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    Home » Dinner

    11 Main Dishes to Serve with a Caprese Salad

    Published: Sep 24, 2022 · Modified: Aug 21, 2023 by Natasha Levai · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    Jump to Recipe

    Caprese salad is probably one of the most popular Italian salads on this side of the world! It is originally made with fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, fresh basil, and a drizzling of olive oil or balsamic vinegar.

    This salad is a traditional Italian side dish to many delicious meals. Here you will find the best pairings for Caprese!

    Cherry tomato caprese salad on a plate.
    Jump to:
    • Spaghetti Bolognese
    • Pasta Alla Norma
    • Layered Potato Casserole with Sausage
    • Honey Chicken with Balsamic Sauce
    • Caprese Panini Sandwich
    • Steak Kabobs on Skewers
    • Italian Beef in a Crockpot
    • Chicken Marsala Pasta
    • Pesto Lasagna with Mozzarella and Parmesan
    • Black Olive and Sundried Tomatoes Focaccia
    • Avocado Grilled Cheese Sandwich
    • Polenta
    • Garlic Bread
    • 📖 Recipe
    • Mains to Serve with Caprese Salad
    • 💬 Community

    Don't want to scroll? Here is a quick and simple answer!

    Our absolute favorite pairings for Caprese are Bolognese, Pasta alla Norma, potato casserole with sausage, honey-roasted chicken, panini sandwiches, garlic bread, polenta, focaccia, and steak.

    Spaghetti Bolognese

    Spaghetti Bolognese on a plate with grated cheese.

    Bolognese is a traditional Italian pasta recipe that already contains marinara sauce and ground meat. A touch of fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, and fresh basil only adds to the flavor profile of an already rich dish!

    Get the Recipe!

    Pasta Alla Norma

    Pasta alla Norma with Roasted Eggplant.

    This is a vegetarian Italian pasta that is no less rich than the one above. I really like how roasted eggplant mimics meat in the dish, hence making it complete. A side of a fresh Caprese salad will add to the experience!

    Get the Recipe!

    Layered Potato Casserole with Sausage

    Hungarian Layered Potatoes on a plate.

    Sausage is another common ingredient in Italian meals. This specific recipe is not Italian, however, but it originated in Hungary. Yet, I find that the rich flavor and the fatty content of this meal call for a light salad on the side!

    Get the Recipe!

    Honey Chicken with Balsamic Sauce

    honey chicken with balsamic sauce.

    The only thing that is missing from this picture is the mozzarella! The recipe pretty much speaks for itself.

    Get the Recipe!

    Caprese Panini Sandwich

    Caprese Panini Sandwich.
    Get the Recipe!

    Steak Kabobs on Skewers

    kabobs steak on skewers on a cutting board.

    Steak kabobs are made by marinating the sirloin overnight and then grilling it with veggies and onions. Such a simple recipe, yet, it makes for a family holiday meal!

    Get the Recipe!

    Italian Beef in a Crockpot

    Italian Beef in a Bowl with Yellow Peppers.

    This beef recipe is made in a crockpot which makes it a super-easy meal to make on a busy day. A side of Caprese drizzled with balsamic reduction will make it not only an easy, but a healthy meal!

    Get the Recipe!

    Chicken Marsala Pasta

    Chicken pasta with mushrooms on a plate.

    If you like mushrooms as much as I do, you will save this recipe to your Pinterest, notes, sticky pad, and desktop! I'm kidding. But seriously, this chicken pasta with mushrooms and creamy sauce is SO GOOD, you don't even need a Caprese salad to enjoy it!

    Get the Recipe!

    Pesto Lasagna with Mozzarella and Parmesan

    Pesto Lasagna on a Spatula.

    This lasagna is also known as Lasagne Alla Portofino. It is made with pesto, broccoli, spinach, and peas. What a bundle of nutrition and vitamins! Add the freshness of Caprese and you are all set.

    Get the Recipe!

    Black Olive and Sundried Tomatoes Focaccia

    Focaccia pieces with black olives on the table.

    What could be a better side for a fresh salad than some delicious bread stuffed with sundried tomatoes and olives? This focaccia will make your Caprese experience much more Italian!

    Get the Recipe!

    Avocado Grilled Cheese Sandwich

    Avocado Grilled Cheese in a Pan.

    The richness of cheese and avocado is paired with the freshness of the traditional Italian mozzarella tomato salad. Apparently, grilled cheese is not only to be served with soup!

    Get the Recipe!

    Polenta

    Creamy polenta in a bowl with a spoon and a tea towel in the background.

    Polenta is a traditional Italian side dish that could be compared to our rice or mashed potatoes, although it is very different from those. Polenta is made from cornmeal which is simply coarsely ground corn!

    Get the Recipe!

    Garlic Bread

    Garlic bread slices on a wooden surface with a towel in the background.

    This garlic bread is delicious on its own! However, a side of fresh tomatoes, basil, and mozzarella cheese adds juice to this traditional American side. You will be surprised how easy it is to make this at home!

    Get the Recipe!

    Did you enjoy this recipe collection? Here is another one for you! Check out my 12 top recipes to serve with Turkish bread!

    📖 Recipe

    Four dishes in a collage.

    Mains to Serve with Caprese Salad

    Natasha Levai
    Caprese is a vegetarian salad that goes great with all sorts of main dishes. Here is the list of things to try!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 1 hour hr
    Total Time 1 hour hr
    Course Mains, Sides
    Cuisine American, European
    Servings 4 people (generally)
    Calories 268 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    For Caprese Salad

    • tomatoes (or cherry tomatoes)
    • mozzarella
    • fresh basil
    • salt & pepper to taste
    • balsamic reduction/olive oil

    Instructions
     

    • Make Caprese salad.
    • Choose a recipe from the list you like the most.
    • Get the ingredients and follow the instructions!
    • Enjoy!

    Notes

    Make sure to use fresh ingredients and only chop them when you are ready to make & serve the salad, otherwise, they might start looking old and soggy. 
    You can, however, store the salad in the fridge in an airtight container for 3-4 days. I don't recommend freezing it. 
    Use cherry tomatoes for a different flavor, in this case, you can toss the ingredients into a bowl and skip on slicing the tomatoes! 

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1recipeCalories: 268kcalCarbohydrates: 14.5gProtein: 13.4gFat: 19.1gSaturated Fat: 6.4gCholesterol: 30mgSodium: 670mgPotassium: 889mgFiber: 4.5gSugar: 9.7gCalcium: 146mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword Main dishes to serve with Caprese salad, What to serve with Caprese salad
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    Natasha, the author of the blog.

    Hi, I'm Natasha! My gluten-free adventure began when I met my amazing husband, who has celiac. From that moment on, I've been happily baking gluten-free goodies almost every day. I can't wait to spread the love and share my tips and recipes with all of you!

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