, pork, beef, poultry or even fish.

    Crispy Parmesan Potatoes with Onions and Garlic

    The name says it all. You have to try these potatoes, which are Mom's favorite!

    Italian Rice Dishes & Grains

    Italian rice or polenta goes with everything!

    Parmesan Risotto Recipe

    My go-to risotto recipe features wine, Parmesan, onions and chicken stock for a classic Italian side dish that elevates the entire meal!

    Baked Vegetable Risotto with Asparagus and Spinach

    This baked risotto with vegetables is incredible! It's mostly hands-off to prepare.

    Creamy Parmesan Polenta

    This Creamy Parmesan Polenta goes wonderfully with vegetables, meat or fish. You can serve it on the side or build a meal right on top of it!

    Salads

    There's nothing like a refreshing Italian salad, whether it's made with lettuce, beans, vegetables or pasta!

    Rotini Pasta Salad with Sun-Dried Tomatoes

    If you need a dish for a holiday buffet or summer potluck, this Rotini Pasta Salad delivers! It's a hit every time and does not contain mayo.

    Italian Bean Salad

    This bean side dish is so addictive! You can make this healthy Italian side in just five minutes.

    Spinach Salad with Mandarin Oranges and Pancetta

    You'll love this spinach salad with a sweet-and-savory vibe! The orange vinaigrette is so refreshing!

    Cauliflower Rice Caprese Recipe

    This cauliflower rice salad features the delicious Caprese flavors of mozzarella, tomato and basil! Drizzle on some balsamic glaze and enjoy!

    The Best Italian Green Salad with Homemade Dressing

    Every meal is ten times better with the Best Italian Green Salad! Don't miss this iconic family recipe!

    Grilled Romaine with Toasted Walnuts and Parmesan

    If you've never grilled Romaine, you don't know what you've been missing! You have to try it!

    Don't Forget the Crusty Bread

    It goes without saying, but I'll say it anyway. Every Italian meal is more delicious with some crusty bread to dip in the oil or sauce!

    Homemade Italian Bread

    This Homemade Italian Bread recipe has many fans because it's so easy! Don't miss all of my tips to produce a wonderful loaf of bread in your kitchen.

    If you love Italian cuisine, you now have plenty of side dish recipes to choose from! Let me know which ones are your favorite, and don't miss these 63 Italian Appetizer Recipes or these 50 Best Spinach Recipes!

    Enjoy!

    Don't miss my Pasta & Sauces E-Cookbook! Please SUBSCRIBE and follow me on PINTEREST, FACEBOOK, and INSTAGRAM!
    « Baked Cod with Bread Crumbs and Butter (Divine!)
    Italian Beef Soup with Pasta Shells »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Jackiew

      October 24, 2022 at 2:35 pm

      I can't believe I found lots of my mama's recipes here!
      she passed away and I didn't have them.
      Thank you so much!
      This is so precious!

      Reply
      • Mamma C

        October 25, 2022 at 7:04 am

        Hi Jackie - I'm sorry for the loss of your mom. Your comment means so much to me, because this is the main reason I started my site back in 2014. Enjoy!

        Reply
    2. Andrea

      January 17, 2022 at 2:07 pm

      Wow what a fabulous list! I cant wait to start making these. Yummy!

      Reply
      • Mamma C

        January 18, 2022 at 12:49 pm

        Hi Andrea- I hope you enjoy these recipes. Thanks!

        Reply
    3. Wanda

      January 17, 2022 at 2:07 pm

      There are so many delicious options here, I don't know where to start!

      Reply
      • Mamma C

        January 18, 2022 at 12:48 pm

        Hi Wanda - There's one for every day of the month! Haha!

        Reply
    4. Nadja

      January 17, 2022 at 1:44 pm

      All of these side dishes look wonderful, but the Eggplant Parmigiana has my name all over it! I love eggplants so much, adding this one to try first.

      Reply
      • Mamma C

        January 18, 2022 at 12:48 pm

        Hi Nadja - I can't blame you! I love that eggplant Parmigiana.

        Reply
    5. Emily Flint

      January 17, 2022 at 12:58 pm

      What a great collection of recipes! I'm pinning this to have at the ready any time I need some Italian food!

      Reply
      • Mamma C

        January 18, 2022 at 12:47 pm

        Hi Emily - This is the perfect post to pin. Enjoy!

        Reply
    6. Anjali

      January 17, 2022 at 12:28 pm

      These all look so good I don't know which one to try first! It might have to be those roasted potatoes or the homemade Italian bread! Yum!

      Reply
      • Mamma C

        January 18, 2022 at 12:46 pm

        Hi Anjali - Both of those are delicious! Thank you.

        Reply

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    I'm Andrea, also known as Mamma C. I share family-tested recipes from my Italian-American kitchen. I hope you'll visit often! Read More…

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