What to Serve with Italian Beef Sandwiches (23 Best Sides)

Serve up tasty side dishes like coleslaw, fries, potato salad, with Italian beef sandwiches!

Stuffed mushrooms, macaroni salad, and baked beans also work well with savory beef.

Adding tempting sides just makes the meal experience even better.

There’s a wide array of options, from light and refreshing sides to hearty and starchy accompaniments. Here are 23 of my favorite sides to serve with Italian beef sandwiches to round out your meal perfectly.

Hungry? Let’s get into it!

1. Oven-Baked Potato Wedges

These oven-baked potato wedges are super crispy on the outside, but oh-so-fluffy on the inside.

They’re seasoned just right, and they’re baked, not fried. So you can totally have an extra serving without feeling guilty.

The sandwich has bold, rich flavors, right? The potato wedges have a more subtle taste. When you eat them together, the milder flavor of the potato wedges complements the sandwich. It doesn’t compete with it. 

2. KFC Coleslaw

You don’t always have to hit the drive-thru for some KFC goodness. KFC coleslaw is a breeze to whip up at home.

This copycat recipe nails that creamy, tangy, and crunchy combo KFC coleslaw is famous for. It’s like having the real deal right in your kitchen! 

Italian beef sandwiches are hearty and packed with bold flavors. This coleslaw is light and refreshing. Together, they’re like the dynamic duo of meals. Hearty plus light equals perfection. 

3. Ina Garten Pasta Salad

Ina Garten’s pasta salad is a color fest with fusilli, tomatoes, olives, feta, and sun-dried tomatoes. It’s a wonderful blend of light and hearty ingredients! The vinaigrette is the cherry on top. It’s zingy and ties everything together. 

Pair this with an Italian beef sandwich for a nourishing meal that’s simply spot-on.

4. Sweet Potato Fries

While regular fries are good, my heart belongs to sweet potato fries. There’s something about the sweet and salty contrast I can’t resist. 

And even though they’re baked, not fried, they have all the crispy, golden goodness you find in regular fries. 

Pair them with a hearty Italian beef sandwich for a combo that’s impossible to beat.

5. Stuffed Mushrooms

I’m a sucker for stuffed dishes. When you take the first bite and discover hidden treasures inside, it’s priceless!

This recipe features large mushrooms filled with creamy, sweet crabmeat, mayo, savory seasonings, and Parmesan. The mushrooms are tender and earthy. They’re just the right carriers for that delectable filling. 

Pair these with an Italian beef sandwich, and it’s like a fun surf and turf on a plate. 

6. Crispy Onion Rings with Dipping Sauce

I can’t resist onion rings. The sweet, pungent, and savory flavors are unreal. They’re crunchy on the outside, soft inside, and oh-so-addictive. 

They’re deep-fried and not the healthiest, but man, do they make my tastebuds happy!

Pair them with an Italian beef sandwich for a truly indulgent feast.

7. Simple Green Salad

A green salad is like the superhero of side dishes. You can serve it with just about anything. It complements without overpowering other dishes.

Think soft lettuce, crisp Persian cucumbers, creamy avocado slices, and the nutty crunch of pepitas. There’s a hint of saltiness from shaved Parmesan, plus freshness from microgreens. 

The lemon vinaigrette just brings it all together with a zesty kick. Pair it with an Italian beef sandwich for the perfect balance!

8. Potato Salad

This potato salad is beyond superb. How can you say no to soft potatoes and creamy boiled eggs with luscious mayo? The onions and celery come in for the win, adding that much-needed flavor balance. 

Serve it alongside an Italian beef sandwich, but only if you’re super hungry. This combo is a filling feast.

9. Grandma’s Macaroni Salad

Grandma’s macaroni salad is like getting a big, warm hug from Grandma herself. It’s pure comfort in a bowl. 

With macaroni and creamy mayo as the dynamic duo, this dish brings nothing but good vibes. Enjoy this cool and creamy recipe with a hearty Italian beef sandwich at your next summer picnic. 

10. Antipasto Salad

Why not go full Italian and pair an Italian beef sandwich with an antipasto salad? It’s like a charcuterie board in a bowl, and it’s divine.

It features the best of Italian starters. Think prosciutto, mortadella, salami, cheeses, and marinated veggies like artichokes and red peppers. 

Now, imagine all that goodness piled on crisp greens. A simple balsamic vinaigrette is drizzled over the top to tie it all together. 

Perfecto!

11. Roasted Bell Peppers with Olive Oil

Bell peppers usually play backup, but this recipe lets them take center stage! They’re seasoned with olive oil, garlic, oregano, and crushed red peppers. The dish is simple but so flavorful. 

Roasting them in the oven really makes their flavors shine.

Pair them with an Italian beef sandwich, or better yet, tuck them right into the sandwich. Talk about an extra special treat!

12. Caprese Salad

Caprese salad is simplicity at its finest. Heirloom tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, and olive oil create something phenomenal. Add a sprinkle of flaky sea salt and black pepper for magic on a plate. 

Plus, you can get creative. Add a drizzle of balsamic, some pesto, or even some fruity twists like peaches or strawberries. 

Serve it alongside an Italian beef sandwich for a light and refreshing contrast. 

13. Tomato Bruschetta

Tomato bruschetta is the life of the party! Fresh tomatoes, basil, olive oil, garlic, and a splash of vinegar come together. They grace the top of garlic-rubbed crostini. 

Simple? Yes. Addictive? Absolutely. The crunch and freshness are perfection in a bite. 

Kick off your party with these beauties, then follow up with Italian beef sandwiches as the main event. Your guests will sing your praises!

14. Easy Grilled Vegetables

Grilling vegetables takes their flavor to a whole new level. The heat caramelizes them. This unlocks their natural sweetness and creates a mouthwatering experience. 

For this recipe, gather portobello mushrooms, eggplant, zucchini, yellow squash, onion, asparagus, and red bell pepper. Drizzle them with extra virgin olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, then sizzle them on the grill.

These grilled veggies create a light and refreshing side dish. It provides a delightful contrast to an Italian beef sandwich.

15. Spinach Strawberry Salad

This spinach strawberry salad is so good, no one can resist its charm!

It’s packed with fun elements like sweet berries, toasted pecans, and creamy feta. It’s topped with a delightful honey balsamic poppy seed dressing. This delectable burst of colors and flavors will win you over!

16. Scalloped Potatoes

Scalloped potatoes are such a dream! The thinly-sliced potatoes layered together create a sensational experience like no other. 

And let’s not forget the cheese. It takes everything to the next level of deliciousness. 

Serve this dish alongside hearty Italian beef sandwiches for a filling meal. It’ll satisfy even the hungriest of crowds. 

17. Paula Deen’s Corn Casserole

Paula Deen’s corn pudding is a delight for the senses. It features crispy edges and a moist, tender center. It’s a perfect blend of cornbread and casserole. 

Pair it with an Italian beef sandwich and let the beautiful flavors collide. 

The corn pudding’s sweetness cuts through the umami taste of the sandwich. It creates a harmonious and satisfying combination. 

18. Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots

Carrots are already naturally sweet. But if you want them even sweeter, these brown sugar-glazed carrots are a must-try. 

The combination of brown sugar and butter creates a luscious glaze that beautifully coats the carrots. 

Pair this delectable side dish with an Italian beef sandwich for a savory-sweet treat.

19. Baked Beans

These baked beans are a delightful combination of flavors and textures. The diced bacon adds a savory and smoky taste. And the sweet onion provides a hint of sweetness. The beans themselves are the star of the show with their tender creamy goodness.

When paired with an Italian beef sandwich, the combination becomes even more satisfying. The savory beef perfectly complements the sweet and tangy beans. 

Don’t forget to use the sandwich to sop up some of that sauce!

20. Creamy Broccoli Salad

This creamy broccoli salad is a fantastic way to introduce the veggie to kids. It’s fresh and colorful. Plus, the delicious ingredients make it irresistible even to picky eaters. 

With the combination of broccoli, bacon, nuts, raisins, and onions, there are fun elements in every bite.

Serve it alongside an Italian beef sandwich, and your kids will happily devour the entire meal. 

21. Fruit Salad

The thing I love about this fruit salad is it’s so versatile. You can serve it as a side dish or as a dessert. Or better yet, serve it as both!

This recipe features grapes, pineapple, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and kiwi. This salad offers a burst of flavors. The dressing, made with lime zest, lime juice, and honey, adds a delightful tangy touch.

22. Baked Zucchini Chips

Sandwiches and potato chips are indeed a classic combination. But when the sandwich is already rich and heavy, consider a lighter alternative. 

Enter, these crispy baked zucchini chips. They’re coated with olive oil, spices, and Parmesan and oven-baked to crisp perfection. They’re a fantastic way to enjoy chips, the wholesome way.

23. Velveeta Mac and Cheese

Nothing beats the comforting embrace that this mac and cheese brings. Its creamy, cheesy goodness is like a warm hug for the soul. 

And if you’re seeking an extra dose of comfort, pair it with an Italian beef sandwich. The combination is guaranteed to make all your problems disappear.