What to Serve with Risotto? 10 BEST Side Dishes
In Italian, risotto is not normally served with anything else.
It’s like a meal in itself.
But if you want to serve it with something, what should you choose?
Here are 10 BEST side dishes to serve with your risotto.
1.
Parmigiano Reggiano and Parmesan Cheese This is the perfect pairing with risotto.
If you want to add a bit of depth to your dish, this cheeseis perfect.
It is creamy and a bit sharp, so it will melt in your mouth and slightly enhance the flavor of the risotto.
2.
Butter Butter is ano
What to Serve with Risotto? 10 BEST Side Dishes
Risotto dishes are meant to be served with a side dish, so the purist might go for a serving of sautéed vegetables. However, risotto is so full of flavor that it can become overpowering if paired with something too subtle. Therefore, it is always best to serve risotto with something different from what you would expect. This can include a rich and hearty stew or braised meat dish. Risotto is a popular and classic Italian rice dish that needs to be paired with a side. It can be made in any type of sauce, which means it has endless possibilities. There are so many different types of risotto dishes that one can serve to accompany the main course. However, there are not many side dishes that go well with risotto except for these 10 choices listed below.
1 – Arugula and Parmesan Salad
Risotto is a rice dish where the rice is cooked in different sauces and served on top of vegetables. The rice is soaked in butter, so it’s important to pair it with a side that isn’t as rich as the risotto. Some things to consider for a side dish are vegetables or salads. For example, arugula and Parmesan salad has an earthy and herbal flavor that could be enjoyed with any type of risotto. Arugula and Parmesan salad goes well with risotto because it is light, fresh and provides a little contrast to the flavors that are often intense. 2 – Carrot and Parsnip Purée Paragraph: Risotto pairs well with carrot and parsnip purée due to its creamy texture and sweet taste. The sweetness of the puréed vegetables balances out the savory flavors of risotto. This side dish is also a good option if you want to make something vegan-friendly. 3 – Farro Salad Paragraph: Farro offers an earthy flavor that helps cut through the heavy creaminess in risotto dishes. It also has a subtle nuttiness that complements both risotto’s flavors and textures well. 4 – Lemon Asparagus Paragraph: Lemon asparagus is highly flavorful which provides a nice contrast to the creaminess of risotto dishes. Additionally, it has a delicately crispy texture that pairs nicely with high-heat dishes like risotto. 5 – Roasted Kabocha Squash Purée with Pistachios Paragraph: Roasted Kabocha squash purée with pistachios offers a rich, earthy flavor that complements ris
2 – Roasted Broccoli with Garlic
Roasted broccoli with garlic is a side that provides a nice contrast to the creaminess of risotto dishes. The vinegary flavor from the lemon juice and red pepper flakes add a bold, spicy element that complements lighter dishes like risotto. Roasted broccoli with garlic is a great side dish to pair with risotto because it has a similar flavor profile to the rice. It also offers a bit of richness that goes well with the dish. 3 – Roasted Brussels Sprouts Paragraph: Roasted Brussels sprouts are great for adding more color and texture to your meal, as well as giving you some extra vitamins and minerals. They also have an earthy flavor which complements the flavors in risotto.
3 – Buttered Green Beans
Buttered green beans are a great side dish to pair with risotto because they also have an earthy flavor and a similar texture. They are a higher calorie option, but they still provide the same amount of vitamins and minerals as roasted Brussels sprouts. Buttered green beans are a classic side dish that goes well with most meals. Adding orange zest to the butter adds a delicious twist.
4 – Roasted Asparagus with Lemon Zest
Roasted asparagus goes beautifully with all meals and is a very healthy option. They are low in calories, but still provide the same amount of nutrients as Brussels sprouts. Putting lemon zest on top of the asparagus really adds a fresh flavor, which is perfect for any meal. Asparagus has a youthful and earthy flavor that pairs well with the lemon zest. They are packed with vitamins and minerals and make a great vegetarian option.
5 – Sautéed Mushrooms
Grilling, sautéing, or roasting mushrooms is a simple way to add some protein to your dish. Mushrooms are packed with nutrients and perfect for an everyday meal. Roasted mushrooms can be added to salads, sandwiches, soups, pizza, and so much more! Mushrooms are a low-calorie and nutrient rich food that goes great with any meal. It’s best to sauté them as opposed to boiling or baking because it gives them more flavor. Sautéing mushrooms creates a slightly crispy texture without adding oil, which keeps your healthy fat intake balanced. Mushrooms also have a high water content, which makes them perfect for soups and stews.
6 – Pan-Fried Eggplant Rounds
Eggplant rounds are a great way to make a low-carb vegetable meal that is filled with flavor! Try them as-is, roasted and served with a fresh tomato sauce, or in any dish that calls for fried potatoes. They’re also an excellent substitute for breadcrumbs when you’re baking! Eggplant rounds, or aubergines (see photo), are a great source of protein and can be sautéed, steamed, or fried. For example, pan-fried eggplant rounds can be sautéed to make a healthy veggie dish that’s filling and satisfying.
7 – Creamed Spinach
Creamed spinach is an easy way to add a hearty serving of vegetables to your dish without much hard work. Just sauté some onions and garlic in butter or olive oil, then add the spinach. When it’s bright green, remove the pan from heat and mix with cream or sour cream. When cooled, this becomes a great addition to any type of meal. Eggplant rounds are a great way to make a low-carb vegetable meal that is filled with flavor! Try them as-is, roasted and served with a fresh tomato sauce, or in any dish that calls for fried potatoes. They’re also an excellent substitute for breadcrumbs when you’re baking!
8 – Baked Beans
For those days when you want to eat well but don’t have time to cook, baking beans offers a quick and easy way to get in your vegetables. Start by cooking the beans according to the instructions on the can. Once they’re done, just mix them into any ground meat for a crazy-healthy hamburger! Baked beans are a favorite side dish for many people, typically served with bacon and biscuits. They can also be served as a main dish. In order to achieve the best flavor for your Beans, sautee onions in butter or olive oil before adding the garlic and browning the ground beef. Season with salt, pepper, and red-wine vinegar. After cooking for a few minutes, add in the canned green beans and water or tomato sauce. Cook on low heat for about 30 to 45 minutes so that the ingredients can marry together and the flavors are able to infuse into each other. Add any of your favorite spices such as chili powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, thyme, and/or cayenne pepper to give it more flavor!
9 – Creamy Vegetable Soup
Lentil soup is a favorite lentil dish that has been eaten for centuries in many cultures. Lentils are packed full of nutrients and high in protein. One of the most important ingredients in lentil soup is onion, which adds layers of flavor to the dish. To make this recipe more personal, use what you have on hand – carrots, celery, zucchini, bell pepper, potatoes and kale will also work well. Creamy Vegetable Soup For those days when you want to eat well but don’t have time to cook, baking beans offers a quick and easy way to get in your vegetables. Start by cooking the beans according to the instructions on the can. Once they’re done, just mix them into any ground meat for a crazy-healthy hamburger! Baked beans are a favorite side dish for many people, typically served with bacon and biscuits. They can also be served as a main dish. In order to achieve the best flavor for your Beans, sautee onions in butter or olive oil before adding the garlic and browning the ground beef. Season with salt, pepper, and red-wine vinegar. After cooking for a few minutes, add in the canned green beans and water or tomato sauce. Cook on low heat for about 30 to 45 minutes so that the ingredients can marry together and the flavors are able to infuse into each other. Add any of your favorite spices such as chili powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, thyme, and/or cayenne pepper to give it more flavor!
10 – Caprese Salad
Caprese salads are a delicious and refreshing way to eat. They are typically made with tomatoes, mozzarella cheese and basil leaves. They are a great option for those who do not want to spend too much time in the kitchen. Caprese salad is a mixture of tomatoes, basil leaves, mozzarella cheese and balsamic vinegar that can be eaten on its own or with pasta. The main ingredients are simple and are easily grabbed from the pantry; however, the main ingredient for Caprese salad is actually olive oil. It is possible to substitute olive oil with other oils such as avocado or grapeseed oil. This recipe starts out with 1/4 cup of you favorite olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, pepper, 2 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar and 2 tablespoons of sugar. Onion and garlic are also added in, which gives your salad a great onion flavor!
What to Serve with Risotto – 10 BEST Side Dishes
Risotto is one of those dishes that most people struggle with. It is a labor-intensive dish to make, but it can be a real crowd-pleaser when done right. Making risotto requires constant stirring, so the best side dishes are ones that don’t need very much stirring or time in the oven. Risotto is a creamy rice dish that is usually made with mushrooms, white wine and Parmesan cheese. It can be eaten by itself or with other foods such as vegetable stir-fry. Risotto is also an excellent choice for Thanksgiving dinner as it allows people to indulge in comfort food while still feeling healthy.