Pizza Night doesn’t have to derail your healthy eating goals when you make your own Pizza at home. While pizza is often thought of as junk food, it can be part of a nutritious meal when paired with the right healthy side dishes. Elevate your next pizza night with these delicious side dishes.
Each one of these delicious pizza sides is sure to be a crowd pleaser, so skip the usual fried sides and opt for fresh, flavorful options that add nutrients and balance. (If you are looking for a great appetizer for your pizza dinner, I have a separate post to help you put together the best meal.)
Besides the usual parmesan cheese, marinara sauce, and homemade ranch for dipping your pizza crust, there are so many great pizza side dishes that are both satisfying and healthy. (Dump Ranch is my favorite homemade ranch dressing!)
Healthy Sides for Pizza
Here are delicious and healthy side dish ideas to serve alongside your favorite pizza at your next pizza party – there are enough options that you will be sure to find something that the entire family will enjoy:
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Easy Side Salads for a Pizza Dinner
A Salad is the perfect pizza side dish. It’s also one of the best healthy sides to serve with pizza. Load it up with simple, fresh ingredients like lettuce, tomatoes, and fresh vegetables with oil and vinegar or a homemade balsamic dressing, and it will be the perfect side dish for a slice of pizza. Salad is a great way to balance out a cheesy pizza, and it is delicious and easy to make.
Balsamic Vinaigrette is a classic salad dressing that brings a tangy, sweet, and savory flavor to any dish. It’s a simple vinaigrette, and it is quick and easy to make.
Balsamic Dressing Recipe
Simple Green Salad
Topped with vinaigrette, a simple salad is always a great idea. Fill it with leafy greens like spinach, arugula, or kale for extra nutrition. Add chickpeas or white beans for plant-based protein. Top with fresh veggies like tomatoes, carrots, red onion, and bell peppers.
Fresh Fruit Salad
A fruit salad made with berries, melons, pineapple, and citrus makes the perfect sweet counterpoint to savory pizza. Toss fruit with a squeeze of lemon or lime juice to prevent browning, and you have a fresh and easy salad to serve as a side dish with pizza.
Caprese Salad
Tomato, fresh mozzarella, and fresh basil are a match made in heaven. Layer sliced tomatoes, mozzarella pearls, and fresh basil leaves. Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar for an easy Italian-inspired salad.
Chopped Blue Cheese Salad
Crispy romaine lettuce, crunchy bacon, and blue cheese in a flavorful, zesty homemade dressing, this Royal Street Salad is a perfect side dish to go with your pizza.
Chopped Salad Recipe
Cucumber Tomato Salad
A lightly marinated cucumber and tomato salad adds moisture and brightness and is an easy side dish. Toss sliced cucumbers and cherry tomatoes in a vinaigrette dressing made with olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper.
The cooling cucumber salad is a great balance to cheesy pizza, and it is such a versatile side dish.
Tomato Cucumber Salad is a refreshing side dish that packs a punch of fresh flavor. It’s simple to make with a bright dressing full of herbs.
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Caesar Salad
A classic Caesar salad is a creamy and refreshing side dish made with simple ingredients, that pairs perfectly with pizza.
Best Side Dish to Serve at a Pizza Party
If you’re having a pizza party, I would opt for easily sharable foods and foods that are easy to just grab and walk away, like baked wings or a huge fresh salad.
You can create a simple salad, then lay out small bowls of toppings. Then, let your gets build their own salad. The perfect salad to serve is one that everyone will enjoy, and everyone enjoys different things. Leave out a few different bottles of dressing, and you can even make a few of your own. Salad is the perfect side to balance out your favorite slice of pizza.
Pasta Salad Recipes (Pizza Dinner Side)
Antipasto Salad
An antipasto pasta salad is a great side dish for pizza. It’s a simple Italian salad that comes together quickly and pairs perfectly with a pizza.
If you’re looking for an easy Italian pasta salad loaded with flavor, try this antipasto salad. It’s the perfect healthy salad and is a favorite side dish at our house.
Antipasto Salad Recipe
Zesty Quinoa Salad
Zesty Quinoa Salad is a nutritious and protein-packed option. It brings a burst of flavors, thanks to the vibrant vegetables and herbs. It adds a wholesome and refreshing element to your pizza meal, but it’s really a great side dish for any meal.
Zesty Quinoa Salad is perfect for a hot summer day. It’s cool and refreshing, not to mention it is full of healthy ingredients! You can make it as a vegetarian salad or add chicken for extra protein.
Quinoa Salad Recipe
Pasta Salad with Whole Wheat Pasta
An easy pasta salad with whole wheat pasta offers a hearty and fiber-rich side dish. It’s a balanced choice, providing complex carbohydrates, vegetables, and a flavorful dressing. It complements pizza by adding variety and texture to your meal.
This Whole Wheat Pasta Salad Recipe is loaded with fresh summer vegetables like cucumber and tomatoes and is coated in a deliciously zesty Italian dressing. Made with whole wheat pasta, it is a filling summer side dish.
Whole Wheat Pasta Salad Recipe
Vegetable Side Dishes for Pizza
Roasted Vegetables
Roasted vegetables are one of the best side dishes to serve with pizza since most pizza doesn’t include vegetables. Vegetables are the perfect healthy side dish for pizza.
Roast Cauliflower, Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Asparagus, or any in-season veggies to bring out their natural sweetness. Toss in olive oil, salt, pepper, and your favorite herbs and spices. Roast at 400°F until tender and caramelized.
Roasted Cauliflower
Roasted cauliflower is a low-calorie, fiber-rich option that provides a satisfying crunch. It’s a great choice for adding texture and a hint of smokiness to your pizza meal.
Whole Roasted Cauliflower with Lemon and Garlic is easy to prepare and is so buttery and delicious. An oven-roasted cauliflower head can be the star of the show or a healthy side dish.
Roasted Cauliflower Recipe
Roasted Broccoli
Roasted broccoli offers a burst of vitamins and minerals. It’s high in fiber, aiding digestion, and its crispy edges make it a delightful and nutritious side.
Oven Roasted Broccoli with Garlic and Olive Oil is a fresh, quick, and flavorful way to add vegetables to your weeknight dinners. This broccoli is bright, crunchy, and packed with flavor.
Roasted Broccoli Recipe
Roasted Squash
Roasted squash, such as zucchini or butternut, is rich in antioxidants and vitamins. Its natural sweetness pairs well with pizza, and roasting enhances its flavor.
This Oven Roasted Squash recipe is the perfect side dish for pizza. It is a simple and easy way to cook all kinds of squash with so much flavor!
Roasted Squash Recipe
Sautéed Squash
Sautéed squash is a quick, light option. It’s low in calories and can be seasoned to add extra flavor without overpowering the pizza.
This simple sautéed squash recipe is so easy to make and allows the flavors of this delicious summer vegetable to shine. The delicious squash is tender, buttery, sweet, and so flavorful.
Sauteed Squash Recipe
Baked French Fries
Baked fries are a healthier alternative to deep-fried ones. They offer a satisfying crunch and are lower in fat, making them a balanced choice with pizza.
Easy Oven Baked French Fries are coated in olive oil, tossed in delicious seasoning, and baked until crispy. They are so easy to make, and when served with a burger and delicious dipping sauce – they are so good.
Baked French Fry Recipe
Zucchini Fries
Zucchini fries provide a crispy texture and a boost of vitamins. Baking them reduces calorie content while still delivering that satisfying fry experience.
Sautéed Green Beans
Sautéed green beans are a simple, nutritious choice. They offer fiber, vitamins, and a pleasant crunch, adding a touch of green freshness to your meal.
These are the best green beans that I have ever eaten. They have a little bit of sesame flavor, mixed with a punch of ginger, garlic, soy (or coconut aminos), red bell peppers, and onion. Ready in less than 30 minutes – they are the most delicious dinner side dish.
Sauteed Green Bean Recipe
Onion Rings Cooked in the Air Fryer
Air-fried onion rings are a healthier take on a classic favorite. They’re crispy and flavorful, with fewer calories and less oil, making them a guilt-free accompaniment to your pizza.
These easy air fryer onion rings are healthier than deep fried ones, but they’re just as crispy and delicious. The BEST appetizer or snack!
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Air Fryer Green Beans
Air Fryer Green Beans are a delightful and healthier alternative to traditional fried sides. They retain their natural crunch while being lightly seasoned and cooked with minimal oil. These crispy green beans are a fantastic addition to your pizza meal, adding a touch of green freshness and nutrition to balance the flavors.
Looking for a tasty side dish that the whole family will enjoy? Air Fryer Green Beans are an easy side dish that you can have ready in less than 15 minutes – the perfect addition to any meal.
Air Fryer Green Bean Recipe
Healthy Protein Packed Sides to Serve with Pizza
If you want to add some protein on the side of your pizza, here are some good side dishes to choose from:
Baked Pepperoni Chips
Baked pepperoni chips are a flavorful, protein-rich option, and the great thing is that they are such an easy recipe to make. They provide a satisfying crunch and a burst of savory taste that complements the pizza perfectly.
You can make Air Fryer Pepperoni Chips in a matter of minutes. These crisps are a great low carb snack to serve with party dips! Ninja Foodi friendly too!
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Baked Chicken Wings
Baked chicken wings are a leaner alternative to deep-fried wings. They offer a delightful mix of tender meat and crispy skin, and you can season them to match your pizza’s flavor profile.
These delicious and crispy baked chicken wings are easy enough for even inexperienced cooks, and are the perfect snack for game day.
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Air Fried Chicken Wings
Air-fried chicken wings are a healthier spin on a classic favorite. They maintain the crispy texture you love while using significantly less oil, making them a great pairing with your pizza without excessive calories.
Learn how to cook the BEST chicken wings in an air fryer! This air fryer wings recipe includes tricks for crispy skin + seasoning ideas.
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Looking for a Homemade Pizza Recipe to Make?
Fire up your pizza oven and get baking! Here are some of our favorite homemade pizza recipes that are simple to make and taste delicious:
Your pizza night deserves an upgrade from the usual fried sides. Any of these fresh, antioxidant-packed salads and veggies make the perfect pairing for your pizza.
They provide balanced nutrition while letting the pizza shine as the main event. Please let me know what your favorites are!
The post 25+ Best Healthy Side Dishes to Serve with Pizza first appeared on AfterCuriosity.