Pizza night is a staple in many of our households, but let’s face it – it’s not always the healthiest or most impressive meal option. However, with a few simple tweaks and the right side dishes, you can turn your pizza night into a gourmet experience that your family and friends will love. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the best keto-friendly, vegan, kid-friendly, and gourmet side dishes to serve with pizza, as well as provide expert tips on how to create a balanced meal and elevate your pizza night. Whether you’re a pizza aficionado or just looking for new ideas to spice up your meal routine, this guide has got you covered.
🔑 Key Takeaways
- Serve keto-friendly sides like cauliflower rice, zucchini noodles, or a caprese salad to balance out your pizza night.
- Fruit salad may be a refreshing side dish, but it’s not the best pairing with pizza – opt for savory sides instead.
- Vegan sides like roasted vegetables, garlic knots, or a green salad are perfect for plant-based pizza lovers.
- Kid-friendly sides like breadsticks, mac and cheese, or a simple green salad are sure to please even the pickiest eaters.
- Gourmet side dishes like truffle fries, roasted sweet potatoes, or a charcuterie board can elevate your pizza night to the next level.
- Pasta and pizza are a classic combination, but for a lighter option, try serving a side of zucchini noodles or a green salad instead.
- Gluten-free pizza calls for sides that are just as accommodating – opt for gluten-free breadsticks, a green salad, or roasted vegetables.
- Low-carb sides like a caprese salad, a green salad, or roasted vegetables are perfect for keto dieters.
- Unique sides like a fruit and cheese board, a charcuterie board, or roasted Brussels sprouts can add some excitement to your pizza night.
- To create a balanced meal, pair your pizza with a side that provides a contrasting texture and flavor profile.
- Traditional Italian sides like garlic knots, a green salad, or roasted vegetables are perfect for a authentic pizza night experience.
- Soup can be a hearty and satisfying side dish with pizza, but be sure to choose a clear broth to avoid overpowering the pizza flavors.
From Cauliflower to Caprese: Delicious Keto-Friendly Sides for Pizza Night
When it comes to keto-friendly sides, the options are endless. One of our favorites is cauliflower rice – simply pulse cauliflower florets in a food processor until they resemble rice, then sautĂ© them in garlic butter until tender. Another great option is zucchini noodles – simply spiralize a zucchini and sautĂ© it in olive oil until tender. For a more substantial side, try making a caprese salad with fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil – just be sure to use a low-carb dressing.
Vegan Vibes: Delicious Plant-Based Sides for Pizza Night
Vegan pizza lovers will love these delicious plant-based sides. For a fun and easy option, try making roasted vegetables – simply toss your favorite veggies (like broccoli, cauliflower, or Brussels sprouts) in olive oil and roast them in the oven until tender. Another great option is garlic knots – simply mix together vegan butter, garlic, and parsley, then roll out dough and cut into knots. For a lighter option, try making a green salad with mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, and a citrus vinaigrette.
Kid-Friendly Sides for Pizza Night: Mac and Cheese to Breadsticks
Kid-friendly sides are all about simplicity and fun. For a classic comfort food, try making mac and cheese – simply mix together pasta, cheese, and milk, then bake until golden brown. Another great option is breadsticks – simply mix together dough, olive oil, and garlic, then roll out and cut into sticks. For a healthier option, try making a simple green salad with mixed greens and cherry tomatoes.
Elevate Your Pizza Night with Gourmet Sides
Gourmet sides are all about adding a touch of sophistication to your pizza night. For a decadent option, try making truffle fries – simply slice potatoes, toss with truffle oil and parmesan cheese, and bake until crispy. Another great option is roasted sweet potatoes – simply toss diced sweet potatoes with olive oil and roast in the oven until tender. For a charcuterie board, simply arrange cured meats, cheeses, and crackers on a platter and serve with a side of fruit or nuts.
Pasta and Pizza: A Classic Combination with a Twist
Pasta and pizza are a classic combination, but for a lighter option, try serving a side of zucchini noodles or a green salad instead. To make zucchini noodles, simply spiralize a zucchini and sauté it in olive oil until tender. For a green salad, simply mix together mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, and a citrus vinaigrette.
Gluten-Free Pizza Calls for Accommodating Sides
Gluten-free pizza calls for sides that are just as accommodating. For a fun and easy option, try making gluten-free breadsticks – simply mix together gluten-free flour, olive oil, and garlic, then roll out and cut into sticks. Another great option is a green salad – simply mix together mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, and a citrus vinaigrette.
Low-Carb Sides for Keto Dieters: A Caprese Salad and More
Low-carb sides are perfect for keto dieters. For a delicious and easy option, try making a caprese salad – simply arrange fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil on a platter and serve with a side of balsamic glaze. Another great option is roasted vegetables – simply toss your favorite veggies (like broccoli, cauliflower, or Brussels sprouts) in olive oil and roast in the oven until tender.
Unique Sides to Spice Up Your Pizza Night
Unique sides can add some excitement to your pizza night. For a fun and easy option, try making a fruit and cheese board – simply arrange fresh fruit, cheese, and crackers on a platter and serve with a side of nuts or seeds. Another great option is roasted Brussels sprouts – simply toss diced Brussels sprouts with olive oil and roast in the oven until tender. For a charcuterie board, simply arrange cured meats, cheeses, and crackers on a platter and serve with a side of fruit or nuts.
Create a Balanced Meal with Pizza and Sides
To create a balanced meal, pair your pizza with a side that provides a contrasting texture and flavor profile. For example, try pairing a hearty meat-lovers pizza with a side of mixed greens and cherry tomatoes. For a lighter option, try pairing a veggie pizza with a side of roasted vegetables.
Traditional Italian Sides for an Authentic Pizza Night Experience
Traditional Italian sides are perfect for an authentic pizza night experience. For a fun and easy option, try making garlic knots – simply mix together dough, olive oil, and garlic, then roll out and cut into knots. Another great option is a green salad – simply mix together mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, and a citrus vinaigrette. For a hearty option, try making roasted vegetables – simply toss your favorite veggies (like broccoli, cauliflower, or Brussels sprouts) in olive oil and roast in the oven until tender.
Soup Can Be a Satisfying Side Dish with Pizza
Soup can be a hearty and satisfying side dish with pizza. For a fun and easy option, try making a clear broth soup – simply sautĂ© vegetables in olive oil, then add in chicken or vegetable broth and simmer until tender. Another great option is a creamy tomato soup – simply sautĂ© onions and garlic in olive oil, then add in canned tomatoes and simmer until tender. For a healthier option, try making a vegetable-based soup – simply sautĂ© vegetables in olive oil, then add in vegetable broth and simmer until tender.
âť“ Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best way to store leftover pizza and sides?
To store leftover pizza and sides, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and refrigerate for up to 3 days. For a longer storage option, try freezing them – simply wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and freeze for up to 2 months.
Can I make pizza dough from scratch?
Yes, you can make pizza dough from scratch – simply mix together flour, yeast, salt, and water, then knead until smooth and elastic. For a fun and easy option, try using a pizza dough mix – simply mix together the ingredients and knead until smooth and elastic.
How can I make my pizza night more social?
To make your pizza night more social, try hosting a pizza party – simply invite friends over, set up a pizza bar with toppings and sauces, and let everyone create their own pizza. Another great option is to make a few different pizzas and have a taste-testing party – simply set up a few different pizzas and let everyone vote on their favorite.
Can I use a slow cooker to make pizza sides?
Yes, you can use a slow cooker to make pizza sides – simply mix together your ingredients, then cook on low for 2-3 hours. For a fun and easy option, try making slow cooker garlic knots – simply mix together dough, olive oil, and garlic, then cook on low for 2-3 hours. Another great option is to make slow cooker roasted vegetables – simply toss your favorite veggies (like broccoli, cauliflower, or Brussels sprouts) with olive oil and cook on low for 2-3 hours.
How can I make my pizza night more budget-friendly?
To make your pizza night more budget-friendly, try using coupons or sales to stock up on pizza ingredients – simply look for deals on pizza dough, sauce, cheese, and toppings. Another great option is to make your own pizza sauce – simply sautĂ© onions and garlic in olive oil, then add in canned tomatoes and simmer until tender. For a fun and easy option, try making a homemade pizza – simply mix together dough, sauce, cheese, and toppings, then bake until golden brown.