What to Serve with Risotto: 35+ Easy Sides

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.

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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 sides for risotto.

The BEST Risotto Side Dishes

This easy cheesy baked tomatoes recipe is perfect with creamy risotto!
Get the RECIPE from The Healthy Little Peach
Cheesy Baked Tomatoes
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.
Shaved Brussel Sprout Salad
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. 
Cherry Tomato Salad
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!
Italian Radicchio Salad
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.
Arugula Salad
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
Parmesan Cookies
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
Sauteed Green Beans
Sliced garlic bread ready to serve.
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
Perfect oven-roasted broccoli in 20 minutes! This recipe produces crispy charred broccoli tops with outrageous flavor.

Get the RECIPE from Swanky Recipes
Roasted Broccoli
Smoked asparagus spears on baking sheet with parchment and charred lemons.
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
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
Bruschetta
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!
Sauteed Spinach
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.
Italian White Beans
Overhead shot of bowl of sauteed snap peas in grey bowl.
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
Overhead close up of prepared strawberry spinach salad with poppyseed dressing drizzled on it.
This spinach salad with poppyseed dressing is quick, easy & delicious! Featuring sweet strawberries & a creamy poppyseed dressing.
Spinach Salad with Poppyseed Dressing
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
Tuscan White Bean Salad
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
Italian Stuffed Artichokes
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.
Fennel and Chickpea Salad
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.
Kale Caesar Salad
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
The Ultimate Caesar Salad
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!
Shirazi Salad
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!
Tomato Cucumber Salad
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.
Grilled Bell Peppers
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.
Crostini
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. 
Grilled Broccolini
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!
Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts
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.
Sous Vide Asparagus
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.
Crispy Prosciutto
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!
Roasted Brussels Sprouts
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.
Sunchokes
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.
Shaved Brussel Sprout Salad
Overhead shot of stuffed artichoke hearts in baking dish with serving spoon.
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
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.  
Fennel Celery Salad
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!
Instant Pot Artichokes

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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Collage of what to serve with risotto.

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

Ingredients

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

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.
5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

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