If I had to think of a food I can’t live without, it’d have to be pizza!

It’s the favorite dish of many, but I daresay no one loves pizza more than me. I consider myself the ultimate pizza connoisseur, and there’s really nothing that makes a tiring day better than a slice or five.

Jump to:

• Appetizers
• Side Dishes
• Pizza Dinner Sides
• Salads
• Pizza Party Sides
• Birthday Party Pizza Sides
• Sauces
• Desserts
• Wines
• Other Alcoholic Drinks
• 📖 Recipe
• 💬 Comments

And while a cheesy, doughy slice of ‘za slathered with my favorite toppings can have me set for a day, a true pizza lover knows that certain foods and drink pairings will make this all-time favorite bring its A-game!

Are you preparing a pizza party, or just looking to serve it for dinner?

Whatever the case, I’ll let you in on what food goes with pizza in this article!

From appetizers to desserts and drinks, everything here will ensure that you have the best pizza experience possible.

Ready? My stomach’s growling!

Appetizers

Looking to whet everyone’s appetites before the spectacular pizza main event? Try serving any of these mouthwatering appetizers!

1. Garlic Cheese Bread

Garlic bread is classic pizza pre-game, and this recipe is the best of them all! The buttery, dripping garlic bread is coated with stringy melted cheese – making for the most decadent and satisfying bite ever.

This recipe uses fully homemade garlic bread, even down to the garlic butter.

Slice your bread in half and spread a delicious concoction of butter, olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper over it. Pop it in a preheated oven wrapped in foil for 10 minutes.

Sprinkle some fresh parsley, slice it up and voila - cheesy, garlicky perfection ready to be devoured with your pizza!

2. Mozzarella Sticks

Mozzarella sticks might be an American invention, but they’re undeniably one of the best pizza appetizers out there!

These finger foods are crunchy on the outside and have that perfect, drawn-out, cheesy pull apart when broken.

Serve them straight alongside your pizza to double up on the cheesy goodness. If you want to up your game, prepare them as an appetizer alongside homemade marinara sauce or even some good ol’ fashioned ketchup!

3. Hummus

If you’re after a slightly healthier side, why not try out this hummus recipe?

This Middle Eastern delicacy is plant-based and packed with protein while being super easy to make!

Here's what you will need need: canned chickpeas (the mainstay), garlic, extra virgin olive oil (it HAS to be extra virgin), fresh lemon juice for that zing, and salt.
You will also need a good food processor or blender.

Then, all you have to do is throw everything together into your blender and then let it rip! It’s incredibly easy and quick, and you’ll have homemade hummus in no time.

You can serve this starter alongside pita chips, sliced veggies like carrots, bell peppers, or cucumber, or especially with your pizza!

4. Pasta Salad

This simple pasta salad recipe isn’t as heavy as its American counterparts and relies on high-quality fresh veg to supply its flavor instead of mayonnaise or other dense dairy products.

While I love creamy pasta salad, I prefer this recipe to serve with pizza as a lighter option.

It combines fusilli pasta with diced tomatoes, red onion, chopped hard salami slices, chopped grilled piquillo peppers or jarred roasted red peppers, Italian mini mozzarella balls, chopped parsley, and halved or sliced black or green olives. Quite the grocery list!

It’s then dressed with a combo of red wine vinegar, olive oil, minced garlic, salt, pepper, honey, and Italian seasoning for the perfect taste.!

5. Jalapeno Poppers

If you want a spicy kick, why not whip together these jalapeno poppers? They’re simple and quick to prepare (less than 30 minutes) and they’re the ultimate tongue teaser (in a good way!).

These little sensational bites are creamy, cheesy and come with a tasty crunch thanks to crumbled bacon on top.

Pull out a tray of sizzling Jalapeno Poppers alongside your pizza and your pizza slices won't feel so lonely anymore!. But watch out, they might just overshadow the pizza!

6. Fried Potatoes and Onions

Are you after a potato-based appetizer to serve as a prelude to your pizza? If so, you won’t go wrong with this fried potatoes and onions recipe. It might be my favorite potato recipe of all time – and that’s saying a lot!

A great thing about this recipe is that it’s something not many people have tried with pizza. But once I serve this appetizer – believe me, their faces just light up!

The secret?

Inspired by Lambert's Café (yep, the home of the "throwed rolls”), potatoes that are crispy and slathered with savory, caramelized onion flavor on the outside while staying buttery, soft, and succulent on the inside.

7. Zucchini Fries (4 Ingredients!)

These zucchini fries are healthy, but they sure don’t sacrifice anything in terms of taste.

I love serving them with pizza, not only because they’re a lighter option (though that’s also a huge reason why), but because they’re also juicy and flavorful.

Not only that but these are a cinch to prepare. Slice up some firm zucchinis, dip them in whisked eggs, roll them in a breadcrumb-parmesan mix and then put them into the oven for 20-25 minutes till golden and crispy! Or, for my fellow air-frying enthusiasts, into an air fryer for a short 13-15 minutes!

They may be fully zucchini through and through, but they have that satisfying crunch that’ll have everyone reaching for more. This is a real winner in terms of appetizers — well-liked by seasoned zucchini lovers and newbies alike!

Side Dishes

If you’d rather serve something alongside your pizza rather than before, these options are for you. They all work in different ways to make your slice shine!

1. Spicy Roasted Potatoes

Potatoes? No one can resist them. If you’re looking for a real crowd-pleaser, make way for this spud dish!

Here’s the kicker: this isn’t any ordinary potato recipe – it’s spicy roasted potatoes!

This pride and joy of Lebanese cuisine is an ideal choice if you’re tired of the usual sweeter companion to pizza. Beetroot, pineapple, or artichoke heart?

Set them aside for later; prep this dish instead.

This spicy, carb-heavy side really rounds out your pizza plate, and your guests are sure to love it too. Trust me – I’ve never had a negative review!

2. Grilled Asparagus with Lemon Zest

A light veggie side is always a good idea with pizza! Asparagus is such an underrated vegetable, and this cooking method really brings out the best it has to offer.

The recipe is shorter than a kid's wish list for Sant and only takes a few minutes to prepare!

All you need are asparagus bunches, olive oil, garlic powder, and lemon zest – then you’re all set. The key here is to grill your asparagus for a few minutes until you see slight charring on the sticks.

Get it right and you’ll have a tender side dish with a slight crunch and smoky, zesty flavor. Yummy!

3. Caprese Salad

If you want to keep it traditionally Italian but would still love to serve a side of light salad, you can’t go wrong with caprese!

This classic dish uses only tomato, basil, mozzarella, balsamic vinegar, and a drizzle of olive oil.

It has all of the classic pizza flavors in their purest form, making it a great complementary side dish – especially if you have proper foodies dining with you!

4. Antipasto Platter

Antipasto platters are often served as an appetizer or alongside afternoon cocktails, but I also really enjoy serving them as a side dish to pizza!

Why? Because it’s easy to repurpose the extra toppings as platter ingredients (the opposite is also true — you can pile up antipasto ingredients onto your pizza as well).

Here’s a neat formula I use - 2-3 meats, 2-3 different kinds of cheeses, any type of olive, definitely artichokes, and peppers.

With room for creativity, guests will have a chance to experiment with what they want on their pies before committing. An antipasto platter is certain to offer something your guests haven’t tried before!

5. Crispy Buffalo Chicken Wings (BAKED)

If you’re serving plain cheese or veggie-based pizza, why not add an exciting meaty side dish? And for that, I really can’t think of a better choice than crispy buffalo chicken wings!

These wings are seasoned simply with garlic powder, salt, and pepper, but the homemade spicy buffalo sauce guarantees that they’ll be dripping with sweet, spicy flavor!

And since they’re baked rather than fried, you can pop them in with your pizzas and not have to worry about the mess of hot oil.

This recipe also includes instructions for a creamy blue cheese dipping sauce, if you want to cook to impress!

Pizza Dinner Sides

Wondering what goes with pizza for dinner? These are the ultimate sides for a complete evening meal:

1. Macaroni Salad

This creamy, zesty, and cool macaroni salad goes so well with decadent cheesy pizza!

It’s simple to prepare, and you can even make it the night before for an easy dinner the next day. Plus, the eggs pack in a protein punch that’s sure to leave you full and satisfied.

This recipe calls for eggs, sweet gherkins, red bell pepper, red onion, and celery along with the macaroni and dressing.

Just stir in all the ingredients, chill it for an hour and you’re good to go. You can even make it in advance and it'll last for up to five days in the fridge.

Feel free to swap out or add in your other favorites, too! For me, I love throwing in carrots, hams, and even jalapenos if I’m craving that spicy kick.

2. Ratatouille

Ratatouille is such a versatile dish, as you can use whatever vegetables are in season (or have been sitting in your crisper drawer waiting to be used).

For this recipe, we’ll use tomatoes, green beans, onion, garlic, eggplant, sweet and regular potato, and seasonings for a healthy and flavorful veggie experience.

This dish is vegetarian, gluten-free, and vegan, so it’s a great option if you’re planning around dietary restrictions!

3. Minestrone Soup

Who says you can’t pair pizza with a hearty soup? When I’m in the mood, I whip up this minestrone recipe and enjoy a stew that’s light on the stomach while still being warm and flavorful!

The best thing about minestrone soup is that it’s easy and quick to make, while also freezing really well. It’s ready in just over half an hour, and your tastebuds will be treated to a medley of flavors that feels like a hug.

And since many of the ingredients are also common pizza toppings (onions and other veggies, Italian seasoning, and parmesan), you can buy in bulk and save!

4. Meatballs

These filling and juicy meatballs keep the Italian flavor flowing while being a delicious and easy side option in their own right!

They're quick and easy to prepare, and can be frozen for whenever you want a meaty blast with your pizza slice. All you need is some ground beef, Italian sausage, breadcrumbs, and a few more goodies to whip up something special.

You'll spend just about 15 minutes shaping these balls of deliciousness, and another 15 minutes cooking them. It's as easy as 1,2,3…4,5,6…you get it where I'm going.

You can serve them as is, perhaps having a slice of pizza while munching on meatballs (sign me up!). And if you have any leftovers, you can also throw together a quick spaghetti side for something that’s truly filling.

If you have bread lying around, you could even prep meatball subs or other sandwiches as well!

5. Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta

If regular spaghetti seems like too much doubling up on the tomato for you, you’ve got to check out this pasta recipe!

This lemon garlic shrimp pasta marries the fields with the seas, creating a delightful side that’s both light and packing so much flavor.

And if that’s not enticing enough, this pasta is ready in as little as 20 minutes!That's quicker than the delivery guy's "30-minute guarantee".

Plate it and you’ll have a light, tangy, and fresh side that pairs perfectly with your pizza dinner. If you ask me, the summer months are the best time for this combo!

Salads

It’s an extremely popular choice to serve a side salad with a decadent dish like pizza.

However, just because it’s healthy doesn’t mean it isn’t delicious! The salads below are my top choices for serving with a hot pizza fresh out of the oven.

1. Caesar Salad

Caesar salad is a classic for a reason. After all, who doesn’t like a salad loaded with bread and cheese?

You can even use leftover pizza dough as croutons; simply break it into tablespoon-sized pieces and fry hot until crispy and crunchy!

2. Antipasto Salad (10-Min)

This salad is so easy and quick to prepare and uses a lot of ingredients that are popular as pizza toppings.

Are you thinking what I’m thinking?

That’s right: salami, tomato, mozzarella balls, olives, and artichoke!

That way, you can keep your flavors cohesive and save on groceries at the same time.

You can prepare this salad ahead of time as well (minus the fresh basil used for garnish), so it’s ready to serve whenever your pizza is done.

3. Greek Wedge Salad

Looking for something that’s a bit different while still offering impressive plating? Check out this Greek wedge salad!

Wedges of lettuce surrounded by freshly chopped vegetables and covered in a generous topping of Greek yogurt dill dressing are simply beautiful and scrumptious.

It also helps that this tangy salad brings quite the personality to the table, so it’s sure to have your guests raving!

For all its shining qualities, this Greek wedge salad only takes half an hour to prepare. It’s perfect if you’re running out of time before dinner!

4. Beet and Goat Cheese Salad

This salad is so pretty and colorful with its deep red, purple, and yellow beets, forest green arugula, walnuts, and bright white, crumbly, and salty goat cheese!

The salad’s magic lies in just four ingredients and dressing, and it’s guaranteed to put a smile on your guests’ faces.

I would recommend not adding the cheese until you’re ready to serve so that it doesn’t take on color from the beets. Keep this salad looking snazzy!

5. Italian Salad

If you want to be strictly authentic, I highly recommend trying your hand at this Italian salad. It’s not only hypnotizing with a wide array of colors but also a very healthy side to your pizzas!

For this one, bust out those fresh spring greens, red onions, cherry tomatoes, pepperoncini peppers, and a generous helping of croutons and parmesan cheese. To unite all these flavors, throw in Italian vinaigrette.

The result?

A simple, tasty, and fresh salad that’ll make your pizza taste even better!

6. Honey Lime Rainbow Fruit Salad

Whenever I want something bright and sweet with my pizzas, I reach for a colorful bowl of fruits! That’s why I really love this honey lime rainbow fruit salad.

This recipe is so easy and is one of my favorites – and it’s even approved by the kids!

It’s best to make this salad on the day itself to keep things super fresh, but you can pre-cut the fruit (apart from the banana, as it gets soft) if you want to make things easier on yourself.

Pizza Party Sides

Is there anything better than a pizza party? Trick question!

Nothing’s better than a pizza party — unless you count one with thoughtful and tasty side snacks.

1. Chips and Dip

Parties are so much fun – and to make them even better, make sure to serve plenty of finger foods! For that, I can’t think of a better choice than chips and dips.

You can whip up this simple homemade dip from sour cream and a couple of spices, and it’s so much tastier than the store-bought option (and cheaper, too).

Serve it alongside your favorite potato chips or some sliced firm veggies like carrot or cucumber if you want to keep it healthy!

2. Mini Sandwiches

These tiny sandwiches are so adorable, and are such a great choice at a party where not everyone wants pizza (a terrible thought, I know!).

Guests who want to keep munching but can’t stomach another slice can simply reach for one of these treats!

Here’s what I like to do: I’ll often make different sandwich types to cater to all sorts of tastes and diet restrictions. Maybe some guests are vegans, while others need gluten-free bread.

And once the pizza party’s over, these mini sandwiches work great in lunchboxes too!

3. Veggie Platter

Charcuterie board – but make it vegan! That’s why I love veggie platters alongside pizza, especially as I’m already munching down some meaty, savory slices.

A veggie platter is a great option for grazing and keeps everyone happy without becoming too full before the main event.

The best thing about this recipe is that you can throw in literally whatever veggies you have! Feel free to pick your favorites or use whatever you have on hand; the choice is yours.

4. Cheese Board

Here’s another charcuterie idea that’s always a hit! Honestly, you really can’t go wrong with a cheese board. It’s popular and easy to prepare, and you can just wrap up any leftovers for later.

For a stellar cheese board, try to have at least one firm and one soft cheese, a few dips, salty snacks, fruit, as well as plain crackers.

If guests want more cheese on their slices, they can even drop by your cheese board to make some upgrades!

5. Fruit Skewers

We’ve now gone through a lot of side dishes on this list, but if you’re looking for what to eat with pizza that’s probably never crossed your mind before, I have just the thing.

Ladies and gentlemen: fruit skewers!

These adorable skewers are a very popular choice, especially because they aren’t messy! They’re ideal to hand out, and guests who want something a bit more refreshing to munch on will thank you for the treat.

Birthday Party Pizza Sides

I’m pretty sure every kid pines for pizza – but especially at birthday parties! Make sure to leave a great impression with these food pairings!

1. Chicken Fingers

Kids are quite predictable; there’s a long list of things they’re sure to love. Pizza’s on there, and do you know what else is? Chicken fingers!

These boneless finger foods are amazing during parties, so make sure to prepare a whole lot of them. Kids will gobble them all up in a flash!

Chicken fingers are made from chicken tenders that are marinated, coated, and fried. They’re very quick to make – ready in about an hour – so you can whip it up even if the party’s fast approaching!

It’s not just a flavorful treat; making it yourself is also way cheaper than frozen options.

2. French Fries

Trust me: even if it’s a child’s birthday party, the kids at heart will want a treat as well! That’s why I love serving pizza with French fries for that ultimate party food combo everyone will love.

Anything made from potatoes is a sure favorite during parties – — but especially French fries. That’s why I highly recommend keeping the fries flowing!

Here’s my pro tip if you’re having guests of all ages over: try a split batch!

Kids are more than happy with salt or cheese alongside their fries, but for the adults, whip up an “upgraded” treat — throw herbs and spices (and even chili) into the mix!

3. Cupcakes

Cakes are the first things people think about when they hear birthday parties – but if you’re throwing a pizza-themed shindig, cakes can steal the spotlight! I want to keep the pizza center stage, but want to enjoy pastry treats too.

Well, here’s the answer: cupcakes!

Cupcakes are just cakes on easy mode. They don’t need any slicing, so you’ll spend less time cleaning up the mess. And since they’re smaller treats, you can go ham on decorations.

Want to take it even further? Why not let the kids decorate their own cupcakes? It’s dessert and a creative activity, all in one!

4. Fruit Punch

A good party always has a fun drink that everyone can enjoy! And seriously – I don’t think anything else fits the bill better than a delicious fruit punch.

The recipe I’m sharing with you is tropical goodness in a drink. Made from orange and pineapple juices with lemonade thrown in for good measure? Even the adults will keep coming back for more.

This fruit punch is alcohol-free, but for an adults-only option, you can spike it and turn it into a cocktail! It’s fresh, sweet, and oh-so-amazing.

Sauces

I heard a friend say before that you can have all your favorite toppings on your pizza, but it’s the sauce that ties everything together.

This realization hit me so hard that I started seeing pizzas in a different light — and, of course, I started experimenting with all the different types of sauces out there!

1. Homemade Marinara

I can’t start this list off without talking about the absolute classic first — homemade marinara sauce!

There’s just something magical about the pizza dough and tomato combo; it’s a true match made in heaven.

As a sauce base, marinara plays well with all sorts of flavors.

Savory meat? You got it.

Rich and healthy veggies? Marinara won’t disappoint.

Seafood, or a combination of all three? You already know the answer!

Bonus points: marinara is super easy to make too. It uses only five ingredients and takes just half an hour to create. Yum!

2. Guacamole

Italy, meet Mexico. Pizza with guacamole is a pairing that might raise some eyebrows, but trust me – don’t knock it till you’ve tried it!

Rich, creamy guacamole finds itself right at home with tacos, but pizza is also very much welcome. And the best part? I don’t break a sweat preparing this fan-favorite dip!

All you need to do is take out the avocado flesh, mash it, add spices and seasonings, and let it sit. It’s so straightforward, you can do it while your pizza cooks in the oven.

Got chips with your pizza? Guacamole is perfect with that too!

3. Pesto Sauce

Marinara might be a classic, but it’s not the only Italian sauce out there. Pesto sauce is worth trying as well!

This herby sauce is every vegan’s fever dream; it certainly helps that it smells so amazing.

To make pesto, all you need is basil, spinach, toasted nuts, and grated cheese. Reach for that bottle of olive oil — you’ll need a ladle of it to tie everything together.

Pesto is packed full of complex flavor, so get a spoonful and slather it on top of your pizza. Even outside the pizza party context, pesto works great as an appetizer!

4. Spicy Chili Oil

What goes with pizza if you want a bit more excitement? Spicy chili oil is the only answer for me.

Its bold red color isn’t the only captivating thing about spicy chili oil. As its name suggests, it packs quite the punch, too!

Although it has a spicy kick, I was really surprised when I learned that it only needs two ingredients (three, if you count salt). If you have canola oil and chili flakes or dried chili peppers, you’re all set!

One word of caution, however. Don’t scoop a whole spoonful and slather it over your pizza. It might end up being too spicy to your liking!

5. Spinach Artichoke Dip

If you want to sneak in some veggies, you simply cannot go wrong with spinach artichoke dip.

This one is a personal favorite; every time I eat it with pizza, I swear I hear angels singing!

Spinach artichoke dip is an extremely versatile choice. It’s amazing with pizza as its creamy flavors seep into the bread and mix with the rest of the ingredients seamlessly.

It’s not just for pizzas, either! Whip up some tortilla chips, sourdough, crackers, or baguettes, and this nutritious dip will have you going for seconds.

Desserts

I’m going to be real here: Sure, pizza is a showstopper by itself – but if you want to finish strong, I really suggest whipping up some decadent dessert to play second fiddle!

If you’re looking to impress, polish off your pizza party with one of these sweet and simple desserts.

1. Tiramisu

If we’re talking about pizza, there’s no way I can miss out on pairing it with another Italian favorite: tiramisu!

With its rich combination of elegant sponge fingers, mascarpone, and a hint of coffee that really packs a punch, having tiramisu is akin to ending your pizza party with a bang.

Aside from being on brand, tiramisu is a fuss-free dessert that won’t take hours to make. It’s ready in just 30 minutes and uses only ingredients that I’m sure you have lying around in your pantry.

2. Gelato

Is everyone bringing their mini-me’s? The pizza and gelato double team will have the kids at the party screaming for more!

It helps that pizza already ranks high on most children’s lists, and ice cream really is the one dessert that can top that. That’s why I love putting the two together!

This combo works really well when your pizza features heavy flavors, such as those rich in meat or seafood. Ice cream is the perfectly light and refreshing conclusion to end the party on a sweet note.

And with this recipe, you can let your creativity shine with all the flavor options! Chestnut, pistachio, or even coffee for the young at heart?

Just name it – this recipe won’t disappoint.

3. Apple Oat Crumble

Wondering what goes good with pizza… maybe a dessert that exudes a cozy vibe?

Here’s my fall favorite dessert recipe: apple oat crumble!

The best way I can describe this treat is comforting, and a distinct reminder of cool, snuggly afternoons.

Paired with the high-energy atmosphere of a pizza party, apple oat crumble offers the perfect way to wind everyone down.

This apple oat crumble won’t take all day, either. It’s ready in just over an hour, and most of that time is spent in the oven!

Once everyone’s had their pizza fill, bring out the crumble and let everyone talk and catch up over a bite or two.

Wines

Pizza may be a common sight everywhere, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be fancy. If anything, I think eating pizza with some wine on the side is one of the best things life can offer!

Throwing a grown-up party, or just looking to present a more luxurious atmosphere? Pop open a bottle of wine!

1. Chianti: A classic Italian wine.

The Italians really know their wine, that’s why I’m putting Chianti first!

Chianti is a beautiful ruby red wine with a delightfully fruity, juicy, and almost cherry-like taste.

With its light and somewhat dry finish, Chianti is the perfect contrast to savory slices. Not to mention – it’ll keep your pizza parties traditionally Italian!

2. Pinot Noir: For something lighter.

We all know red wines are classic, but for me, Pinot Noir is simply in a league of its own.

It’s a light and floral drink defined by its cherry and vanilla notes, but if you pay close attention, there’s a bit of earthiness in there, too!

Pinot Noir helps your pizza flavors shine, so it’s wonderful for creating a dinner experience with more complexity.

3. Sauvignon Blanc: For white wine lovers.

Of course, I can’t leave my white wine lovers out in the cold! If you’re prepping veggie or seafood pizzas, Sauvignon Blanc is the ultimate go-to.

With its fresh, grassy scent, medium body, and dry finish, a glass of sav will make you feel as if you’re out in nature. That’s why it’s the wine of choice for warm, outdoor, summer events!

Other Alcoholic Drinks

Not a fan of wine or just looking for more boozy options? There’s a whole world of alcoholic drinks begging for you to pair them with pizza. Here are my top picks!

1. Beer: A classic combo, especially lighter ales or lagers.

Ah – nothing beats the well-respected pizza and beer duo. College kids get it; that’s why it’s a mainstay at so many parties in university!

Hoppy beer and those on the more bitter end will perfectly complement pizza’s uplifting flavors.

Pizza just tastes so much better when you’re downing a mug or two. You can even try out lighter beers with a zestiness that’s even more refreshing when paired with a slice!

2. Cocktails: A Negroni or an Aperol Spritz could work.

Want to keep it classy? Serve signature cocktails! Anything will do, but personally, I really love a glass of Negroni or Aperol spritz for that Italian theme.

Cocktails are a great choice for casual chatting with friends and family. They also come in so many different flavors, so it’s always easy to spice up pizza nights!

3. Limoncello: For a sweet after-dinner treat.

If you’re someone like me who’s always looking for what to serve with pizza, I’ll let you in on a little secret: limoncello.

This liqueur is an after-meal digestivo popular in Italy, so pairing it with pizza just makes so much sense!

📖 Recipe