There’s nothing quite like the smell of fresh, crusty bread filling your home. But what do you serve with it? Sure, you can slather it in butter, but why not take it up a notch and make something that will truly wow your guests?
Here are 32 meal ideas that will show off the potential of crusty bread.
In a Hurry, want to know What to serve with Crusty Bread, then try any of these- Soups and Stews, Salads, Cheeses & Meats, Tomato Soup and Grilled Cheese Sandwiches, Roasted Vegetables, Hummus Dip, Tomato Soup with Herbed Ricotta, Lentil Stew, Mediterranean Chicken Soup, Minestrone Soup, Beef Bourguignon, Baked Macaroni Cheese, Tomato & Eggplant Casserole, Roast Chicken & Potatoes, Chilli Con Carne, Shepherd's Pie, Grilled Chicken with Peaches and Pesto, Italian Sausage and Mushroom Ragu with Crusty Bread, Steak Fajitas with Guacamole, Curried Coconut Chicken & Shrimp Kebabs, French Onion Soup Gratinée, Roasted Eggplant Parmesan Sandwich, BLT with Avocado, Mediterranean Tuna Salad, Reuben Sandwich, Grilled Cheese with Apple and Bacon, Bruschetta, Salami-Cheese Panini, Mushroom and Spinach Sandwich, Peanut Butter and Jelly, Tuna Melt, Brie and Pear Sandwich, Avocado and Egg Sandwich, and Egg Salad Sandwich
32 Delicious Meals to Serve with Crusty Bread
1. Soups and Stews- Always a Choice
One of the best sides for your crusty bread is a hearty soup or stew. Soups like minestrone, French onion, and vegetables are all excellent options that pair well with a slice of crusty bread.
Stews like beef stroganoff, chicken pot pie, and beef goulash are also excellent choices for serving alongside your freshly baked loaf.
Be sure to top off your bowl with plenty of grated cheese and some fresh herbs for added flavor.
2. Salads – For Light and Healthy
A simple green salad with crumbled feta cheese and crunchy nuts or seeds for texture is always an excellent option
Or why not try something more inventive – like roasted beetroot salad with balsamic dressing or Greek salad topped with grilled halloumi cheese? The possibilities are endless!
3. Try Cheeses & Meats with Crusty Bread
Cheeses and meats make an ideal accompaniment to crusty bread. Try slicing up some salami or prosciutto and serving it as an appetizer alongside some crackers and olives.
Or opt for a charcuterie board featuring various kinds of cheese and cured meats along with pickles and honeycomb – perfect for entertaining guests!
4. Crusty Bread with Tomato Soup and Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
This classic pairing is perfect for any night of the week. Start by making a simple tomato soup recipe and ladling it into mugs.
Then, create grilled cheese sandwiches using thick slices of your crusty bread and whatever cheese you prefer. Serve them together, and you have a meal to please everyone.
5. Roasted Vegetables
For something more substantial than soup and a sandwich, this dish is sure to hit the spot. At begin, preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
Chop up some root vegetables—such as potatoes and carrots—and toss them with olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and rosemary before roasting in the preheated oven for about half an hour or until they’re fork-tender.
Serve these roasted vegetables alongside thick slices of crusty bread for a hearty meal that will fill everyone up without weighing them down.
6. The Best way to enjoy Crusty bread with Hummus Dip
Hummus always stays in style! Choose from traditional recipes or get creative by adding different herbs or spices to the mix.
Then cut thick slices of your favorite crusty bread and dip away! This easy meal can be thrown together quickly for unexpected guests or enjoyed slowly over the conversation when time allows for it.
7. Tomato Soup with Herbed Ricotta
Creamy tomato soup is served warm, topped with herbed ricotta and fresh basil for an extra flavor boost. Serve with crunchy crusty bread for a hearty and satisfying meal.
8. Lentil Stew
Lentil Stew always gives a hearty and comforting dish made with lentils, mushrooms, carrots, and celery cooked in vegetable broth and seasoned with herbs and spices. Serve with your favorite crusty bread to mop up all the delicious flavors!
9. Enjoy Mediterranean Chicken Soup with Crusty Bread
It is a simple yet flavourful soup that combines chicken, tomatoes, olives, and potatoes to create an aromatic medley of Mediterranean flavors.
Enjoy topped with feta cheese and serve it with warm crusty bread for a truly nourishing dinner.
10. Grilled Chicken with Peaches and Pesto
One of my go-to meals is Grilled chicken with peaches and pesto; it’s delicious when made with grilled chicken breasts that are marinated in a tangy pesto, then topped with juicy peaches and served alongside crusty bread.
The combination of sweet and savory flavors will tantalize the taste buds! To make this meal even more special, try adding other fresh fruit like strawberries or blueberries for an added layer of sweetness.
The pesto sauce is easy to make as it only requires some garlic, pine nuts, olive oil, Parmesan cheese, and fresh basil leaves.
You can serve this dish with creamy mashed potatoes or roasted vegetables for a complete meal.
11. Minestrone Soup
An Italian classic that never fails to impress – this minestrone soup is packed with seasonal vegetables, beans and herbs.
Enjoy this comforting soup served with a crunchy slab of crusty bread for a delicious meal.
12. Italian Sausage and Mushroom Ragu with Crusty Bread
The Italian-style dish is made by sautéing mushrooms and sausage in olive oil until golden brown.
The mixture is then simmered in a rich tomato sauce flavored with red wine and herbs such as oregano, rosemary, thyme, basil, garlic, and bay leaf for an intense flavor.
Serve this flavorful ragu over piping hot crusty bread for a scrumptious dinner.
13. Beef Bourguignon
A classic French stew features tender beef, mushrooms and red wine that’s slowly cooked until it reaches melt-in-the-mouth perfection.
Serve with a side of warm crusty bread to soak up all the delicious juices!
14. Steak Fajitas with Guacamole
Steak Fajitas with Guacamole is a mainly classic Mexican-inspired dish that starts with hot steak strips in a hot pan with onions and bell peppers until caramelized.
The steak is then served atop warm crusty bread spread generously with guacamole and sprinkled with cilantro for added flavor. Enjoy this delightful fajita sandwich while it’s still hot!
15. Baked Macaroni Cheese
Perfectly cheesy and oh-so indulgent – this mac n’ cheese is baked to golden perfection in an oven-safe dish.
Top it with fresh parsley leaves before serving it alongside your favorite loaf of crusty bread.
16. Curried Coconut Chicken & Shrimp Kebabs
For those who love Asian cuisine, these succulent kebabs are the perfect pair for crunchy crusty bread!
To prepare this delectable meal, you will need boneless chicken thighs cut into cubes along with peeled shrimp tossed in a blend of curry powder, coconut milk, garlic powder, ginger root paste, fish sauce, and lime juice before being threaded onto skewers and grilled or broiled until cooked through.
Serve these mouthwatering kebabs on top of warm crusty bread smeared generously with mayonnaise or cream cheese for an irresistible treat!
17. Tomato & Eggplant Casserole
A pure vegetable casserole is made with layers of roasted eggplant, tomatoes, and basil – all topped with a creamy béchamel sauce.
Serve it hot with freshly sliced crusty bread for the perfect comfort meal.
18. French Onion Soup Gratinée
Another favorite comfort food classic that pairs well with crispy, crusty bread is French onion soup gratinée!
Start off by slowly cooking sliced onions in butter until they become soft and caramelized before adding beef broth or vegetable stock along with dry white wine or sherry cooking wine to create a flavorful soup base.
Then ladle the soup into individual ovenproof baking dishes before topping each one off with melted cheese slices of Swiss Gruyere or Comte cheese and croutons made from thick slices of crusty bread before popping them into the oven to toast up nicely before serving over more chunks of warm crusty bread… Mmmmm!
19. Roast Chicken & Potatoes- Quick Pair
A timeless classic that always hits the spot – this roast chicken and potatoes dish is flavored with garlic, herbs and lemon juice for extra zing. Enjoy it with fresh crusty bread to soak up all the delicious pan juices.
20. Roasted Eggplant Parmesan Sandwich
Create your own version of eggplant parmesan by cutting eggplants into thin slices before brushing each slice lightly with olive oil, then roasting them in the oven until lightly golden at 425°F (220°C).
Once cooked, assemble your sandwich by layering two slices of eggplant onto two slices of warm, crispy, crusty bread, along with some freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
-a, sprinkle oregano and some mozzarella cheese before popping it into the oven to melt the cheese and crisp up the bread before serving. A delicious vegetarian alternative for lunch or dinner!
21. Chilli Con Carne
Spice things up by making this hearty chili con carne. It’s made from slowly simmered beef mince, beans, and tomatoes and topped off with a generous helping of cheese. Serve it with crunchy crusty bread for a truly filling meal.
22. BLT with Avocado on Crusty Bread
Transform your old bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwich into something even more special by adding some slices of ripe avocado for an extra layer of creaminess.
Grill the bacon to perfection before layering it on top of two slices of warm crusty bread with fresh lettuce, tomatoes, and slices of avocado.
Add a bit of salt and pepper; top it off with some mayonnaise for an extra creamy texture before closing the sandwich, and enjoy!
23. Shepherd’s Pie
The hearty shepherd’s pie is made from ground beef, mixed vegetables, and plenty of creamy mashed potatoes on top. Enjoy shepherd’s pie comforting classic served with warm crusty bread – perfect for those blustery winter days!
24. Mediterranean Tuna Salad
A most amazing flavorful tuna salad is made with canned tuna, capers, garbanzo beans, and celery tossed with a simple homemade dressing of olive oil and lemon juice before being spread generously on two slices of warm crusty bread.
Add some juicy tomatoes or cucumbers for an extra crunch, and sprinkle the top with freshly chopped parsley, basil, or oregano for a refreshing Mediterranean twist.
25. Reuben Sandwich on Crusty Bread
This classic sandwich is sure to please any hungry appetite!
Start off by cooking up some thinly sliced corned beef in a skillet until it’s lightly browned before layering it on top of two slices of warm crusty bread along with melted Swiss or Gruyere cheese, some sauerkraut and a bit of thousand island dressing.
Pop into a preheated 375°F (190°C) oven for 10 minutes until the cheese has melted, then enjoy your delicious Reuben sandwich!
26. Grilled Cheese with Apple and Bacon
The combination of sweet and savory flavors will tantalize your taste buds!
Begin by cooking up some thick bacon slices in a skillet until they’re golden, then layer it onto two slices of warm crusty bread along with thinly sliced apples and some freshly grated cheese before popping it into the oven to melt the cheese.
Enjoy your delicious grilled cheese with an apple and bacon sandwich!
27. Bruschetta
To begin, firstly heat your oven to 400°F (200°C), then slice a rustic baguette into thick rounds and toast in the oven until gently browned.
Once toasted, layer each slice of bread with a spoonful of freshly chopped tomatoes, garlic, basil, and some olive oil before topping it off with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese for an extra layer of flavor.
28. Salami and Cheese Panini on Crusty Bread
Add some freshly chopped spinach and tomatoes for an extra layer of flavor, then pop it into the preheated panini press for a few minutes until the cheese has melted and the bread is crispy. Have fun with your delicious salami and cheese panini!
29. Mushroom and Spinach Sandwich on Crusty Bread
Create this tasty vegetarian sandwich by sautéing mushrooms in a skillet with some olive oil, garlic, and onion before spreading them on two slices of warm crusty bread along with some fresh spinach leaves.
Top it off with some freshly grated cheese, a dash of Worcestershire sauce, and a few grinds of black pepper before popping it into a preheated 375°F (190°C) oven for 10 minutes until the cheese has melted. Serve warm
30. Peanut Butter and Jelly
Enjoy a truly classic sandwich combination in a whole new way by spreading some creamy peanut butter onto two slices of warm crusty bread before layering it with your favorite type of jelly or jam.
Drizzle a bit of honey over the top for an extra touch of sweetness before closing the sandwich.
31. Brie and Pear Sandwich
Another great sandwich is sure to tantalize those taste buds! Start by thinly slicing a ripe pear before layering it onto two slices of warm crusty bread and some creamy brie cheese.
Sprinkle a bit of honey over the top for an extra touch of sweetness before popping it into a preheated 375°F (190°C) oven for 10 minutes until the cheese has melted. Enjoy your delicious brie and pear sandwich!
32. Avocado and Egg Salad Sandwich
Layer the egg salad onto two slices of warm crusty bread before topping it off with some freshly grated cheese and mashed ripe avocados. Sprinkle a bit of black pepper over the top before closing the sandwich
Wrap-up on the best side goes well with crusty bread.
One of life’s greatest pleasures is crusty bread, especially when served with the right side dishes!
From soups and stews to salads, charcuterie boards, Chilli Con Carne, Shepherd’s Pie, Grilled Chicken with Peaches and Pesto, Italian Sausage and Mushroom Ragu with Crusty Bread, Steak Fajitas with Guacamole, Curried Coconut Chicken & Shrimp Kebabs, French Onion Soup Gratinée and many more there’s something for everyone when it comes to pairing up this classic staple food with tasty sides.
With these delicious meal ideas as inspiration, you can take full advantage of its versatility and utilize it as part of your next big event!
