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What to serve with spaghetti — Here are 50+ fantastic sides and salads to serve with spaghetti, a staple meal in many households. In this article, you’ll learn new ways to cook vegetables you love and you might find a few new salads to include in your meal rotation so Spaghetti Night remains fun!
Spaghetti Night, whether it’s an actual thing in your house or not, doesn’t have to get stale. What you serve with spaghetti is just as important (if not moreso) than what you serve ON your spaghetti (whether it be tofu bolognese or plain old marinara). And even if you’re serving spaghetti squash, you’ll love having new side dishes and salad recipes to try. Oh, and if you are indeed serving spaghetti squash, you really need to try these spaghetti squash lasagna boats.
Since regular spaghetti is a carbohydrate-heavy dish, this list of ideas of what to serve with spaghetti is mostly vegetable-heavy side dishes and salads, though there are a few sneaky indulgent recipes in there too such as garlic bread and breadsticks.
If you’ve ever wondered what to serve with spaghetti, keep reading (and you might want to bookmark this page for later, too). I’ve gathered the best vegetable sides and salads across the internet from talented creators.
What to Serve with Spaghetti
Side Dishes
Vegetables are a great idea to answer the question of what to serve with spaghetti. Fresh (and frozen!) vegetables are healthy, loaded with nutrients and lower in calories, inexpensive, and easy to prepare. You won’t find any mushy or bland vegetables in this list, so if you aren’t a big fan of vegetables now, try some of the options in this list. You’ll find tons of new vegetable side dish recipes below from roasted to air fried to sautéed and I’m confident you’ll enjoy many of them.
Air Fryer Green Beans
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Air Fryer Green Beans by Home-Cooked Roots
Making Air Fryer Green Beans is one of my favorite healthy weeknight side dishes. They're crisp on the outside, tender in the middle and seasoned to perfection. You'll love this alternative cooking method!
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Easy Smoky Roasted Cauliflower Recipe
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Easy Smoky Roasted Cauliflower Recipe by Hassle Free Vegan
Roasted cauliflower is versatile and delicious. Try this recipe for smoky roasted cauliflower that just uses olive oil and a few spices to create a tasty side dish.
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Easy Garlic Broccoli
3
Easy Garlic Broccoli by Served from Scratch
If you need a super quick veggie side for spaghetti, try this 10 minute garlic broccoli. It couldn't be any easier and you can make it on the stovetop without any gadgets.
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Best Roasted Asparagus
4
Best Roasted Asparagus by Aubrey’s Kitchen
The best roasted asparagus is actually very simple to make. Follow this quick and easy recipe and you'll get beautiful, tender asparagus every time.
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Crispy Baked Zucchini Slices
5
Crispy Baked Zucchini Slices by A Virtual Vegan
Crispy baked zucchini slices are a delicious side dish, especially when they're seasoned, coated in panko bread crumbs, and held together with melty cheese (vegan or dairy, your choice). This side dish is absolutely delicious and a great way to get more veggies into picky eaters.
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Vegan Garlic Bread
6
Vegan Garlic Bread by Home-Cooked Roots
This vegan garlic bread is made with a soft, Italian loaf spread with homemade vegan garlic butter and fresh parsley that's oven baked until crispy. Make this crispy bread with tons of garlicky goodness in your home kitchen with just 5 ingredients and 15 minutes!
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Easy Sautéed Sugar Snap Peas with Garlic and Shallot
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Easy Sautéed Sugar Snap Peas with Garlic and Shallot by Eating by Elaine
Sugar snap peas are even more delicious when sautéed with garlic and shallot. They become crispy as well as sweet and savory, making them a delicious healthy side.
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30-Minute Roasted Asparagus and Carrots
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30-Minute Roasted Asparagus and Carrots by Marley’s Menu
Asparagus and carrots become tender and flavorful in this easy and simple recipe. If you start these vegetables in the oven just before you start cooking your spaghetti, both dishes should be done at the same time.
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Roman-Style Artichokes (Carciofi alla Romana)
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Roman-Style Artichokes (Carciofi alla Romana) by Our Plant-Based World
Artichokes are simple yet incredibly special when cooked properly. Learn to make them how the Romans do in this easy and delicious recipe.
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Oven Roasted Vegetables
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Oven Roasted Vegetables by Two Healthy Kitchens
This medley of colorful oven roasted vegetables makes for a delicious and healthy side dish. The more vegetables on your plate, the more nutrients so feel free to enjoy as much as you like.
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Charred Spicy Broccolini
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Charred Spicy Broccolini by Sense and Edibility
Looking for a spicy side dish? Try this charred spicy broccolini, dressed in a delicious soy-garlic dressing and caramelized to perfection
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Vegan Cheese Bread (Pull Apart Bread)
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Vegan Cheese Bread (Pull Apart Bread) by Home-Cooked Roots
This Vegan Cheese Bread is guaranteed to be a crowd pleaser. It's a fun pull apart style bread that's stuffed with vegan garlic butter and homemade Melty Vegan Cheese. Serve it as pull apart appetizer or as a family dinner side dish.
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Oven Roasted Bell Peppers
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Oven Roasted Bell Peppers by A Sweet Alternative
Oven roasted bell peppers are a sweet and savory side dish that pairs well with spaghetti. These soft and delicious peppers are quick and easy to make.
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Air Fryer Broccoli
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Air Fryer Broccoli by Strength and Sunshine
You only need 10 minutes to make this crispy yet tender air fryer broccoli. This healthy recipe is made without any oil yet is still delicious.
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Marinated Heirloom Tomatoes
15
Marinated Heirloom Tomatoes by Two Cloves Kitchen
Marinated heirloom tomatoes are a tasty and light side dish. Loaded with bright and beautiful flavors, these tomatoes are the perfect summer side dish.
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Pan Fried Oyster Mushrooms with Rosemary
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Pan Fried Oyster Mushrooms with Rosemary by Home Cooking Collective
Pan fried oyster mushrooms are crispy, meaty, and so buttery, making them a fancy side dish to serve with spaghetti. To make this simple side vegan, swap the butter with your favorite dairy-free butter.
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Roasted Eggplant
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Roasted Eggplant by The Forked Spoon
If tender, caramelized bite-size pieces of roasted eggplant sound like your kind of side dish, try this recipe. This side dish is healthy, delicious, and surprisingly easy.
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Sautéed Rapini (Broccoli Rabe with Garlic and Oil)
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Sautéed Rapini (Broccoli Rabe with Garlic and Oil) by Mangia with Michele
Try sautéed rapini (broccoli rabe) with garlic and oil for your next side. This Italian-American green leafy vegetable has bitter notes and a distinct flavor but it's also a nutritional powerhouse!
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Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
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Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts by Home-Cooked Roots
These crispy air fryer Brussels sprouts are perfectly charred on the outside, yet soft and tender in the middle. They're cooked in half the amount of time as the oven making them the perfect quick and healthy weeknight side. Options for cooking both fresh and frozen included!
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Oven Roasted Cherry Tomatoes
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Oven Roasted Cherry Tomatoes by Scarlati Family Kitchen
Fresh cherry tomatoes become even more delicious in this easy recipe featuring only a handful of ingredients. You can serve these tomatoes directly on top of your spaghetti or on the side.
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Air Fryer Zucchini
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Air Fryer Zucchini (Keto + Low-Carb + Vegan) by Mae’s Menu
Make this easy air fryer zucchini with only a few simple ingredients. Zucchini gets crispy and delicious in this versatile side dish.
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Copycat Olive Garden Breadsticks
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Copycat Olive Garden Breadsticks by The Belly Rules the Mind
These copycat Olive Garden breadsticks are a spot-on remake of a beloved side dish. Luckily they're easy to make, since they're going to disappear pretty quickly after making them!
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Sautéed Leeks and Peas
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Sautéed Leeks and Peas by Cinnamon and Kale
You only need 3 ingredients (plus salt and pepper) to make this delicious side of sautéed leeks and peas. This dish comes together in only 15 minutes so you can easily serve it with your next pasta meal.
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Pesto Vegetables
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Pesto Vegetables by My Pure Plants
If you've got a jar of pesto on hand, you can very quickly and easily make these pesto vegetables. A medley of fresh vegetables is roasted in pesto for a vibrant and flavorful veggie side.
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Garlicky Roasted Brussels Sprouts
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Garlicky Roasted Brussels Sprouts by Karissa’s Vegan Kitchen
Simple and delicious, these garlicky roasted Brussels sprouts are perfect for pairing with spaghetti. Fresh Brussels sprouts get tossed with olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper before they are baked in the oven until they are crispy and delicious.
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Marinated Olives
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Marinated Olives by Hungry Healthy Happy
If you’re an olive lover, you have to try these marinated olives. They’re so flavorful and easy to make.
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10-Minute Sautéed Frozen Green Beans
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10-Minute Sautéed Frozen Green Beans by Scrummy Lane
No veggies left in the fridge? No worries. Here's an easy recipe to make a delicious side from frozen green beans which you could apply to other frozen veggies.
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Salads
Salad is almost always healthy but it’s also always different. There are basically an unlimited number of combinations of vegetables, fruits, proteins, grains, and toppings that can be dreamed up to create new and interesting salads. If you’re not a fan of leafy greens, there are still tons of salads out there that contain no leaves whatsoever. And if you can’t find anything you like, just build your own salad with your favorite veggies and your favorite dressings. Many recipes below even include a homemade dressing that’s better and more economical than anything you’d buy at a store. Check out some of these salads and serve one of them on your next spaghetti night!
Radicchio Mandarin Brussels Sprouts Salad
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Radicchio Mandarin Brussels Sprouts Salad by Garlic and Zest
Radicchio is the star of this delightful and elevated salad. The beautiful tangy citrus dressing, tender sweet mandarins, and chopped pistachios make this salad extra special.
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Green Goddess Chopped Salad
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Green Goddess Chopped Salad by Spabettie
This green goddess chopped salad is fresh, herby, and flavorful. It even stays fresh for several days in the fridge so you make this in advance.
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Mandarin Almond Salad
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Mandarin Almond Salad by Served from Scratch
If you're looking for a fresh and easy side salad, mandarin almond salad is a great option. This recipe is simple and quick to make so it's perfect for spaghetti night.
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Roasted Cauliflower Salad with Tahini Dressing
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Roasted Cauliflower Salad with Tahini Dressing by Six Hungry Feet
Roasted cauliflower salad served with a flavorful tahini dressing is a healthy and delicious side salad for spaghetti night. Make this simple yet boldly flavored salad and the plates will clear themselves.
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Lentil Salad
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Lentil Salad by J Cooking Odyssey
Simple yet flavorful and packed with protein, this green lentil and veggie salad is tossed in a lemon and garlic dressing. Make this tasty salad the next time you need a side dish.
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Raw Carrot Salad with Honey Lime Vinaigrette
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Raw Carrot Salad with Honey Lime Vinaigrette by Ugly Duckling Bakery
This light carrot salad features paper-thin carrot slices and honey lime dressing. If you didn't want to use honey you could substitute agave or maple syrup.
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Roasted Asparagus Green Salad
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Roasted Asparagus Green Salad by Wholesome Soulfood Kitchen
Roasted asparagus is surprisingly delicious when combined with leafy greens and a lemon olive oil dressing. Enjoy this simple salad alongside spaghetti for a healthy and flavorful meal.
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White Bean Antipasto Salad
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White Bean Antipasto Salad by Spabetti
This tasty white bean antipasto salad features bold, bright, and briny flavors. It's also super easy and fast to make.
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Refreshing Chickpea Salad with Lemon
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Refreshing Chickpea Salad with Lemon by Naturallie Plant-Based
You only need 5 minutes to make this refreshing Mediterranean cucumber tomato salad. The chickpeas pack some protein into this easy side dish for a healthy way to round out your meal.
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Chick-Fil-A Crunch Salad (Copycat Recipe)
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Chick-fil-A Kale Crunch Salad (Copycat Recipe) by The Food Hussy
Love the Chick-fil-A Kale Crunch Salad? This copycat recipe is spot on and is full of fresh ingredients and an apple dijon vinaigrette.
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Vegan Kale Salad for Fall
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Vegan Kale Salad For Fall by Daily Dish
This fall kale salad features crisp, seasonal ingredients and is flavorful and bright. Make this easy kale salad with sweet apples and dried cranberries and a tangy creamy dressing.
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Summer Strawberry Salad with Cucumber & Arugula
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Summer Strawberry Salad with Cucumber & Arugula by Aleka’s Get-Together
Made with bright and fresh ingredients like strawberries and arugula, this tasty summer salad is a lovely tangy side for spaghetti. Make it vegan by swapping the feta with vegan feta (or omit) and use agave or maple syrup in the dressing instead of honey.
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Easy Microgreen Salad with Fresh Ginger Dressing
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Easy Microgreen Salad With Fresh Ginger Dressing by Low-Histamine Eats
Microgreens are the star of this light and delicious salad. This nutrient and vitamin packed salad is a lovely side to a satisfying main like spaghetti.
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Mediterranean Cauliflower Salad
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Mediterranean Cauliflower Salad by Veggies Save the Day
Cauliflower is zesty and delicious in this crunchy Mediterranean salad. This easy and healthy side dish combines raw vegetables and fresh herbs with a zesty flavorful dressing.
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Fattoush Salad
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Fattoush Salad by Keeping the Peas
Fattoush salad is a traditional Middle Eastern dish that features toasted pita bread, tangy sumac, and crisp vegetables. This super easy side dish is healthy, flavorful, and quick to make.
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Farmer’s Market Salad with Mustard Vinaigrette
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Farmer’s Market Salad with Mustard Vinaigrette by A Dash of Megnut
Farmer's market favorites are combined in an easy salad with a delicious homemade mustard vinaigrette in this easy recipe. You can substitute any vegetables you have handy in this versatile and delicious dish.
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Best Tossed Green Salad for a Crowd
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Best Tossed Green Salad for a Crowd by Haute and Healthy Living
Make this large tossed green salad for a crowd or even a family meal. This healthy and easy salad is perfect for spaghetti night.
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Simple Kohlrabi Salad with Vinaigrette Recipe
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Simple Kohlrabi Salad with Vinaigrette Recipe by Masala Herb
Kohlrabi is an underrated and underutilized vegetable… Let's change that with this delicious and easy kohlrabi salad recipe. You only need 7 ingredients total for this easy and flavorful side salad.
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Orange and Fennel Salad Recipe
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Orange and Fennel Salad Recipe by A Tasty Kitchen
Anise flavor from the fennel and sweet citrus from the orange pair together beautifully in this vibrant salad. This side is the perfect complement to any main dish.
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Five-Minute Arugula Fig Salad
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Five-Minute Arugula Fig Salad by Snixy Kitchen
This peppery and sweet salad features fresh arugula, figs, and toasted almonds. To make it dairy-free, skip the parmesan and/or use your favorite vegan cheese instead.
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Strawberry Apple Cider Salad
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Strawberry Apple Cider Salad by Joyful Balance
Fun, tangy, sweet, and fresh, this easy salad is perfect for that time when fall is beginning but you're not really ready for summer to end. This salad features fresh strawberries, granny smith apples, feta (vegan or dairy feta both work), candied pecans, and a somewhat sweet dressing for a lovely side dish.
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Spring Mix Salad Recipe
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Spring Mix Salad Recipe by Flavor the Moments
A spring mix salad couldn't get any more delicious in this side featuring crisp lettuce, carrot, radish, avocado, and sunflower seeds. Make your own dressing or use a favorite bottled dressing for an easy side dish.
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Watercress Salad
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Watercress Salad by Hungry Healthy Happy
Watercress is a strongly flavored green but it's one of the healthiest greens on the planet, rich in antioxidants and vitamins. This simple watercress salad makes this peppery green more palatable and makes a lovely side dish.
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Easy Green Salad Recipe with Capers
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Easy Green Salad Recipe with Capers by Debra Klein
Easy and full of flavor, this little green salad is the perfect side dish. Featuring peppery radishes, fresh greens and cucumbers, and briny capers, this side salad will become a new favorite.
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