What Goes With Fettuccine Alfredo? Best 30 Side Dishes

Creamy, garlicky and oh so good, we love fettucine alfredo. It's a tasty classic dish but what goes with fettuccine alfredo? Here are the best 30+ side dishes to serve with alfredo! Great sides for chicken alfredo, seafood or shrimp alfredo and simple pasta alfredo.

I might be biased, but this Easiest Seafood Alfredo (above) is my very favorite recipe of all time. With fresh heavy cream and real parmesan cheese, this has a wonderful creamy texture. I use marinated seafood for a quick cheat but you can use any fresh seafood or chicken you like. Give it a shot and let me know what you think!

Use these links to jump to all the best side dishes by category!

Jump to:

Bread (Pane)
Italian Appetizers (Antipasti + Primi)
Salad (Insalata)
Vegetables (Contorni)
Main Dish (Secondi)
Extras
Other Pasta Recipes
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Bread (Pane)

No pasta alfredo meal is complete without some fresh bread to swipe through the creamy sauce. Serve it up plain or with some olive oil and balsamic vinegar for dipping.

A brown and round loaf of bread being held by hands in a grey tea towel. There is a light dusting of white flour over the bread.

How to Make Artisan Ciabatta Bread

Ciabatta is a rustic Italian bread that tastes so amazing when warm and homemade. This great recipe is simple to make with easy instructions and a finished ciabatta baguette that will impress everyone.

Ciabatta Bread

Quick Garlic Toast

Kids of all ages love this quick garlic toast. Make this in just a few minutes with any bread you happen to have available to you. This garlic bread pairs well with ALL pasta dishes. Store any leftovers in an airtight container and reheat in the oven.

Garlic Toast

Copycat Olive Garden Breadsticks

Olive Garden Bread sticks are amazing. The perfect recipe just like Italian restaurants make and you can have them any time you want with this fail-proof copycat recipe! Perfect to swipe through any cheesy sauce.

Breadsticks

Fast and Easy Rosemary No Knead Bread

Homemade bread with one bowl and one measuring cup to wash. The bread comes out easily from the pot and there is no oil so you should be able to wipe it out with a dry tea towel and you’re all done!

No Knead Bread

Black Pepper Sourdough Focaccia

This black pepper sourdough focaccia bread has a crisp chewy crust, a fluffy center, and a black pepper, sun-dried tomato, and rosemary topping that imparts delicious flavor. A favorite with creamy cheese sauce pastas.

Black Pepper Focaccia

Zucchini Cheddar Biscuits

Zucchini cheddar biscuits are easy recipe to make from scratch. These turn out tender, flaky, and cheesy. Filled with cheese, zucchini, and chives!

Zucchini Cheddar Biscuits

A bowl of long noodles with creamy sauce and slices of cooked chicken on a wooden table with grey napkins.

Italian Appetizers (Antipasti + Primi)

A great pasta meal should start with a great appetizer. Serve up one of these delicious starters or keep it even simpler with a plate of crudités.

Citrus anise and chili flavour these Italian style warm marinated olives

Simple Steamed Artichokes

Steamed artichokes are the perfect side dish or appetizer to pair with alfredo. They are delicious served with aioli, melted butter, or a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. These are a healthy option that taste luxurious.

Artichokes

Salmon Carpaccio

This is the most flavor packed salmon carpaccio you'll find! Tangy, piquant aioli style dressing tops fresh salmon that is finished with arugula and capers. Enjoy

Salmon Carpaccio

Close up of thinly sliced sockeye salmon drizzled with white mayo based dressing and topped with arugula and a sprinkling of capers and red onions all on a blue plate.

Warm Marinated Olives

Easy, sophisticated, fragrant and comforting, a warm dish of olives is the perfect small bite with an aperitif or as part of a larger grazing board. Mixed olives, citrus zest, herbs and spices come together to make this Italian happy hour favourite. This is easily multiplied for a larger party or cut in half to serve 2.

Warm Marinated Olives

Crispy Shrimp Balls

Crispy shrimp balls are a great hors d’oeuvres option for your next get-together that will give your guests something to remember. A great starter before a creamy seafood fettuccini alfredo.

Shrimp Balls

Salmon Crudo With Citrus Gremolata

Delicious raw salmon recipe with flavors of herbs, lemon and orange, topped with pickled shallots. A fast and impressive appetizer for a large or small group.

Salmon Crudo

Red thinly sliced salmon on a narrow platter with green herb and citrus dressing down the middle. There are pickled shallots sprinkled over.

Salad (Insalata)

Caesar salad, Caprese salad or a simple green salad are classic choices for a pasta dinner. But the Italians love a bitter element and if you do to, there are lots of choices. Rocket or arugula salad brings piquant peppery flavor while the Brussels sprout salad has the classic bitter flavor tempered with fresh grated parmesan cheese. No matter which salad you choose, it will add great fresh flavors and good health benefits to any creamy pasta dish.

Elevated Garden Salad With Orange Vinaigrette on Instagram

Avocado Caesar Dressing

This easy avocado Caesar dressing has all the flavor of a classic Caesar dressing but with the bonus of avocado! On the lighter side, it’s naturally healthy and low calories in making it an excellent choice

Avocado Caesar Dressing

Kale Caesar Salad

Bites of kale, homemade croutons, and a punchy, garlicky salad dressing come together in this extra special caesar salad recipe.

Kale Caesar Salad

Garden Salad With Orange Vinaigrette

A garden salad with leafy greens is a refreshing, crisp and lovely side dish. Orange and lemon juice combine for a great salad dressing that truly compliments almost any creamy sauce but especially creamy chicken alfredo. Quick and easy.

Garden Green Salad

Easy Garden Salad With Orange Vinaigrette

Mediterranean Cauliflower Salad

With bite-sized pieces of cauliflower and sweet bell peppers, this Mediterranean salad is a great, crunchy counterpart to fettuccine in a creamy sauce. Red wine vinegar, olive oil and black pepper makes up a light salad dressing and fresh herbs add extra flavor.

Cauliflower Salad

Chopped Salad Recipe With Homemade Balsamic Vinaigrette

This Tuscan kale salad recipe is filled with delicious ingredients like broccoli, chickpeas, hard-boiled egg, olives, cheese and artichokes. It’s incredibly healthy, filling and low calorie. A classic Italian salad, leftovers make a great lunch the next day.

Chopped Salad

Rocket and Pear salad

Delicious fall flavors of roasted sweet potato and pear with peppery arugula and piquant blue cheese. This salad is great for special occasions because it serves many and can be made ahead, leaving you to enjoy your delicious pasta dinner with friends and family.

Rocket + Pear Salad

Rocket Pear and Roasted Veg Salad with yams and walnuts

Panzanella Toscana (Italian Bread Salad)

A classic Italian dish, this Italian bread salad combines fresh tomatoes, stale bread (yes really!) & basil to make the most delicious, fresh salad. Dairy & egg free, this moreish salad can easily be adapted to be gluten free too.

Panzanella Toscana

Arugula Caprese Salad

The delicious flavor of arugula goes so well with fresh pasta. This arugula caprese salad recipe has cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella balls, basil, and a balsamic reduction dressing. These bold flavor will excite your taste buds and it's a really quick salad to make.

Arugula Caprese Salad

Burrata Caprese Salad

This burrata caprese salad is the ultimate summer salad! Burrata is a fresh mozzarella cheese with a creamy runny center that is to die for. Sprinkled with a little sea salt and cracked black pepper, it then gets a drizzle of sweet balsamin vinegar. Serve this alongside classic chicken alfredo and I guarantee it will be one of your favorite meals.

Burrata Caprese Salad

Shaved Brussels Sprouts + Parmesan Salad

Parmesan Brussels sprouts salad with shaved sprouts, fresh parmesan, and a light dressing. The perfect side dish for your holiday dinner!

Shaved Brussels Sprouts + Parmesan Salad

Plain fettuccine alfredo with lots of white sauce and a small bit of chopped parsley in a black cast iron pan.

Vegetables (Contorni)

From simple sauteed mushrooms or asparagus to roasted asparagus or broccoli, these are a lighter option to serve with chicken or seafood alfredo. The crisp, toothsome texture along with ingredients like Parmesan cheese and pine nuts make simple ingredients into delicious side dishes.

Long green cooked stalks of broccolini topped with slivered nuts.

Fried Oyster Mushrooms

Earthy flavor and al dente texture make these garlicky fried oyster mushrooms an easy side dish that elevates an easy fettuccine alfredo recipe. Serve them alongside or top your creamy alfredo sauce with these golden brown mushrooms.

Fried Mushrooms

Overhead shot of fried oyster mushrooms on a piece of toast cut in 3 pieces. It is on a wooden cutting board with bits of parsley around it.

Roasted tenderstem broccoli with parmesan and pine nuts

Roasted tenderstem broccoli with parmesan and toasted pine nuts is a simple, elegant and flavourful dish. This recipe makes green vegetables an exciting side dish for velvety seafood alfredo.

Broccolini + Pine Nuts

Roasted tenderstem broccoli with parmesan and pine nuts

Italian Roasted Sweet Peppers

Smoky, sweet and packed with delicious Italian flavors, these roasted sweet peppers are a great way to add some vibrant color to your main course. A pinch of red pepper flakes add subtle heat while classic Italian seasonings like basil and oregano round out this recipe.

Roasted Sweet Peppers

Sautéed Asparagus with Garlic Breadcrumbs

Sautéed asparagus gets all dressed up with some golden brown, crunchy garlic breadcrumbs! A delicious and easy vegetable side dish. Five ingredients are all you need for this sautéed asparagus recipe. That’s one of the reasons this side dish recipe appears on our table regularly during asparagus sea…

Sautéed Asparagus with Garlic Breadcrumbs

Easy Roasted Broccoli

Healthy recipe for Easy Roasted Broccoli! Learn how to roast broccoli in the oven with only 3-ingredients in under 40 min (gluten free + paleo + vegan)

Roasted Broccoli

Smothered Green Beans

Smothered Green Beans with Bacon is an easy side dish with tons of flavor! All you need is 6 ingredients and a few minutes of prep time.

Smothered Green Beans

Easy Air Fryer Fennel (3 ingredients!)

Crispy on the edges, tender and sweet in the middle...nothing beats this quick and easy air fryer fennel recipe!

Roasted Fennel

Roasted Parmesan Green Beans

This delicious recipe for fresh Roasted Parmesan Green Beans makes a perfect appetizer or side dish at any Easter or Thanksgiving gathering.

Parmesan Green Beans

Roasted Vegetables: A Mediterranean Recipe

You can eat roasted vegetables as a main meal, or a side dish. Either way this Mediterranean recipe is packed full of nutrition, goodness and taste.

Mediterranean Roasted Veggies

Roasted Vegetables: A Mediterranean Recipe

Main Dish (Secondi)

If you are having simple fettuccini alfredo, you may want to add a dish with some protein. Chicken parmesan or roasted seafood are great options. If you've got ground beef, sausages or meatballs are another good side dish to make.

Lemon, tomatoes, olive oil, peppercorns and slices of raw salmon on a black platter.

Easy Furikake Salmon

With a crispy and salty seasoning of furikake, this salmon bakes up juicy inside with a crispy top. Delicious beside or on top of creamy pasta alfredo.

Bowl of furikake topped salmon on rice with cucumber and lemon as garnish.

Perfectly Baked Salmon

Simple, sweet salmon bakes up easily with salt and fresh black pepper. A great option to serve with creamy fettuccine alfredo that is quick and easy to make.

Baked Salmon

Easy Baked Sockeye Salmon with Salad and Boiled New Potatoes

Crispy Japanese Fish Katsu

Crispy fish katsu gets a light and crunchy panko crust while keeping delicate white fish juicy and tender inside. This crispy fish is the perfect side for some creamy pasta.

Fish Katsu

Pieces of golden crispy fried fish are in a paper towel lined white square bowl on white counter.

Crispy Chicken Parmesan (Oven Baked)

Super delicious crispy chicken parmesan recipe with mozzarella cheese on top! Chicken breast bakes up crispy outside and juicy inside. Topped with so much cheese and parsley, this is a great contrast to fettuccine noodles.

Chicken Parmesan

Greek Yogurt Marinated Chicken

Greek yogurt chicken is so juicy and packed with flavor that it pairs well with a simple creamy white sauce. Marinate chicken strips ahead of time and bake it up in the oven while you're making your alfredo sauce.

Marinated Chicken

Extras

Fettucine alfredo is delicious on it's own but it's also great topped with a dollop of fresh herb pesto. Use your favorite pesto or try one of these bright tasting and bold pesto recipes. These make a great dip or spread for bread too. I love to toast up some crostini, spread a scoop of pesto over and top with some sliced cherry tomatoes.

Closeup to side angle shot of vibrant green vegan pesto with a sprig of flat leaf parsley garnishing the edge.

Parsley Pesto With Hazelnuts

Fresh bright flavor from parsley pairs up with garlic and nuts to make this absolutely fantastic vegan parsley pesto.

Parsley Pesto

Basil Mint Pesto

A simple yet incredible flavorful vegan pesto that will keep you coming back for more. This is our most popular recipe and for good reason. A wonderful gluten free dairy free snack or meal.

Vegan, dairy-free and GF.

Basil Mint Pesto

Sorrel And Hazelnut Pesto

Delicious and so easy, sorrel pesto is a bright lemony version of the classic made with spring sorrel from the garden or farmer's market and local hazelnuts. Quick to whip up in your food processor.

Check out this recipe

White bowl on black table with fettucine topped with green sorrel pesto on top.

Other Pasta Recipes

Here are some of my other favorite pasta recipes. Top tip? When you're draining your noodles, pour some of the pasta water into a mug or heat proof measuring cup. When you finish your sauce, use the reserved pasta cooking water to help thin out or add volume to your sauce if needed.

See more Pasta →

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Collage of 4 recipes including long green broccolini, a chopped salad topped with hard boiled egg halves, a round loaf of bread and a white bowl of seafood fettuccini. Title text in the middle, this image is meant for Pinterest.

I hope this helped you figure out what goes with fettuccine alfredo and that you're enjoying a fabulous pasta alfredo dinner. Let me know how it turned out and if you found a new favorite recipe!

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Cheers friends! Sabrina