What to Serve with Minestrone Soup – 15 Best Sides
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Wondering what to serve with minestrone soup? These 15 tasty side dishes are perfect for serving alongside your favorite bowl of comfort food!
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Nothing warms the soul quite like a big bowl of minestrone soup! This classic Italian dish is hearty, flavorful, and comforting – perfect for a cozy night in, but you may not know what to serve with minestrone soup.
Whether you’re looking for something to complement the flavors of the soup or just something to soak up the delicious broth, we’ve got you covered.
What is minestrone?
Minestrone soup is a classic Italian soup that has captured the hearts and palates of people around the world. It’s one of my favorite soups and it’s so hearty and flavorful!
It’s made with a variety of hearty vegetables, white beans, red kidney beans, pasta, and a delicious tomato-based and vegetable broth.
Here are 15 great side dishes for a warm bowl of minestrone soup.
What to Serve with Minestrone Soup
1. Crusty Bread and Butter
There’s nothing quite like dipping a crusty piece of bread into a warm bowl of minestrone soup. The combination of the hearty, flavorful soup and the simple, buttered bread is a match made in heaven.
The bread adds a satisfying crunch and absorbs the delicious broth, making each bite even more comforting. Whether you opt for a baguette, ciabatta, or a rustic sourdough, this classic pairing is sure to enhance your minestrone soup experience. Enhance the flavor even more by making homemade pesto garlic bread or cheesy garlic breadsticks.
2. Caesar Salad
A refreshing Caesar salad is the perfect complement to a warm bowl of minestrone soup and a great way to make a complete meal.
The crisp romaine lettuce, creamy dressing, sourdough croutons, and savory Parmesan cheese provide a cool and contrasting texture to the hot soup. The combination of flavors is a delightful balance that will leave you satisfied and wanting more.
3. Bruschetta
Looking for a light and flavorful side to accompany your minestrone soup? Look no further than bruschetta.
Toasted bread topped with fresh tomatoes, fresh basil, and garlic creates a perfect balance of textures and flavors from fresh herbs that pair beautifully with the hearty soup. It’s a simple and delicious option that will elevate your minestrone experience.
4. Grilled Cheese Sandwich
A classic grilled cheese sandwich is the ultimate comfort food and pairs perfectly with a warm bowl of minestrone soup. This is a match made in heaven with almost any soup. Try it next time you whip up a batch of easy minestrone soup for a hearty meal!
5. Roasted Vegetables
Roasted seasonal vegetables are a delightful side dish that pairs beautifully with minestrone soup. The caramelized flavors of the roasted veggies add a delicious depth to the meal, while their tender texture provides a satisfying contrast to the hearty soup.
From carrots to zucchini, any combination of vegetables can be roasted to perfection for a truly flavorful accompaniment to your minestrone. If you don’t have fresh vegetables available you can also roast frozen vegetables as an alternative.
6. Antipasti Platter
With an array of cured meats, cheeses, olives, and marinated vegetables, this adds a variety of flavors and textures to your meal. The combination of the savory antipasti with the hearty classic Italian vegetable soup creates a satisfying and well-rounded meal.
7. Garlic Knots
Garlic knots are a delicious way to add some extra flavor and comfort to your minestrone soup meal.
These soft, buttery rolls are brushed with garlic and herbs, adding a savory twist to your meal. Each bite is a delightful combination of warm bread and aromatic garlic, making it the perfect side for your minestrone soup.
8. Parmesan Crisps
Parmesan crisps are a delightful and crunchy topping to minestrone soup. These thin, crispy bites of cheesy goodness add a burst of flavor and texture to each spoonful of soup.
Whether you make them from scratch or purchase them pre-made, Parmesan crisps are a must-try pairing for your minestrone soup. They’re so easy to make and offer a really satisfying crunchy alternative to a sprinkle of parmesan cheese on top of your soup.
9. Crostini with Tapenade
Looking for a flavorful and crunchy side to go with your minestrone soup? Try serving crostini with tapenade.
The crisp toast topped with a tangy and savory olive spread adds a delicious Mediterranean twist to your meal. Each bite is a perfect balance of textures and flavors that will enhance your minestrone experience.
10. Focaccia Bread
Focaccia bread is a delicious and flavorful accompaniment to a warm bowl of minestrone soup. Its soft and fluffy texture, topped with fragrant herbs and olive oil, adds a delightful twist to each bite. The combination of the savory soup and the aromatic bread is so satisfying!
11. Tomato Mozzarella Salad
Looking for a fresh and vibrant side to go with your minestrone soup? Look no further than a tomato mozzarella salad.
The juicy tomatoes, creamy mozzarella cheese, and fresh basil combine to create a refreshing and delicious complement to the hearty soup. This is the perfect pair for this vegetarian soup! Caprese skewers are another variation of this classic.
12. Italian Meatballs
Italian meatballs are a classic and delicious option to serve alongside hearty minestrone soup. These tender and flavorful meatballs add protein and richness to the meal, complementing the hearty flavors of the soup.
Whether homemade or store-bought, Italian ground beef and sausage meatballs are sure to elevate your minestrone experience.
Need more ideas? Learn what to serve with meatballs to round out your meal even more!
13. Baked Ziti
Baked ziti is a hearty and flavorful dish that pairs beautifully with minestrone soup. You’ll feel like you just sat down to a meal at Olive Garden with this pair. The tender pasta, rich tomato sauce, and gooey melted cheese create a comforting and satisfying combination.
14. Crispy Chicken Tenders
Crispy chicken tenders are a delicious and satisfying option to serve alongside a bowl of soup. The crunchy coating and tender meat of the chicken provide a contrasting texture to the hearty soup, making every bite a flavorful delight.
Whether dipped in a tangy sauce or enjoyed on their own, crispy chicken tenders are a perfect pairing for your minestrone soup. The best part is that these are kid approved so even if they don’t dig into the soup, it’s an easy way to get them to eat.
Have leftovers? Learn how to reheat chicken tenders so they taste their best!
15. Pesto Pasta Salad
Looking for a fresh salad and a vibrant side to go with your minestrone soup? Try a delicious and flavorful pesto pasta salad.
The combination of al dente pasta, fragrant pesto sauce, and fresh vegetables is a great option because creates a refreshing and satisfying accompaniment to your hearty soup. Enjoy the vibrant flavors and textures of this delightful pairing.
