What to Serve With Lasagna at a Dinner Party: An Easy Menu

Lasagna is one of my favorite meals to serve when I’m having people over. It’s comforting, can be prepared ahead of time, and doesn’t require me to spend the evening in the kitchen while everyone else is having fun.

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If you’re wondering what to serve with lasagna at a dinner party, you don’t need an elaborate Italian feast. A light appetizer, fresh salad or vegetable, warm bread, and a simple dessert are more than enough to turn lasagna into a complete dinner party menu. Below, I’ll walk you through what to serve and how to get most of it ready before your guests arrive.

A Simple Lasagna Dinner Party Menu

One of the reasons I love serving lasagna for a dinner party is that you can prepare so much of the meal ahead of time. You don’t need an elaborate menu or hours in the kitchen to make your guests feel special.

If you’re wondering what to serve with lasagna at a dinner party, here’s an easy menu that brings everything together without making hosting complicated.

My Favorite Lasagna Dinner Party Menu

• Appetizer: Tomato bruschetta or a simple antipasto platter
• Main Course: Lasagna
• Salad: A fresh green salad with a light vinaigrette
• Side Dish: Warm garlic bread
• Dessert: Tiramisu or affogato
• Drinks: Italian red wine, sparkling water with lemon, or sparkling lemonade

A Little Hosting Tip: Lasagna is already a hearty meal, so there’s no need to serve several side dishes. I like to keep things simple with one appetizer, a fresh salad, and something sweet to finish. That gives you a complete dinner party menu without spending the entire evening in the kitchen.

How much lasagna do I make for guests?

To ensure you have enough lasagna to satisfy your guests, consider the number of people attending and their appetites. A standard 9×13-inch lasagna typically serves 8-12 people. If you’re serving other dishes alongside the lasagna, you can cut smaller portions.

For a larger gathering, making two lasagnas is usually easier than trying to make one oversized pan. And if you’re serving appetizers, salad, bread, and dessert, guests will generally need smaller portions than they would if lasagna were the only thing on the menu. Be sure to consider any dietary restrictions when you’re planning your guest list and menu.

Appetizers With Lasagna

If you’re looking for an appetizer to serve with lasagna, I recommend keeping it light and simple. Lasagna is rich and filling, so you don’t need a heavy first course. Bruschetta, Caprese salad, a small antipasto platter, or stuffed mushrooms are all easy appetizers that work beautifully before a lasagna dinner. Choose just one or two, rather than trying to serve everything.

• Bruschetta: Toasted bread topped with tomatoes, basil, garlic, and olive oil is a classic choice before lasagna. For something a little different, try my prosciutto fig bruschetta appetizer, which works especially well when you’re entertaining.
• Caprese Salad: Fresh slices of mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil drizzled with olive oil and balsamic glaze. This simple yet elegant dish complements the rich flavors of lasagna.
• Antipasti Platter: Create a stunning platter with an assortment of cured meats, cheeses, olives, marinated vegetables, and crusty bread. This allows guests to pick and choose their favorites while mingling before the main course.

• Stuffed Mushrooms: Another favorite appetizer to serve with lasagna is my easy stuffed mushroom appetizer. They’re bite-sized, easy to serve while guests mingle, and can be prepared ahead so you’re not fussing with appetizers when everyone arrives.

What to Serve With Lasagna at a Dinner Party

To round out your lasagna dinner, consider serving some tasty side dishes that enhance the meal. Here are a few options of what to serve with lasagna at a dinner party:

• Garlic Bread: A classic accompaniment to lasagna, garlic bread adds a touch of indulgence and helps guests scoop up every last bit of sauce.
• Roasted Vegetables: Seasonal vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, and eggplant roasted with olive oil, garlic, and herbs make for a healthy and colorful side dish.
• Caesar Salad: A crisp, refreshing Caesar salad with homemade croutons and dressing adds a nice contrast to the rich, hearty lasagna.

• Italian Green Beans: Sautéed with garlic, olive oil, and cherry tomatoes, this flavorful side dish brings a touch of freshness to your dinner party.

What Dessert Goes With Lasagna?

After a rich lasagna dinner, I like to keep dessert simple. These Italian-inspired favorites are easy choices for finishing the meal:

• Tiramisu: This classic Italian dessert features layers of coffee-soaked ladyfingers and a creamy mascarpone filling. It’s light, yet indulgent, and pairs beautifully with lasagna.

• Panna Cotta: A silky, smooth Italian custard made with cream and gelatin, panna cotta can be flavored with vanilla, chocolate, or fruit. It’s a cool and refreshing end to a delicious meal.
• Cannoli: These crispy, tube-shaped pastries filled with sweetened ricotta cheese are a Sicilian favorite and a delightful way to wrap up your dinner party.
• Affogato: A simple yet elegant dessert, affogato consists of a scoop of vanilla gelato or ice cream topped with a shot of hot espresso. It’s a delightful combination of hot and cold, perfect for ending a meal.

How to Prepare for a Lasagna Dinner Party

One of the best things about serving lasagna when you’re entertaining is that you don’t have to spend the evening in the kitchen. I always want as much done as possible before guests arrive, and lasagna makes that easy.

Here’s a simple timeline for getting your lasagna dinner party ready without feeling rushed.

The Day Before

Prepare your lasagna if you’re using a recipe that can be assembled ahead of time. You can also make your dessert, prepare any make-ahead appetizers, and set the table. If you’re serving a salad, wash and prep the ingredients and make the dressing.

I also like to set the table the day before. It’s one less thing to think about when guests are on their way, and even a simple dinner feels special with beautiful linens on the table. You can see my embroidered linens for entertaining in the Sweet Humble Home shop.

The Morning of Your Dinner Party

Finish any appetizer prep, pull out the serving dishes you’ll need, and make sure drinks are chilled. This is also a good time to tidy the kitchen so you aren’t starting the party with a sink full of prep dishes.

About an Hour Before Guests Arrive

Bake or reheat your lasagna according to your recipe. Put together your appetizer platter, prepare the bread, and have drinks ready for guests when they arrive.

Just Before Dinner

Dress the salad, warm the bread, and let the lasagna rest before slicing. That last bit of resting time is perfect for enjoying your appetizer and a drink with your guests instead of disappearing into the kitchen.

Serving Lasagna to Kids

If children are joining your dinner party, you probably don’t need to prepare a completely separate meal. Lasagna, garlic bread, and a simple fruit or vegetable side are usually easy options for younger guests. If your lasagna has stronger flavors or ingredients your younger guests may not enjoy, setting aside a small portion of plain pasta is an easy backup that doesn’t create much extra work.

A lasagna dinner party doesn’t need to be complicated to feel special. Choose a simple appetizer, add a fresh salad or vegetable and some warm bread, and finish with an easy dessert. With most of the meal prepared ahead of time, you’ll have less to do once your guests arrive and more time to actually enjoy having them around your table.