fbpx

What to Serve With Linguine and Clams: 15 Best Side Dishes

Elevate your linguine and clams with an array of side dishes that enhance the meal's flavors. Enjoy a classic Caesar Salad with tangy dressing, or savor the crunch of Garlic Bread toasted with buttery richness. Roasted Asparagus adds a nutritious touch, while Caprese Salad offers fresh, vibrant flavors. Sautéed Spinach and Grilled Zucchini provide healthy, flavorful options. Consider an Antipasto Platter for a variety of tastes, or a revitalizing Lemon Arugula Salad. Hearty choices like Italian Wedding Soup, Stuffed Mushrooms, and Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes also pair well. Curious about more delightful sides to complete your meal?

Caesar Salad

ingredients for classic salad

A classic Caesar salad, with its crisp romaine lettuce and tangy dressing, perfectly complements the rich flavors of linguine and clams.

The anchovy dressing adds a bold, savory touch, enhancing the dish's overall appeal.

A thoughtful cheese pairing, typically grated parmesan, offers a creamy contrast that balances the salad's acidity, making it a delightful and harmonious accompaniment to your main course.

Garlic Bread

delicious garlic bread recipe

Garlic bread, with its buttery richness and aromatic garlic flavor, serves as a perfect complement to linguine and clams.

Made by spreading garlic butter on various bread varieties, such as baguettes or ciabatta, and toasting them to golden perfection, it provides a delightful crunch.

This side not only enhances the meal's flavors but also guarantees a satisfying and balanced dining experience.

Roasted Asparagus

tender flavorful spring vegetable

Roasted asparagus, with its tender texture and slightly charred flavor, offers a nutritious and visually appealing side dish for linguine and clams.

For a delightful wine pairing, consider a crisp Sauvignon Blanc to complement the dish.

Preparation tips include drizzling asparagus with olive oil, sprinkling salt and pepper, and roasting at 400°F until tender.

This simple method enhances its natural flavors beautifully.

Caprese Salad

fresh tomato and mozzarella

Caprese salad, with its invigorating combination of ripe tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and fragrant basil, serves as a revitalizing and flavorful side dish for linguine and clams.

The vibrant colors and textures of mozzarella slices and juicy tomatoes, topped with a balsamic drizzle, create a delightful contrast.

This classic Italian salad enhances the meal with its fresh, light, and aromatic qualities, making it a perfect pairing.

Sautéed Spinach

delicious saut ed leafy greens

Sautéed spinach, with its tender leaves and subtle earthy flavor, offers a nutritious and complementary side dish to linguine and clams. Rich in vitamins and minerals, spinach enhances the meal's nutritional benefits.

For preparation tips, simply sauté the spinach in olive oil with a touch of garlic until wilted. This quick and easy method guarantees a delicious, healthful addition to your plate.

Bruschetta

delicious italian tomato appetizer

Another excellent side dish to pair with linguine and clams is bruschetta, a classic Italian appetizer that adds a burst of fresh flavors to the meal.

Various bread types such as ciabatta or baguette can be used, toasted to perfection. Topping variations are endless, from traditional tomatoes and basil to creative combinations like avocado and feta, offering a delightful contrast to the main dish.

Grilled Zucchini

healthy summer barbecue option

Grilled zucchini serves as a simple yet flavorful accompaniment to linguine and clams, offering a smoky, charred contrast to the dish's seafood richness.

By mastering various grilled techniques, you can enhance the natural flavors of different zucchini varieties.

Opt for thinly sliced, lightly seasoned zucchini to guarantee a delightful balance, making each bite a harmonious blend of textures and tastes alongside your main course.

Antipasto Platter

delicious italian appetizer spread

An antipasto platter provides a diverse and visually appealing array of flavors and textures that complement the subtle brininess of linguine and clams.

Featuring a thoughtful cheese selection and marinated olives, it offers a balanced mix of savory and tangy elements.

This combination enhances the dining experience, making every bite of the main dish even more delightful.

Lemon Arugula Salad

fresh and tangy salad

Balancing the richness of an antipasto platter, a Lemon Arugula Salad introduces an invigorating citrus zest that pairs perfectly with the briny notes of linguine and clams.

This salad offers significant nutritional benefits, including vitamins and antioxidants.

For dressing options, a simple lemon vinaigrette or light balsamic can enhance the peppery arugula, making it a delightful and healthful addition to the meal.

Roasted Brussels Sprouts

delicious and healthy side dish

Roasted Brussels sprouts provide a savory, caramelized depth of flavor that complements the fresh, briny taste of linguine and clams.

These little green gems offer significant nutritional benefits, being rich in vitamins and fiber.

Simple cooking techniques, such as roasting with olive oil and a sprinkle of salt, bring out their natural sweetness and crisp texture, making them an excellent side dish choice.

Italian Wedding Soup

delicious homemade italian soup

Italian Wedding Soup serves as a hearty and flavorful companion to linguine and clams, combining tender meatballs, vibrant greens, and delicate pasta in a savory broth.

This meatballs pairing offers a delightful contrast to the seafood dish, enhancing the culinary experience.

Broth variations, whether a rich chicken stock or a lighter vegetable base, can be tailored to complement the unique flavors of linguine and clams.

Stuffed Mushrooms

deliciously filled with flavor

Complementing the savory notes of Italian Wedding Soup, stuffed mushrooms offer a delectable and earthy side dish that pairs beautifully with the flavors of linguine and clams.

Mushroom varieties like cremini or portobello are perfect for holding a rich cheese stuffing. The combination of tender mushrooms and creamy filling creates a harmonious balance, enhancing the overall dining experience with a touch of gourmet flair.

Focaccia

olive oil brushed bread

Focaccia, with its golden crust and airy texture, serves as an ideal accompaniment to linguine and clams, enhancing the meal with its subtle yet satisfying flavors.

The addition of herb butter and a sprinkle of sea salt takes this Italian bread to another level. Its rich, slightly chewy bite perfectly complements the tender clams and delicate pasta, making every bite delightful.

Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes

perfect side dish choice

Roasted garlic mashed potatoes provide a creamy, flavorful contrast to the briny taste of linguine and clams. This delightful flavor combination enhances the dining experience, while the creamy potatoes offer a satisfying texture contrast.

The rich, buttery potatoes infused with roasted garlic complement the seafood's saltiness, creating a balanced and harmonious meal that's sure to please any palate.

Tomato Basil Salad

delicious summer garden freshness

A revitalizing tomato basil salad introduces a burst of vibrant flavors and crisp textures that perfectly balance the richness of linguine and clams.

The combination of ripe tomatoes, fragrant basil, and creamy fresh mozzarella creates a delightful harmony.

Drizzle with a balsamic reduction for a touch of sweetness that elevates the dish, making it a rejuvenating and complementary side.