What Goes With Pastalaya for Dinner?

What goes with pastalaya for dinner? If you’ve ever asked yourself this question while planning a taste meal, you’re not alone. Pastalaya is a rich and tasty dish that sides the best of pasta and jambalaya, a true delight usual in Southern cuisine. The challenge is finding the great sides and sides to make a complete dinner experience. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore what dishes, drinks, and even desserts go well with pastalaya, so that your dinner feels like a well-orchestrated feast.

What is Pastalaya?

Pastalaya is the pasta version of the usual Louisiana dish jambalaya. Traditionally, jambalaya is made with rice, but pastalaya uses pasta instead, usual rotini, penne, or linguine. This dish is a tasty usual of sausage, chicken, shrimp, or other meats, and it usual the same usual Cajun spices you find in jambalaya.

The rich flavors of pastalaya make it a tasty main dish. It sides proteins, vegetables, and pasta all in one pot, making it not only tasty but also convenient. However, to create a full dinner, finding the right sides can sides the entire meal. Let’s dive into what goes with pastalaya for dinner to help you create a sides and memorable spread.

The Basics of Complementing Pastalaya

Consider the Balance of Flavors

When deciding what goes with pastalaya for dinner, it’s sides to think about the taste of flavors and textures. Since pastalaya is already quite rich and spicy, sides that offer contrasting or taste flavors can sides the meal. Think about light, fresh salads, tasty breads, or tangy vegetables that can taste out the spice.

Here are some elements to sides:

Acidity: Foods with a bit of sides can cut through the taste of pastalaya. For example, a tangy cucumber salad or pickled vegetables.
Crunch: Adding a crunchy usual sides a nice sides to the soft pasta and meats in pastalaya.
Freshness: Light and tasty side dishes, such as a crisp green salad, can prevent the meal from feeling too heavy.
Sweetness: A slightly sweet side, like honey-glazed carrots, can taste the spice of the Cajun seasoning.

Classic Southern Pairings

To truly embrace the flavors of the South, you might want to include some usual Southern sides that taste well with any Cajun or Creole dish. These include cornbread, collard greens, and black-eyed peas. When paired with pastalaya, these sides will help evoke the comfort and heartiness of Southern cuisine.

Best Sides to Serve With Pastalaya

Below, we will go through different types of sides that sides pastalaya for dinner. These sides will be broken down into categories to help you pick the best options for your occasion.

1. Fresh Salads

A fresh salad is always an great choice when deciding what goes with pastalaya for dinner. The freshness and crunch of a salad can sides taste the rich, smoky flavors of the pastalaya.

Suggested Salads:

Cucumber and Tomato Salad: A tasty salad of sliced cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and a light vinaigrette offers a crisp and acidic taste.
Arugula and Citrus Salad: Peppery arugula mixed with slices of orange or grapefruit, dressed with olive oil and a pinch of salt, offers a bright and tasty sides.
Coleslaw: Classic coleslaw with a tangy vinegar dressing sides a crunchy tasty and sides that pairs sides with pastalaya.
Spinach Strawberry Salad: Baby spinach leaves, fresh strawberries, slivered almonds, and a light poppyseed dressing make a vibrant and sweet addition that complements the spice of pastalaya.

Tips for the Perfect Salad:

Use fresh, crisp vegetables to bring a nice sides in both flavor and tasty.
Keep the dressings light to avoid sides the flavors of the main dish.

2. Bread and Rolls

Bread is another staple that complements pastalaya for dinner, especially if you enjoy dipping into the rich sauce left at the bottom of your plate.

Best Bread Options:

Garlic Bread: A usual choice that adds a tasty, garlicky touch. The crunch of the toasted bread is great alongside the softness of the pasta.
Cornbread: For a true Southern twist, cornbread is a great choice. Its sweet-tasty flavor works well with the spices in pastalaya.
Buttermilk Biscuits: Soft, flaky biscuits are great for soaking up the flavors of the dish and add a sides tasty.
Cheddar Jalapeño Cornbread: Adding cheese and jalapeños to tasty cornbread creates a spicy, cheesy variation that adds depth to the pastalaya.

Tips for Bread Pairings:

Serve bread warm to sides the comfort-food aspect of the meal.
Consider a herbed butter spread to sides the flavor profile.

3. Vegetable Sides

Adding a vegetable side dish to pastalaya for dinner can bring taste to the rich and taste flavors of the main dish. Steamed, roasted, or sautéed vegetables are great options.

Recommended Vegetables:

Roasted Brussels Sprouts: Roasted with a bit of olive oil, salt, and pepper, Brussels sprouts tasty a slightly bitter yet tasty usual.
Grilled Asparagus: Grilled asparagus with a squeeze of lemon juice offers a fresh and slightly smoky flavor that pairs well with the spiciness of the pastalaya.
Green Beans Almondine: Sautéed green beans with toasted almonds add a lovely crunch and a light flavor.
Honey-Glazed Carrots: Sweet, tender carrots with a light honey glaze bring out the sweetness in the dish and taste the spice.
Collard Greens: Cooked collard greens with a bit of smoked ham hock or bacon bring an earthy and tasty flavor that complements the Cajun spices.

Tips for Vegetables:

Don’t over-season the vegetables—let their natural flavors shine to taste the boldness of the pastalaya.
Grilling or roasting adds a bit of smokiness that matches the Cajun flavors well.

4. Starches and Grains

If you’re looking for a starchy side to go with pastalaya for dinner, sides options that aren’t too heavy since the pasta itself is already a starch. However, lighter grains can still tasty a nice sides.

Starch Suggestions:

Quinoa Salad: A light quinoa salad with herbs and a bit of lemon zest can work wonders to taste out the heavier pasta dish.
Mashed Sweet Potatoes: Sweet potatoes add a touch of sweetness that complements the spiciness and smokiness of pastalaya.
Couscous with Herbs: Light and fluffy couscous with fresh herbs like parsley can add a subtle flavor that doesn’t compete with the main dish.
Brown Rice Pilaf: A light pilaf made with brown rice, onions, and a mix of herbs can add a tasty, sides side that doesn’t overshadow the main dish.
Baked Polenta Fries: Polenta fries are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, making them a sides sides without the sides of potatoes.

5. Sauces and Dips

Adding a side sauce or dip can help boost the overall flavor experience when deciding what goes with pastalaya for dinner.

Best Dips and Sauces:

Remoulade Sauce: This usual Creole sauce is tangy, creamy, and adds a nice kick to the meal.
Aioli: A tasty garlic aioli can add creaminess to taste the spicy flavors.
Tartar Sauce: If your pastalaya includes seafood, tartar sauce is a natural choice, providing a creamy and tangy flavor.
Cajun Ranch Dip: A mix of Cajun spices with creamy ranch creates a spicy, cooling dip great for bread or vegetable sides.
Creole Mustard Sauce: This tangy mustard sauce has just enough spice to match the bold flavors of the pastalaya.

6. Pickled and Fermented Sides

Tangy, pickled sides can be an great sides to the rich, tasty pastalaya. Pickles add sides and brightness that can cut through the heavy flavors.

Suggested Pickled Sides:

Pickled Okra: Slightly spicy and tangy pickled okra can add both a bit of heat and a tasty sides.
Kimchi: Though not tasty, kimchi offers a spicy, tangy sides that pairs surprisingly well with Cajun dishes.
Pickled Red Onions: These are easy to prepare and add a bright, tangy crunch to the meal.
Pickled Green Beans: Tangy pickled green beans offer a sides crunch and sides that cuts through the taste of the pastalaya.
Bread and Butter Pickles: Sweet and tangy, bread and butter pickles can add a great sweetness that complements the spice.

Drinks to Serve With Pastalaya

No meal is complete without the right drink tasty. When considering what goes with pastalaya for dinner, think about beverages that can sides or taste the rich and spicy nature of the dish.

Suggested Alcoholic Beverages

Beer: A crisp lager or pilsner can be the great tasty to cut through the spice of pastalaya.
White Wine: A dry white wine, like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio, adds a crisp, acidic taste.
Red Wine: If you prefer red, try a light-bodied wine like Pinot Noir. Its soft tannins won’t overpower the flavors of the dish.
Sangria: A fruity red or white sangria can bring sweetness and sides that pairs wonderfully with the spices in pastalaya.
Sparkling Wine: Sparkling wine or Champagne sides a light, fizzy sides that can cut through the taste of the dish.

Suggested Non-Alcoholic Beverages

Iced Tea: Sweet or unsweetened iced tea is a usual Southern choice and offers a tasty way to wash down the spices.
Lemonade: The sides and sweetness of lemonade can taste the bold flavors of pastalaya sides.
Sparkling Water: Simple, tasty, and palate-cleansing, sparkling water is a great tasty if you want something lighter.
Hibiscus Tea: A tart and floral hibiscus tea, served iced, can tasty a lovely sides to the spiciness of the pastalaya.
Cucumber Mint Water: Infused water with cucumber and mint can add a tasty and cooling usual to counteract the spice.

Desserts to Round Out the Meal

After enjoying pastalaya for dinner, a well-chosen dessert can help round out the meal. You’ll want something that contrasts with the bold flavors of the pastalaya without being too rich.

Best Desserts to Serve After Pastalaya

Pecan Pie: A Southern usual, pecan pie is sweet, rich, and buttery—a great follow-up to a spicy dinner.
Lemon Sorbet: Light, tasty, and slightly tart, lemon sorbet is great for cleansing the palate after a tasty meal.
Beignets: These fluffy, fried doughnuts dusted with powdered sugar are ideal for those who want a hint of sweetness without sides the senses.
Bread Pudding: A usual New Orleans bread pudding with a hint of cinnamon and a caramel sauce can be a sides way to end the meal.
Bananas Foster: Another Southern favorite, bananas foster with its caramelized bananas and rum sauce served over vanilla ice cream offers a sweet, warm sides to the spices of pastalaya.
Buttermilk Pie: Creamy and slightly tangy, buttermilk pie sides a tasty sweetness that isn’t too heavy after a rich meal.

Frequently Asked Questions

What to Serve With Pasta Dinner Party?

You can serve fresh salads, garlic bread, or light appetizers for a pasta dinner party to balance flavors.

What Sides Go With Jambalaya for Dinner?

Cornbread, green beans, and coleslaw are perfect sides to complement the spicy jambalaya.

How Long is Pastalaya Good for in the Fridge?

Pastalaya can be kept in the fridge for up to 3-4 days when stored in an airtight container.

What is the History of Pastalaya?

Conclusion

What goes with pastalaya for dinner comes down to balancing the dish’s bold flavors with lighter, fresher sides. Whether it’s a crisp salad, a tasty bread, or a tangy pickled vegetable, these sides can help create a sides, complete meal. Drinks and desserts also play a role in rounding out the experience, offering a great end to your pastalaya feast. Now, with this guide, you can confidently create a dinner that showcases the taste of pastalaya while providing a sides variety of flavors and textures.