Risotto, with its creamy texture and rich flavors, is a delightful dish on its own. But to elevate your meal and create a truly memorable dining experience, pairing it with the right side dishes is key. If you’re wondering What Is Risotto Served With, look no further! We’ve compiled a list of 20 fantastic side dishes that perfectly complement risotto, from light and fresh to hearty and savory. Whether you’re planning a casual weeknight dinner or a special occasion feast, these pairings will help you create a balanced and delicious meal.
1. Buttery Fish with Crispy Skin
Close up of pan seared cod with crispy skin and herbs on a plate.
For a touch of elegance and protein, buttery fish with crispy skin is an excellent choice. The richness of the fish and its satisfyingly crisp skin provides a wonderful textural contrast to the creamy risotto. A mild white fish like cod or halibut, prepared with a simple pan-searing technique, allows the delicate flavor of the fish and the risotto to shine through without overpowering each other. This pairing is quick to prepare, making it perfect for a sophisticated yet simple meal.
Get the Recipe
2. Mozzarella-Stuffed Chicken Pomodoro
Mozzarella stuffed chicken pomodoro in tomato sauce with basil in a skillet.
If you’re looking for a heartier side, Mozzarella-Stuffed Chicken Pomodoro is a mouthwatering option. The juicy, Italian-seasoned chicken filled with melted mozzarella and simmered in a vibrant tomato sauce adds a robust and flavorful element to your risotto meal. The acidity of the pomodoro sauce cuts through the richness of the risotto, while the melted cheese provides an extra layer of indulgence. This is a family-friendly dish that’s sure to impress.
Get the Recipe
3. Burrata Caprese with Balsamic Glaze
Burrata Caprese with Balsamic Glaze offers a refreshing and elegant counterpoint to creamy risotto. The creamy burrata, sweet juicy tomatoes, and fresh basil, drizzled with olive oil and tangy balsamic glaze, create a light and flavorful side. The coolness of the Caprese salad and the acidity of the balsamic perfectly balance the warmth and richness of the risotto, making for a harmonious and delightful combination, especially during warmer months.
Get the Recipe
4. Bavette Steak (Flank Steak)
Sliced bavette steak medium rare with garlic au jus on a white plate.
For meat lovers, Bavette Steak, also known as flank steak, is a fantastic side to serve with risotto. This flavorful and tender cut of beef, broiled to medium-rare perfection and infused with garlic, brings a savory and satisfying depth to the meal. The richness of the steak complements the creamy risotto beautifully, creating a decadent and fulfilling dining experience. The garlic and beef juices also mingle wonderfully with the risotto.
Get the Recipe
5. 10-Minute Sautéed Broccolini (Broccoletti)
Sautéed Broccolini, or broccoletti, provides a healthy and vibrant green element to your risotto plate. This tender and slightly sweet vegetable is quick to cook and pairs well with almost anything. Simply sautéed with olive oil, red chili flakes, garlic, and lemon juice, it offers a bright and slightly spicy contrast to the creamy risotto. Broccolini adds not only flavor but also essential nutrients and a welcome textural difference.
Get the Recipe
6. Hamachi Kama (Yellowtail Collar)
Broiled hamachi collar with lemon slices, yuzu ponzu, and soy sauce on a plate.
For a more adventurous and flavorful fish option, consider Hamachi Kama, or broiled yellowtail collar. This Japanese delicacy is rich in Omega-3 fatty acids and boasts a tender, flavorful meat. The slightly charred and savory notes of the hamachi kama, often served with ponzu and soy sauce, offer an exciting and umami-rich contrast to the creamy Italian risotto. It’s a unique and delicious pairing that’s sure to impress.
Get the Recipe
7. Pear and Prosciutto Rocket Salad
Pear and Prosciutto Rocket Salad is a delightful salad that brings a mix of sweet, salty, and peppery flavors to complement risotto. Crispy prosciutto, sweet pear slices, crunchy walnuts, and peppery arugula, tossed in a maple balsamic vinaigrette, create a complex and satisfying salad. The sweetness of the pear and maple, combined with the saltiness of the prosciutto and the peppery arugula, cuts through the richness of the risotto, offering a refreshing and balanced side.
Get the Recipe
8. Healthy Corn and Zucchini Fritters
Stacked healthy corn and zucchini fritters topped with greek yogurt, roasted corn, and basil.
Healthy Corn and Zucchini Fritters are a fun and flavorful way to add vegetables to your risotto meal. These fritters, with their balance of sweet corn and savory zucchini, provide a delightful textural contrast to the creamy risotto. Topped with fresh basil, Greek yogurt, and roasted corn, they offer a light and refreshing side that’s both healthy and delicious. The slight sweetness of the corn and zucchini works beautifully with the savory risotto.
Get the Recipe
9. Elotes Style Corn with Furikake
Elotes Style Corn with Furikake brings an umami-packed and slightly spicy element to your risotto dinner. Inspired by Mexican street corn but with a Japanese twist using furikake seasoning, this corn offers a unique and exciting flavor profile. Whether served on the cob or as a salad, the creamy, spicy, and umami notes of this corn dish create a wonderful contrast to the creamy and often savory risotto.
Get the Recipe
10. Maple Bacon Brussel Sprouts
Maple Brussel Sprouts with Pancetta in a bowl flatlay.
Maple Bacon Brussel Sprouts offer a sweet and savory, hearty vegetable side that pairs wonderfully with risotto. Roasted until tender and slightly caramelized, then tossed with maple syrup and bacon or pancetta, these Brussel sprouts are packed with flavor and texture. The sweetness of the maple and the saltiness of the bacon create a rich and satisfying side that balances the creamy risotto.
Get the Recipe
11. Dutch Oven Whole Chicken with Meyer Lemon
Dutch Oven Whole Chicken with Meyer Lemon is a show-stopping centerpiece that can be served alongside risotto for a complete and hearty meal. The whole chicken, roasted in a Dutch oven until crispy-skinned and juicy, infused with the bright citrus notes of Meyer lemon and herbs, provides a substantial and flavorful protein option. The chicken’s savory and slightly tangy flavors complement the creamy risotto, making for a comforting and satisfying dinner.
Get the Recipe
12. Oven Roasted Onions
Oven roasted onions with herbs on a Heath Ceramics platter.
Oven Roasted Onions are a simple yet flavorful vegan side that perfectly complements risotto. Sweet onions roasted with olive oil, herbs like thyme and rosemary, salt, and pepper until tender and caramelized, offer a sweet and savory depth. The roasted onions’ sweetness and soft texture provide a gentle and comforting contrast to the creamy risotto, making for a harmonious and satisfying vegetarian meal.
Get the Recipe
13. Crispy Prosciutto
Crispy Prosciutto is a quick and easy way to add a salty and crunchy element to your risotto dish. Baked until perfectly crisp, prosciutto becomes a delicate and flavorful garnish or side. Its salty and savory flavor and delicate crunch offer a textural contrast to the creamy risotto, enhancing the overall dining experience. It’s a simple yet impactful addition.
Get the Recipe
14. Roasted Asparagus with Parmesan
Roasted Asparagus with Parmesan and Lemon on a plate.
Roasted Asparagus with Parmesan is a classic and flavorful vegetable side that pairs beautifully with risotto. Asparagus roasted until tender-crisp and topped with salty Parmesan cheese and a squeeze of lemon offers a bright and savory contrast to the creamy richness of the risotto. It’s a simple, elegant, and healthy side that’s easy to prepare while the risotto cooks.
Get the Recipe
15. Prosciutto Wrapped Figs with Goat Cheese
Prosciutto-Wrapped Figs with Goat Cheese are a sweet and savory appetizer or side that can also be a delightful accompaniment to risotto. Figs stuffed with creamy goat cheese, wrapped in salty prosciutto, and topped with rosemary, honey, and flaky salt, create a burst of complex flavors. The sweetness of the fig, the creaminess of the goat cheese, and the saltiness of the prosciutto offer an exciting and sophisticated counterpoint to the savory risotto.
Get the Recipe
16. Oven Roasted Butternut Squash
Oven roasted butternut squash with herbs on a serving platter.
Oven Roasted Butternut Squash is a warm and comforting vegetable side that’s especially perfect for fall and winter risotto dishes. Roasted until tender and caramelized, butternut squash offers a naturally sweet and slightly nutty flavor. Its sweetness and creamy texture, when roasted, complement the savory and creamy risotto, creating a harmonious and seasonal pairing.
Get the Recipe
17. Furikake and Lemon Shishito Peppers
Furikake and Lemon Shishito Peppers bring a touch of spice and umami to your risotto meal. These peppers, blistered and seasoned with furikake and lemon, offer a combination of sweet, spicy, and savory flavors. The slight heat and umami from the furikake provide an exciting contrast to the creamy risotto, making for a flavorful and palate-awakening side dish or appetizer.
Get the Recipe
18. Fig Balsamic Glazed Chicken
Fig Balsamic Glazed Chicken on a white serving platter with a wooden spoon.
Fig Balsamic Glazed Chicken is another fantastic chicken option to serve alongside risotto. Chicken thighs baked in a tangy fig balsamic glaze with herbs become incredibly tender and flavorful. The sweet and tangy glaze adds a rich and complex flavor profile to the chicken, which pairs wonderfully with a mushroom truffle risotto, or any creamy risotto. The balsamic glaze cuts through the richness of the risotto, creating a balanced and delicious meal.
Get the Recipe
19. Sautéed Buttered Leeks
Sautéed Buttered Leeks are a simple and elegant vegetable side that enhances the flavors of risotto without overpowering it. Leeks and shallots sautéed in butter and olive oil until tender and sweet offer a delicate and savory flavor. Their mild oniony sweetness and buttery richness complement the creamy risotto, especially mushroom or vegetable risottos, creating a harmonious and flavorful vegetarian pairing.
Get the Recipe
20. Harvest Salad with Quinoa and Arugula
Harvest Salad with Quinoa and Arugula and lemon slices on a plate.
Harvest Salad with Quinoa and Arugula is a healthy and hearty salad that can be enjoyed year-round as a refreshing side to risotto. Packed with fall flavors like dried cranberries, toasted walnuts, and goat cheese, this salad offers a delightful mix of textures and tastes. The slight bitterness of arugula, the sweetness of cranberries, and the nutty quinoa provide a refreshing and balanced contrast to the creamy risotto, making it a perfect side for any season.
Get the Recipe
These 20 side dishes offer a wide range of flavors and textures to complement your risotto. From light salads to hearty proteins and flavorful vegetables, you’re sure to find the perfect pairing to create a memorable meal. Experiment with these suggestions and discover your own favorite combinations to serve with risotto!
