What to Serve with Garlic Bread (25 Best Side Dishes)

Wondering what to serve with garlic bread? You’re in for a treat.

I’ve gathered an array of delectable pairings, from pasta dishes to soups and mains. 

Look forward to mouthwatering recipes like carbonara, gnocchi soup, chicken parmesan, and more.

And trust me, each one takes your garlic bread experience to the next level. 

So, get ready to elevate your meal with these garlic bread pairings!

Pasta Dishes

First up: delight in the perfect partnership of pasta and garlic bread. It’s a feast for the senses.

1. Spaghetti Bolognese

Spaghetti Bolognese is a hearty pasta dish with flavorful ground beef, aromatic herbs, and robust tomato sauce.

And what could be a better pairing with spaghetti than garlic bread? 

The warm, buttery garlic bread complements the savory goodness of this Italian favorite.

2. Fettuccine Alfredo

Pairing garlic bread with Fettuccine Alfredo is a carb lover’s dream. 

The creamy pasta and garlicky bread are a match made in heaven! 

Use the bread to scoop up that luscious Alfredo sauce. It’s an indulgence worth savoring.

3. Homemade Lasagna

Pairing garlic bread with homemade lasagna is a comforting delight. 

The layers of tender pasta, creamy ricotta, and savory meat sauce beg for a side of garlicky goodness. 

This cheesy, saucy combo is the ultimate comfort food.

4. Pesto Pasta

The garlic bread with pesto pasta combo is a flavor-packed affair. 

The vibrant, herby pesto perfectly complements the bread’s garlicky goodness. 

It’s a speedy, restaurant-quality meal you’ll love.

5. Italian Sausage Pasta

Italian sausage pasta offers a burst of flavor with rich tomato sauce and cheese. 

Garlic bread elevates this dish to an Italian feast, perfect for any occasion.

Feel free to customize with hot, mild, or sweet sausage and your preferred pasta. 

6. Shrimp Scampi

Shrimp scampi features succulent shrimp bathed in a lemon and garlic butter sauce. 

The flavors are a harmonious blend of tangy and savory. 

It’s a perfect companion for garlic bread. The crispy bread soaks up the delectable sauce, creating a mouthwatering combination.

7. Pasta Carbonara

Pasta carbonara pairs wonderfully with garlic bread. 

The creamy sauce and crispy bacon meld with the bread, creating a delicious combo. 

Let the bread soak up the sauce and enhance every bite. Enjoy the perfect harmony of savory goodness.

8. Eggplant Parmesan

Eggplant parmesan, an ideal choice for vegetarians, pairs perfectly with garlic bread. 

This classic Italian dish features crispy, breaded eggplant layers with rich sauce and gooey cheese. 

When served with warm garlic bread, it creates a satisfying meal perfect for any occasion.

9. Mushroom Risotto

Creamy mushroom risotto tastes fantastic with garlic bread! 

This dish blends earthy mushrooms, rich, creamy rice, and aromatic herbs. It’s a delightful, gourmet experience. 

Pair it with garlic bread to elevate your meal and enjoy the perfect combination.

10. Sausage Rigatoni

Baked rigatoni is a hearty, meaty, cheesy Italian dish bursting with robust flavors. 

It’s an irresistible family favorite, combining the best of spaghetti and lasagna. 

Serve it with garlic bread for a complete dinner perfect for meal-prepping.

11. Baked Spaghetti

Baked spaghetti is a saucy, meaty delight with a cheesy crust. It’s just like lasagna but so much easier to make. 

Perfect for busy nights, it satisfies your craving for a home-cooked meal. 

Pair it with garlic bread for an irresistible combination of flavors and textures.

Soups

Next: Sip, savor, and scoop with soups that sing alongside the comforting crunch of garlic bread.

12. Tomato Basil Soup

Tomato basil soup is a timeless classic. It boasts plump tomatoes, aromatic basil, and creamy undertones. 

It’s a comfort food favorite suitable for any occasion. 

The tasty flavor of garlic bread complements the soup perfectly.

13. Pasta Fagioli

Pasta fagioli is a comforting Italian classic. It combines pasta and beans in a hearty soup. 

Onions, garlic, celery, tomatoes, herbs, and spices infuse it with mouthwatering flavor. 

Dip garlic bread into it for a cozy, satisfying meal.

14. Tomato Bisque

This creamy homemade tomato bisque packs an intense tomato flavor. The secret ingredient, sun-dried tomatoes, gives it a delicious upgrade from canned soups. 

Garlic bread was practically made for soaking up all that deliciousness!

15. Gnocchi Soup

Gnocchi soup is a delightful blend of chicken, veggies, and soft, pillowy gnocchi in a rich broth. 

It’s a melt-in-your-mouth experience that’s surprisingly easy to make. 

The garlic bread’s crispy goodness elevates every spoonful, creating a mouthwatering combo!

16. Lasagna Soup

Lasagna soup is a comforting winter favorite featuring ground beef, cheese, and tomatoes.

It’s everything you love about lasagna in a slurpable form. 

The bread’s warmth and garlicky flavor complement the hearty soup perfectly.

17. Stuffed Pepper Soup

Stuffed pepper soup is hearty, with ground beef, bell peppers, and rice in a rich tomato base. It’s like a warm hug in a bowl. 

Paired with crunchy, buttery garlic bread, it’s a perfect match. The bread soaks up the savory flavors, making every bite irresistible.

Salads

Serve your garlic bread with these salads for a tasty, refreshing meal.

18. Caesar Salad

Caesar salad is a classic that never disappoints. 

Crisp romaine lettuce, Parmesan shavings, and seasoned croutons make it a crowd-pleaser. 

And garlic bread alongside Caesar is a dream. Its crisp edges and soft center are perfect for scooping up every last bit of dressing.

19. Garden Salad

An easy garden salad is fresh, crisp, and endlessly versatile. Think chopped lettuce, ripe tomatoes, a sprinkle of bacon, and homemade ranch dressing. 

It’s a crunchy, creamy delight with every forkful. 

Now, introduce garlic bread. Its warm, buttery crunch makes it the ideal partner. 

20. Caprese Salad

Caprese salad is a vibrant stack of ripe tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and aromatic basil. 

Drizzled with homemade balsamic glaze, it’s a fresh, tangy, sweet symphony of flavors.

Garlic bread acts as a canvas, intensifying the salad’s bold, simple flavors. 

Mains

And finally, transform your dining into a gourmet affair with these robust mains paired with garlic bread.

21. BBQ Pulled Pork

Slow cooker Texas pulled pork is a tender, flavorful feast. It cooks to perfection, melding BBQ sauce, brown sugar, and spices into every juicy shred. 

Pair it with garlic bread for a hearty meal.

The bread sops up all the meaty juices, adding a garlicky crunch that’s downright addictive. 

22. Chicken Cacciatore

Chicken cacciatore brings rustic Italian comfort to the table. 

The recipe features chicken simmered in a rich, herby tomato sauce. The flavors are deep earthy, with a hint of tomato tang. And the meat falls right off the bone!

Garlic bread’s buttery goodness is the perfect vessel for mopping up that sauce. 

23. Chicken Parmesan

Chicken parmesan is a cheesy, comforting delight. It’s tender breaded chicken smothered in marinara and melted cheese, baked until golden. 

Pair it with garlic bread for a flavor festival. The bread’s garlicky crunch complements the soft, cheesy chicken perfectly.

It soaks up extra sauce, adding a delightful texture contrast. 

24. Marry Me Chicken

Marry me chicken is romance on a plate. 

Juicy chicken, crispy bacon, and tangy sun-dried tomatoes bathe in a creamy, dreamy sauce. It’s a dish that whispers “I do” with every bite. 

Served with garlic bread, it’s a match made in culinary heaven. 

25. McCormick Chili

McCormick chili is a hearty, meaty marvel. 

Tender ground beef simmers in a rich, spicy sauce for a robust and warming dish. 

Use crispy garlic bread to scoop it all up.

The garlic’s zesty kick complements the chili’s spices, making each bite the perfect combo of flavors and textures.