There’s something so special about pasta—it’s got the potential to be comforting or romantic, is a forever fave for weeknight family dinners, and usually comes together pretty quickly (great whether you’re a master chef or a beginner). Whether you’re craving spaghetti & meatballs, a bowl of creamy chicken Alfredo, or the famous baked feta pasta, a bowl of macaroni, penne, or spaghetti always satisfies. That said, even a big bowl of pasta can be improved with a side dish. If you’ve ever struggled to decide what to pair with your pasta dinner, never fear—these 32 sides for pasta are here for you.

Because of how hearty and filling pasta can be, we love to serve veggies alongside our meal, whether they’re grilled, roasted, or steamed. Check out our green beans almondine, our roasted fennel with delicata squash & apples, or our garlic butter mushrooms for ideas, but really, you can’t go wrong. You can also never go wrong with a refreshing salad (our simple arugula salad, our fun sheet-pan sheet-pan panzanella, or our classic antipasto salad are all delicious choices); the fresh crunch will give a stellar contrast to your bowl of pasta. Serving a big crowd? Bakes like our broccoli cauliflower casserole, our butternut squash casserole, or our zucchini casserole with garlicky bread crumbs guarantee you’ll have enough for everyone, with minimal effort.

Don’t worry, we didn’t forget about everyone’s favorite breads! In addition to classic garlic bread, we’ve also included some of our other favorite versions, including garlic knots, our share-and-tear cheesy garlic pull-apart bread, and our easily-adaptable focaccia. They’re just the thing for sopping up any leftover sauce from your bowl.

Looking for more dinner inspo? Check out our favorite Italian dinner recipes for more Italian-inspired weeknight dinners, or our top pasta side dishes for when you want pasta as your side instead of your main.

delish!