What To Serve With Sausage (20 Best Side Dishes)
Sausage is a staple in many households and for a good reason. It’s a delicious and versatile protein that can be used in a variety of dishes. From Italian sausage with red pepper to easy sausage meatballs with pasta, there’s a sausage meal for everyone to enjoy.
But, how do we turn sausages into a main dish? By pairing it with the best sides of course.
Whether you’re grilling sausages, baking them in the air fryer, or making a delicious traybake, these sides will complete your meal and make it a true comfort food experience.
From roasted vegetables and sautéed broccolini to creamy polenta and garlic bread, these easy sides are the perfect complement to any type of sausage. So, let’s get cooking and find the best sides for your family’s favorite sausage dishes.

Looking for a quick answer? Here are my favorite sides for sausage.
Some of the best side dishes to serve with sausage are roasted vegetables, potato salad, garlic bread, polenta, roasted garlic mashed potatoes, sautéed broccolini, grilled vegetables, sautéed onions, sweet potato fries, baked potato wedges, green beans, cajun fries, roasted potatoes, slow cooker beans, mushroom risotto, collard greens, roasted peppers, grilled zucchini, cream cheese pasta, pesto pasta salad, cucumber vinegar salad, and Caprese salad.
1. Roasted vegetables
Roasted vegetables are a delicious and nutritious side dish that pairs perfectly with grilled sausages.
This easy recipe can be customized with your favorite vegetables, such as bell peppers, sweet potatoes, and sautéed broccolini. To make the roasted vegetables, simply toss your choice of vegetables in olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and roast in the oven until tender and caramelized.
We love: The BEST oven roasted vegetables (by Diethood®)
2. Potato salad
Potato salad is a great side dish to serve with sausage, providing a refreshing and flavorful addition to the meal.
The creamy and tangy flavors of potato salad pair well with the savory and smoky taste of sausage. Plus, the soft and creamy texture of the salad adds a nice contrast to the crispy exterior of the sausage.
We love: Ina Garten’s Potato Salad (by Insanely Good Recipes)
3. Garlic bread
Garlic bread is a classic side dish that pairs perfectly with sausage, especially grilled Italian sausage.
With simple ingredients like butter, cheese, garlic, and a sprinkle of fresh herbs, garlic bread is an easy and tasty addition to any sausage dish.
Serve cheesy garlic bread and grilled sausage alongside roasted vegetables and a crisp green salad for an instant family favorite.
We love: Cheesy Garlic and Herb Bread (by Melissa’s Southern Style Kitchen®)
4. Polenta
Looking for a classic Italian side dish to pair with your savory sausage? Look no further than polenta! This gluten-free side dish is made from cornmeal and has a creamy texture that pairs perfectly with the bold flavors of sausage.
For an Italian-inspired meal, serve pan-fried sausage with a side of creamy polenta with a dollop of butter, and a Caprese salad on the side.
We love: Creamy Polenta with Parmesan Cheese (by Platings + Pairings)
5. Roasted garlic mashed potatoes
When it comes to sausage dinners, roasted garlic mashed potatoes are the ultimate side dish for a comforting weeknight dinner.
Not only do they taste great with sausage, but they also add a creamy and comforting element to the meal. Stir in some sour cream and sprinkle with chives for an indulgent side dish. Serve it with a rich gravy or cheese sauce to pour over the sausages and mashed potatoes.
We love: Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes (by Fox and Briar)
6. Sautéed broccolini
Sautéed broccolini is the perfect sausage side dish when you’re looking for something healthy.
With just a few simple ingredients like olive oil, garlic, and black pepper, you can have a healthy side dish on the table in 10 minutes. This low-carb family favorite adds some green to the table.
For a complete meal, serve the sausage and sautéed broccolini with some baked potatoes or mashed vegetables.
We love: Sautéed Broccolini (Broccoletti) (by The Heirloom Pantry)
7. Grilled vegetables
Grilled vegetables are a flavorful side dish to serve with sausage. Not only do they add some extra nutrition to the meal, but also provide a nice balance to the richness of the sausage.
Create an antipasti platter with your favorite grilled veggies such as Brussels sprouts, bell peppers, zucchini, red onions and mushrooms. Drizzle them with balsamic vinegar and olive oil and sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley, and they will be a delicious accompaniment to the sausage.
For a complete meal, serve the grilled vegetables with some cheesy garlic bread or Italian focaccia.
We love: Grilled Vegetables (with Best Marinade) (by Valentina’s Corner)
8. Sautéed onions
Sautéed onions are a great way to add some savory flavor to your sausage main dish.
These caramelized onions are a great side for any type of sausage, from bratwurst to kielbasa. They also pair beautifully with other barbecue favorites like baked beans and creamy mashed potatoes.
For my favorite sausage dinner, scoop a generous serving of creamy mashed potatoes into a deep bowl, top with grilled Italian sausage (Salsiccia) and a large spoonful of sweet sautéed onions.
We love: Easy Sautéed Onions (by 40 Aprons)
9. Sweet potato fries
When it comes to hearty meals, sausage is always a crowd-pleaser. But what’s the best way to round out this delicious dish? Look no further than sweet potato fries! They’re even better than potato chips with sausage.
Try oven-roasted fries or easy air fryer sweet potato fries for a deliciously crispy side dish for your favorite sausage recipe. Finish with grated parmesan cheese and serve with a creamy dipping sauce.
We love: Frozen Sweet Potato Fries in the Air Fryer (by The Hearty Life)
10. Baked potato wedges
When it comes to sausage, there’s nothing like a side of crispy oven-baked potato wedges to complete the meal.
These crispy and flavorful wedges are a favorite side for many people, and they pair perfectly with any type of sausage – whether it’s spicy, sweet, or savory.
I love to serve these crispy potato wedges with a mayonnaise-based dipping sauce, cheese sauce, or simply some sour cream on the side.
We love: Truly Crispy Garlic Parmesan Baked Potato Wedges Recipe (by CurryTrail)
11. Green beans
Green beans are a versatile and delicious side dish that goes well with any sausage dinner. Whether you’re grilling sausages or making a hearty sausage and potato bake, green beans make the perfect dish to round out the meal.
For an easy and flavorful side dish, try sautéing green beans with garlic. Or, for my favorite, try roasted green beans with some olive oil, garlic, and parmesan cheese.
We love: Garlic Parmesan Roasted Green Beans (by Eatwell101)
12. Cajun fries
Cajun fries are a fantastic side dish to pair with sausage.
We’re talking flavorful, crispy, perfectly seasoned French fries to complement any sausage-based main dish. This easy side is a budget-friendly option that is sure to please the whole family.
Add a tangy cucumber salad or creamy coleslaw to complete the perfect meal. Or go all out and serve it alongside fried onion rings.
We love: Copycat Five Guys Cajun Fries Recipe (Air Fryer or Oven) (by Sunglow Kitchen)
13. Roasted potatoes
Roasted potatoes are another amazing potato side dish to serve with sausages. No one can resist the golden brown potatoes with grilled sausages.
For added flavor, toss the potatoes with your favorite seasoning (I love mine with Old Bay!) as soon as it comes out of the oven. Finish with grated parmesan cheese and freshly cracked black pepper.
We love: Crispy Oven Roasted Potatoes (Exceptional!) (by Two Kooks In The Kitchen)
14. Slow cooker beans
Slow cooker beans are a fantastic side dish to serve with sausage. There’s a reason why beans and sausage make such a classic British meal.
The added bonus of using a slow cooker means you can set it aside and focus on other things while your delicious sausage and beans are cooking to perfection.
For a budget-friendly meal, cook dried beans in a slow cooker or Instant Pot. Add smoked paprika, ground cumin, and bay leaves for the ultimate slow cooker beans. Or opt for store-bought baked beans if you’re running short on time.
We love: Crock Pot Pinto Beans Recipe (by Slow Cooker Meals)
15. Mushroom risotto
Mushroom risotto is a surprisingly easy side dish that pairs perfectly with sausage.
It is my favorite side dish recipe to complement spicy Italian sausages. And for even more flavor, add some caramelized onions for a sweet touch. Finish with Italian parsley and grated parmesan.
Serve alongside an arugula salad or grilled asparagus for something green, if you want.
We love: Creamy Mushroom Risotto (by Spend With Pennies)
16. Collard greens
Collard greens are a great side dish to serve with sausage. They complement the savory flavors of the sausage and add a healthy and nutritious component to the meal.
Grab a large skillet to cook your sausages, then serve your pan-fried sausages with Southern collard greens and more Southern sides like hush puppies or buttermilk biscuits for a well-rounded (and super delicious) meal.
We love: Collard Greens Recipe (by Chili Pepper Madness)
17. Roasted peppers
Roasted peppers are a classic side to serve with sausage.
Bake the bell peppers and sausages together to create a one-pan traybake. Add a few potato chunks and toss with smoked paprika and olive oil.
Or roast a large batch of red or green bell peppers and serve as a side to the sausage. The sweetness of the peppers pairs perfectly with spicy Italian sausage.
Leftover roasted peppers and sausages also make an incredibly delicious sandwich for lunch the next day!
We love: Roasted Bell Peppers (by A Couple Cooks)
18. Grilled zucchini
Grilled zucchini is a great vegetable side dish that goes well with any meaty main.
It’s an easy and delicious way to add some veggies to the plate. Serve with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, and fresh herbs.
For an old-fashioned and comforting meal, serve grilled zucchini with creamy polenta and spicy sausage. And for the ultimate indulgence, add a side of garlic bread topped with gooey melted cheddar cheese.
We love: Grilled Zucchini with Parmesan (by Wholefully)
19. Cream cheese pasta
Cream cheese pasta is yet another indulgent side dish that you can serve with any type of sausage.
A simple pasta dish is versatile and can be customized with many different flavors, such as marinara sauce or tomato sauce. But I love the simplicity of a quick cream cheese pasta with sausages.
It’s sure to become a favorite sausage pairing in no time.
We love: Cream Cheese Pasta Sauce (by Salt & Lavender)
20. Pesto pasta salad
Pesto pasta salad is a delicious and versatile side dish that pairs perfectly with sausage.
The savory flavors of the sausage are complemented by the fresh and herbaceous pesto in the pasta salad.
This side dish is a crowd-pleaser and a great addition to any meal. It’s also an easy recipe to make and can be customized with your favorite vegetables or proteins. It’s also a great side dish for a BBQ or potluck.
We love: Pesto Pasta Salad (by Real + Vibrant)
21. Cucumber vinegar salad
Cucumber vinegar salad is a fantastic side dish to serve with sausage. This simple dish is the perfect accompaniment to grilled or sautéed Italian sausages, adding a refreshing and tangy component to the meal.
It pairs especially well with other heavy side dishes like creamy mashed potatoes.
We love: Cucumber Vinegar Salad (by The Gay Globetrotter)
22. Caprese salad
Caprese salad is a great option to serve with any type of sausage. The fresh and flavorful combination of juicy tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and fragrant fresh basil pairs well with the savory and smoky flavors of sausage.
This easy recipe can be prepared quickly, leaving you more time to focus on the main dish. Simply drizzle with some olive oil and balsamic vinegar for a classic Italian touch.
The versatility of this dish also makes it a great accompaniment to other main courses, such as creamy polenta, and roasted vegetables.
We love: Caprese Salad Recipe (by Natasha’s Kitchen)
Incorporating a delicious side dish can take your sausage meal to the next level, providing the perfect balance of flavors and textures. Whether you’re looking for something budget-friendly, easy to make, or just want to try something new, there are plenty of options to choose from.
From creamy pasta, polenta, and mashed potatoes to savory roasted vegetables and salads, there’s nothing like the perfect side dish to turn simple grilled sausages into an exciting main meal.
Let us know in the comments which delicious side dish you serve with your sausages!
