According to a survey, Americans eat at least 156 slices of pizza every year.
Also, 34% of Americans stated that they would eat pizza as much as three times a week if they didn’t have any restrictions that stopped them from doing so.
Long story short—we love pizza! Pizza is the go-to dinner option for many Americans and it’s easy to see why. A nice big pizza can be very filling and they come in all kinds of great flavors!
But why not try some side dishes for a pizza dinner? These dishes can make your pizza experience a whole lot better. So let’s explore what makes for great side dishes you can try with pizza.
What to look for in side dishes for pizza?
Here are a few things to consider when choosing the right side dishes for pizza:
1. Balance Out the Richness
Pizza is a rich food, with lots of cheese and succulent sauces. Sometimes this could feel a bit overwhelming and heavy. To counter this, you could try including a side dish that adds a bit of acidity to slice through the richness of the sauce and cheese.
Salads with citrus dressing and dishes with marinated vegetables and a squeeze of lemon can be a great addition to pizza. Also, the fresh leafy greens in salads can be great palate cleansers to have in between slices of pizza.
If you want your salad to have some protein in it, choose a salad that comes with light meats, like chicken, and not beef, which might be too heavy to go with pizza.
2. Pair with Different Textures
Pizza has a unique texture but there are plenty of side dishes out there that can complement this. Choose side dishes that have crunchy textures, like salads with fresh veggies and croutons.
Or you could try something completely out of the box and pair your pizza with something smooth like soup. Soups are also light so that they don’t overpower the taste of the pizza and make you feel too full.
3. Carb it Up with Cheesy Delights
If you’re a big fan of cheesy foods, you can just pair pizza with other delicious cheesy delights. Some great cheesy foods that go great with pizza include loaded fries, quesadillas, and stuffed potato skins.
The best part is that these dishes aren’t too heavy, leaving just enough space for pizza too!
Try to include some citrusy soda or salad into the mix to balance out the richness of the meal, as mentioned before.
4. Pay Attention to the Portions
If pizza is your main dish, you’ll want to have your side dishes in small portions. When ordering a side dish for your pizza dinner, ask the staff about how big the portion is. If it’s too big, you won’t have much room for pizza.
You also don’t want the portion to be too small. The portion should match how much you’re paying for it.
What are some good side dishes for a pizza dinner?
Without further adieu—here are some great side dishes for a pizza dinner you should try:
1. Fries
Fries are an old-time favorite and it’s easy to see why—they’re very light and come in pretty good portions. If you want to go for fries with a twist, see if the restaurant offers sweet potato fries. These fries have a unique sweet taste that you won’t get from regular fries!
2. Grilled Chicken Salad
This salad offers a world of great flavors and textures. It comes with a portion of grilled chicken, a selection of peppers, crunchy veggies like cucumber and lettuce, and cheese. With zesty dressings added to the mix, these salads make for a light but satisfying side dish for a pizza dinner.
3. Wings
If you’re looking for savory side dishes for a pizza dinner that comes in a lot of flavors, you can’t go wrong with wings. Wings have all kinds of great flavors, like spicy ranch, honey garlic, dry Cajun, and sea salt, and you can get different portions of wings, from just 6 to as many as 30!
You can also get some nice dressing for your wings, like blue cheese, and even some veggies like celery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are some commonly asked questions to consider:
1. What beverages pair well with pizza and its sides?
Beverages like soda, beer, or even a refreshing lemonade pair well with pizza.
2. What are some kid-friendly sides for pizza?
Kid-friendly sides include french fries and chicken tenders.
3. How many people can one pizza feed?
A large pizza has about 12 slices, which is enough for 12 people, given that each person only takes one slice. You may need to order more than one pizza for a larger crowd.
Choose a restaurant with great side dishes for a pizza dinner
If you’re in the mood to take your family and friends out for dinner, look for a family restaurant in Pittsburgh that has a good pizza menu. These restaurants don’t just offer some killer pizzas; they also have a selection of scrumptious side dishes to complement your meal!
So make reservations at a good family restaurant in Pittsburgh today!