Wondering what to serve with risotto? I’ve got you covered with this handy guide. Guaranteed crowd-pleasing delicious side dishes made with simple ingredients.
The most popular risotto recipes on my blog include this chicken risotto, shrimp risotto, and butternut squash risotto.
But no matter which type of risotto you’re serving, you’re guaranteed to find a perfect side dish here.
Flavorful Risotto + Amazing Side Dish = PERFECTION!
When serving tender risotto for dinner, there are 3 essentials:
- An amazing risotto recipe – I love this Mushroom Risotto and Creamy Tomato Risotto.
- Wine. Here are 7 bottles that pair perfectly with pasta or risotto.
- And, of course, some really stellar side dishes!
From classic salads such this arugula salad and this shaved brussels sprouts salad, to vegetable sides like sauteed spinach and asparagus, there are so many options.
So, let’s dig in!
Keep reading to discover 35+ tasty sides for risotto.
The BEST Risotto Side Dishes
Parmesan Delicata Squash
This easy recipe for Parmesan Delicata Squash roasts Italian-seasoned and parmesan-coated squash slices in the oven until they’re cheesy and tender. Enjoy it as a simple but addictive side dish with any fall or winter meal.
Parmesan Delicata Squash
Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad
This Shaved Brussel Sprout Salad with Mustard and Parmesan is tossed in a light red wine vinaigrette and makes a delicious, crunchy side dish.
Shaved Brussel Sprout Salad
Cacio e Pepe Cauliflower
If you love cacio e pepe, this lightened-up Cacio e Pepe Cauliflower is for you! It puts a low-carb and gluten-free twist on the classic pasta dish but still has the same rich, cheesy, and peppery flavors you love.
Cacio e Pepe Cauliflower
Cherry Tomato Salad with Roasted Lemons
This Cherry Tomato Salad with Roasted Lemons is the perfect side dish. Sweet tomatoes combine with a tangy vinaigrette and delicious roasted lemons.
Cherry Tomato Salad
Snap Pea Salad
This Snap Pea Salad is the best warm-weather side dish. Crunchy and sweet snap peas, fresh basil, and almonds are tossed in a tangy lemon and Dijon dressing, giving you a simple meal that’s incredibly refreshing and flavorful!
Snap Pea Salad
Italian Radicchio Salad
This delicious Italian Radicchio Salad is dressed in a creamy lemon-vinaigrette and tossed with buttery calvestrano olives, tasty breadcrumbs and nutty parmesan cheese. And, a special tip ensures that your radicchio won't be bitter!
Italian Radicchio Salad
Simple Arugula Salad Dressing
This Arugula Salad recipe with red wine vinaigrette is my go-to green salad. The arugula has a peppery bite to it which pairs wonderfully with the acid in the vinaigrette. It’s the perfect salad for pairing with rich dishes.
Arugula Salad
Roasted Artichoke Hearts
These Roasted Artichoke Hearts are easy to make with canned, frozen, or fresh artichokes. Golden and crispy with irresistible Mediterranean flavors, they’re the perfect last-minute appetizer or side dish to pair with your favorite dipping sauce!
Roasted Artichoke Hearts
Din Tai Fung Green Beans
These copycat Din Tai Fung Green Beans are deliciously crispy and coated with lots of savory garlic and a spicy chili crisp. It’s the best umami-forward side dish to pair with all of your takeout-inspired favorites!
Garlic Green Beans
Braised Fennel
This Braised Fennel Recipe is an elegant side dish for roast chicken, fish, vegetarian meals, and more. The low and slow braising process leaves you with mouthwatering caramelized fennel infused with thyme, garlic, lemon, and honey. You’ll love this versatile veggie!
Braised Fennel
Garlic Bread
Toasty, buttery, herby, covered in a dusting of salty parmesan cheese, piping hot and fresh out of the oven—our homemade garlic bread recipe is everything you’re craving right now, and then some.
Garlic Bread
Traeger Grilled Asparagus
Learn how to smoke asparagus on a Traeger or pellet grill/smoker! This Traeger Asparagus recipe is foolproof and yields tender-crisp, delightfully smoky asparagus every time.
Traeger Asparagus
Sauteed Spinach with Garlic Recipe
Add a healthy boost of nutrients to your dinner with this easy Sauteed Spinach. Baby spinach is added to a skillet along with garlic and olive oil, then sauteed gently to create a simple side dish that pairs with any meal!
Sauteed Spinach
Italian White Beans
These Italian White Beans are cooked low and slow with a bit of sage and garlic, resulting in plump, yet firm beans that are delicious dressed with a bit of olive oil or served on top of crostini.
Italian White Beans
Sauteed Snap Peas
Make your meals pop with a side of Sauteed Sugar Snap Peas! In this easy recipe, you’ll learn how to cook fresh snap peas to crisp-tender perfection in a sizzling hot skillet with just olive oil, butter, salt, and pepper.
Sauteed Snap Peas
Spinach Salad with Poppyseed Dressing
This spinach salad with poppyseed dressing is quick, easy & delicious! Featuring sweet strawberries & a creamy poppyseed dressing.
Spinach Salad with Poppyseed Dressing
Fennel and Chickpea Salad
This Fennel and Chickpea Salad is tossed in a light citrus vinaigrette & topped with parmesan. It’s the perfect make-ahead salad for potlucks or lunches.
Fennel and Chickpea Salad
Vegetarian Kale Caesar Salad
This Kale Caesar Salad is topped with crispy homemade croutons and parmesan cheese. Massaging the creamy garlic dressing into the kale makes it extra tender and delicious.
Kale Caesar Salad
Air Fryer Artichoke Hearts
Love artichokes? Try this quick and easy Air Fryer Artichoke Hearts recipe! Seasoned with parmesan and Italian seasonings, they’re an incredibly crispy and flavorful appetizer or healthy snack.
Air Fryer Artichoke Hearts
Vegan Caesar Salad
This Vegan Caesar Salad has all the tanginess and creaminess that you'd expect from a traditional Caesar salad, but it's completely plant based. Topped with fresh avocado, cripsy fried capers and croutons.
Caesar Salad
Shirazi Salad
This simple Shirazi Salad recipe features fresh cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, and crisp red onion. Dressed with plenty of fresh herbs and tossed with a tangy dressing made with lime juice and olive oil. Every bite is bursting with refreshing flavors!
Shirazi Salad
Sauteed Zucchini
Sauteed Zucchini
Mediterranean Tomato Cucumber Salad
This Tomato Cucumber Salad features fresh cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, and crisp red onion. Dressed in a tangy homemade red wine vinaigrette, every bite is bursting with refreshing Mediterranean flavors!
Tomato Cucumber Salad
Grilled Bell Peppers
Learn how to make perfectly tender and blistered Grilled Bell Peppers at home! It’s one of the best and easiest side dishes you can add to burrito bowls, fajitas, or pair with grilled meats.
Grilled Bell Peppers
How to Make Crostini
Crostini are easy to make at home using just 3-ingredients – bread, olive oil and salt. This simple crostini recipe is the perfect appetizer for parties. You can make them ahead of time and serve them with a variety of toppings.
Crostini
Grilled Broccolini with Apple Cider Vinaigrette
This grilled broccolini is topped with a tangy apple cider vinaigrette and marcona almonds for a delicious crunch. It’s a perfect side dish for autumnal menus or Thanksgiving.
Grilled Broccolini
Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts with Balsamic
Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts with Balsamic cook up crispy and delicious with minimal oil with the help of your air fryer! Dressed simply with balsamic vinegar and a sprinkle of salt. You'll love these!
Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts
Sous Vide Asparagus
How to cook perfect asparagus sous vide. Bright green, perfectly cooked spears. With three options for flavoring – garlic, parmesan or lemon.
Sous Vide Asparagus
Crispy Prosciutto (Air Fried or Baked)
Crispy Prosciutto is easy to make in the oven or air fryer. Perfectly crunchy and even better than bacon, enjoy it as a topping on a creamy risotto dish.
Crispy Prosciutto
Brussel Sprouts with Balsamic Reduction
These Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Reduction & Cranberries make a simple and elegant side dish that both kids and adults love!
Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Simple Roasted Sunchokes
Sunchokes are a knobby root vegetable that can be prepared in more ways than you can imagine! In this recipe, you’ll learn how to roast them with olive oil, garlic, and thyme. It’s an easy side dish you can pair with anything.
Sunchokes
Brussels Sprout Apple Salad
This Shaved Brussel Sprout Salad with Apples & Pecans is tossed in a light maple vinaigrette and makes a delicious, crunchy side dish.
Shaved Brussel Sprout Salad
Stuffed Artichoke Hearts
These Stuffed Artichoke Hearts take all the work out of actually stuffing an artichoke. Canned artichoke hearts are arranged in a dish and topped with a “stuffing” of breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, and garlic.
Stuffed Artichoke Hearts
Shaved Fennel Salad
This Fennel Celery Salad comes together quickly and has such a delicious light lemon-parmesan vinaigrette and wonderful crunch. It's the perfect side salad for rich and hearty dishes like pasta or braised short ribs.
Fennel Celery Salad
Instant Pot Artichokes
Instant Pot Artichokes are quick and easy to make with the help of your electric pressure cooker. Plus, this recipe gives them SO much flavor!
Instant Pot Artichokes
Roasted Honey Balsamic Brussel Sprouts
Brussels sprouts don’t have to be boring! In fact, when roasted to perfection and drizzled with a rich, tangy balsamic-honey glaze, they become a standout side dish that’s hard to resist. This Honey Roasted Brussels Sprouts recipe is all about getting that perfect balance of crispy, caramelized exteriors and tender, juicy insides, finished off with a sweet-and-savory glaze that will have you coming back for seconds.
Honey Balsamic Brussels Sprouts
Brussels Sprouts Caesar Salad
This Brussels Sprouts Caesar Salad is made with shaved brussels sprouts, homemade Caesar dressing, and baked croutons, offering a fresh and extra-crunchy take on a classic. Easy to make ahead of time and it pairs well with everything!
Brussels Sprouts Caesar Salad
How to Make Ahead and Store
Many of these risotto side dish recipes can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for a few days or even in the freezer. Simply check the individual recipes for full storing instructions and details on how to make ahead.
Favorite Risotto Recipes
More Side Dish Recipes
Did you Make Any of These Risotto Side Dishes?
Please leave a comment and rating below, if you loved this round up of what to serve with risotto. Also, be sure to snap a picture of your finished dish and share it with me on Instagram using the hashtag #platingsandpairings and tagging me @platingsandpairings.
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Full Recipe
What to Serve with Risotto: 35+ Sides
Wondering what to serve with risotto? There are so many delicious options. One of my favorite side dishes is this Sous Vide Asparagus. With three options for flavoring – garlic, parmesan or lemon.
Print
Pin
Serves 4 people
Equipment
- FoodSaver
- Sous Vide Weights
Ingredients
- 1 bunch asparagus (about 1 pound)
- 2 Tablespoons butter
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
Parmesan:
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
Lemon:
- 1 lemon (zested and juiced)
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
Garlic:
- 2 cloves garlic (minced or grated)
Instructions
- Set sous vide to 180-degrees.
- Trim the woody ends of the asparagus.
- Add the asparagus, butter and a couple heavy butter knives or spoons to a FoodSaver bag and seal using a vacuum sealer. Alternatively, you can use a ziploc bag and the water displacement method. (The butter knives help to keep the bag weighed down in the water).
- Cook for 8-12 minutes based on the cooking chart below.
- Remove from water bath, season with salt and pepper, and serve.
Parmesan:
- Sprinkle with parmesan cheese after cooking and season with salt and pepper.
Lemon:
- Sprinkle with lemon zest and juice and season with salt and pepper.
Garlic:
- Before sealing, add garlic to bag of asparagus and butter.
Notes
Cooking Time:
- Pencil Thin Asparagus: 8 Minutes
- Medium Asparagus: 10 Minutes
- Thick Asparagus: 12 Minutes
Nutrition
Calories: 88kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 21mg | Sodium: 146mg | Potassium: 37mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 259IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 79mg | Iron: 1mg
Did you make this recipe?Mention @platingsandpairings or tag #platingsandpairings!
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