What to Serve With Spaghetti Squash (23 Easy Side Dishes)

The best sides to serve with spaghetti squash include meatballs, shrimp, soup, and breadsticks. Chili, eggplant, and pork tenderloin also pair well with it.

Spaghetti squash is one of my favorite winter veggies. It has that distinctive, unique flesh that makes it perfect for all kinds of recipes. 

You can use it as a healthy, low-carb alternative to pasta. It can also be roasted baked, turned into fritters, or used to make casseroles. It has tons of possibilities. 

And, of course, you can pair all kinds of things with it. Settle in to learn what to serve with spaghetti squash. 

1. Easy Pesto Chicken and Vegetables

This easy-to-make dish is perfect for those who love Italian food. It’s a simple mixture of diced chicken and veggies, but the pesto adds loads of Italian flavor. 

It takes only 30 minutes to prepare and is a complete meal all on its own. However, you can serve it over a bed of spaghetti squash noodles and turn it into a delicious pasta dinner. 

2. Air Fryer Meatballs

Quick: Tell me the first thing you think of when you see a naked plate of noodles on the table. If you said, “It needs meatballs,” you aren’t alone. 

We all picture thick, saucy meatballs sitting on top of a bed of spaghetti. The two go together like peanut butter and jelly. The same is true of meatballs and spaghetti squash noodles. 

These meatballs are just what you need to turn a side dish of spaghetti squash noodles into a meal. They’re savory, garlicky, and good till the last bite. 

Plus, you can cook them in the air fryer for extra convenience. 

3. Garlic Shrimp

Many people serve garlic shrimp on skewers or a bed of rice. But what about a bed of spaghetti squash noodles instead? It’s a fantastic choice.

These tender, succulent shrimp are bursting with flavor in every bite. They’re the perfect complement to the light, mild, unassuming noodles. 

4. Texas Chili

Chili served over spaghetti is typically a Cincinnati thing. But you should definitely try it!

And it tastes great when paired with roasted spaghetti squash. Then again, this saucy, spicy, meaty chili tastes fantastic with just about anything. 

It’s one meal that’ll have everyone coming back for seconds. 

5. Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup

This copycat Panera broccoli cheddar soup also pairs well with roasted spaghetti squash. Or you could turn it into a nice starter to a rich, hearty spaghetti squash casserole. 

It’s thick, creamy, and so cheesy. It has a ton of flavor and is perfect for sopping up with thick, crusty bread. 

6. Classic Braised Beef Short Ribs

These beef short ribs are another excellent pairing for roasted spaghetti squash.

They’re flavorful, succulent pieces of meat that are also fall-off-the-bone tender. They’re Southern comfort food at its finest and pair well with practically anything. 

7. Eggplant Parmesan

Have you ever ordered eggplant parmesan from a restaurant? If so, you’ve probably noticed that it comes with a side of marinara-covered spaghetti noodles. 

So, it’s not much of a leap to serve them with marinara-covered spaghetti squash noodles instead. Whip up some buttery, garlicky breadsticks for a complete meal.

8. Fluffy Garlic Butter Breadsticks 

Here’s a recipe for those breadsticks to complete your meal! They’re soft and fluffy inside, deliciously buttery outside.

And they’re loaded with garlic and Italian seasoning in every bite. 

9. Simple Kale Salad

You can never go wrong with a simple kale salad. 

Whether you’re serving steak, fish, or spaghetti squash doesn’t matter. This leafy green salad is the perfect accompaniment to all dishes. 

Plus, you can whip it up in just 15 minutes. 

10. Best Baked Pork Tenderloin

This juicy, garlicky tenderloin is so good, it’ll make you weak in the knees. 

It’s tender enough to pull apart with your fingers and is insanely flavorful. You’ll use plenty of spices to ensure that. 

There’s garlic, basil, oregano, thyme, sage, and more. Close your eyes; I bet you can imagine it right now. 

Are you picturing something that smells incredible and is making your mouth water? If so, you’re right on the money. 

11. Kielbasa

Serve this thick, hearty kielbasa with some roasted spaghetti squash or on top of spaghetti squash noodles. Add your favorite pasta sauce to make it a meal. 

As for how to cook it, I prefer the pan-frying method. But you can use whichever works best for you. 

12. Crab-Stuffed Mushrooms

These quick and easy crab-stuffed mushrooms are tiny mouthfuls of yum. They’re easy to make and are overflowing with umami flavor. 

Serve them alongside your favorite pasta made with spaghetti squash or anything else. They also make great stand-alone appetizers if you’re in the market for that.

13. Sausage and Peppers

You can do so much with this colorful sausage and pepper meal. You can turn it into hearty quesadillas or use it as a pasta topping. 

Or enjoy it as the main course with your favorite spaghetti squash side dish. 

14. 3-Ingredient Orange Chicken

It may seem odd to combine spaghetti squash with a popular Asian dish like orange chicken. But if you stop to think for a minute, it’s not as weird as it seems. 

Chinese food is all about noodles: lo mein, chow mein, glass noodles, etc. 

So serving spaghetti squash noodles with orange chicken actually makes perfect sense. Of course, you don’t have to stick strictly to the noodles. 

Orange chicken also pairs well with other spaghetti squash side dishes.

15. Beef Bulgogi

The same is true for this Asian-inspired beef bulgogi. The rich sweet-n-sour flavors pair well with the milder spaghetti squash noodles.

Simply swap them out for the more traditional bed of rice. 

16. Easy Beef Empanadas

Beef empanadas aren’t the most common pairing for spaghetti squash. But you can honestly serve them with just about anything.

These hearty, South-of-the-Border hand pies are absolutely phenomenal. You can pair them with something or enjoy them by themselves on the go. Either way, you won’t be disappointed. 

17. Teriyaki Tofu

Spaghetti squash doesn’t just go well with various meats. You can just as easily whip up an Asian-inspired, vegetarian meal. 

The rich, sticky teriyaki sauce gives the tofu a ton of flavor. It does a lot of good for the spaghetti squash, too. Together, they make a terrific, sweet-n-savory meal that’s impossible to resist. 

18. Cauliflower Parmesan

Eggplant and chicken aren’t the only things you can turn into a Parmesan-covered dish. Cauliflower works, too!

With the right breading, it crisps up nicely, and the various seasonings add loads of flavor. And just like chicken parm and eggplant parm, you can serve it with a side of spaghetti. 

Of course, by spaghetti, I mean spaghetti squash, but you probably guessed that by now.

19. Vegetable Stew

Serve roasted spaghetti squash with or as a starter for this warm, comforting veggie stew. It’s flavorful, filling, and perfect for warming your belly on a cold night. 

If you want something that’ll instantly transport you back to your childhood, this is it. It’s a heartwarming dinner option that feels like coming home again. 

20. Grilled Salmon

Grilled salmon is an excellent choice if you need a lean protein to serve with your spaghetti squash. And honestly, it’s much easier to make than most people realize. 

All you need is the salmon, oil, salt, pepper, and lemon wedges. It’s so tasty, even people who don’t like fish might be persuaded to try it. 

21. Corn and Tomato Salad

This fun and festive corn and tomato salad is another side that pairs well with most things. It’s light and bright, full of colors and vibrant flavors. 

It boasts juicy tomatoes, sweet corn, crunchy red onions, and more. 

Serve it alongside roasted spaghetti squash and your choice of protein. Your family won’t be able to get enough. 

22. Chicken Tikka Masala

Chicken tikka masala was my first foray into Indian food, and I’ve loved it ever since. I adore everything about it. The thick, flavorful sauce. The bright orange color. The tender chicken. It’s all incredible.

Typically, most people serve this dish over a bed of fluffy Basmati rice. Of course, you can just as easily substitute noodles instead. 

23. Olive Garden Chicken Marsala

Finally, let’s end with another Italian favorite. This copycat recipe for Olive Garden’s chicken marsala is spot-on. It tastes just like the real thing. 

And you can substitute spaghetti squash for the typical bed of noodles underneath. It’s a rich, savory dish with lots of warm, earthy flavors. 

Plus, the thick, creamy sauce is ideal for dipping with buttery garlic bread.