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    Home » Blog » Side Dishes

    What to Serve with Stuffed Shells

    Published: Jun 7, 2023 · Modified: Jun 13, 2023 by Karin and Ken · This post may contain affiliate links. Leave a Comment

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    If you're wondering what to serve with stuffed shells for your next meal, then you've found your answer. These side dishes for stuffed shells will help you make the most of them.

    Collage of four delicious recipes of what to serve with stuffed shells.

    Stuffed shells are a classic Italian dish that can be made in many different ways, from traditional large pasta shells filled with ricotta and spinach to more adventurous options such as mushrooms or shredded chicken.

    Whether you're hosting a dinner party or just looking for inspiration for your next family meal, knowing what sides to serve with stuffed shells will impress your guests or family members. Stuffed shells are one of the most satisfying and comforting dishes and require the perfect side dish.

    Ideas for Side Dishes for Stuffed Shells

    Stuffed shells are easy to make, delicious, and filling. There's a reason that they're so popular. However, many people often need help with side dishes for stuffed shells to complete the meal.

    For an easy, complete meal check out my copycat Olive Garden Stuffed Shells recipe or my chicken manicotti alfredo and pair it with one of the side ideas you'll find below.

    Salad Options

    Salad is always an excellent, healthy side dish option for serving stuffed shells. A simple green salad or Caesar salad can add some crunch and complement the flavors of the shells perfectly and provide a refreshing balance of greens and vegetables.

    Broccoli Salad: You can serve this chilled and loaded with chopped broccoli, raisins, sunflower seeds, and bacon, all tossed in a tangy dressing.

    Vegetable Side Dishes for Stuffed Shells

    Vegetables make great side dishes for stuffed shells. The shells and their ingredients are perfect when paired with a variety of vegetables. Try these sides for stuffed shells.

    Roasted Broccoli: A healthy and easy-to-make side that adds both color and nutrients to the table.

    Broiled Asparagus: The signature flavor of asparagus is excellent with the cheese, meat, and sauce often found in stuffed shells.

    Roasted Carrots and Potatoes: This slightly sweet and earthy side dish adds a pop of color and a depth of flavor that matches well with the Italian nature of the pasta.

    Green Beans: Zesty green beans are a great way to bring some freshness and crunch to your stuffed shells meal.

    Zucchini Bites: These golden, crispy delights add texture and flavor while being dipped.

    Garlic Bread and Other Breads

    When you're thinking about what to serve with stuffed shells, you can't go wrong with bread! Bread is a classic side dish for almost any Italian food.

    Garlic Bread: Warm, buttery garlic bread is the classic side for almost any Italians dish out there, and its flavor and texture is especially delicious with stuffed shells.

    Cheesy Breadsticks: Warm, gooey, and cheesy, these breadsticks can be dipped in marinara sauce or enjoyed on their own.

    Dinner Rolls: Yes, plain old dinner rolls. Their rich flavor is a neutral one that will complement rather than compete with the shells.

    Bacon Wrapped Cheese Biscuits: Our version of garlic knots are baked with bacon, cheese and garlic butter these buns are always a hit.

    Sauces

    The question of what to serve with stuffed shells isn't just relegated to side dishes for stuffed shells. Sauce plays an important role, as well. The right sauce can elevate your dish and add delicious flavor.

    Tomato-Based Sauces

    Tomato-based sauces are classic accompaniments to Italian dishes, particularly pasta. With stuffed shells, a velvety tomato vodka sauce or a robust marinara sauce pairs well with the pasta and filling.

    Both tomato sauces add a touch of acidity and sweetness, and herbs like basil and oregano enhance the overall flavor profile. When selecting a tomato-based sauce to serve with your stuffed shells, consider chunky or smooth variations to cater to your personal preference.

    Creamy Sauces

    A rich, creamy sauce can create a luxurious contrast to the filling of your stuffed shells. Alfredo sauce is an indulgent option that makes a delicious pairing with broccoli, for instance. Its cheesy, buttery flavor complements earthy vegetables and works well with pasta.

    Protein Additions

    You can use a few different kinds of protein in your stuffed shells or in the sauce that you cover them with. Sausage and ground beef, or meatballs ar the most commonly used proteins.

    Sausage: Adding sausages to your side dishes brings in a smoky and meaty flavor that pairs excellently with stuffed shells. You can choose from a variety of sausage types such as Italian sausage, chorizo, or even a vegetarian option.

    Ground Beef: For an extra protein kick, try incorporating ground beef into your side dish. The savory taste of the beef mixed with your favorite seasonings complements the creaminess of the stuffed shells.

    Meatballs: If you are a fan of Italian cuisine, meatballs are a perfect choice to serve alongside your stuffed shells. Tender and flavorful, meatballs can be prepared with a variety of sauces such as marinara, pesto, or even a simple garlic and olive oil mixture.

    Starchy Side Dishes for Stuffed Shells

    You might wonder why starchy sides would be paired with stuffed shells, but it's actually a delicious combination. Potatoes or rice are both excellent when served alongside stuffed shells and make a tasty side dish.

    Baked Potatoes: This classic side dish can be dressed up or down, depending on your preference. Load your potatoes with melted cheese, crisp bacon, and sour cream, or keep it simple with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of sea salt.

    Mashed Potatoes: Creamy and flavorful, garlic mashed potatoes are a comfort food staple that pairs well with any main course. The addition of parmesan cheese and/or the hint of garlic adds an irresistible aroma to the potatoes, making them hard to resist.

    Steamed Rice: For a lighter option, consider serving some steamed rice with your stuffed shells. The fluffy and subtle taste of steamed rice is the perfect way to balance out the rich, cheesy pasta dish.

    What to Serve with Stuffed Shells

    We've given you some great ideas for side dishes for stuffed shells above, but if you'd rather take a look at some great recipes right here rather than scour the internet, we've got a list of side dishes that will go perfectly with your stuffed shells meal.

    Air fryer Garlic Bread
    This air fryer garlic bread is full of flavor, not work. This recipe comes together in minutes. The longest part of it is roasting the garlic.
    Get the Recipe
    Air fryer garlic bread slices on board.
    Cream Cheese Biscuits
    Are you looking for perfectly flakey biscuits that just scream the holiday season? You’re going to be head over heels for these simple Cream Cheese Biscuits.
    Get the Recipe
    Cream cheese biscuits on a plate.
    Breadsticks 6 Ways
    Breadsticks 6 Ways with Pillsbury pizza dough makes copycat breadsticks or cheese sticks from Pizza Hut, Olive Garden and garlic pizza bread.
    Get the Recipe
    Easy Pizza Dough Breadsticks.
    Juicy Parmesan Meatballs
    These easy Parmesan Meatballs are cheesy, yet traditional. They’re made with garlic and Parmesan for plenty of flavor, and then baked to perfection.
    Get the Recipe
    Parmesan meatballs on a plate with tomato sauce with one cut in half.
    Air Fryer Frozen Biscuits
    These air fryer frozen biscuits cook up perfectly every time. They're golden on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and done so much faster.
    Get the Recipe
    Air fryer frozen biscuits on a plate.
    Cheesy Mashed Potato Casserole
    This is by far the BEST Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole! Creamy mashed potatoes combine with sour cream, butter and cheese to make the base of the dish and then add on plenty of toppings. It's the perfect potato casserole for holidays, lazy weekends, or any time you need an easy, yet delicious potato side dish.
    Get the Recipe
    A spoonful of loaded mashed potato casserole up over a plate with more.
    Air Fryer Brats
    These air fryer brats are so easy, so good, and they come out perfectly every time. You'll never need another air fryer bratwurst recipe.
    Get the Recipe
    Overhead shot of a brat inside a bun with onions and ketchup on white plate.
    Air Fryer Frozen Garlic Bread
    Air fryer frozen garlic bread is ready in minutes and perfect every time. It's golden and crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.
    Get the Recipe
    Air Fryer Frozen Garlic Bread on board.
    Roasted Carrots and Broccoli
    Learn how to roast carrots and broccoli in the oven with this simple recipe! Master this combo and have a delicious side that you can make again and again.
    Get the Recipe
    A bowl of roasted broccoli and carrots with a spoon lifting up a serving.
    Easy Sauteed Spinach and Carrots
    Healthy Sauteed Spinach and Carrots is full of flavor. This sauteed or fried spinach and mushroom recipe can also include onions, garlic, tomatoes and more!
    Get the Recipe
    Plate of sauteed spinach and carrots on the table.
    Smoked Brats - How to Smoke Brats
    Smoked brats are an easy recipe perfect for any day of grilling. These smoked bratwurst are full of flavor, not work!
    Get the Recipe
    Closeup of a smoked brat on a bun with onions and mustard.
    Easy Sweet Green Beans
    This easy sweet green beans recipe is quick, simple, and delicious making it perfect for busy weeknights. Brown sugar and soy sauce give green beans a sweet and tangy combo everyone will love.
    Get the Recipe
    Sweet green beans in baking dish from overhead.
    Sautéed Greens and Bacon
    Sautéed Greens and Bacon is so easy to prepare. Whether you use spinach, swiss chard or kale or bacon, ham or pancetta, this dish never disappoints.
    Get the Recipe
    Sautéed Kale and Pancetta.
    Broccoli Crunch Salad
    This Broccoli Crunch Salad is full of crispy broccoli florets, sweet pears, raisins, onion, crunchy nuts, cheese, and bacon! It's an explosion of flavors and texture. It requires no cooking and goes together in just a few minutes and makes a tasty side for all your picnic, cookout, and potluck needs.
    Get the Recipe
    A white bowl filled with Amish broccoli salad with a serving spoon.
    Quick and Easy Balsamic Green Beans
    This Sweet Garlic Balsamic Green Beans recipe is made with fresh green beans that are sauteed to perfection! It's the perfect answer to a quick and easy side for all types of meals.
    Get the Recipe
    Balsamic green beans in a bowl with fresh green beans on the table, a bulb of garlic, and a fork.
    Sautéed Cauliflower
    Sautéed cauliflower is easy and full of flavor. This cauliflower saute recipe uses truffle oil and truffle salt to create the best sauteed cauliflower recipe.
    Get the Recipe
    Closeup of grey bowl full of sautéed cauliflower.
    Italian Cheese Bread (Quick Bread Recipe)
    This Italian Cheese Bread recipe is the Best Bread for Grilled Cheese and tastes similar to Cheddar Bay Biscuits from Red Lobster but in loaf form. It is a quick bread recipe and the perfect addition to any meal. Just wait until you try it.
    Get the Recipe
    Easy Cabbage and Vegetables
    Easy Cabbage and Vegetables is the perfect blend of cabbage, carrots, potato and more! This easy technique can be used with any vegetables you have on hand!
    Get the Recipe
    Easy Cabbage and Vegetables.
    Air Fryer Bang Bang Cauliflower
    Air Fryer Bang Bang Cauliflower is the perfect spicy and fresh side dish. This recipe cooks up quickly in your air fryer.
    Get the Recipe
    Cauliflower bites
    Italian Herbs and Cheese Bread
    Every time we stop at a Subway for a snack or meal I ALWAYS choose their Italian herbs and cheese bread. The inside of the sandwich often changes, but the bun remains the same. Here's why.
    Get the Recipe
    A long Italian Herbs and Cheese Bread bun cut in half filled with sandwich meat, lettuce and cheese.
    Cheesy Baked Cauliflower with Tomatoes
    If anyone in your household turns their nose up to vegetables, try this recipe for cheesy baked cauliflower with tomatoes. This cheesy cauliflower bake with tomatoes, onions, and peppers is easy-to-make and a real treat. It's a vegetable side that will win over your pickiest eater.
    Instant Pot Asparagus
    This instant pot asparagus is ready in no time flat, and it's so delicious. It only takes a few minutes to make from start to finish.
    Get the Recipe
    Instant pot asparagus on a platter.
    Baked Italian Zucchini Casserole
    This Baked Italian Zucchini Casserole is an easy and delicious vegetable side! The crunchy, cheesy topping finishes this casserole off beautifully!
    Get the Recipe
    Baked Italian Zucchini Casserole
    Classic Pasta Salad
    Perfectly-seasoned pasta and loaded with fresh vegetables, Classic Pasta Salad is a great summer side dish.  With this classic pasta salad recipe, the results are always delicious and it goes with just about everything. Italian pasta salad is the ideal dish for potlucks, BBQs or whenever you're in the mood.
    Get the Recipe
    Easy Grape Salad
    This easy grape salad with cream cheese is full of summery flavor and comes together fast. It only takes minutes to make this tasty treat!
    Get the Recipe
    Air Fryer Frozen Brussel Sprouts
    These air fryer frozen brussel sprouts are delicious and so easy to make. Perfectly cooked and so tender, they're a great side.
    Get the Recipe
    A bowl of air fryer brussel sprouts.
    Classic Green Bean Casserole
    Classic Green Bean Casserole is made the way my mother and grandmother made it! Green beans, cheese, crispy fried onions and a condensed cream soup.
    Get the Recipe
    Classic Green Bean Casserole.

    Stuffed shells provide a tasty, rich, and well-balanced meal without all the time commitment of other classic Italian meals. When considering what to serve with stuffed shells, consider how to complement the meal best by offsetting the weightiness of the stuffed shells with a lighter side dish.

    Airfryer Brussels sprouts, a simple salad, garlic bread, or any of the sides mentioned above are all excellent choices for your next meal of stuffed shells. Don’t forget to grab the wine of your choice and enjoy!

    Collage of four delicious recipes of Side dishes for stuffed shells.
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    We are the kitchen divas: Karin and my partner in life, Ken.

    We have been attached at the heart and hip since the first day we met, and we love to create new dishes to keep things interesting. Variety is definitely the spice of life!

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