What Salad Goes with Spaghetti and Meatballs? 12 Best Salads

Are you wondering what salad goes with spaghetti and meatballs?

I know I always am!

There are so many delicious options to choose from.

But don’t worry, I’m here to help.

I’ve rounded up 12 of the best salads to serve with spaghetti and meatballs.

Whether you are looking for a simple green salad, a hearty pasta salad, or something in between, there is sure to be a recipe on this list that you’ll love.

So go ahead and give one (or all!) of these salads a try the next time you make spaghetti and meatballs!

See Also: What Vegetables Go with Spaghetti and Meatballs

What Salad Goes with Spaghetti and Meatballs? 12 Best Salads

With great spaghetti and meatballs comes the great responsibility of finding an ideal salad to pair it with.

The salad should be able to stand up to the heartiness of the dish while still providing a refreshing contrast.

Fortunately, there are a number of salads that fit the bill.

Here are 12 of the best salads to pair with spaghetti and meatballs:

1. Salad Caprese

If you’re in a rush and need a quick and easy salad, this is the one for you.

It only requires a few ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen.

And if you’re feeling fancy, you can always add some extra toppings like roasted nuts or crispy bacon.

Pro Tip: Balsamic glaze is key to taking this salad from good to great. You can find it at most grocery stores near the balsamic vinegar.

2. Nicoise Salad

My family loves salads where we can mix and match a bunch of different flavors and textures, and this Nicoise salad is the perfect example.

It’s got salty olives, tangy dressing, crunchy lettuce, soft boiled eggs… there’s something in there for everyone.

And if you’re feeling like changing it up, you can easily swap out the green beans for roasted red peppers, or use a different type of olive.

Pro Tip: To make this salad even more filling, add some cooked quinoa or shredded chicken.

3. Cobb Salad

Craving something protein-rich? Why not try a Cobb salad?

This salad is traditionally made with chicken, bacon, hard-boiled eggs, avocado, blue cheese, and tomato.

But don’t feel like you have to stick to the recipe – mix it up however you’d like!

Cobb salads are also great with grilled salmon, shrimp, or tofu.

And if you’re feeling extra lazy, you can always swap out the fresh veggies for a bag of pre-washed greens.

Pro Tip: Don’t forget the dressing! A classic Cobb salad is usually served with ranch or blue cheese dressing.

4. Caeser Salad

I know this salad looks complicated (however, it’s really not), but I promise it’s worth it.

The key to a good Caesar salad is in the dressing, and this one is no exception.

The dressing is made with anchovies, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, and Worcestershire sauce.

Pro Tip: If you don’t have anchovies on hand, you can use 1/2 teaspoon of fish sauce instead.

5. Waldorf Salad

Known for its creamy texture and sweetness, the Waldorf salad is a perfect balance of flavors.

The key ingredients are apples, celery, grapes, walnuts and mayonnaise.

I like to add in a bit of lemon juice to brighten things up.

You could also swap out the mayo for Greek yogurt or use chopped pecans instead of walnuts.

Pro Tip: For an extra special touch, top with some crumbled blue cheese just before serving.

6. Thai Chicken Larb Salad

How about something Thai-inspired alongside your spaghetti and meatballs tonight?

This larb salad is a light, refreshing, and flavorful way to do just that.

The dish is traditionally made with ground chicken, but you could easily swap in pork or turkey.

I like to add a little bit of lime juice and fish sauce to the dressing for an extra zing.

Pro Tip: If you want to make this dish vegetarian, simply omit the chicken and add extra veggies like shredded carrots, diced cucumber, or bean sprouts.

7. Tabbouleh Salad

Why not try serving this salad with your spaghetti and meatballs?

The parsley and mint make a great pesto, and the bulgur wheat is a fun and healthy alternative to pasta.

You can also use this salad as a filling for wraps or sandwiches.

Pro Tip: If you’re short on time, you can substitute pre-chopped parsley and mint for the fresh herbs.

8. Russian Olivier Salad

Have you ever tried this salad?

It’s a Russian classic that is usually made with potatoes, eggs, peas, carrots, and pickles.

The dressing is a mayonnaise base with vinegar and mustard.

This salad is perfect as a side dish or even as a main course.

Here are some easy ways to change it up:

• Add some chopped onions or chives for extra flavor.
• If you’re not a fan of mayo, you can use Greek yogurt or sour cream instead.
• Try adding some crispy bacon or croutons for extra texture.

Pro Tip: If you want the salad to be less heavy, use half mayo and half sour cream in the dressing.

9. Greek Salad

Tasty and super colorful (thanks to the tomatoes, peppers, and onions), this Greek salad is a great way to get your veggies in.

It’s also super easy to make ahead of time – just mix everything together and store in the fridge until you’re ready to eat.

To change it up:

• Swap out the lettuce for spinach or arugula
• Add some feta cheese
• Use Kalamata olives instead of black olives
• Throw in some grilled chicken or shrimp

Pro Tip: Make sure to give the dressing a good shake before pouring over the salad – this will help evenly distribute the flavors.

10. Asian Slaw

Asian flavors are some of my favorites, and this slaw is a great way to enjoy them.

The dressing is made with rice vinegar, sesame oil, and ginger, which gives it a delicious tangy flavor.

I like to top mine with grilled chicken or shrimp, but you could also add tofu or keep it vegetarian.

Pro Tip: If you want to make this ahead of time, wait to add the dressing until you’re ready to eat.

Otherwise, the cabbage will get wilted and the flavors won’t be as fresh.

11. Broccoli Salad

If you ask me, broccoli isn’t the boring veggie it’s made out to be.

This salad is a great example of that.

It’s got bacon, grapes, and a creamy dressing – how can you go wrong?

If you want to add some protein, grilled chicken would be a great addition.

Not a fan of grapes?

Try swapping them out for raisins or dried cranberries.

Pro Tip: To save time, look for precooked bacon or use bacon bits.

12. Healthy Brussels Sprout Salad

Maybe you want something healthy, but you’re tired of the same old boring salad.

This Brussels sprout salad is a great way to mix things up, and it’s so easy to make!

Just shred some Brussels sprouts, add in some diced apple, dried cranberries, slivered almonds, and top with a balsamic vinaigrette.

Pro Tip: If you want to add a little more protein to this salad, try adding in some grilled chicken or salmon.