Focaccia is a delicious Italian flatbread that can be enjoyed as an appetizer, side dish or even the main course. But if you’re looking to serve it as part of a meal, you may need some ideas on what to pair with it.
Whether you’re creating your own focaccia recipe and want some inspiration for sides or simply want to know what goes well with this tasty bread, I have 17 top side dishes for you! From salads and pasta to vegetables and meats, there are plenty of flavorful options that will perfectly complement your focaccia.
So let’s get started!
What To Serve With Focaccia?
Focaccia pairs well with a variety of dishes, including soups, salads, and main courses such as pasta, grilled meats, and seafood. Some popular options to serve with focaccia include tomato basil soup, antipasto platters, Caprese salad, and grilled vegetables. Focaccia can also be used as a base for bruschetta or as a side to a cheese board.
1. Tomato Basil Soup
Nothing completes a delicious focaccia dinner like a bowl of hearty tomato basil soup. This combination is one of the ultimate classics that everyone should try at least once,
The mildly tart yet savory flavor of the tomato soup is well balanced by the inviting aroma and flavor of fresh basil, making it perfect to pair with any focaccia bread.
Plus, with such savory ingredients like onions, garlic and olive oil used in both dishes, you can rest assured you’ll be cooking up a meal worth writing home about!
2. Caprese Salad
This salad is a light yet flavorful option for any meal, especially when paired with focaccia. This classic Italian dish features thick slices of mozzarella cheese and juicy tomatoes, both draped in fresh basil leaves and a zesty yet creamy balsamic vinaigrette.
The combination of richness from the cheese, sweetness from the tomatoes, and punch from the vinaigrette not only tastes great with focaccia but really allows its hearty garlic-olive flavor to shine through.
Even if you’re not an experienced chef, you don’t have to worry about making this recipe wrong. All you need are some basic ingredients and assembly skills to make a salad worthy of any table!
3. Pasta With Tomato Sauce
This classic Italian dish is a great way to round out any focaccia meal. The rich tomato sauce, combined with the savory flavor of freshly cooked pasta and garlic, will create a delicious and filling meal.
Whether you choose to make your own tomato sauce or buy a store-bought version, the warmth and comfort of this dish will be perfect with a side of focaccia.
To make this meal extra special, add some freshly grated Parmesan cheese, fresh basil, and a drizzle of olive oil to the top.
4. Minestrone Soup
This delicious Italian soup is a great way to enjoy all the flavors of focaccia in a bowl. Minestrone soup is traditionally made with a variety of vegetables, such as carrots, beans, and potatoes, that are cooked in a light tomato broth.
The combination of all these vegetables creates a flavorful and hearty soup that pairs perfectly with focaccia. In addition to the vegetables, you can also add some of your favorite herbs and spices for extra flavor.
5. Caesar Salad
Caesar salad is one of the most popular accompaniments to focaccia bread, and for good reason – the two make a match made in heaven! The crunch of the romaine lettuce pops when mixed with the croutons, which provides an excellent contrast to the softness of the focaccia.
And don’t forget about that creamy, garlicky dressing that ties it all together! Pile up a generous helping onto your plate for an extra delicious bite. Don’t worry about discretion either – you’ll be glad you were so bold with your portion size once you’ve tasted it!
6. Panzanella Salad
Panzanella Salad makes an excellent side dish to any meal as it is packed with vegetables and comes together quickly. With flavorful tomatoes, cucumbers and red onions on a bed of crunchy bread, this salad will add a pop of color and flavor to the dinner table.
The best part? You get to use up some of your leftover Focaccia! By pairing the croutons with some olive oil, seasoning and an acidic dressing ingredient like balsamic or red wine vinegar, you can easily turn yesterday’s stale focaccia into something delicious today.
Who said leftovers had to be boring?
7. Antipasto Platter
If you’re looking for a fun and easy way to enjoy focaccia, an antipasto platter is the perfect solution. There’s a reason it works so well with focaccia. With its blend of cured meats, cheeses, vegetables and light spreads, this classic Italian appetizer is perfect for picking alongside your freshly made focaccia.
Pro Tip: Save time by creating an even spread across multiple slices of focaccia and make each slice a compact finger food. Top it up with some crackers or olives and you’ve got yourself a perfect side dish.
8. Tomato Bisque
Tomato bisque is a delicious, comforting dish made with tomatoes, onions and other spices that you can enjoy any day of the week. But what makes it particularly awesome to pair with focaccia?
For starters, the creamy texture contrasts nicely with the crunchiness of the bread. Plus all those herbs and spices in tomatoes give an amazing depth of flavor which perfectly balances out the lighter, oil-drizzled layers of savory focaccia. And let’s not forget about its bright red color – it adds visual appeal to your plate
9. Olive Tapenade
Olive tapenade is a great way to add some Italian flair to your focaccia. While focaccia itself has a robust and slightly salty flavour, olive tapenade adds a unique note that complements the focaccia perfectly.
This zesty addition is also full of healthful benefits – olives are rich in vitamins and minerals like vitamin E and iron.
Feel free to get creative as you mix up your own variations of this classic Mediterranean spread with different kinds of olives, herbs, seasonings or red peppers! Olive tapenade is therefore both delicious and nutritious – the perfect partner for a scrumptious piece of focaccia.
10. Roasted Garlic and Artichoke Dip
Everyone loves a good snack, especially when it’s served with an Italian favorite – focaccia! And now there’s an easy way to turn up the flavor: roasted garlic and artichoke dip.
Combining succulent roasted garlic with tangy artichokes and hints of lemon, this delectable dip adds deliciousness to your bread that is sure to excite. That first bite of hot, crunchy focaccia dunked in creamy, garlicky dip is an absolute joy.
And the best part? This combination can be thrown together in no time. So ditch the boring butter spread and try complementing your focaccia with some roasted garlic and artichoke dip.
11. Hummus and Roasted Red Peppers
Hummus and roasted red peppers can take your focaccia to a whole new level. The creamy, nutty flavor of the hummus pairs perfectly with the sweetness of the roasted red peppers, creating a unique yet delicious combination.
The contrast between the soft and crunchy textures of focaccia and hummus also adds an interesting texture to the dish. Top it off with a drizzle of olive oil and you have a healthy, flavorful snack that’s sure to please any crowd.
Not forget to mention, hummus is full of protein and healthy fats, making it a great option for those watching their waistlines.
12. Caesar Salad With Grilled Chicken
Eating Caesar Salad with Grilled Chicken and focaccia is an amazing experience! Focaccia’s texture complements the crunchy lettuce, juicy grilled chicken and creamy dressing in a way that is hard to resist. If you haven’t tried it yet, you are missing out on an absolute treat!
Enjoy the cheesy goodness of focaccia accompanying the fresh taste of Caesar salad while the flavor of grilled chicken adds its delightful punch. Altogether, this meal is a rollercoaster of flavors that will leave you licking your fingers.
Don’t forget to use freshly grated Parmesan cheese to bring out each individual ingredient’s unique characteristics. One bite and you’ll understand why this legendary combo continues to be one of the most beloved dishes around.
13. Ratatouille With Parmesan Cheese
Ratatouille is a classic French dish that can easily be paired with focaccia. The combination of earthy and sweet vegetables in the ratatouille, combined with the salty, cheesy focaccia, creates a delicious and balanced meal.
The roasted vegetables give a smoky flavor to the dish, while the parmesan cheese adds a layer of umami. If you’re feeling adventurous, try adding some herbs like basil or oregano to the mix. These flavors will add an extra layer of flavor that will take your focaccia dish to the next level.
14. Lemon and Herb-Roasted Chicken
Lemon and herb-roasted chicken is an easy, yet delicious way to highlight the flavors of your focaccia while also providing a succulent centerpiece that both kids and adults will love.
Prepare your chicken by rubbing it in a combination of freshly cut herbs like rosemary, thyme, and oregano, as well as garlic and lemon zest.
From there, roast the chicken until it’s golden brown throughout and the juice runs clear – perfect for sopping up lots of extra focaccia crumbs. Serve alongside roasted vegetables or a big green salad to make this classic combination complete.
15. Tuna Salad
Tuna salad is a classic favorite that can be served in many different ways – on crackers, over lettuce, or even atop some toasted focaccia bread. The rich, buttery flavor of the focaccia helps to bring out the delicate taste of tuna and other ingredients like diced celery, onions, and capers.
Add a little bit of mayonnaise to bind it all together and you have an incredibly tasty meal. Enjoy it by itself or top it with some peppery arugula for a taste of the Mediterranean. Either way, you’ll be sure to enjoy this classic combination of tuna and focaccia.
16. Eggplant Parmesan
In case you haven’t had enough cheesy goodness yet, eggplant parmesan is a great way to make your focaccia dish even more indulgent. Focaccia and eggplant parmesan pair perfectly together – the crunch of focaccia contrasts with the creamy, cheesy layers of eggplant, making every bite a flavor explosion.
To make it even better, top it with some fresh basil leaves and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese. Enjoy your eggplant parmesan with a side of focaccia and you have an Italian-inspired feast that is sure to please.
17. Mushroom and Arugula Focaccia Pizza
This focaccia pizza is a delicious way to enjoy the combination of mushrooms and arugula. Start by pre-baking the focaccia dough in a circular shape until it’s golden brown. Spread some tomato sauce on top and layer with mushrooms, arugula, balsamic vinegar, garlic, olive oil, and parmesan cheese.
Bake in the oven for about 15-20 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbling. Serve with a sprinkle of fresh herbs to bring out all the flavors of this delicious focaccia pizza.
Conclusion
Focaccia is a wonderfully versatile flatbread that can be enjoyed in many different ways. Whether you’re making it as an appetizer, side dish or main course, there are plenty of delicious options to pair with your focaccia. From soups and salads to grilled meats and seafood, the possibilities for creating memorable meals featuring this Italian bread are endless!
So go ahead and try out some of these amazing side dishes – they’ll surely take any meal up a notch! And don’t forget to experiment with new recipes too; after all, culinary creativity brings joy into our lives. Bon appetite!
