What To Serve With Cacio E Pepe? 15 BEST Side Dishes

Fancy a trip to Rome tonight? With a plate of Cacio e Pepe, you're halfway there! This simple yet delicious dish, featuring pasta, cheese, and pepper, is a classic of Italian cuisine. But, every great main course deserves an equally amazing sidekick, right?

So let's explore 15 tasty side dishes that make your Cacio e Pepe dining even more delightful!

Looking for a quick answer?

The best side dishes to serve with Cacio e Pepe are turkey meatballs, Caprese salad, shrimp scampi, grilled red snapper, grilled mushrooms, avocado salad, cornbread, Parmesan crusted walleye, chicken wings, beef tenderloin, garlic bread, bruschetta, sauteed spinach, Italian sausage, and roasted vegetables.

Now, let's get cooking!

1. Italian Sausage

Italian sausage, cooked until juicy and bursting with flavor, adds a hearty, savory side that complements Cacio e Pepe. The sausage's spicy or sweet flavors, depending on the variety you choose, pair well with the creamy, peppery pasta.

2. Caprese Salad

Caprese salad, with its fresh tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and fragrant basil, provides a refreshing counterpoint to the rich Cacio e Pepe. Drizzled with a balsamic reduction or a simple vinaigrette, this salad brings a touch of lightness and tanginess that balances the cheesy, creamy pasta.

3. Shrimp Scampi

Shrimp scampi, with its succulent shrimp sautéed in garlic and butter, offers a luxurious side that pairs beautifully with Cacio e Pepe. The garlicky, buttery shrimp echo the richness of the pasta, while their delicate seafood flavor adds a delicious contrast.

4. Grilled Mushrooms

Grilled mushrooms, with their earthy flavor and satisfying chew, make a great side dish for Cacio e Pepe. Their savory flavor and meaty texture work well with the creamy, cheesy pasta. For an extra burst of flavor, try marinating the mushrooms in a mix of garlic, herbs, and olive oil before grilling.

5. Parmesan Crusted Walleye

Parmesan crusted walleye, with its crispy coating and tender interior, makes an impressive side dish for Cacio e Pepe. The fish's delicate flavor pairs well with the robust pasta, and the crispy Parmesan crust echoes the cheesiness of the Cacio e Pepe.

6. Grilled Red Snapper

A piece of grilled red snapper, with its flaky texture and mild flavor, complements the hearty Cacio e Pepe. The grilling imparts a subtle smokiness to the fish, adding a unique layer of flavor. The lightness of the snapper is a great balance to the rich, creamy pasta.

7. Avocado Salad

An avocado salad, featuring ripe avocados, fresh greens, and a tangy dressing, provides a refreshing, healthy side for Cacio e Pepe. The creaminess of the avocado matches the richness of the pasta, while the salad's fresh flavors provide a nice contrast.

8. Cornbread

Cornbread, with its sweet flavor and moist, crumbly texture, may seem like an unconventional side for Cacio e Pepe, but it works! The slight sweetness of the bread provides a pleasing contrast to the savory pasta, and its soft texture complements the al dente pasta.

9. Chicken Wings

For a touch of indulgence, serve your Cacio e Pepe with a side of chicken wings. The crispy skin, juicy meat, and flavors ranging from spicy to sweet, depending on your preferred sauce, make chicken wings a delightfully informal and tasty companion to the pasta. The contrast between the hearty wings and the creamy, peppery pasta is simply mouthwatering.

10. Beef Tenderloin

Beef tenderloin, grilled or roasted to perfection, adds a touch of luxury to your Cacio e Pepe meal. The beef's robust, savory flavor complements the creamy pasta, and its tender, juicy texture offers a satisfying contrast to the al dente pasta. Serve the tenderloin sliced thin to make it easy to enjoy alongside the pasta.

11. Garlic Bread

Garlic bread, with its golden, crispy crust and soft, garlicky interior, is a classic side dish that pairs wonderfully with Cacio e Pepe. The bread helps to soak up the pasta's creamy sauce, and the garlic adds an extra flavor dimension that complements the peppery pasta.

12. Bruschetta

Bruschetta, a classic Italian appetizer featuring grilled bread topped with fresh tomatoes, garlic, and basil, provides a refreshing, crunchy side dish for Cacio e Pepe. The bruschetta's fresh flavors and crisp texture offer a lovely contrast to the pasta's creaminess.

13. Sauteed Spinach

Sauteed spinach, with its delicate flavor and tender texture, provides a simple, healthy side dish that pairs well with Cacio e Pepe. The spinach's mild earthiness complements the pasta's rich flavors, and a squeeze of lemon over the spinach adds a burst of brightness that balances the meal.

14. Turkey Meatballs

Turkey meatballs, seasoned to perfection and cooked until juicy, make a fantastic side dish for Cacio e Pepe. Their hearty flavor and tender texture complement the creamy, peppery pasta. Try pairing these meatballs with a tangy tomato sauce to add a splash of color and an extra layer of flavor to your meal.

15. Roasted Vegetables

A medley of roasted vegetables, such as bell peppers, zucchini, and cherry tomatoes, provides a colorful, nutritious side for Cacio e Pepe. The vegetables' natural sweetness, enhanced by roasting, balances the pasta's creamy, savory flavors.

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