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What to Serve With Meatballs in Tomato Sauce: 15 Best Side Dishes

Discovering the perfect side dishes to complement meatballs in tomato sauce can elevate your meal to new levels of satisfaction and joy. Serve garlic mashed potatoes for creamy indulgence or a spicy rice pilaf to add bold flavors. Egg noodles are a tender, comforting choice, while peperonata provides a vibrant, sweet, and tangy contrast. For a unique twist, try peanut butter noodles with their nutty richness. Each of these sides offers a delightful way to enhance the flavors of your meatballs. Explore these options to make your meal even more memorable and delicious.

Garlic Mashed Potatoes

delicious homemade comfort food

Garlic mashed potatoes, with their rich and indulgent texture from creamy sour cream, cream cheese, and butter, provide a flavorful and comforting side dish that pairs perfectly with meatballs in tomato sauce.

This delicious and creamy dish enhances the Italian flavors of the meatballs, making it an ideal side to complete your meal.

The mashed potatoes' savory profile truly complements the tomato sauce.

Spicy Rice Pilaf

flavorful rice dish recipe

While garlic mashed potatoes offer a creamy and comforting option, Spicy Rice Pilaf introduces a bold and aromatic side that infuses your meal with a lively blend of spices like cumin, paprika, and chili powder.

This versatile accompaniment, enriched with aromatic herbs, delivers a flavorful kick that complements the rich tomato flavor of meatballs, creating a crowd-pleasing side dish and a well-balanced meal.

Egg Noodles

comfort food with eggs

Egg noodles offer a versatile and comforting side dish that beautifully absorbs the robust flavors of meatballs in tomato sauce. Their soft, tender bite contrasts nicely with the rich tomato sauce.

Quick and easy to prepare, they can be seasoned with butter, herbs, or Parmesan cheese. This makes egg noodles an excellent choice for enhancing your meal's comforting texture and flavors.

Peperonata

saut ed bell peppers dish

Peperonata is an Italian stew made primarily with bell peppers, onions, and tomatoes. It serves as a flavorful and vibrant side dish that pairs wonderfully with meatballs in tomato sauce. Its sweet and tangy taste complements the rich flavors of meatballs, adding a touch of Mediterranean flair.

Serve peperonata hot or cold for a versatile and colorful accompaniment to your meal.

Peanut Butter Noodles

peanut butter noodle recipe

Combining the nutty richness of peanut butter with the chewy texture of udon noodles, Peanut Butter Noodles offer a unique and savory side dish that pairs exceptionally well with meatballs in tomato sauce.

This Asian-inspired creation features a creamy peanut butter sauce, making it both rich and satisfying. The indulgent, Thai-inspired flavors elevate the meal, providing a delightful fusion that is sure to impress.

BBQ Corn on the Cob

tasty summer grill favorite

BBQ Corn on the Cob, with its smoky, sweet, and caramelized flavors, serves as an excellent side dish that enhances the savory taste of meatballs in tomato sauce.

This grilled and seasoned delight, often charred to perfection, adds a delightful crunch.

Ideal for outdoor gatherings and cookouts, the BBQ seasoning brings out the corn's natural sweetness, making it a crowd-pleasing choice.

Ratatouille

cooking rat saves day

While BBQ Corn on the Cob offers a smoky and sweet complement, Ratatouille brings a medley of tender vegetables and Mediterranean herbs to the table.

This traditional French vegetable stew, featuring eggplant, zucchini, bell peppers, and tomatoes, is a vibrant side dish. Seasoned with thyme, oregano, and basil, Ratatouille is both healthy and flavorful, making it an excellent accompaniment to meatballs in tomato sauce.

Chinese Green Beans

simple and flavorful side

Chinese Green Beans is a simple yet flavorful Asian-inspired side dish. They are often stir-fried with garlic, ginger, and soy sauce.

This savory and crisp dish pairs beautifully with meatballs in tomato sauce. The tender-crisp green beans retain their vibrant color and fresh taste, adding a nutritious touch and a delightful contrast to the rich, hearty meatballs.

This combination enhances your meal with a touch of Asian flair.

Roasted Potatoes

tender crispy flavorful spuds

Shifting from the Asian-inspired flavors of Chinese Green Beans, roasted potatoes provide a classic and versatile side dish that pairs well with meatballs in tomato sauce.

Seasoned with herbs, garlic, and olive oil, these potatoes develop a crispy exterior that complements the tender meatballs and savory tomato sauce.

Their comforting and filling nature makes them an ideal accompaniment to this hearty meal.

Lemon Garlic Broccoli

tasty roasted side dish

Lemon Garlic Broccoli offers a zesty and aromatic complement to meatballs in tomato sauce, enhancing the meal with its bright citrus and garlic flavors.

As one of the best side dishes, this delicious side dish is easy to prepare and quick to prepare, making it a classic pairing.

This versatile side brings a flavorful side to any dinner, adding a vibrant and invigorating element.

Caesar Salad

healthy and delicious salad

Following the bright and invigorating flavors of Lemon Garlic Broccoli, Caesar Salad offers a crisp and invigorating contrast to the savory meatballs in tomato sauce.

This classic side dish combines romaine lettuce, crunchy croutons, and tangy Parmesan cheese, all tossed in a creamy dressing.

The revitalizing and crisp texture of this salad enhances the overall dining experience, making it a perfect pairing.

Zucchini Noodles

healthy pasta alternative choice

Zucchini noodles, or 'zoodles,' serve as a nutritious, low-carb alternative to traditional pasta, making them an ideal accompaniment to meatballs in tomato sauce.

These spiralized, healthy strands are vegan and keto-friendly, offering versatility in preparation.

Whether sautéed, steamed, or raw, zucchini noodles add an invigorating, crisp texture that complements the savory meatballs and tangy tomato sauce, creating a balanced side dish.

Garlic Bread

garlic bread cravings satisfied

Garlic bread, with its crispy exterior and soft, buttery interior, serves as a classic and delectable side dish for meatballs in tomato sauce.

The savory flavors of homemade garlic bread perfectly complement the saucy meatballs, making each bite a delightful experience.

Its garlicky aroma and ease of preparation, whether homemade or pre-made, make it an ideal addition to your meal.

Spinach Pasta

green leafy italian goodness

While garlic bread brings a classic touch to your meal, spinach pasta adds a nutritious and visually appealing accompaniment to meatballs in tomato sauce.

This flavorful dish, with its vibrant green color and subtle earthy flavor, pairs well with the rich meatballs. Not only does it enhance the meal's presentation, but it also provides additional vitamins and nutrients, making it a healthy choice.

Are the Best Side Dishes for Potato Sausage the Same as for Meatballs in Tomato Sauce?

When it comes to the best side dishes for potato sausage, the options may differ from those for meatballs in tomato sauce. While some classics like mashed potatoes and sautéed vegetables can work for both, potato salad and coleslaw may be better suited for potato sausage. Experiment to find the perfect pairings.

Asparagus

delicious green spring vegetable

Incorporating asparagus as a side dish enhances the nutritional profile and flavor complexity of meatballs in tomato sauce.

This versatile vegetable can be roasted, grilled, or sautéed to bring out its natural, slightly bitter flavors.

Asparagus is rich in vitamins A, C, and K, making it a nutritious and healthy option.

Additionally, it is quick to prepare, adding convenience to your meal.