What Vegetables Go with Spaghetti and Meatballs? 15 Veggies

Spaghetti and meatballs is a classic Italian dish that is loved by people all over the world.

This dish is typically made with ground beef, pork, or lamb, and served with a tomato-based sauce and spaghetti.

While this dish is delicious on its own, it can be even better when served with vegetables.

So if you are wondering ‘what vegetables go with spaghetti and meatballs‘, then you are in the right place.

I’m sharing 15 of the best vegetables to serve with spaghetti and meatballs.

See Also: What Salad Goes with Spaghetti and Meatballs?

What Vegetables Go with Spaghetti and Meatballs

What Vegetables Go with Spaghetti and Meatballs?

There are many vegetables that go with spaghetti and meatballs. Some common choices include mushrooms, onions, peppers, and zucchini. You could also add in some leafy greens, such as spinach or kale.

Are you still looking for ideas?

No worries, then simply keep scrolling!

Here are 15 vegetables that go with spaghetti and meatballs:

1. Mushrooms

Mushrooms

Mushrooms generally taste a bit earthy and depending on how they are cooked, can be quite chewy.

I would recommend slicing them thinly and sautéing them in a bit of olive oil before adding them to your spaghetti and meatballs.

Some other great veggies to add into this mix are zucchini, yellow squash, and green peppers.

To make this a complete meal, I would suggest adding a simple side salad and some garlic bread.

2. Onions

Onions

Onions can be sweet or sour, soft or crisp, tangy or mild, and they are a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes.

They can be cooked in many different ways and go well with a variety of other ingredients.

When it comes to spaghetti and meatballs, onions are a great choice.

Onions can be sauteed, roasted, or grilled, and they can be served raw, cooked, or pickled.

When cooking onions for this dish, I recommend roasting them.

This brings out their sweetness and makes them soft and tender.

To roast onions, slice them into thin wedges and toss with olive oil and a little salt.

Roast in a preheated oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 20-30 minutes, stirring a few times during cooking.

Serve the onions with the spaghetti and meatballs, and add a green salad and some garlic bread on the side.

This makes a complete and satisfying meal.

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3. Peppers

Peppers

The different colors of bell peppers actually do taste different- so mix it up and get a few!

Green peppers are more on the grassy side, red peppers are sweet, and yellow peppers are somewhere in the middle.

For this dish, I would recommend slicing the peppers into thin strips so they can lay flat on top of your spaghetti and meatballs.

You could even mix in some chopped onions with the peppers for more flavor.

If you want to make this a complete meal, you could add a side of garlic bread and a simple salad.

4. Zucchini

Zucchini

Zucchini has a very mild taste that is slightly sweet, grassy, and fresh.

This makes it a versatile vegetable to use in many different dishes.

When preparing zucchini for spaghetti and meatballs, I would recommend slicing it into thin strips or rounds.

This way, it will cook evenly and absorb the flavors of the sauce.

Zucchini is a great vegetable to use as a side dish because it goes well with many different flavors.

Some other vegetables that go well with zucchini are tomatoes, onions, garlic, and mushrooms.

To make this a complete meal, I would suggest serving the spaghetti and meatballs with a side of zucchini and a green salad.

5. Spinach

Spinach

Raw spinach has a mild, slightly sweet taste and a crisp texture.

It’s a good source of vitamins, and it’s also low in calories.

You can add spinach to your spaghetti and meatballs by wilting it in the pan with the meatballs and sauce.

Or, you can use it as a topping for your spaghetti and meatballs once they’re cooked.

Some other good side dish ideas using spinach are sauteed spinach with garlic, roasted spinach, or spinach salad.

Other ingredients that go well with spinach are mushrooms, tomatoes, onions, and cheese.

6. Kale

Kale

Kale has a strong and earthy taste that goes great with spaghetti and meatballs.

I like to add it to the dish by sautéing it with some garlic and olive oil.

You could also roast it in the oven with some other vegetables like tomatoes and onions.

Kale goes well with other hearty ingredients like beans, mushrooms, and potatoes.

If you’re looking to make this a complete meal, I suggest serving it with some crusty bread and a simple salad.

7. Broccoli

Broccoli

Raw broccoli is very crunchy and has a strong flavor, so I recommend blanching it before adding it to your spaghetti and meatballs.

To blanch broccoli, simply boil it for a minute or two until it’s slightly softened, then shock it in cold water.

This will help it retain its bright green color and prevent it from overwhelming the other flavors in the dish.

See also  7 Best Dressings for Spinach Salad: A Delicious Guide

8. Cauliflower

Cauliflower

 Cauliflower is fairly nutty and almost sweet in taste.

It’s a great vegetable to add to your spaghetti and meatballs.

You can either roast it or fry it and add it to the dish.

It goes great with a simple side salad or some roasted vegetables.

You could also add some grilled chicken or shrimp to make it a complete meal.

9. Eggplant

Eggplant

 Tender, mild, and sweet with a slight vegetal bitterness, eggplant is a versatile vegetable that can take on many different flavors.

It’s a great addition to spaghetti and meatballs, and can be cooked in many different ways.

You could fry it, bake it, or even grill it.

There are many different side dish ideas that would go well with this meal.

A simple salad with a light dressing would be a great option, or you could roasted some vegetables to go along with it.

Eggplant would also go well with a variety of sauces, so feel free to experiment.

Other ingredients that go well with eggplant include tomatoes, garlic, onions, and herbs.

For a complete meal, you could serve this dish with some crusty bread and a glass of red wine.

10. Tomatoes

Tomatoes

 Tomato flavor is usually described as sweet, tart, tangy or balanced.

This ingredient has many different uses in cooking.

You can roast them, fry them, puree them, or simply slice them up and add them to your dish.

When making spaghetti and meatballs, I like to add a few slices of fresh tomato to each plate.

This adds a sweetness and freshness to the dish that is really delicious.

If you want to get a little more adventurous, you could try roasting some cherry tomatoes and adding them to the dish.

They get nice and sweet when roasted and would be a great addition to the pasta.

Of course, no meal is complete without a side dish.

A simple green salad goes well with spaghetti and meatballs, but if you want to get a little more creative, try making a tomato and cucumber salad.

It’s light and refreshing, and the acidity of the tomatoes pairs well with the rich pasta dish.

11. Carrots

Carrots

Carrots are sweet, woody, and earthy with a noticeable harshness if not cooked properly.

When cooked they become much sweeter and take on a softer texture.

They go great with spaghetti and meatballs because they can help to offset the heaviness of the dish.

Some other great side dishes to pair with carrots are green beans, roasted potatoes, or a simple salad.

12. Potatoes

Potatoes

 Potatoes have a quiet taste that is often described by an additive (buttery) quality.

This means they can go well with other strong flavors without competing.

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They also have a creamy texture that can help offset the heaviness of a dish like spaghetti and meatballs.

To add potatoes to your dish, you can simply dice them up and add them to the sauce.

For a heartier side dish, you could roasted them with some garlic and rosemary.

Other vegetables that go well with potatoes are carrots, peas, and corn.

13. Green Beans

Green Beans

Green beans taste grassy and slightly bitter, making them the perfect partner for the rich, savory flavors of spaghetti and meatballs.

To add green beans to your dish, simply boil or steam them until they’re tender, then mix them in with your pasta.

Some other great side dish ideas using green beans include sauteeing them with garlic and olive oil, or roasting them in the oven with some Parmesan cheese.

Other ingredients that go well with green beans are mushrooms, tomatoes, and onions.

To make this a complete meal, serve your spaghetti and meatballs with a side of green beans and a simple green salad.

14. Peas

Peas

 Peas have a sweet and earthy flavor that pairs well with the savory taste of spaghetti and meatballs.

To add them to the dish, simply cook the peas in a pot of boiling water until they are soft, then drain them and add them to the spaghetti and meatballs.

You can also sauté them in a pan with a little olive oil and garlic.

Some other great side dishes to go with this meal include a simple green salad with vinaigrette, or roasted Brussels sprouts.

For a heartier meal, you could also add some crusty bread and a glass of red wine.

15. Corn

Corn

 Standard sweet corn is moderately sweet with a grassy aroma.

It goes well with spaghetti and meatballs because the sweetness offsets the savoriness of the dish.

To add corn, simply cook it and add it in with the rest of the vegetables.

Some other great side dishes include corn on the cob, roasted corn, corn fritters, and corn chowder.

Other ingredients that go well with corn are butter, salt, pepper, cumin, and chili powder.

What Vegetables Go Well with Spaghetti and Meatballs

What Vegetables Go with Spaghetti and Meatballs? 15 Veggies

Spaghetti and meatballs is a classic Italian dish that's simple to make and perfect for special occasions. But what vegetables go with spaghetti and meatballs?
The answer is: A lot of them!
Here are 15 veggie options to enhance your next spaghetti dinner.
Prep Time 2 minutes
Cook Time 2 minutes
Total Time 4 minutes
Course Main Course, Side Dish, Vegetables
Cuisine American, Italian
Servings 4 people
Calories 55 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • Mushrooms
  • Onions
  • Peppers
  • Zucchini
  • Spinach
  • Kale
  • Broccoli
  • Cauliflower
  • Eggplant
  • Tomatoes
  • Carrots
  • Potatoes
  • Green Beans
  • Peas
  • Corn

Instructions
 

  • Pick your favorite veggies from this list to add to your dish.
  • Prepare the rest of your delicious meal.
  • Enjoy in no time!
Keyword What Vegetables Go with Spaghetti and Meatballs