Maybe you’ve only just bought an outdoor pizza oven, maybe you’re a Dough Doctor with a Phd in pizza styles, either way, deciding what to serve with pizza often requires a bit of head scratching and can either make or break a great pizza party.
In truth, the answer is probably ‘good friends and good drinks’ but that’s not why you’re here. You’re looking for pizza side recipes - not the star of the show!
Thankfully, Gozney pizza ovens are far from a one trick pony and are equally awesome at producing stunning sides as they are at conjuring the perfect pizza. You’re not just going to raise your side game with your Gozney pizza oven - it’ll be lifted so high that you’ll need a step ladder to reach it! There’s a good chance you’ll become a Professor of pizza side dishes with a TED Talk on ‘What To Serve With Pizza’.
From simple halloumi and pesto veg skewers to sticky chicken wings, we’ve put together our favourite pizza side recipes so you’ll never be stuck for what to serve with pizza ever again! Oh, and if you’re not sure what dessert to go with pizza, there might be something of interest near the end of the list. Not only that, but you’ll need something to wash it down with, so we’ve included our recommended drink pairings for each pizza too.
Which Sides and Drinks go with Which Pizzas?
Think of this as your easy blueprint for pairing pizzas with the right sides and drinks – the quick way to build a spread that feels intentional (and tastes even better). The trick is matching the style of pizza to the job the side needs to do; for example, adding crunch to soft pizza slices, bringing freshness to rich toppings, and adding acidity or bubbles to reset your palate between bites. In other words: choose sides to serve with pizza that balance flavours and textures, not ones that compete for attention.
- Light, classic pies (think Margherita or other Neapolitan-style pizzas) love bright, simple sides—charred veg, a zingy salad, and something crisp to drink like a pilsner or sparkling water.
- Meaty, salty slices (pepperoni, sausage, Detroit-style) pair beautifully with punchy, sticky sides like wings or elotes, washed down with a lager or an easy red wine.
- Creamy white pizzas and mushroom-heavy pies? Go fresh and herbal—grilled greens, pesto skewers, and a chilled white wine.
- Spicy pizzas do best with cooling sides such as coleslaw or yoghurt dips and citrusy drinks.
Sides for Neapolitan & Classic Wood-Fired Pizza
Neapolitan-style pizza is all about a light, airy base, blistered crust, and simple toppings that let great ingredients shine—think tomato, mozzarella, basil, and a drizzle of olive oil. Because the flavours are clean and delicate, the best sides are light, fresh, and a little zesty, adding contrast without stealing the spotlight. Go for a crisp green salad with lemony dressing, or something like Halloumi & Pesto Veg Skewers, which brings a savoury bite and a pop of colour to the table. Keep dips bright (chimichurri, pesto, or a simple garlic-lemon yoghurt) and avoid anything too heavy or sticky.
For drinks, pair with a crisp white wine (like Pinot Grigio) or sparkling water with lemon to refresh the palate between slices.
Sides for Detroit-Style Pizza
Detroit-style pizza is the definition of comfort food: a thick, airy base, loads of cheese, and that signature caramelised edge where the cheese bakes down the sides of the pan into a crunchy, golden crust. If you’re serving up a detroit style pizza recipe, keep the sides crisp and refreshing to balance all that richness—think crunchy greens, bright acidity, and lighter textures that cut through the cheese. A chicken Caesar salad is a perfect match (cool, crunchy, and a little salty), or try a sharp slaw, quick pickles, or a simple chopped salad.
For drinks, go with hoppy beers (IPA/pale ale) to stand up to the richness, or a medium-bodied red with good acidity (like Sangiovese) to keep things balanced.
Sides for Chicago Deep Dish Pizza
Chicago deep dish is pure comfort-food luxury: a buttery, golden crust packed with molten cheese, rich tomato sauce, and hearty toppings—more “pizza pie” than slice. When you’re serving a chicago deep dish pizza recipe, the smartest sides are the ones that lighten the load: crisp, sharp, and veggie-led choices that slice through all that richness. Put out a simple veg trio for grazing, or roast broccoli or green beans and finish with plenty of lemon zest and juice for a bright, clean contrast. A crunchy salad with a punchy vinaigrette, peppery leaves, will keep every bite feeling fresh and balanced.
To drink, go bold enough to stand up to the flavours: a full-bodied red like Zinfandel works beautifully, as do darker beers such as porter or stout for a roasted, malty match.
Sides for New York-Style & Thin-Crust Pizzas
New York-style and thin-crust pizzas are all about big, foldable slices with a crisp base and just the right amount of chew—perfect for casual, grab-and-go eating. Because the slices are lighter than pan pizzas, you can keep sides simple and crowd-friendly. Garlic knots are a classic for a reason (warm, buttery, and ideal for dipping), while a Caesar salad brings crunch and a salty, tangy hit. Want something a little more old-school? A wedge salad adds cool, creamy contrast. If you’re leaning into an indulgent spread, add potato wedges or sticky sesame chicken wings for that game-day vibe without overthinking it.
For drinks, stick to easy pairings: pilsners and lagers keep things crisp and refreshing, while light reds work well if you’re going heavier on the toppings.
Sides for Veggie & White Pizzas
Veggie and white pizzas lean into fresher flavours—think roasted veg, herbs, greens, and creamy bases like mozzarella, ricotta, or a garlic-white sauce instead of tomato. They’re often lighter on acidity but richer in texture, so sides that add a bit more bite and depth work brilliantly. Go for hearty, texture-rich sides like roast cauliflower with crispy edges, a tray of roasted seasonal vegetables, or a beetroot salad topped with nuts and a little cheese for sweetness, crunch, and contrast. Even a warm grain salad or charred greens can make the whole spread feel more satisfying without overpowering the pizza.
For drinks, keep it bright and celebratory: pilsners for crisp refreshment, prosecco for bubbles that cut through creaminess, or a dry white wine to complement the veg and herbs.
Starters to Kick off your Pizza Night
When it comes to starters skip the heavy, show-stealers and start your pizza night with appetisers that set the mood without filling everyone up before the first slice lands. The best pre-pizza bites are light, shareable, and either quick to prep in a pizza oven or tasty served at room temperature—so you’re not juggling pans while the dough is stretching. Think warm, herby flatbreads cut into strips, blistered peppers with a drizzle of olive oil, marinated olives, or a simple burrata-and-tomato plate with basil and lemon zest. If you want something with a bit more “wow” that still won’t overshadow the main event, try a punchy seafood starter like Curry Butter Prawns—fast, fragrant, and perfect for scooping and sharing.
Best Sharers to Serve with Pizza
Pizza nights are made for sharing, so this section is all about communal sides and platters that keep everyone grazing while the next pie comes out. The key is variety and minimal fuss: mix veggie bites, meaty crowd-pleasers, and a couple of dips so there’s something for every slice (and every guest).
For hot sharers, think oven-friendly favourites like garlic knots, sticky wings, roasted seasonal veg, or charred corn. Balance those with cold, ready-to-serve options like a chopped salad platter, beetroot salad with nuts and cheese, marinated olives, or a simple antipasti board. Finish with a dip trio—garlic butter, pesto, and a zingy yoghurt or chimichurri—so crusts never go to waste.
It’s the perfect setup for a pizza party: relaxed, social, and designed to keep the good food (and good company) flowing.
Different Salads to Serve With a Pizza
A great salad doesn’t compete with pizza—it balances it. When everything coming out of the oven is hot, cheesy, and rich, the best salads bring crunch, sharpness, and acidity to reset your palate between slices. Here are a few go-to salads that work with almost any pizza night:
- Ultimate Caesar Salad – crisp romaine, salty Parmesan, and that tangy dressing hit all the right notes alongside melty cheese.
- Lemony rocket & shaved fennel salad – peppery greens plus citrus and anise-like crunch for a clean, bright contrast.
- Chopped Italian salad – crunchy lettuce, cucumber, pickled peppers, and a punchy red wine vinaigrette for maximum freshness.
- Wedge salad – cold, crisp, and creamy; ideal with pepperoni or meat-heavy pizzas when you want cooling contrast.
Pick one sharp, crunchy option and you’ve instantly levelled up the whole spread.
Best Desserts to Serve After Pizza
After a pizza feast, dessert is best kept quick and simple—something that feels like a treat without tipping everyone into a food coma. A hot pizza oven is your secret weapon here: you can turn out crowd-pleasers fast while the oven’s still roaring.
- For a warm, shareable finish, a skillet chocolate chip cookie is hard to beat—crisp at the edges, gooey in the middle, and ready in minutes. Best served with ice cold vanilla ice-cream.
- If you want something fresher, try a fruit pizza with a light base and seasonal toppings for a bright, summery hit.
- And for a comforting classic that bakes beautifully in high heat, cinnamon buns deliver that buttery, spiced aroma that makes people magically “find room” for dessert.
With the right a complement, pizza night becomes a complete meal rather than “just a few slices.” The key takeaway is balance: lighter pizza styles pair best with fresh, zesty sides, while richer pizzas (think deep dish or Detroit-style) benefit from sharp, crunchy dishes that cut through the cheese and caramelised crust. Adding a considered drink alongside each pairing makes hosting easier and elevates the whole experience—no guesswork, just combinations that work.
If you want to recreate restaurant-quality pizza pairings at home, explore our pizza ovens and pizza recipes at Gozney.
