21 Easy Recipes
Looking for something to serve with eggplant parmesan? You’ll find lots of ideas for just the right side dishes to go with this yummy Italian favorite. Although this easy eggplant casserole is delicious enough to stand on it’s own, I think it’s even better when you add the right side dishes.
Although this eggplant parmesan recipe can be vegetarian, I show how you can make it to satisfy meat lovers. It’s an Italian classic that is easily adaptable to make it so the whole family will love it!
I prefer my eggplant parmesan to have a golden brown top. But if you just want a barely melted cheese topping, that’s fine too. In fact, when I use fresh mozzarella, I’m more likely to take it out of the oven before the cheese starts to brown.
Eggplant Parmigiana
Also known as eggplant parmigiana, this delightful meal has become a favorite at our house. It doesn’t matter what you call it—eggplant parmigiana or eggplant parmesan—the flavor will send you back for seconds. At least, that’s what happens at my house.
If you look up eggplant parmesan recipes, you’ll discover a variety of ways to make this classic Italian dish. I have a lighter eggplant parmesan recipe that doesn’t require anything with gluten, including bread crumbs. But there are many that include breaded eggplant slices.
Another easy way to make eggplant parmesan is to pour marinara sauce over fried eggplant. Then add the parmesan cheese for extra flavor. You can add other ingredients, including minced garlic, onions, garlic powder, onion powder, your favorite fresh herbs, or red pepper flakes if you want. It’s totally up to you.
The best eggplant parmesan recipe is one that delivers great flavors without any single element overpowering the others.
Fresh Salad Recipes
There are so many different types of salad that you can serve with eggplant parmesan. In addition to a green salad, you might want to have an Italian pasta salad or even a caprese salad.
There is no right or wrong for this meal. Choose the dish pairing that you know your family will enjoy.
Here are some wonderful salad recipes that we enjoy with our Italian baked eggplant casserole
Watermelon Cucumber Salad – This salad is yummy as-is. Or you can sprinkle a little bit of fresh basil over the top to add even more Italian flavor to the meal. The first time I did this, I was amazed by how easy it was to make my taste buds so happy.
Broccoli Slaw – This is an awesome recipe that’s also a super easy side dish. Plus it will keep in the fridge for days.
Creamy Coleslaw – The balance of the crunch of the cabbage and creamy texture of the dressing is absolutely delightful!
Tomato Cucumber Corn Salad with Feta – This is a delicious recipe that goes with so many different foods.
Chickpea Salad – One of the best eggplant parmesan sides is this yummy chickpea salad. I love the fact that it also delivers extra protein along with the wonderful flavor!
Mediterranean Salad – A Mediterranean salad goes with any Italian cuisine. In fact, it’s one of the best side dishes with lots of flavor and nutritional value!
Greek Olive and Feta Salad – This delicious first course is my version of an antipasto salad when served with a hearty main dish. Your tastebuds will love you at the first bite!
Easy Pea Salad – Southern Bite takes the term “easy peasy” to a level of deliciousness that you’ll certainly want to add to your baked eggplant parmesan dinner.
Bread Recipes to Serve with Eggplant Parmesan
Most people enjoy a slice of bread with their Italian dinners. Although I can’t have gluten, I like it as well. So I’ve listed options, both with and without gluten, that you can choose from.
Besides, bread is a natural side for any Italian meal. I like to dip it in the marinara sauce so I don’t miss even a bite of deliciousness.
Here are some delicious bread sides that go with eggplant parmesan:
Cloud Bread – Drizzle a little olive oil and sprinkle some parmesan cheese over the top, and you have the perfect bread for this meal!
Easy Biscuits – You can make these biscuits according to the recipe or add a little mozzarella or Romano cheese to the top.
Basic Chaffle – I started making chaffles to replace waffles in order to have something gluten-free. Then I discovered that they are a great substitute for bread.
Southern Style Cornbread – My family always served cornbread with every single meal. This is the wonderful recipe that’s been passed down through the generations of my very southern family.
Almond Flour Tortilla – When you prefer a thinner style of bread, try these almond flour tortillas. I like them with butter or dipped in olive oil with a little Italian seasoning.
Cheesy Garlic Bread – This cheesy garlic bread from Julia’s Simply Southern is wonderful. Her recipe calls for fresh bakery bread, but I’ve made it with my favorite gluten-free bread.
Homemade Dinner Rolls – These homemade dinner rolls from Back to My Southern Roots are soft and springy to touch and melt-in-your-mouth delicious to taste!
Vegetable Side Dishes to Serve with Eggplant Parmesan
One thing that most of us know is that we need veggies … and lots of them! So go ahead and make a vegetable side dish or two for a super healthy dinner.
Try one or more of these with your next Italian dinner:
Zucchini Parmesan Chips – These crispy chips are easy to make and so delicious! Even people who don’t typically like veggies will ask for seconds!
Roasted Brussels Sprouts – Cook these in your oven or your air fryer. They’re a delightful addition to your meal any way you want to roast them.
Creamed Spinach – Once you try this recipe, you’ll start looking for meals to add creamed spinach to. It’s that good!
Marinated Mushrooms – Serve these on the side or add them to you main dish. They’re wonderful no matter how you serve them!
Bacon Wrapped Asparagus – Asparagus is delicious, but like everything else, it’s even better with bacon!
Stovetop Cheesy Green Beans – One thing you’ll enjoy more than a side of plain green beans is cheesy green beans!
How to Choose the Best Sides to Serve with Eggplant Parmesan
All of the recipes above are wonderful additions to any Italian dinner. However, it’s important to take everyone’s taste into consideration. Serve what you, your family, and guests enjoy, and it will be a successful meal!