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Top 20 Best Side Dishes for pizza

Top 20 Best Side Dishes for pizza

Transform your pizza night into an unforgettable meal with our top 20 side dishes. From cheesy bread to pasta salad, these sides are sure to delight.

Pizza is always welcome at my home. There’s so much goodness in a single slice, it’s impossible to eat just one! It’s meaty, saucy, savory, cheesy, and just absolutely delightful.

And while I can easily fill up on pizza alone, it’s fun to pair it up with a few complementing sides. But what do you eat with pizza besides salad and breadsticks?

Not to worry! Here are 20 appetizers, sides, and desserts that pair perfectly with pizza.

1. Soup

No matter what your main course is, soup always makes an excellent appetizer. And what I love about soup is there are so many different options to suit your preference.

For instance, if you want something light to start your meal, opt for a refreshing tomato soup. It offers a beautiful contrast to your hearty pizza.

If you don’t mind having something thick and creamy, how about a cream of mushroom soup? Mushroom soup has a wonderful earthy and umami flavor. It’s just as irresistible as pizza!

If you want contrasting temperatures, opt for a cold soup. A chilled gazpacho with raw vegetables is another refreshing soup perfect to start your meal.

2. Ratatouille

Oh, here’s another refreshing soup for you! Ratatouille is a super tasty and hearty vegetable stew made with eggplant, bell pepper, zucchini, yellow squash, and mascarpone cheese.

Just imagine all those flavors rolled into one fantastic dish! So good.

It’s a rich and savory dish that pairs perfectly with a few slices of pizza. Just make sure you’ve got a hungry crowd!

3. Italian Bruschetta Bar

Add another Italian element to your meal by serving antipasto for starters. Just pick whatever cold cuts, cheeses, crackers, and dried fruit you have on hand. Arrange them nicely in a platter and boom: a fancy Italian Bruschetta bar.

4. Caesar Salad

Caesar salad is my go-to side for pizza. It’s healthy, so it makes me feel less guilty about devouring one slice of pizza after another.

And, I love the crunchy contrast it adds to the pizza too. They may have similar flavors (creamy, salty, and cheesy), but at least it counterbalances the texture of your pizza.

 

5. Spinach Artichoke Dip

If you don’t mind having another rich and cheesy element for dinner, how about a spinach artichoke dip? You can use it to dip breadsticks, but I myself love spreading the dip on top of my pizza for that added umami flavor!

To make, just combine cream cheese, mayo, basil, garlic, spinach, parmesan, mozzarella, and artichoke hearts. It’s a simple, fool-proof recipe that makes the creamiest, cheesiest dip all the time.

6. Potato Salad

If you’re feeding a huge crowd, you’ll need something incredibly filling. A classic potato salad hits the spot!

It’s creamy, cheesy, and oh so hearty. No one can say no to this. Here’s how to make it:

Boil small red potatoes until fork tender. For the dressing, combine sour cream, mayo, chopped red onion, fresh dill, and garlic salt. Coat the potatoes with the dressing and watch as your delectable side disappears!

7. Garlic Cheese Bread

This is another side to serve or eat when you’re extremely famished. Bread on bread? It shouldn’t make sense, but it does!

And while sure, you can order garlic cheese bread with your pizza, where’s the fun in that?

Make your own by sauteing garlic cloves in olive oil. Mash the garlic until you form a spreadable paste.

Spread the paste onto your favorite bread and top it with shredded cheese. Bake the bread until the cheese melts, and you’re good to go.

8. Coleslaw

Let’s take a break from all the carbs, shall we? For another crisp and refreshing side, how about some creamy coleslaw?

The crunch in the cabbage and carrots does add a nice textural contrast to your pizza. Plus, it’s crisp and refreshing. The perfect contrast to your hot and savory pizza.

If you want to make your coleslaw a little less guilt-inducing, just use Greek yogurt instead of mayo for the dressing. A vinaigrette works well too!

When making your own coleslaw, be sure to chill it in the fridge for several hours before you serve it. That way, the veggies will absorb the flavors of the dressing, making it even tastier.

9. Mozzarella Sticks

If you’re like me who loves cheese, Mozzarella cheese is the way to go. It’s crunchy, cheesy, and ooey-gooey delicious.

In short, it checks all the boxes! Dip it in marinara sauce and it’s just like pizza in stick form!

10. Roasted Vegetables

Roasted veggies are perfect for counterbalancing all the carbs you’re about to gobble up. Not only are they healthy, but are crisp and yummy too! So, just because you’re serving veggies, doesn’t mean you won’t have a delicious meal.

Whether it’s roasted carrots, potatoes, onions, cauliflower, asparagus, or Brussels sprouts, you really can’t go wrong.

It’s easy to prep too! Coat the veggies in olive oil and season with salt, pepper, and your choice of herbs. Pop them in the oven and there you have it, a simple, nutritious, and tasty side.

11. Zucchini Fries

Want some fries to go with your pizza, but minus all the calories? I’ve got the answer: zucchini fries.

Sure, they may not taste exactly like French fries, but hey, they’re still just as yummy! And since they’re baked, you don’t have to fry them. Meaning, you don’t have to stand in front of a deep-fryer for minutes to get things done.

All that goodness minus the grease and effort!

12. Jalapeno Poppers

Add a nice kick to your meal by serving a side of jalapeno poppers. They’re not just spicy, but cheesy and crunchy as well. It’s fantastic with pizza!

Don’t worry, jalapenos aren’t as spicy as you picture them to be. Jalapenos lose some of their heat when they’re cooked, so it gives you just the right amount of spice.

13. Onion Rings

Onion rings are so good, even people who don’t like onions can’t say no to them!

Onion rings have that glorious combination of sweet, salty, and crunchy, making them oh so addictive. They’re the perfect finger food for your pizza!

14. Pasta Salad

Pasta salad is not only hearty and delicious, but looks so pretty as well. The combination of vibrant veggies and colorful pasta makes it such an appetizing addition to your plate.

15. Chicken Wings with Blue Cheese Dip

You’ll be eating pizza with your hands anyway, so might as well serve it with wings! Sure, Buffalo wings are messy to eat, but they’re definitely worth it.

Whether they’re baked or fried, you’ll still get incredibly flavorful, crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside wings. Dip those bad boys in a creamy blue cheese dip and you’ll get a party in your mouth.

16. Meatballs

Not that you need more protein in your meal, but meatballs just make such a tasty pairing to pizza. They’re meaty, spicy, and oh so flavorful!

Whether you eat them on the side or top them over your pizza, meatballs will never disappoint. They can also be taken as breakfast

17. Tiramisu

And now, for dessert, how about a slice of creamy tiramisu?

Did you know that the word tiramisu is Italian for

pick me up? So this dessert is definitely a mood booster!

And it looks so elegant too. Those layers of espresso-dipped lady fingers, mascarpone cheese and cream, and that generous dusting of cocoa powder are a classic beauty.

18. Sorbet

Whether you eat it for dessert or a palate cleanser, you can never go wrong with a classic sorbet. It’s light, refreshing, sweet, and a wonderful way to end your hefty meal.

And it doesn’t even matter what flavor you get – chocolate, vanilla, hazelnut, mango, lemon – still works, regardless!

19. Cannoli

End your meal with this tasty Italian treat. It may not have the same shape, but if you think about it, a cannoli seems like the sweet version of pizza. So why not?

A cannoli is a cylindrical shaped fried dough with cheese, nuts, and chocolate filling. It’s crisp, sweet, and creamy, and makes a wonderful pairing with pizza.

20. Fruit

And finally, we’ve got a very simple sweet treat that’s perfect to round out your meal. You’re already serving something incredibly hearty, so you can’t go wrong with a nice and humble bowl of fruit for dessert.

So, how do bananas, berries, and pineapple slices sound? Not only are they refreshing, but they’re also packed with enzymes that aid in digestion!

If fruits are too basic for you, why not use them as an ice cream topping for a more satisfying dessert?

Monitor your Employee’s MVR and Driving Background Checks

  Is it necessary   for   your   staff   to   drive   in   need   to   do   their   duties?   It’s   in   the   company’s   best interests– and the best interests of everyone on the road– to ensure that anybody riding on your account has a clean driving record. Every employer is required to conduct an in-depth advanced background check.

Still,   if   you   work   in   an   industry   controlled   by   the   Department   of   Transportation,   you   must conduct annual driving screenings or Motor Vehicle Records (MVRs) on all drivers.

Even if you don’t need transportation for your errands, a driving background check could save you time, frustrations, and money by keeping risky drivers off your payroll.

But how do you get it? Who will supply the most up-to-date information on driving tests? And how does one go about doing it? All of these thoughts must be running through your head. So let’s read ahead to see if we can answer your questions:

Discover about Driver and MVR reports

MVRs, also called driving background check, look up a person’s driving history and record. It is reported by the state Department of Motor Vehicles or another government agency that issues driver   licenses.   MVRs   are   frequently   used   to   analyze   driving   histories   for   employment,   but they’re   also   utilized   for   several   different   purposes.   The   information   provided   in   the   report   in driving   records   includes   driver’s   license   validity   and   category,   infractions,   suspension, limitations,   and   other   information   relating   to   driving   records   and   accreditation.   It   might   vary from one state to the next based on local reporting norms.

Why is it Vital to Know a Candidate’s Driving History?

Regulations in the industry

A   driving   screening   can   help   you   evaluate   the   risk   of   future   and   present   employees   by identifying   applicants   with   dangerous   driving   histories.   Certain   records,   such   as   driving   with substance abuse, are only accessible on driving data and may not appear on criminal searches. Meet the norms and requirements  set out by your organization’s  and industry’s standards with advanced checks of driving screening.

Trust in a brand

MVR displays help you stay in compliance, safeguard your brand’s reputation, and provide peace of mind to your customers. Whether recruiting more people or running your own business with drivers,   it’s   critical   to   do  driver   license   background   checks   to   learn   more   about   a   candidate’s driving history and determine if they’re a good fit for your company.

What is the Purpose of a Driving Background Check?

A driving history check for an applicant driving a business car or vehicle during business hours may   seem   apparent.   Still,   a   driving   record   could   provide   valuable   insight   into   a   candidate’s character. You may discover information regarding a candidate’s drug and alcohol use. Driving practices that are risky and general carelessness Driving records often reflect the validity of the license, any violations, suspensions, accidents, and other information to the employer.

Will the Motor Vehicle Report Distinguish Between a Driver’s License, Temporary 

Permit, and Identification Card?

Absolutely. The Motor Vehicle Report will specify whether a license is valid, suspended, or

expired and identify a temporary permit or an identification card only.

What to Keep in Mind When Performing Driver and MVR screens?

 An authentic platform like Peoplestrail or advanced background services promotes fair and compliant practices with state-of-the-art tools and technology. They are also your partner in education. When it comes to driver and MVR checks, here are the primary laws and best practices to consider.

Driving Screening Tests Have Several Advantages

For   roles   where   workers,   volunteers,   or   contractors   may   utilize   motor   vehicles   for   company purposes, checking your candidate’s driver’s licenses and safety data is critical. An MVR check can reveal whether or not an applicant is a responsible driver.

These driving background checks assist you in the following ways:

  •  First, employ suitable people who have a clean driving record.
  •  Second, implement safety protocols and keep risks to a minimum.
  •  Third, ensure the safety of the company’s assets, employees, and customers.
  •  Fourth, maintain the reputation and confidence of your organization in the community.
  • Finally, defend your company from liability lawsuits.

Importance

During the hiring process, an MVR report is used to verify a job applicant’s driving record and criminal background, including traffic offenses, suspensions, revocations, license type awarded, and restrictions on use. All workers or job candidates who will be driving motors or machines to execute tasks should undergo these types of advanced background checks.

Criminal  records  for driving  under intoxication  are  not recorded  on criminal  records  in some jurisdictions and can only be discovered from a motor vehicle record or a DMV check.

When   employees   drive   for   business   purposes,   companies   are   usually   accountable.   However, even a solitary employee-caused accident can raise your insurance costs or result in expensive litigation and reputational damage. Therefore, employers should study all relevant driver safety information   before   offering   a   job   to   make   informed   judgments   when   recruiting   commercial drivers.   The   suggestions   mentioned   above   and   responses   will   assist   you   in   locating   the   ideal driver for your needs!

NOC Engineer Services: Use this NetOps toolkit

Remote NOC engineers can use this NetOps toolkit

The era of remote network engineers has arrived, and one of the most important aspects of remote management is NetOps

It is almost impossible to imagine a time before Covid-19 when engineers would have relied on traveling to the site with a toolkit of applications to diagnose an issue and resolve it. In the last 16 months, however, restrictions have reduced social contact and unnecessary travel, which has led to a greater emphasis on remote access to networks to increase operational efficiency while reducing social contact. The age of the remote engineer has arrived, but which technologies will they need to be able to do their jobs effectively?

Using NetOps in Network Operations Centers

The emerging trend towards remote management is driven by NetOps, or network operations, which is a development of DevOps, which emphasizes integration, automation, collaboration, and communication between operational IT teams and developers. In NetOps automation, the independent management plane, which is separate from the production network, allowing remote access and proximity to existing network devices, facilitates the use of centralized management software and can enable network equipment to configure itself. Therefore, engineers can perform the same tasks from a remote location.

This approach provides an alternative method to remediate faulty or inactive networks. This also means that network engineers and NOC managers can use the independent management plane or OOB as a facilitator to access the network and its devices, enabling organizations to lock down elements of the wider network to ensure higher levels of security and reduce the risk of cyber-attacks. In the worst-case scenario, however, engineers can remotely access the system during an outage to fix the problem, even if it was caused by a network cable fault or misconfiguration.

Remote NOC engineers can use this NetOps toolkit – A new level of remote access

It is undeniable that OOB and a NetOps approach enable secure and effective access from remote locations, as well as transform the role of the network engineer because NOC tools running in docker containers can be applied and utilized. Previously, remote management of tools required a network operations center (NOC) with a reliance on an effective level of bandwidth to ensure a task could be completed. If the connection wasn’t fast enough, it presented an obstacle. Now, these tools can be run locally on-site while the management process takes place remotely.

The NOC engineers benefit by cutting down on travel time, reducing their workload, and tackling more remote tasks efficiently. NetOps also allows the organization to adopt a much less data-intensive and much more effective method of remote network management in real time. It is even more important to ensure this reduction in data transfer due to the increased complexity of modern IT networks and operations and the increased strain on bandwidth due to the exponential growth of data in recent years. Furthermore, since this approach does not require access to the main production network, it can also lead to further efficiency gains due to a smaller bandwidth impact.

Find out how much money you can save by using ExtNoc NOC ROI Calculator instead of managing endpoints yourself.

Providing effective NOC services

When it comes to equipping remote NOC or network engineers with NetOps tools, the key is to enable both engineers and the wider organization to benefit from efficiency in numerous ways, not just through reduced bandwidth requirements. With the number of skilled network engineers continuing to be in short supply while the need for computing resources grows, it is becoming virtually impossible to station engineers at the multitude of sites now requiring management. Having the ability to effectively remotely manage networks in an efficient manner is helping to provide the solution.

Additionally, it is important to emphasize automation’s connection to efficiency. Toolkits for NetOps can eliminate a lot of the repetitive manual work and time-consuming routines that engineers have previously been bound to. Take an incident that occurs on a critical network, for example. Previously, it would have been up to the network engineer to log into the system and run through numerous routines to pinpoint the problem with the network, which would have wasted both time and resources. With NetOps, each step can be automated and run through automatically, further simplifying the process of managing incidents remotely, eliminating human error, and helping to resolve skills shortages.

NetOps and its integration with remote management will, however, only be effective if the engineers are proficient in Python to fully utilize Docker containers. Additionally, engineers who have knowledge of how to deploy commonly used toolsets, such as Chef, Puppet, and Ansible, will be able to apply the technology to efficient and effective remote network management. Therefore, organizations must ensure that the relevant training is in place.

In what ways does a Field Engineer contribute to NOC Services?

Engineers at network operation centers (NOCs) are primarily in charge of screening large computer networks and servers for problems remotely or remotely from a centralized location.

If you want to hire a NOC Engineer through the top freelance marketplace, check out Fieldengineer.com. Finding the right candidate can be accomplished by finding freelancers who are looking for a job. The site offers companies the ability to hire engineers from 195 countries as it is registered with 60,000 engineers.