Carbonara is one of the most popular Italian dishes that are delicious and easy to make.
It consists of spaghetti noodles mixed with a creamy sauce made from eggs, Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, black pepper, and bacon or pancetta.
The combination of flavors makes pasta the perfect base for a variety of different flavorful salad recipes.
Whether you’re looking for something light and fresh or a hearty side for pasta carbonara, there’s sure to be a salad that everyone will love.
40 Best salads to eat with Carbonara
1. Caesar Salad
Does everyone know that Caesar salad is classic Italian food at its finest-and what better way to enjoy it than alongside some carb-filled Carbonara?
A classic combination of romaine lettuce, croutons, Parmesan cheese, and Caesar dressing.
The parmesan cheese adds richness while the croutons add a crunch factor which makes this side dish even more irresistible!
The best part about Caesar salad is that it can pair up with any robust flavor of dishes like Lasagna, Beef Tenderloin, and more.
2. Mediterranean Salad
A light salad made with feta cheese, cucumbers, tomatoes, olives, and red onion in a light olive oil vinaigrette.
Mediterranean Salad also goes well with seafood dishes like seabass.
3. Greek Salad
Another classic, my favorite made with cucumber, tomatoes, olives, red onion, and feta cheese in a lemon-olive oil dressing or a tangy vinaigrette dressing.
4. Garden Salad
A simple salad composed of fresh greens like iceberg lettuce topped with carrots, tomatoes, mushrooms, and other vegetables of your choice.
5. Italian Caprese Salad
A popular Italian salad that includes fresh mozzarella slices and juicy tomato wedges drizzled with olive oil and fragrant basil with balsamic vinegar come together to make a classic Italian salad that pairs well with pasta Carbonara.
6. Cucumber Tomato Salad
A refreshing summer salad made with diced cucumbers and tomatoes tossed in an herbed vinaigrette dressing or Greek yogurt ranch dressing.
Know More: Best Vegetables to Serve with Carbonara
7. Avocado Tomato Salad
A delicious Mexican-inspired salad combining creamy avocado cubes with juicy tomato slices in a lime-cilantro dressing.
8. Spinach Bacon Salad
Sauteed spinach leaves combined with crispy bacon bits in an apple cider vinaigrette dressing will surely be a hit at any gathering!
For an added protein boost to your Carbonara meal, try this spinach salad topped with eggs for extra flavor.
9. Roasted Beet & Goat Cheese Salad
Beets not only add spectacular color but also a mild sweetness that nicely complements the savory flavors of Carbonara.
Sweet roasted beets paired up with creamy goat cheese crumbles on a bed of fresh greens dressed up in tangy balsamic vinaigrette.
10. Apple Walnut Kale Salad
Massaged kale leaves tossed together with apple slices and crunchy walnuts for an autumn-inspired twist on this traditional Italian dish.
11. Asian Noodle Slaw
An easy slaw recipe made by tossing cooked spaghetti noodles together with shredded cabbage carrots, celery, green onions, snow peas, sesame seeds, and a tangy Asian-style peanut butter vinaigrette.
12. Cobb Salad
Traditional American Cobb salad comes alive when served over spaghetti carbonara.
Featuring chopped cooked bacon, hard-boiled eggs, diced avocados, blue cheese crumbles, sliced cherry tomatoes, green onions, radishes, scallions & cucumbers dressed up in French or Thousand Island dressing.
The salty bacon bits provide just enough contrast to the creamy sauce without overpowering it while remaining full of flavor on its own too!
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13. Fattoush
Middle Eastern fattoush is the perfect accompaniment to carbonara.
Featuring crisp romaine lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, sumac onions, pita chips, mint parsley & toasted pita bread seasoned lightly with olive oil, lemon juice & za’atar.
14. Three Bean Salad
The hearty three-bean salad adds texture & flavor to your plate, featuring garbanzo beans, kidney beans, black beans, Roma tomatoes, red onion corn, celery parsley & dill mixed together in an Italian-style balsamic vinaigrette.
15. Strawberry Spinach Feta Cheese Salad
Sweet strawberries pair wonderfully well over wilted spinach leaves sprinkled generously with feta cheese crumbs & dressed up in honey mustard balsamic vinaigrette.
16. Mandarin Orange Almond Broccoli Slaw
Crunchy broccoli slaw comes alive when tossed together with mandarin oranges, sliced almonds, dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, raisins, sesame seeds, green onions & poppyseed mayo.
17. Southwest Taco Quinoa Bowl
This filling quinoa bowl gets its southwestern flair from black beans, corn jalapenos, scallions, cilantro diced bell peppers, chili powder & taco seasoning.
18. Fiesta Lime Shrimp Rice Bowl
Flavorful shrimp pairs perfectly well over parboiled long-grain rice alongside cheesy queso fresco black beans sautéed bell peppers, cilantro, lime juice, garlic & jalapenos.
19. Mediterranean Couscous Bowl
Mediterranean couscous bowl features Israeli couscous sautéed eggplant, asparagus artichokes, cherry tomatoes, roasted red peppers, kalamata olives, feta cheese, grape tomatoes, and basil pesto.
20. Watermelon Feta Mint Quinoa Bowl
Refreshingly sweet watermelon goes beautifully well over nutty quinoa alongside salty feta cubes, mint leaves, kalamata olives, pine nuts, grape tomatoes & lemon olive oil dressing.
21. Grilled Peach Summer Berry Kale Tabouleh
Grilled peaches add sweetness to this savory tabouleh mix, featuring quinoa, bulgur wheat, kale grilled peaches, blueberries, raspberries, almonds, parsley, mint orange, zest, white wine vinegar.
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22. Thai Peanut Kale Noodle Bowl
This flavorful soupy noodle salad combines sesame, ginger soba noodles, broccoli sautéed mushrooms, carrots, scallions baby spinach served on top of creamy peanut sauce.
23. Kale Red Cabbage Apple Slaw
A crunchy slaw features kale, red cabbage, apple walnuts, raisins, feta cheese & creamy honey mustard dressing.
24. Avocado Tuna Nicoise Salad
A classic French-style salad is perfect for lunch or dinner, featuring tuna chunks, boiled potatoes, hardboiled eggs, artichoke hearts, cherry tomatoes, green beans, olives, parsley capers & a light lemon vinaigrette (Recipe)
25. Carrot Kale Beetroot Detox Bowl
The hearty detox bowl is packed with vitamins and minerals; it features roasted beets, grilled carrots, sautéed kale, quinoa broccoli, purple cabbage, toasted pumpkin seeds, olive oil, garlic & lime juice.
26. Kale Salad with Figs and Walnuts
Kale is the perfect partner for Carbonara because of its slightly bitter, crunchy texture. Top it off with sweet figs and walnuts for a flavor burst in every bite.
27. Chopped Italian Salad
A combination of crunchy lettuce, creamy salami slices, red onions, olives, and Parmesan cheese brings together all the flavors of Italy into one delicious salad that’s sure to be enjoyed by all!
28. Strawberry Avocado Salad
For an unexpected Carbonara Salad Pairing, try this strawberry avocado salad!
It has just the right amount of sweetness from the fruit balanced out by savory almonds and creamy avocado chunks for a flavorful mix you won’t want to miss out on!
29. Broccoli Apple Salad
Add some freshness to your spaghetti carbonara meal with this broccoli apple salad recipe!
The tart apples are balanced out nicely by sweet raisins in this easy-to-make salad that’s sure to get rave reviews from everyone at the dinner table!
30. Citrus Salad
Add a burst of flavor to your Carbonara meal with this citrus salad! Combining tart oranges, sweet strawberries, and zesty lime juice makes for an unforgettable side dish that’s full of color and crunch!
31. Lentil Salad
For a hearty and nutritious option to eat with carbonara, try this lentil salad recipe!
The lentils provide protein while the onions add depth of flavor, making it the perfect companion to any Italian-style dinner.
32. Orzo Pasta Salad
Orzo pasta is similar in shape to rice but tastes like pasta when cooked, making it the perfect choice for this orzo pasta salad recipe.
Packed with veggies and a garlicky dressing, this side dish is sure to complement your Carbonara meal in the best way!
33. Roasted Vegetable Salad
Roast up a medley of vegetables like sweet potatoes, bell peppers, and onions for a colorful and delicious vegetable salad that’s full of flavor.
This roasted veggie salad goes with pasta carbonara for an absolutely irresistible meal.
34. Antipasto Salad
If you’re looking for the perfect Italian-inspired salad to serve with pasta carbonara, look no further than this antipasto salad!
Salami slices, olives, capers, and artichokes come together to form an incredible side dish that’s sure to please everyone at the table.
35. Grilled Zucchini Salad
For a lighter that still packs plenty of flavors, try grilling up some zucchini and adding it to your salad bowl.
The charred, smoky taste of the zucchini goes well with Carbonara for a meal that’s full of flavor but won’t leave you feeling weighed down.
36. Roasted Cauliflower Salad
Roast cauliflower florets until golden brown, then combine them with other vegetables like peppers and onions for an incredible roasted cauliflower salad.
This flavorful side is sure to be enjoyed by all when served alongside carbonara!
37. Fennel & Apple Salad
Create a unique combination with this fennel and apple salad recipe!
Tart apples are balanced out nicely by the sweetness of the fennel, while a light vinaigrette brings all the flavors together for a delicious side salad that’s sure to be a hit.
38. Quinoa Salad
For a protein-packed alternative, try this quinoa salad recipe! Packed with hearty ingredients like black beans, corn, and tomatoes, this quinoa salad is perfect for adding some crunchy texture to your Carbonara meal.
39. Chickpea Salad
An easy way to add some healthy vegetables to your meal is with this chickpea salad recipe!
Tomatoes, cucumber, and feta cheese bring all the Mediterranean flavors together, making it an ideal companion to carbonara.
40. Arugula Salad
For a salad that’s bursting with flavor, try this arugula salad recipe!
Packed with zesty mustard and sweet honey, the dressing combines all the flavors for an incredible combo.
41. Fresh Tomato & Basil Salad
Add some freshness to your Carbonara with this tomato and basil salad!
Sweet cherry tomatoes are combined with flavorful basil leaves and drizzled with a light balsamic vinaigrette making it an ideal accompaniment to any Italian meal.
42. Watermelon Feta Salad
Finish off your meal with this incredible watermelon feta salad!
Sweet watermelon cubes are balanced out nicely by salty feta cheese, creating the perfect accompaniment to your spaghetti carbonara!
I hope. My bunch of salads idea will inspire and help you to choose what salad goes with carbonara.
