What to Serve with Risotto (35+ EASY Sides for Risotto)

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:

  1. An amazing risotto recipe – I love this Mushroom Risotto and Creamy Tomato Risotto.
  2. Wine. Here are 7 bottles that pair perfectly with pasta or risotto.
  3. 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 side dishes to serve with risotto.

The BEST Risotto Side Dishes

This easy cheesy baked tomatoes recipe is perfect with creamy risotto!
Get the RECIPE from Healthy Little Peach
Shaved brussels sprouts salad in large bowl with serving spoon.
This Shaved Brussel Sprout Salad with Mustard and Parmesan is tossed in a light red wine vinaigrette and makes a delicious, crunchy side dish.
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Overhead shot of cherry tomato salad in grey bowl.
This Cherry Tomato Salad with Roasted Lemons is the perfect side dish. Sweet tomatoes combine with a tangy vinaigrette and delicious roasted lemons. 
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Prepared radicchio salad in grey bowl with serving utensils.
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!
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Arugula Salad ready to be served.
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.
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These savoury parmesan cookies require minimum baking skills and 3 basic ingredients – Perfect with wine, they’re sure to wow your guests!
Get the RECIPE from The Petite Cook
These Sauteed Green Beans are a great option to serve with chicken or steak! Green beans sauteed in oil & broth, then slightly seasoned to perfection!
Get the RECIPE from Spend With Pennies
Garlic bread on pink background.
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.
Get the RECIPE from The Modern Proper
Perfect oven-roasted broccoli in 20 minutes! This recipe produces crispy charred broccoli tops with outrageous flavor. The BEST quick, easy broccoli recipe ingredients feature broccoli tossed in olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, salt,
Get the RECIPE from Swanky Recipes
This bruschetta is easy to make with fresh, ripe Roma tomatoes, shredded mozzarella cheese and drizzled with balsamic vinaigrette over top of a French baguette. Bruschetta comes together quickly and easily!
Get the RECIPE from The Recipe Critic
Sauteed spinach in white bowl.
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!
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Close up of Italian White Beans with sage.
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.
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If you’re looking for a restaurant style Tuscan White Bean Salad, then you are exactly where you need to be. This easy room temperature salad is perfect to have throughout the whole year.
Get the RECIPE from Rosalynn Daniels
Italian stuffed artichokes are filled with crunchy breadcrumbs, sun dried tomatoes, fresh herbs, and lots of Parmesan cheese for an easy app!
Get the RECIPE from Well Seasoned Studio
Fennel salad with chickpeas in white bowl.
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.
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We are finally in the home stretch of Super Bowl food sharing. So from now until Friday, I have some recipes that you can throw together in a matter of
Get the RECIPE from Real Food by Dad
Overhead close up of bowl of kale caesar salad in white bowl with serving spoon.
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.
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Caesar salad is a staple on restaurant menus across the country, but we’ve yet to find one as perfectly blended as this one – crisp romaine is tossed with creamy dressing, crunchy croutons and premium Parmesan. All hail Caesar!
Get the RECIPE from Bite Me More
Shirazi salad centered in frame with serving spoon.
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!
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You can serve Sauteed Zucchini and Squash with practically anything! It’s a simple side dish that showcases sliced and seared summer squash and savory Italian flavors.
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Serving spoon in bowl of 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!
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Peppers with grill marks scattered on counter.
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.
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Baked crostini on baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
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.
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Platter of grilled broccolini
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. 
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Over head shot of cooked brussels sprouts in grey bowl with spoon.
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!
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Spears of asparagus cooked sous vide topped with parmesan shavings.
How to cook perfect asparagus sous vide. Bright green, perfectly cooked spears. With three options for flavoring – garlic, parmesan or lemon.
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Crispy prosciutto stacked on serving plate.
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.
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Roasted brussel sprouts in bowl drizzled with balsamic glaze and sprinkled with cranberries.
These Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Reduction & Cranberries make a simple and elegant side dish that both kids and adults love!
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Overhead shot of cooked sunchokes in bowl.
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.
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Overhead shot of brussels sporouts & apple salad in white bowl with spoon next to small bowl of parmesan.
This Shaved Brussel Sprout Salad with Apples & Pecans is tossed in a light maple vinaigrette and makes a delicious, crunchy side dish.
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Baked artichoke hearts in baking dish after cooking.
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.
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Overhead shot of shaved fennel salad in green serving bowl on pink table.
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.  
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Artichokes in instant pot liner.
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!
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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.

HUNGRY FOR MORE? For more great Platings & Pairings recipes, be sure to follow me on PinterestTikTokFacebookYouTube and Twitter.

Spears of asparagus cooked sous vide topped with parmesan shavings.

What to Serve with Risotto: 35+ EASY Side Dishes

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.
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 4 people

Ingredients

  • 1 bunch asparagus (about 1 pound)
  • 2 Tablespoons butter
  • Salt and pepper (to taste)

Parmesan:

Lemon:

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
Did you make this recipe?Mention @platingsandpairings or tag #platingsandpairings!

Equipment

Sous Vide Machine
FoodSaver
Sous Vide Weights

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
Bowl of risotto with text overlay - sides for risotto.

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