There’s something undeniably comforting about a dish of Stuffed Pasta Shells. Those pasta pockets are filled with rich ricotta, herbs, and cheese, all baked in a savory tomato sauce until bubbly and golden. While stuffed shells can certainly stand on their own as a meal, pairing them with the right side dishes can elevate your dinner from simple to spectacular.
We’ve put together a collection of four selected side dishes that complement our Stuffed Shells recipe.
Note: Our Stuffed Shells recipe is free to access for everyone to enjoy and view! However, the delicious sides linked below are exclusive to Dollar Recipe Club members.
Join Dollar Recipe Club for just $1 per month or $10 for a full year to access them and 1000+ more recipes!
Let’s go ahead and dive into these perfectly paired dishes that will help round out your stuffed shells dinner.
Stuffed Pasta Shell Side Dishes
1. Garlic Roasted Broccoli
When serving a rich pasta dish like stuffed shells, a simple vegetable side adds balance and nutrition to your meal. Garlic Roasted Broccoli is an excellent companion to Stuffed Shells! This side dish is infused with garlic and finished with a squeeze of lemon juice. If you happen to be a sucker for garlic, we won’t judge you for adding a bit more than then recipe calls for. It’s your dish, after all!
Plus, this side dish comes together in just 20 minutes while your shells are baking in the oven! Easy peasy.
2. Classic Caesar Salad
For a refreshing contrast to the warm, cheesy stuffed shells, try our Classic Caesar Salad. There’s something so satisfying about the crispy romaine lettuce that complements really well with the richness of the Stuffed Shells pasta dish. Infused with garlic and anchovy, the dressing adds a powerful punch of flavor.
Topped with homemade croutons and freshly grated parmesan cheese, and this timeless salad adds some personality to your whole meal.
3. Garlic Bread
Is there any pasta dish that doesn’t benefit from a side of Garlic Bread? If you’re not afraid of a bit more carbs, adding garlic bread to the mix is going to definitely enhance your dish. Our recipe features a great balance of butter, fresh garlic, and herbs on a crusty Italian loaf, baked until golden and fragrant.
Pro tip: Feel free to use slices of this bread to soak up every last bit of tomato sauce from your stuffed shells – We won’t judge you one bit.
4. Bruschetta Appetizer
Start your meal off right with our classic Bruschetta Appetizer. This traditional Italian starter features toasted bread topped with a mixture of ripe tomatoes, fragrant basil, garlic, and quality olive oil.
The bright, fresh flavors of the bruschetta serve a satisfying appetizer before diving into your hearty stuffed shells. And, yes. You can eat an appetizer during and after your meal! Remember, it’s your food journey.
Complete Your Italian-Inspired Feast
So, is your mouth salivating yet? These four sides can elevate your stuffed shells from a simple pasta dish into a complete, restaurant-worthy meal. You can absolutely mix and match based on your preferences, too! There are no wrong ways to pair this dish up – It’s your cooking journey. Perhaps the garlic bread and broccoli for a cozy weeknight dinner, or all four options for a weekend gathering with friends!
And, remember, for just $1 per month or $10 for a full year, you can access these recipes and over 1000 more! From quick weeknight meals to impressive dinner party options, a Dollar Recipe Club membership is the secret ingredient to stepping up your cooking game!
Let’s get cooking!