15 Easy Pasta Side Dishes to Pair With Your Favorite Proteins

We ’re dishing about two dozen of the most crew - pleasing carb formula to ever leave our Test Kitchen .

Jacob Fox

These pasta side smasher might outshine the briny . Whether you flip for farfalle , go hazardous for gnocchi , or favor your noggin in soup , you ’ll line up new and classic pasta side dish recipe ideas in this guide . Add these gentle pasta side dishes to your carte du jour alongside protein and you have a quick and well - equilibrise repast .

Bowl of french onion pasta

Credit:Jacob Fox

Pastina

Rachel Marek

As immense rooter of the celestial - condition pasta , our spirits fell when one pasta manufacturer settle to sunset the official starry shape of pasta . So we were star - struck and overjoy to learn thatStanley Tucci helped work pastina back ; yes , in its original lead format . Technically , any alimentary paste with a diameter less than 2 millimeters qualifies as “ pastina , ” so experience gratuitous touse stars , spheres , third power , or whatever you have William Christopher Handy . Once you addchicken broth , Milk River , butter , and Parmesan using our easy stovetop and microwave method as a pathfinder , you ’ll have a creamy , rich , and satisfying pasta side cup of tea that ’s somewhat evocative of risotto .

Macaroni and Cheese

Take a break fromboxed mac and cheeseand try this grown - up , well - equilibrate version as a pasta side knockout this week . Even though it ’s homemade , this mac can be on your table with a simple 25 minutes of prep . “ I am making this dish for a second sentence for another work potluck . Needless to say , it was a collision the first go round ! ” one BHG fan tell .

Pasta Salad with Red Wine Vinaigrette

This best alimentary paste side dish might save the day … or at least your dinner party plan . It try like something you ’d say from a gourmet caterer or coffeehouse . As the alimentary paste cooks , prep the veggies , nitty-gritty , and cheeseflower . A homemade red wine vinaigrette finishes off the dish .

Cheesy Baked Gnocchi with Kale

Transform purchased white potato gnocchi into a cheesy side dish with just a handful of ingredient . You ’ll need butter , garlic , borecole , Milk River , and Fontina cheese . Brighten things up with good deal of freshlemon zest .

Farfalle with Mushrooms and Spinach

BHG / Alexandra Shytsman

The key to beseech “ tight - forward ” on preparation time for many alimentary paste side mantrap lie in multitasking . This fast and fillingvegetarian pastacan be yours in 20 second due to that savvy strategy . As the farfalle boils to al dente , sauté the onions , mushroom , spinach , and thyme . With some Parmesan shaving on top , it ’s “ very yummy ” as - is , fit in to fans , but can easily be be intimate - up , if desired . ( Diced fresh Lycopersicon esculentum discard in balsamic and a splash of marsala in the mushroom mixture are two creative tweaks reader curse by — and we ca n’t look to try . )

Garlic Noodles

Kelsey Hansen

Our take on the Graeco-Roman San Francisco alimentary paste side dish is seasoned with soy sauce , oyster sauce , Parmesan cheese , and plenty of garlic . A sprinkling of slice greenish onions helps cut through the cornucopia . The resultant role is an umami - fill knockout that ’s delicious alongside salmon , chicken , steak , and more .

Sheet-Pan Pumpkin Mac and Cheese

Carson Downing

fudge this mac and cheese formula in a mainsheet pan ensures each bite has the everlasting combination of creamy woof and crispy sharpness . Thecanned pumpkinin the sauce bring a little sweetness , which avail balance the piquant bacon on top .

Dirty Martini Pasta

Twirl up forkfuls of this cocktail - inspire pasta side dish . You ’ll love the compounding of pantry vodka sauce , blue cheese , and olive . sample toss away in some shrimp for a creative winding on scampi .

One-Pot French Onion Pasta

Our recipe tester could n’t get enough of the deep savory flavor in thisFrench onionpasta side dish . And BHG base cooks agree . As one reviewer compose , " I really like this recipe . It ’s promiscuous to make and really delectable . My daughter loves it . "

Copycat Fettuccine Alfredo

Once you ’ve had homemade fettucine alfredo , you ’ll never go back to the jar . It ’s as well-fixed as heating cream on the stove before add in flavorer like Parmesan cheese and ail . This noggin side dish is intimately served chicken orsalmon .

Potato Gnocchi

Blaine Moats

stimulate homemade gnocchi is easier than you remember . We like to make a crowing batch and immobilise the gnocchi for weeknight dinners . Our step - by - step instructions will walk you through the integral procedure from start to finish . Gnocchi is a great pasta side sweetheart idea for heartybraised meat .

Copycat Pesto Cavatappi

A touch of pick is our enigma to transforming store - grease one’s palms pesto into a silky pasta sauce . round out out the alimentary paste side with mushroom-shaped cloud , tomato , and shredded Parmesan cheese . Our favorite attic to practice is cavatappi .

Corn and Macaroni Bake

This corn and macaroni casserole has been apotluck favoritefor X . Our readers love the creamy white cheddar sauce and smoky pancetta . A crispy panko breadcrumb topping add up just the right amount of compaction .

Deviled Egg Macaroni Pasta Salad

Pasta saladis one of our pet summer side saucer . And this one just might be our best yet . In addition to the classic pasta , we ’re tote up hard - boiled eggs and a creamy mustard sauce . It ’s the staring political party intellectual nourishment mashup .

5-Ingredient Lemon-Basil Pasta

You ’ll necessitate just five ingredients ( admit the alimentary paste ! ) to make this easy side dish . transcribed blanched beans help up the roughage and protein , making it a filling alimentary paste that ’s perfect forquick weeknight meals .

Pastina