50 Sides To Serve With Minestrone Soup

Minestrone is a classic Italian vegetable soup that typically consists of vegetables like carrots, onions, tomatoes, and celery. Deciding on what to serve with minestrone soup can be a difficult decision. We’ve got everything you need to know!

Fresh herbs were thrown into the soup as well as a pinch of salt is a great way to add extra flavor to a classic minestrone. It can sometimes contain meat like chicken or beef, traditionally it is usually vegetarian but that is a personal preference.

Don’t feel pressured to make an olive garden minestrone soup because there are plenty of easy minestrone soup recipes that you can make your own. And the best thing about this bowl of soup is that it goes really well with a bunch of different things.

You can use an old recipe or new one to create this hearty soup. You can also make a vegan minestrone soup. Here’s the scoop on what to serve with minestrone soup!

1. Grilled Cheese

This hearty soup is a great choice because it pairs nicely with a delicious, gooey sandwich. Dip the grilled cheese sandwich into the soup like you would with a tomato soup! Try serving it with two pieces of bread and add a variety of cheese in between!

2. Apples

If you’re craving an American-style side dish or dessert, apples go great with minestrone. This serves a different flavor but the sweet and sour taste will give you a nice treat in between soup bites.

3. Crackers

Like the apple choice, crackers are another favorite thing that goes well with minestrone. Pair it with your favorite flavor of chips or pretzels to add sweetness, saltiness, and crunch to your meal!

4. French Fries

A classic side dish when eating outside, french fries make an excellent addition for people who enjoy their vegetables like carrots and celery rather than potatoes (though this combination works fine too). This is a classic American-style side that still can be dipped in ketchup if desired!

5.  Rice

Yum! Who doesn’t love some nice, white rice? This is a great choice for people who just want some simple carbs to go along with their meal. Make sure to put it in a large pot if you’re hosting a dinner party. Make sure to eat up because like most soup it doesn’t have a long time before it goes bad in your fridge.

6. Rolls

This is another good option if you’re feeling like something light and quick to eat, but still substantial at the same time. Plus, they pair really nicely with pot of soup (so does toast and garlic bread)!

7. Tortilla Chips

Tortilla chips are an excellent snack food that works well with minestrone because of their Mexican-inspired ingredients like tomatoes and corn. For added flavor, sprinkle on some lime juice, fresh basil, or taco seasoning! You can also make add in some tortillas for a tortilla soup! 

8. Breadsticks

For those who enjoy garlic, these are perfect. If you want something similar but not exactly breadsticks, try some garlic toast! You can also add fresh basil and tomato sauce to the soup.

9. Strawberries

Strawberries make a great dessert choice when it comes to minestrone for two reasons. First, they’re full of antioxidants, and second, their sweet taste contrasts nicely with the flavors in the minestrone itself.

10. Pudding Cups

Who doesn’t love pudding? Whether you pick chocolate or vanilla (or if you’re feeling adventurous, both!), this is a super-easy option that kids can enjoy too!

Kids will also enjoy it after playing outside on a hot day because of its cool texture and sweet flavor. They might think it’s the best part

11. Grilled Asparagus

If you want something a little more on the healthy side, grilled asparagus is a great choice. It provides fiber and protein and pairs wonderfully with garlic or butter for some added flavor.

12. Bagel

This is another great option for those who enjoy carbs like bread, rice, and potatoes. What’s even better about it is that it offers some creaminess to balance out any spiciness from the minestrone.

Plus, bagels come in such great varieties nowadays! There are tons of flavors available so you can stick to your favorites (or experiment) without having to worry too much about finding something else good to serve with it.

13. Biscuits

It’s easy enough to grab some premade biscuits from the store. These are good for people who love bread that doesn’t have much flavor because all they need is a little butter to taste great!

14. Tortilla Chips With Guacamole

This classic Mexican appetizer tastes amazing when dipped in minestrone soup. The creaminess of the avocado provides good contrast against the spiciness of whatever minestrone you choose to eat it alongside.

15. Granola Bars

If you’re looking for something light, granola bars make a great choice! Plus, their crunchy texture helps cleanse your palate between spoonfuls.

They’re also full of healthy ingredients like oats and other grains so they provide a great source of energy to fuel you up for whatever activities are next on your agenda!

16. Fruit Slices

Apples and strawberries aren’t the only fruits that work well with minestrone soup. Any fruit will do, so try them all to see which ones you like best! You may also want to consider serving it up alongside some ice cream if someone in your group is craving something sweet after supper.

17. Cookie Crackers

Who doesn’t love cookie crackers? These are another good dessert option, but just remember that they’re not very filling so don’t eat too many, or else you may get sick!

They pair really nicely with minestrone because their flavors complement each other well (just make sure the cookies are soft enough to mash up if it’s a cream-based soup).

18. Chicken Breasts

For those who want something more substantial, chicken breasts are an excellent choice that tastes great with minestrone. You can cut them into cubes or strips and have them ready whenever you’re hungry for a bite of something savory!

This is also great to put in for a slow cooker meal to cook while you’re out and about. It also goes well with pasta noodles so grab some for yourself while you’re at it. If you just want the taste but not the price, chicken broth or vegetable stock can provide some added flavor to the bowl of soup.

Make sure you are not adding too much liquid when you are adding in things like chicken broth.

19. Salmon Steaks

Salmon steaks are another great addition to your healthy meal because they contain omega-3 fatty acids — perfect for your brain and heart health!

They taste great with most types of soups (including minestrone) but won’t leave you feeling weighed down after eating. If this is too much fish for you, consider buying some canned salmon instead — it’s more affordable and comes in a variety of flavors to give you some extra options. Another healthier meat option can be ground turkey! 

Adding a bay leaf on top makes for the perfect decoration!

20. Steak

Steak is usually a main course but when minestrone soup is served with steak, not only are you getting the benefits of protein but it adds even more flavor to your meal!

You can get a steak that has been marinated or simply seasoned with salt and black pepper depending on what tastes best to you. If you want a kick you can through in some red pepper flakes.

Minestrone soup isn’t an especially creamy soup, which makes it a simple yet delicious choice for serving alongside. Ground beef or roast beef could also be a steak replacement for a more cost-effective meal choice! 

21. Tofu Cubes

If you want to go meatless while eating minestrone, tofu cubes are another excellent option. They take on the flavor of whatever you cook them in (minestrone soup is a great choice) and provide those who eat it with plenty of protein.

There are also different kinds available like fried tofu, which adds some extra fat to your meal if you fry it in oil that has been heated for a while (olive or canola work best).

22. Bread

Bread is another classic side dish that goes well with minestrone soup. It’s easy enough to find at most grocery stores and you can buy any variety of loaves depending on what kind tastes good to you.

Try having people create their own mini sandwiches using multiple pieces of bread, cheese slices, salami slices, lettuce leaves, and tomato slices. 

23. Cornbread

Cornbread is one of the best sides with minestrone because you can use it as a dipping bread instead of just being used as an accompaniment!

You can buy pre-made cornbread or cook some up using your favorite recipe — homemade tastes much better than store-bought so consider giving that a try if you have the time to do so. If not, canned varieties are also available at most grocery stores year-round.

No more crusty bread! Just keep in mind that this isn’t very filling so if you go for this option, make sure to pair it with something else too! 

This is a great option for what to serve with minestrone soup.

24. Potatoes

While potatoes are usually eaten on their own, they’re delicious when combined with minestrone. If you want to do something different while serving them up, try mashing the potatoes instead of baking or boiling them!

They’re also great with sour cream and some chives sprinkled on top. This is a great easy recipe for potato soup that’ll fill the whole family and have a great time!

For crisp potatoes, you can massage a couple of tablespoons of olive oil and put them into the oven. 

25. Fried Fish Fillets

These may not be the healthiest choice on this list (hash browns are probably even worse) but if minestrone soup is served alongside fried fish fillets, everyone will surely love it!

This goes especially well with creamy soups like minestrone because their flavors complement each other really well. You can try making your own breaded fish too if you don’t mind spending a little extra time in the kitchen cooking this one up.

If you want to add some zest you can drizzle some lemon juice overtop! You won’t be seeing any scraps in the kitchen sink for this one!

26. Bell Peppers

Bell peppers can be a great additive to the mix. Adding vegetables to make a vegetable broth can offer more flavor. Throwing in bay leaves and parmesan rinds can add that depth of flavor to the simple base. 

27. Turnips

If you’ve never had turnips before, consider giving them a try when preparing to eat minestrone soup! They’re easy to cook using just about any method and taste good with just about anything.

If slicing and dicing isn’t your thing, there’s always the option of buying sliced or diced turnips instead which are readily available at most grocery stores year-round.

28. Hash Browns

Hash goes especially well with creamy soups like minestrone and can turn your meal into a heartier one. Potatoes in general are already good for you (carbs included) so when combined with the boosting effects of this delicious soup, it’s definitely a winning combination!

29. Green Peas

What makes green peas great is that they taste good with just about anything and don’t require much work when cooking them. If you love veggies but want to try something a little different than carrots or tomatoes, go with these instead because they’re especially yummy!

30. Carrots

Another vegetable option that goes well with minestrone soup is carrots! You can slice them up however thin or thick you’d before adding them to the large soup pot.

They also come in pre-sliced bags at most grocery stores which makes cooking up this meal even more convenient! If you don’t want carrots in the soup itself you can toss some vegetables, like carrots, into an arugula salad or another side salad. 

31. Diced Tomatoes

Go with canned diced tomatoes instead of fresh tomatoes that are whole if you want to save yourself some time on chopping and dicing.

Use them anywhere you would typically use the whole variety so it’s easy to get creative when pairing these tasty treats with minestrone soup. Also, tomato paste is great for the added taste if you’re wanting a soup consistency. 

32.  Parmesan Cheese

If you’re a big fan of parmesan, try sprinkling some on top of your minestrone soup! You can grate it yourself or buy the grated variety instead.

If you’re a vegan who doesn’t consume dairy, consider topping your soup with nutritional yeast instead which is a great vegan substitute because it has a similar taste and texture to parmesan. But remember this isn’t anything like clam chowder, we don’t want it to be too creamy!

33. Brown Sugar

Another simple way to enhance the flavor of minestrone soup is by adding some brown sugar as an extra ingredient if you have any on hand!

It’s especially good when added to the tomato base so the flavors really stand out. Just be careful not to add too much or else this dish might end up too sweet for your liking!

34. Fresh Parsley

If you already have this ingredient on hand, feel free to sprinkle some of it on top of your minestrone soup before serving! It has a relatively mild flavor so if you find yourself struggling to taste anything but the tomato-based broth at first, go ahead and try adding this one in because it’s bound to make a difference.

35. Caesar Salad

Caesar salads are typically great side dishes so it’s no surprise that this works great in tandem with minestrone soup. You can have any salad on hand as a side or you add it directly into the pot when cooking up your soup for an even more filling meal.

36. Sweet Potatoes

For a healthy alternative, adding seasonal vegetables into the soup mix is a great idea! Sweet potatoes are a great additive to the soup as a replacement for regular potatoes. This goes great with a main dish.

37. Celery

If tomatoes and carrots aren’t your things, consider adding some celery instead! This has a naturally light taste so if you want a broth that’s not too bold or overwhelming, this is definitely the way to go. Plus it won’t add too many extra calories either which makes it a perfect option for dieters.

38. Brussel Sprouts

Not everyone’s a fan of brussel sprouts, but those who do swear by them as being one of the best side dishes to serve with minestrone soup. You can also easily cook this up on its own and eat it as a meal which makes it an even better choice for cooking alongside your favorite type of broth! 

39. Green Beans

Green beans go especially well with Italian soups like minestrone because they both contain tomatoes and fresh vegetables in general often pair well together regardless of where they’re from (especially if cooked properly).

It goes without saying that you should only purchase fresh green beans rather than frozen or canned ones since these options tend to be less healthy overall.

What’s great about this dish is that you can have fresh ingredients or not, whatever is your preference and works with you! Based on your preferences you can also use white beans or red kidney beans!

40. Pizza

No wonder people around the world swear by this dish because it comes packed with a ton of flavor! It’s easy to follow a vegan diet while eating minestrone soup and enjoying pizza at the same time too.

Be sure to ask for vegan cheese on top if you want to make it even tastier which also allows you to enjoy this dish without guilt or worry.

41.  Grilled Panini

Grilled paninis are another excellent choice to enjoy alongside minestrone soup. This is the perfect example of a hearty meal that’s relatively low in calories as well so if you want a filling meal without feeling too guilty about it, try pairing this with your favorite type of soup and see how well they go together!

42. Bavarian Pretzels

For those craving something more savory than sweet, these bavarian pretzels work wonders as an accompaniment to minestrone soup! Just keep in mind that not everyone may like this pairing (especially if you cook up your soup with lots of different veggies) so it’s best to offer multiple dishes at the same time rather than force anyone to eat something they can’t stand.

43.  Roasted Garlic

Another good pairing option is roasted garlic, especially since you can cook this right in with your minestrone soup! This works well when added to tomato-based soups because it has a naturally sweet flavor that helps balance out the acidity of tomatoes quite well. Just remember that not everyone will share your love for garlic so be sure to check first before trying this one out!

44. Mixed Nuts

Most people love snacking on something while having soup so why not offer them some mixed nuts? These are healthier than other snacks like potato chips or pretzels so if you want to provide visitors with an alternative to the typical options, opt for these instead. They also come in a variety of flavors so it’s easy to find something that everyone can enjoy.

45. Hamburgers

Even hamburgers are a go-to dish for many people who visit your home! Slather your burgers with plenty of ketchup or mustard, lettuce, and pickles too if you want something to dip into the soup as well.

Adding some yellow onion would be a great pairing for these two flavors and is an excellent way to make sure that no one leaves your house hungry which means more leftovers for yourself once everyone’s gone! 

46. Hot Dogs

Even hot dogs are a popular food choice to serve with minestrone soup so if you have any picky eaters in your family, this is the best way to ensure that everyone has something they’ll enjoy at dinner time. Pairing these together also works especially well if you want something fast and easy to whip up on short notice!

47. Pasta

This may seem like an unusual pairing but it tastes just as good as you’d hope because the soup serves to flavor the pasta. If you have vegan guests around for dinner, be sure to prepare a dish of plain spaghetti noodles so they can enjoy these alongside their minestrone soup. Small pasta can be added to the soup itself with chicken stock for more flavoring.

48. Steamed Rice

Mildly flavored foods tend to be best served with an Italian soup and steamed rice is no exception here! This goes especially well if your soup contains beans or other legumes since this ingredient helps tone down some of those flavors quite a bit.

It works especially well with veggie-heavy soups rather than ones packed full of meat which may overwhelm rice entirely. Make sure to cook the rice to al dente on medium heat!

This is a great option for what to serve with minestrone soup.

49. Zucchini Bread

There are plenty of desserts that work great with minestrone soup so zucchini bread is just one more example to choose from!

This goes especially well if you have vegan guests since it is a completely plant-based recipe so everyone can enjoy this sweet treat together.

Don’t be afraid to pair something like this with your favorite Italian dishes too because it tastes amazing no matter what! Zucchini bread isn’t the only thing that can be used, butternut squash is a great replacement if so desired.

50.  Apple Pie

Apple pie makes an excellent choice for a dessert when paired with minestrone soup, whether you’re serving lots of people or just making some for yourself on a lazy day off.

This is a great meal to dish out while camping, but it may be best to use a large dutch oven on medium-high heat. Just remember that even though these flavors may seem mismatched, they go surprisingly well together once you try them out for yourself!

Make sure to keep leftovers in an airtight container for best results.

It may not seem like that time of year for soup, but you never know when you’ll be in need of a good soup that isn’t just chicken soup.

What’s great about a minestrone recipe is that you can make it an easy recipe that is quick and delicious, or you can add more!

Do you have any favorite things to serve with minestrone soup? Feel free to share your ideas with your below and let everyone know of easy soup recipes and some great options that go well with this traditional minestrone soup recipe! 

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