# What do you serve with lasagna? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** food-cooking\ **Created:** [April 7, 2022, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-serve-with-lasagna/962436 "2022-04-07T03:34:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mr\_Downtown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Mr\_Downtown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Downtown)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2022, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-serve-with-lasagna/962436/1 "2022-04-07T03:34:54Z")
A hearty, meaty lasagna is one of my go-to meals when I’m having company over. I precede it with a green salad, and follow it with coffee and dessert. As a former Southerner, of course I also have bread-and-butter pickles on the table. But the squares of lasagna look rather lonely on peoples’ plates. I used to make sure I had garlic toast, but that seems like redundant carbs with lasagna. So what would a good Italian mother serve _with_ her lasagna? ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2022, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-serve-with-lasagna/962436/2 "2022-04-07T03:37:15Z")
A nice Italian salad. Just oil, balsamic, and seasonings. Lettuce, tomatoes, etc. Light and healthful. I am a sucker for good lasagna. ---
**Author:** ![Folly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folly/32/3219_2.png) [@Folly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folly)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2022, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-serve-with-lasagna/962436/3 "2022-04-07T04:13:03Z")
Yeah, I would want the salad _with_ the lasagna. ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2022, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-serve-with-lasagna/962436/4 "2022-04-07T04:15:57Z")
Salad and garlic bread. ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2022, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-serve-with-lasagna/962436/5 "2022-04-07T04:34:26Z")
Chianti ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2022, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-serve-with-lasagna/962436/6 "2022-04-07T04:39:03Z")
That is like Milo’s car. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Bravo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_bravo/32/493_2.png) [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2022, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-serve-with-lasagna/962436/7 "2022-04-07T04:50:00Z")
> [@Mr\_Downtown](#): > > But the squares of lasagna look rather lonely on peoples’ plates. Sounds like those plates need another piece of lasagna. 🙂 But yes, something bright and acidic to cut through the fat and meaty richness. Salad wirh a vinegar-based dressing is a good call. Something like asparagus roasted with lemons could be nice, or Brussels sprouts in a balsamic reduction. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2022, 6:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-serve-with-lasagna/962436/8 "2022-04-07T06:11:17Z")
A stout or a barley wine. ---
**Author:** ![Locrian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/locrian/32/14146_2.png) [@Locrian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Locrian)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2022, 6:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-serve-with-lasagna/962436/9 "2022-04-07T06:41:13Z")
A light salad, light vinaigrette is perfect. Of course, it better have bread involved somehow. Not croutons. That’s not bread. Keep up with th garlic bread. 🕶 ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2022, 9:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-serve-with-lasagna/962436/10 "2022-04-07T09:38:18Z")
Yes, lasagna needs something, and that something is invariably a salad. My go-to has always been well-anointed garlicky Caesar salad. I serve both together on large plates. The nourishment, taste, and appearance of lasagna alongside a strongly flavoured robust Caesar salad are a perfect combination in every respect! And of course lots of red wine, usually Cabernet. Garlic bread is a nice touch, too, but optional. ---
**Author:** ![TRC4941](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trc4941/32/6792_2.png) [@TRC4941](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TRC4941)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2022, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-serve-with-lasagna/962436/11 "2022-04-07T13:48:35Z")
I’m making lasagna for our Easter dinner. One sister is bringing a big green salad and another sister is bringing garlic bread. I’ll also have some fruit on the table. That’s why I like lasagna - you don’t have to have numerous side dishes. It’s simple but so good. Of course, there will be a few desserts also. ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2022, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-serve-with-lasagna/962436/12 "2022-04-07T14:17:18Z")
Since the question seems as much about plating as it does about flavor/contrasts, I’d suggest julienned roasted orange and yellow bell peppers (red are my normal choice, but want the color contrast here) marinated in a good cider vinegar (a good balsamic would be a normal choice, but I’d want something slightly less sweet with a marinara lasagna). The two other main options I would suggest is an artichoke dish - you can go super easy with quality marinated artichoke heart quarters from the jar, or make the equivalent yourself. The astringency is a bit much for some people though, and may overemphasize any tomato based sweetness in the lasagna if you’re alternating. So the least offensive but still great option would be a roasted or marinated mushroom dish, either small whole or sliced. The variety will depend upon tastes, but with a hearty meat based lasagna, I’d probably go with a milder option like traditional white mushrooms. Again, a simple vinegar and/or butter dressing and a chiffonade of chives or other green herb should give a great contrast of flavor, color and texture. And if served cold, can be a temperature contrast as well. @Johnny_Bravo’s suggestion of asparagus or brussels would be another excellent choice. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2022, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-serve-with-lasagna/962436/13 "2022-04-07T14:21:17Z")
What to serve? [More lasagna.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKlxTfExsDM&list=RDaKlxTfExsDM&start_radio=1) Roasted brussels sprouts are a good idea too. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2022, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-serve-with-lasagna/962436/14 "2022-04-07T14:56:31Z")
For God’s sake, keep that fat-ass, orange tabby cat off the table! [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/tOPXRq-HgPw/hqdefault.jpg "Realistic Garfield") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOPXRq-HgPw) ---
**Author:** ![chela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chela/32/21582_2.png) [@chela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chela)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2022, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-serve-with-lasagna/962436/15 "2022-04-07T15:38:14Z")
Salad, marinated veg and definitely garlic bread, knots, or sticks. ---
**Author:** ![Cardigan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cardigan/32/187_2.png) [@Cardigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardigan)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2022, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-serve-with-lasagna/962436/16 "2022-04-07T15:42:08Z")
Usually a vegetable, garlic bread, and a salad. ---
**Author:** ![amarinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3be4f8/32.png) [@amarinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarinth)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2022, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-serve-with-lasagna/962436/17 "2022-04-07T15:51:40Z")
> [@Johnny\_Bravo](#): > > But yes, something bright and acidic to cut through the fat and meaty richness. So - prosecco. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Bravo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_bravo/32/493_2.png) [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2022, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-serve-with-lasagna/962436/18 "2022-04-07T16:16:34Z")
> [@amarinth](#): > > So - prosecco. It’s always the right time for bubbles. ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2022, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-serve-with-lasagna/962436/19 "2022-04-07T16:34:27Z")
> [@Johnny\_Bravo](#): > > > [@Mr\_Downtown](#): > > > > But the squares of lasagna look rather lonely on peoples’ plates. > > Sounds like those plates need another piece of lasagna. 🙂 I was going to say you need smaller plates, but this is a better answer. ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2022, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-serve-with-lasagna/962436/20 "2022-04-08T01:26:56Z")
Coincidental reddit thread with the very same question today. I like the cucumber salad and bruschetta suggestions. > **[r/Cooking - what goes well with lasagna?](https://old.reddit.com/r/Cooking/comments/ty9diw/what_goes_well_with_lasagna/)** > > 124 votes and 236 comments so far on Reddit [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-serve-with-lasagna/962436.md?page=2)