What to Serve with Fettuccine Alfredo (29 best side dishes, proteins, and drinks!)
What to serve with fettuccine alfredo! Delicious side dishes for chicken alfredo, and what meat, bread, and salad go best with pasta alfredo.
Fettuccine alfredo is a classic Italian dish that’s rich, luscious comfort food unlike any other.
The white creamy sauce, often made from parmesan cheese and butter, olive oil, or heavy cream and black pepper, on top of thick, al dente noodles is chock full of delicious flavor.
It’s perfect for special occasions like holidays, anniversaries, and birthday dinners, but is actually an easy meal you can create quickly.
Creamy chicken alfredo is a great recipe, but you can also top this pasta and cheesy sauce with different kinds of meat and green vegetables.
You may be wondering what is good to serve with fettuccine alfredo, so I put together a complete list of side dishes, salads, and protein ideas.
Your chicken alfredo dinner menu will be truly unforgettable!
What meat goes with fettuccine alfredo
1. Grilled or stuffed chicken
A juicy chicken breast, grilled to perfection, is the way chicken fettuccine alfredo is traditionally served.
You can change up the seasonings to offer different flavor profiles, such as Italian seasonings, cajun spices, or keep it simple with salt, black pepper, and paprika.
Or cheesy spinach stuffed chicken breasts would take the meal to a new level of gourmet deliciousness.
2. Steak
If you have never tried steak alfredo, you’re in for a treat!
Sirloin, filet, or porterhouse gets marinated in a simple 3-ingredient marinade, then grilled to your perfect ‘doneness.’
The simple, creamy alfredo sauce comes together in minutes, and if you use fettuccine egg noodles, the recipe is actually low carb.
This recipe takes about 30 minutes, proving that you can have an Italian restaurant-quality dinner on the table faster than you can order takeout.
3. Shrimp
Quick and easy shrimp alfredo looks super fancy, but is actually quite inexpensive and quick to make at home.
The sauteed garlic shrimp cook in a few minutes, while you toss the pasta in the few-ingredient homemade parmesan sauce.
You’ll really surprise your entire family when you serve this up for supper!
4. Salmon
Salmon alfredo pasta is another delicious variation to traditional fettuccine.
Topping your pasta with heart-healthy salmon fillet is just as decadent and indulgent as the other versions.
By adding a squeeze of lemon juice to the creamy, classic alfredo sauce, the combination of seafood and cheese works perfectly.
5. Meatballs
If you’ve never had meatballs alfredo, it’s definitely time to give it a try!
The garlic parmesan meatballs sit atop the creamy parmesan sauce and fettuccine and win you ‘home chef’ award of the year.
It’s hearty and filling, and might just become your new way to eat alfredo. And meatballs.
6. Bacon
Alfredo pasta with bacon is perfect for a special night in.
The smoky flavor of savory, crispy bacon makes almost any meal more magical, and adding it to pasta is severely underrated.
If you like pasta carbonara, you will really love this recipe!
7. Herb crusted pork cutlets
Parmesan crusted pork chops with herbs and a fabulously crisp texture that complements the creamy fettuccine alfredo beautifully.
If you’re looking for the perfect meal to serve company, this is it.
Parmesan cheese, herbs, and breadcrumbs will take regular old pork chops to a whole new level.
Best side dishes for pasta alfredo
8. Green salad
Fresh salads, such as caesar salad or arugula salad with shaved parmesan and romano cheese offer a much needed bright crunch to creamy pasta.
When it comes to choosing what salad goes with chicken alfredo, it helps to decide whether you want sweet greens such as lettuce, or bitter greens such as arugula or kale.
Arugula offers a peppery, slightly spicy taste that balances heavy pasta perfectly.
9. Garlic bread
If you’re wondering what bread goes with chicken alfredo, you can’t go wrong with homemade garlic bread.
Garlic, herbs, and freshly grated parmesan cheese get baked on your favorite Italian bread or roll, and turn into crunchy, flavorful perfection.
Frozen garlic bread does in a pinch, but boy does the homemade stuff taste amazing!
10. Asparagus
Sometimes a simple side dish like oven baked asparagus is just the quick and easy no-brainer idea you need.
It’ll add a healthy green vegetable to your meal, and somehow looks downright gourmet when served on a platter.
With just 5 ingredients (you probably already have), this might become your new favorite thing.
11. Stuffed mushrooms
Mouth-watering stuffed mushrooms make a really special appetizer for fettuccine and other pasta dishes.
Sauteed mushrooms are one of those unexpected alfredo side dishes that’ll have everyone going back for seconds.
They’re tender, and almost meaty, with fresh thyme and oregano providing an herby punch.
And if you’re cooking for a vegetarian, they make an excellent swap for meat.
12. Sauteed broccolini
Broccoli rabe or sauteed broccolini is one of the easiest, tastiest side dishes there is.
It cooks up in about 5 minutes with lemon and garlic, and is a super easy way to add a variety of vegetables to the table.
(Plus, the long stems look extra fancy.)
You can even add in some red bell pepper for even more color and flavor.
13. Creamed spinach
A popular steakhouse dish, creamed spinach is a silky, flavorful side that tastes a whole lot better than you’d think.
Fresh spinach, tangy cream cheese, and a few seasonings make it rich and creamy in the best possible way.
14. Garlic cheddar biscuits
Garlic cheddar biscuits, like you’d order at Red Lobster, are definitely the answer to what goes good with fettuccine noodles.
The biscuits turn out flaky, crispy yet tender, with the perfect amount of garlic.
They’re ready for the oven in 15 minutes, made from fridge and pantry staples you probably have on hand.
15. Artichokes
Roasted artichokes are an easy recipe to make, look beautiful, and big on fresh flavor.
Even though they’re a vegetable, artichokes have a richness that feels indulgent.
A few simple seasonings, olive oil, and lemon juice turn these little beauties into something you’ll feel very proud to serve.
16. Zucchini and tomato ragu
Made from fresh garden vegetables, this zucchini and tomato ragu makes a hearty and flavorful side dish that goes perfectly with creamy pasta.
Leftovers keep well in the fridge to use as a sauce or base for a variety of other meals.
17. Bruschetta
Balsamic bruschetta is a classic Italian appetizer that’s perfect to serve with fettuccine alfredo.
Toasted bread slices get topped with tomatoes, basil, garlic, and often a sprinkle of Parmesan.
It tastes really fresh, and the tomatoes and balsamic vinegar glaze offer a tangy flavor that cuts through the creaminess of the creamy cheese sauce.
18. Fried eggplant
Golden brown fried eggplant is crisp on the outside with tender centers, and just a few simple ingredients.
The panko breadcrumbs and cornstarch breading is light, with a fun crunch that the meal might really need.
This easy fried eggplant recipe is a great way to get everyone at the dinner table to try something new.
19. Charcuterie
A charcuterie board with Italian favorites like prosciutto, sundried tomatoes, and cheeses are almost everyone’s go-to appetizer.
Add in some olives, fruit, and crackers on a cutting board, and it makes a great snack before the meal, while appeasing picky eaters and extra-hungry guests.
It’s pretty, totally customizable, and a great conversation starter!
20. Caprese salad
Fresh mozzarella, juicy ripe tomatoes, basil, and balsamic drizzle layered on a platter create a stunning caprese salad.
It’s bright and beautiful, and adds a touch of acidity that helps cut through the heavy creaminess of the rest of the meal.
21. Sauteed brussels sprouts and onions
Sauteed bacon, onions, and fresh herbs totally transform the humble brussel sprout into this deliciously savory side dish.
If you have trauma from eat soggy, cabbage-y brussels sprouts as a kid, this recipe is a must try.
They’re tender, caramelized, and the flavor from the bacon and onions is irresistible.
22. Focaccia or flatbread
Rosemary focaccia bread is fluffy, soft, and satisfyingly chewy.
The drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil, fresh rosemary, and flaky sea salt add just the right amount of flavor.
It’s perfect for dipping in your pasta alfredo, and for sopping up any extra sauce that you can’t possibly leave behind.
23. Green beans
To add some green veggies and much needed color to your main course, add these buttery garlic green beans to the menu.
With 5 minutes of prep, and 10 minutes of cook time, you can whip up this flavorful, easy, and healthy vegetable side dish in a jiffy.
Even the heartiest eaters will be gobbling these up!
24. Eggplant “pizza”
Sliced eggplant gets topped with red sauce and your favorite pizza toppings.
While it can be a (gluten free) meal all on its own, eggplant pizza always makes a fun and tasty appetizer or side dish for chicken alfredo.
With the delicious sauce and cheese, no one will remember that they’re eating eggplant!
Drinks to serve with fettuccine alfredo
To complete your dinner menu, you may be wondering what drinks go well with creamy texture of the alfredo pasta.
25. Wine
The richness of alfredo pairs very well with fruity but dry wines.
White wines such as Chardonnay and Pinot Grigio, and lighter, floral red wines like Pinot Noir and Barbera are great options.
26. Champagne
Champagne drinks coordinate beautifully with the buttery flavor of alfredo.
The refreshing bubbly quality balances the heaviness of the delicious main dish, and will take your special meal to the next level.
27. Negroni
Negroni is an energizing, 3-ingredient Italian cocktail made from gin, campari, and Compari.
The balance of sharp, sweet, and citrus helps rein in the richness of the delicious creamy sauce.
The bitterness will also help digest the cheesy pasta.
28. Sparkling water or soda
For a non-alcoholic option, choose sparkling or Italian soda.
The bubbly, tart flavor cuts through the heartiness of the meal beautifully.
Both Blood Orange San Pellegrino or this blackberry Italian soda are fantastic options!
29. Lemon dessert
If you want to take your fettuccine alfredo dinner party to the ultimate comfort food level, add in a lemon dessert.
Lemon cupcakes, pie, bars, or even lemon tiramisu cake are all perfect options.
They’re tart flavor will help balance the rich meal, and everyone will be so excited to eat it.
Ready to try some of these chicken fettuccine alfredo side dishes?
I hope this list of proteins, good sides, drinks, and desserts for fettuccine alfredo has given you lots of inspiration for what to serve.
By balancing the richness of the sauce with some green, refreshing, or crunchy, it’ll make the meal unforgettable and entirely satisfying.
What is your favorite easy fettuccine alfredo recipe?
I’d love to know if you use fresh pasta, how much cheese your recipe calls for, and if you add in any spice, like red pepper flakes or chili powder.
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What to Serve with Fettuccine Alfredo (29 best side dishes, proteins, and drinks!)
What to serve with fettuccine alfredo! Delicious side dishes for chicken alfredo, and what meat, bread, and salad go best with pasta alfredo.
Ingredients
- Grilled or stuffed chicken
- Steak
- Shrimp
- Salmon
- Meatballs
- Bacon
- Herb crusted pork chops
- Green salad
- Garlic bread
- Asparagus
- Stuffed mushrooms or sautéed mushrooms
- Sautéed broccolini
- creamed spinach
Instructions
- Choose a protein and 1-3 side dishes, drinks, and desserts to serve
- Gather the ingredients and prepare the meal
- Serve your fettucine alfredo dinner and enjoy!
