What to Serve with Fettuccine Alfredo - 7 Side Ideas

There are many great options of what to serve with fettuccine alfredo if you just know where to start. This is one of my favorite meals and if you love it too, you may be looking for some delicious sides to serve with it. In my house, we eat it so much that I decided I wanted to experiment with different sides to mix it up now and then.

Fettuccine alfredo is a classic Italian dish that typically consists of fettuccine noodles tossed in a creamy cheese sauce. While it is delicious on its own, there are a few simple side dishes that can help to round out the meal. For example, a simple green salad is a refreshing way to balance out the richness of the fettuccine alfredo. If you're looking for something heartier, roasted vegetables or garlic bread are both excellent choices. We’ll explore more below.

A Brief History of Fettuccine Alfredo

Ah, fettuccine alfredo. The creamy, dreamy pasta dish that's sure to please all taste buds. But did you know that this classic dish hails from Rome, not Italy? According to legend, the dish was created by Alfredo di Lelio in his restaurant in the early 1900s. He originally designed the dish for his pregnant wife, who was struggling with morning sickness and needed something light and creamy. Since then, fettuccine alfredo has become a staple of Italian cuisine and can be found on menus all over the world.

What to Serve with Fettuccine Alfredo

So, what makes the perfect side dish for pasta dishes? Let’s explore more options of what you can serve with your fettuccine alfredo. You can try green beans or other green vegetables. You might also choose delicious meatballs or green onion and bell pepper. Fresh flavors, crunchy texture, or a secret ingredient from the family recipe archives – it’s all about making a dish you can enjoy.

Of course, these are just some ideas to guide you. At the end of the day, you can choose anything that sounds good to you. The best thing about cooking and food is that there are no solid rules. You can experiment and play however you want.

This delicious pasta will often have a bit of black pepper, lemon juice, heavy cream, olive oil, and other seasonings to create the rich flavors, and of course, it’s served with a creamy white sauce. Let’s look at what may go for your sides to make a complete meal.

Here are some ideas for delicious side dishes for most pastas.

1. Caesar salad

This classic salad typically includes lettuce, croutons, parmesan cheese, and a dressing made with olive oil, lemon juice, and garlic. While there are many variations of the salad, one of the most popular is the alfredo Caesar salad. This version of the dish includes creamy alfredo sauce in place of the traditional dressing and can be a delicious way to change up your usual salad routine. It pairs well with fettuccine alfredo dishes.

As an alternative, you can use kale salad instead of Cesar. 

2. Other green salads

Nothing beats a fresh, green salad. Whatever you decide to put in it, fresh green salad can be a great balance with creamy fettuccine. Green salads are made primarily of green leafy vegetables, such as Romaine lettuce, arugula, spinach, and kale, and are typically served with a dressing of some sort, such as a balsamic vinaigrette or ranch dressing.

While a green salad may seem like a simple dish, there are endless possibilities for customization. Different greens can provide different flavors and textures, and toppings like fruits, nuts, and cheese can add even more dimension to the salad.

Here are some of my fruity salads:

• watermelon and cucumber mint salad
• wheatberry salad
• spinach and orange salad
• watermelon, olive, and mint salad
• couscous salad

3. Bread

By adding a few slices of bread to the dish, you can add an extra layer of flavor and texture. The bread will absorb the sauce and become infused with the other ingredients, providing a hearty and satisfying meal. You can use Texas toast, garlic breadsticks (I love toasting my bread and rubbing fresh garlic on it, then adding a thin layer of butter: oh, how delicious!), homemade bread, or any other kind of bread that you and your family enjoy.

Bread Baking for Beginners: The Essential Guide to Baking Kneaded Breads, No-Knead Breads, and Enriched Breads, a great book if you want to learn how to make homemade bread.

4. Broccoli  

Broccoli fettuccine is a delicious and healthy way to enjoy this nutrient-packed vegetable. The key to making broccoli fettuccine is to cook the broccoli just until it is tender, but not mushy. This ensures that the fettuccine will be flavorful and al dente.

BUT … if you have a bit of extra time, roasted broccoli is even better! It adds a bit of crisp texture and charred sweetness. YUM!

Broccoli fettuccine is a simple dish that can be made in minutes, and it makes a great lunch or light dinner. So next time you are looking for a new twist on fettuccine, give broccoli fettuccine a try.

5. Fish

Seafood is popular for its delicate flavor and texture. It can be cooked in a variety of ways, including grilled, sauteed, and boiled. Most fish are low in calories and fat, and they are a good source of protein, vitamins, and minerals.

Instead of meatballs, or grilled meat, try grilled or roasted fish as a side to your pasta. And if you want to be fancier, try my salmon patties: they are delicious!

6. Chicken breast

Adding chicken breast to your fettuccine alfredo is a great way to add some protein-packed flavor. Some people like the chicken breast sliced and served directly on the pasta, but you can also do it as a side to the dish.

7. Grilled chicken strips

Another option is to have grilled or even fried chicken strips on the side with your fettuccine alfredo. It’s quick and easy to make and you can choose seasonings that pair well with both the chicken and the pasta.

8. Steak

There are many different ways to prepare steak, but one of our favorites is fettuccine with steak. You can serve it cooked and sliced and placed on top of the pasta, or you can serve it on the plate alongside it. It really depends on the steak and how you like it prepared with your pasta.

So, whether you're serving fettuccine alfredo for a special occasion or simply because it's your favorite dish, don't forget to add a few finishing touches to make the meal complete.

FAQ

Although this pasta makes a wonderful dish all on its own, it can also be very good with a few added side dishes for a well rounded meal.

What side dishes go with fettuccine alfredo?

For a light and refreshing option, a simple green salad goes well with fettuccine alfredo. For something heartier, try pairing the dish with garlic bread or roasted vegetables. If you're looking for a truly decadent meal, fettuccine alfredo also goes well with chicken, steak, and fish.

What vegetables go well with fettuccine alfredo?

Mushrooms pair well with the creaminess of the sauce and add an extra level of flavor. Another option is to add some roasted Brussels sprouts. The Brussels sprouts will get slightly crispy in the oven and complement the fettuccine perfectly. Lastly, adding some chopped kale to fettuccine alfredo is a great way to add some extra nutrition to the dish. The kale will cook down in the sauce and provide a slight bitterness that balances out the sweetness of the sauce.

What goes well with creamy chicken alfredo?

One option is to add some vegetables to the dish. Common choices include broccoli, spinach, and sauteed mushrooms. This not only adds flavor but also makes the dish more nutritious. Another option is to top the chicken alfredo with a sprinkling of parmesan cheese for an extra boost of flavor, which makes it even more irresistible.

What does alfredo sauce go with?

Alfredo sauce is a rich and creamy sauce traditionally made with butter, garlic, and parmesan cheese. While it is delicious on its own, it can also be used as a flavorful addition to a variety of dishes. Common alfredo pairings include pasta, chicken, and veal, but the possibilities are endless.

Conclusion

Now you know what to serve with fettuccine alfredo! Creamy fettuccine alfredo is a tasty, nutritious, and easy-to-prepare meal for any time of the week. Now, you also have some great ideas of what to make with it so you can plan ahead for your next pasta meal. Do you have a favorite side with fettuccine alfredo that I didn’t mention on the list? Let us know in the comments!