Hosting a pizza party? Need pizza party menu ideas? You can turn your pizza night into an unforgettable meal with these great ideas. Pizza is always appreciated at my house. A single slice contains so much goodness that eating just one is impossible! It’s meaty, saucy, savory, cheesy, and simply delicious. Add on a few side dishes and dessert and you are ready to party!
When served with side dishes, pizza takes the excitement and vibe up a notch. These sides, ranging from cheesy bread to pasta salad, are sure to please you. Zucchini Fries, Mozzarella Sticks, Onion Rings, and Tiramisu are some of the few excellent options for pizza side dishes.
We have made a list of the best pizza party menu ideas in this article. While pizza can quickly fill you up, pairing it with a few complementary sides is more fun. But, aside from salad and breadsticks, what else do you eat with pizza? There is no need to be worried! Below are 20 appetizers, sides, and desserts that complement pizza perfectly.
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Best Side Dishes Served with Pizza
1. Soup
Soup is an excellent appetizer, no matter what your main course is. And what I like about soup is that so many different variations suit your tastes. For example, if you want to start your meal light, choose a refreshing tomato soup. It’s a lovely compliment to your hearty pizza.
If you do not mind something thick and creamy, try cream of mushroom soup. The flavor of mushroom soup is earthy and umami. It’s just as delicious as pizza! Choose a cold soup for contrasting temperatures. Another refreshing soup to start your meal is chilled gazpacho with raw vegetables.
2. Ratatouille
Oh, here’s another cool soup for you! Ratatouille is a hearty and delicious vegetable stew made with eggplant, bell pepper, zucchini, yellow squash, and mascarpone cheese.
Imagine all of those flavors combined in one delicious dish! It’s fantastic. It’s a hearty and savory dish that goes great with a few slices of pizza. Just make sure you have a hungry audience!
3. Italian Bruschetta Bar
Serve antipasto as an appetizer to add another Italian touch to your meal. Use whatever cold cuts, cheeses, crackers, and dried fruit you have available. Arrange them on a platter, and then you have a fancy Italian Bruschetta bar.
4. Caesar Salad
My favorite pizza side is Caesar salad. Because it’s healthy, I feel less guilty about devouring one slice of pizza after another. I also like the crunchy contrast it adds to the pizza. They have similar flavors (creamy, salty, and cheesy), but they at least balances out the texture of your pizza.
5. Spinach Artichoke Dip
How about a spinach artichoke dip for dinner if you don’t mind another rich and cheesy component? You can dip breadsticks in it, but I prefer to spread it on top of my pizza for that extra umami flavor!
Combine cream cheese, mayonnaise, basil, garlic, spinach, parmesan, mozzarella, and artichoke hearts in a mixing bowl. It’s a simple, fail-safe recipe that consistently yields the creamiest, cheesiest dip.
6. Potato Salad
You’ll need something incredibly filling if you’re feeding a large group. A traditional potato salad hits the spot!
It’s creamy, cheesy, and filling. Nobody can refuse this. Here’s how you do it:
Small red potatoes should be cooked until fork tender. Whisk together the sour cream, mayo, red onion, fresh dill, and garlic salt to make the dressing. Coat the potatoes in the dressing and watch your delicious side dish disappear!
7. Garlic Cheese Bread
When you’re starving, this is another side to serve or eat. What about bread on bread? It shouldn’t work, but it does!
And, while you can get garlic cheese bread with your pizza, what’s the point?
Sauté garlic cloves in olive oil to make your own. Mash the garlic to the point that it turns into a paste that can be spread.
Spread the paste on your preferred bread and top with shredded cheese. Bake the bread until the cheese melts, then serve.
8. Coleslaw
Let’s take a break from the carbohydrates, shall we? How about some creamy coleslaw for another crisp and refreshing side?
The crunch of the cabbage and carrots gives your pizza a nice textural contrast. It’s also crisp and refreshing—the ideal complement to your hot and savory pizza.
Substitute Greek yogurt for mayo in the dressing to make your coleslaw less guilt-inducing. A vinaigrette also works well!
Please make your coleslaw and chill it in the fridge for several hours before serving. The vegetables will absorb the flavors of the dressing, making it even more delicious.
9. Mozzarella Sticks
Mozzarella cheese is your answer if you like cheese as much as I do. It’s deliciously crunchy, cheesy, and ooey-gooey.
In a nutshell, it covers all the boxes! Dip it in marinara sauce, and it’s like pizza on a stick! It is great for a pizza party menu.
10. Roasted Vegetables
Roasted vegetables are ideal for balancing out all of the carbs you’re about to consume. They are not only healthy but also crisp and tasty! So, just because you’re serving vegetables doesn’t mean you’re not going to have a tasty meal.
You can’t go wrong with roasted carrots, potatoes, onions, cauliflower, asparagus, or Brussels sprouts.
It’s also simple to prepare! Coat the vegetables in olive oil. Once that is done, season with your choice of salt, pepper, and herbs. Please put them in the oven and get yourself a quick, nutritious, and tasty side dish.
11. Zucchini Fries
Want some fries with your pizza but without the calories? I’ve got the solution: zucchini fries. They don’t taste exactly like French fries, but they’re still delicious!
You don’t even have to fry them because they’re baked. You don’t have to spend minutes standing before a deep-fryer to get things done. All that goodness with none of the grease or effort!
12. Jalapeno Poppers
Serve jalapeno poppers on the side to give your meal a nice kick. They’re not only spicy but also cheesy and crunchy. It goes great with pizza! So, don’t worry; jalapenos aren’t as spicy as you think. It’s all about the balance of flavor. Jalapenos lose heat when cooked, so you get just the right amount of heat.
13. Onion Rings
Even people who don’t like onions can’t resist these onion rings!
Onion rings have that excellent combination of sweet, salty, and crunchy flavors that make them addictive. They’re the ideal accompaniment to your pizza!
14. Pasta Salad
Pasta salad is not just delicious but also fulfilling. It is also visually appealing. The vibrant veggies and colorful pasta are a tasty addition to your plate.
15. Chicken Wings with Blue Cheese Dip
You’re going to eat pizza with your hands, so why not serve it with wings? Buffalo wings are a little messy to eat, but they’re well worth it.
Whether baked or fried, the wings will be incredibly flavorful, crispy, and juicy on the inside. Dip those chicken wings in a creamy blue cheese dip for a mouth-watering party.
16. Meatballs
Not that you require more protein in your diet, but meatballs go so well with pizza. They’re meaty, spicy, and bursting with flavor!
Meatballs will never let you down, whether you eat them on the side or top of your pizza.
17. Tiramisu
Now, how about a slice of creamy tiramisu for dessert?
Did you know the word tiramisu means “pick me up” in Italian? So this dessert will lift your spirits!
It also looks exquisite. Those layers of espresso-dipped lady fingers, mascarpone cheese and cream, and generous cocoa powder dusting are a classic beauty.
18. Sorbet
You can never make a mistake with a classic sorbet for dessert or as a palate cleanser. It’s light, refreshing, sweet, and a great way to cap off a hearty meal. And it all works with what flavor you get – chocolate, cherry, vanilla, hazelnut, mango, or lemon – it all!
19. Cannoli
Finish your meal with this delectable Italian dessert. Although it does not have the same shape as pizza, a cannoli appears to be the sweet version of pizza. So what’s the harm?
A cannoli is a cylindrical fried dough filled with cheese, nuts, and chocolate. It’s crisp, sweet, and creamy and goes great with pizza.
20. Fruit
Finally, we have a simple sweet treat ideal for finishing your meal. You’re already serving something hearty, so a nice and humble bowl of fruit for dessert can’t go wrong.
So, how about some bananas, berries, and pineapple slices? They’re not only refreshing, but they’re also high in enzymes that aid digestion!
If fruits are too simple for you, try them as an ice cream topping for a more filling dessert.
Read more dessert ideas here.
Conclusion on Pizza Party Menu Ideas
These pizza party menu ideas greatly enhance the whole meal’s experience. If you were thinking about what to serve with pizza at a birthday party, then our list is more than enough to help you.
Need ideas to keep your guests busy at the party? Check out these Pizza Party Activities.