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What to Serve With Spaghetti Squash: 15 Best Side Dishes

Pairing spaghetti squash with the right side dishes can elevate your meal. Classic garlic bread offers a buttery, comforting texture. A Caesar salad adds a crunchy, tangy contrast, making your plate balanced and revitalizing. Roasted asparagus provides a rich, vitamin-packed side, while grilled chicken introduces a savory, protein-rich option that's juicy and flavorful. For a touch of earthiness, sautéed spinach enhances the dish's appeal with its vibrant color and nutrients. From ratatouille to Parmesan zucchini, marinated tofu, and Greek salad, there's a delightful variety of options to explore. To discover more tasty choices, continue on to the full list.

Garlic Bread

garlic bread recipe details

A classic accompaniment to spaghetti squash is garlic bread, offering a complementary balance of flavors and textures. The buttery texture of the garlic spread pairs beautifully with the crusty exterior of the bread, creating a delightful contrast.

This combination enhances the dining experience, making each bite rich and satisfying.

Garlic bread is a comforting and straightforward side that perfectly complements the lightness of spaghetti squash.

Caesar Salad

caesar conquers with salad

Incorporating a Caesar Salad alongside spaghetti squash provides a guaranteeing and invigorating contrast to the meal.

The crunchy crouton options, whether homemade or store-bought, add texture and excitement.

Explore dressing variations like classic creamy Caesar or lighter vinaigrettes to suit your taste.

This combination guarantees a balanced plate, marrying the hearty squash with a revitalizing, tangy salad, making it a delightful dining experience.

Roasted Asparagus

healthy and flavorful side dish

Roasted asparagus, with its tender texture and subtle char, complements spaghetti squash by adding a nutritious and flavorful vegetable side dish.

Rich in vitamins A, C, and K, asparagus nutrition boosts any meal.

Roasting techniques involve drizzling olive oil, then seasoning with salt and pepper. Bake at 400°F until golden and crisp. This simple method enhances the asparagus's natural flavors beautifully.

Grilled Chicken

grilled chicken recipe details

Grilled chicken serves as a protein-rich accompaniment to spaghetti squash, balancing the meal with its savory flavor and tender texture.

To guarantee the dish's quality, explore marinade recipes that infuse the chicken with herbs and spices.

Employing various cooking techniques, such as searing before grilling, ensures the chicken is juicy and flavorful, providing a delightful contrast to the mild sweetness of spaghetti squash.

Sautéed Spinach

healthy greens cooked perfectly

Sautéed spinach, with its vibrant color and nutrient-dense profile, complements the mild flavor of spaghetti squash while adding a touch of earthiness to the dish. This simple side dish, rich in vitamins and minerals, can be prepared using basic cooking techniques like sautéing with garlic and olive oil.

The result is a flavorful, healthy addition that enhances the meal's overall appeal.

Caprese Salad

fresh tomatoes with mozzarella

Often savored as an invigorating and light side dish, Caprese salad offers a harmonious blend of fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil that pairs beautifully with the subtle flavors of spaghetti squash.

The creamy mozzarella slices complement the sweetness of the tomatoes, while basil leaves add a fragrant touch.

This simple yet elegant combination elevates your meal, making it both revitalizing and satisfying.

Meatballs

savory italian comfort food

Meatballs bring a robust and savory depth to the meal, providing a hearty complement to the delicate texture and mild flavor of spaghetti squash.

Spicy variations can add an extra kick, while vegan options guarantee inclusivity for all dietary preferences.

The richness of meatballs, whether traditional or plant-based, balances well with the lightness of the squash, creating a satisfying and harmonious dish.

Pesto Shrimp

zesty seafood pasta dish

Pesto shrimp guarantees a vibrant and flavorful pairing for spaghetti squash, combining the aromatic notes of basil and garlic with the succulent texture of shrimp.

This flavor pairing is both invigorating and satisfying.

Simple cooking techniques, such as sautéing shrimp in a pan with pesto sauce, guarantee that the dish is quick to prepare while delivering a delicious and harmonious taste experience.

Balsamic Brussels Sprouts

tasty side dish recipe

Complementing the zest of pesto shrimp, balsamic Brussels sprouts offer a delectable, slightly tangy side that enhances the overall meal with their caramelized exterior and tender interior.

Not only do they bring rich flavor, but their health benefits, like being high in vitamins and fiber, are notable.

For preparation tips, simply roast with olive oil and balsamic vinegar until golden brown.

Lemon Herb Quinoa

savory citrus grain dish

Lemon herb quinoa serves as an invigorating and nutritious accompaniment to spaghetti squash, offering a revitalizing contrast with its citrusy and aromatic flavors.

This side dish is packed with nutritional benefits, including high protein and fiber.

Cooking methods are simple: simmer quinoa in water, then toss with lemon juice, fresh herbs, and a touch of olive oil for a delightful, healthy pairing.

Steamed Broccoli

healthy side dish choice

For a nutrient-rich and vibrant addition to your meal, steamed broccoli pairs perfectly with spaghetti squash.

This green vegetable boasts numerous nutritional benefits, including high levels of vitamins C and K. Simple cooking techniques like steaming preserve its nutrients and bright color, making it an ideal, healthy side dish.

Steamed broccoli adds a delightful crunch and complements the tender texture of spaghetti squash beautifully.

Ratatouille

cooking rat becomes chef

Ratatouille, a classic French Provençal stewed vegetable dish, makes an excellent accompaniment to spaghetti squash, adding a burst of flavor and vibrant colors to the plate.

This vegetable medley, often made from a summer harvest including tomatoes, zucchini, eggplant, and bell peppers, pairs beautifully with the mild taste of spaghetti squash, providing a nutritious and visually appealing side dish.

Parmesan Zucchini

baked with breadcrumbs crunchy

Parmesan zucchini, with its savory and slightly nutty flavor, complements the mild and delicate taste of spaghetti squash, creating a harmonious and satisfying dish.

The texture contrast between the tender zucchini and the firm spaghetti squash enhances the overall dining experience.

Simple cooking techniques like roasting or sautéing bring out the best flavors, making this pairing a delightful addition to your meal.

Marinated Tofu

savory tofu dish recipe

Marinated tofu introduces a rich and savory element that pairs beautifully with the light and slightly sweet taste of spaghetti squash. The tofu texture becomes delightfully firm after marinating, adding a satisfying bite.

Marinade options are plentiful, ranging from soy and ginger to lemon and herb, allowing you to tailor the flavors to your preference.

This combination offers a nutritious and flavorful meal.

What Side Dishes Pair Well with Both Spaghetti Squash and Spaghetti Aglio E Olio?

For the best side dishes for spaghetti_aglio_e_olio, you can try roasted vegetables, such as cherry tomatoes and broccoli, to complement both spaghetti squash and traditional spaghetti. A fresh green salad with a light vinaigrette dressing also makes a nice accompaniment to these pasta dishes.

Greek Salad

fresh vegetables and feta

Complementing the savory flavors of marinated tofu, a fresh Greek salad provides a crisp and tangy contrast to the mild sweetness of spaghetti squash.

Featuring crunchy cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, and briny olives, the salad is elevated by the creamy richness of feta cheese.

A drizzle of olive oil ties it all together, making it a delightful, invigorating side dish.