What to Serve With Risotto: 35+ Best Side Dishes

BySireesha
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If you're looking for the perfect side dish to serve with risotto, this recipe collection has got you covered. From salads to breads to veggies and more, you'll be sure to find the perfect accompaniment to pair with your creamy risotto.

collage of 4 of the sides for risotto in the roundup with text title overlay.

So, you've cooked your arborio rice to perfection and have made the perfect risotto, one that Gordon Ramsay would be proud of.

But now you're wondering what you're supposed to serve with this creamy Italian rice dish to make it a complete meal.

Oftentimes, this creamy rice dish is served alongside meat-based dishes such as lemon chicken, crispy chicken thighs, or pork chops to name a few.

Some recipes even add chicken breast to make a chicken risotto or seafood to make a shrimp risotto, for example.

Many Italian risotto recipes are also made with chicken broth or chicken stock.

But if you're a vegetarian or vegan, don't fret! There are lots of options for making a meat-free risotto meal.

Sorry meat lovers, but this collection is strictly meatless. 😉 But we're sure even the carnivores will find some great options for serving with your favorite risotto.

Whether you're making a simple saffron risotto, a Parmesan risotto topped with fresh herbs and Parmesan cheese, a vegan risotto with lemon slices and lemon zest, or a rustic mushroom risotto recipe, there are lots of different ways to add to your meal whether you're cooking for a dinner party or other special occasions, or even for your family dinner table.

So, if you're in need of the perfect match for your delicious bowl of risotto, you've come to the right place!

We've got lots of options to for tasty side dishes that will perfectly complement your risotto dinner. And all are either vegetarian or vegan.

Best Side Dishes for Risotto

Vegan Tofu Parmesan
Vegan Tofu Parmesan is crispy, saucy, cheesy, and made with healthy pantry ingredients! It's the perfect family main dish and can be made gluten-free if needed!
Check out this recipe
A white baking dish serve with vegan tofu parmesan and topped with fresh basil leaves.
Air Fryer Eggplant
If you're a fan of crispy breaded eggplant, then you'll love this air fryer eggplant. This recipe is easy to make in just minutes with less oil than pan-frying. It's also vegan-friendly and can easily be made gluten-free with just one swap! Perfect as is, with a side of marinara, or make it Parmesan-style.
Check out this recipe
close-up overhead of eggplant on a white plate with side of sauce
Balsamic Tofu
This Balsamic Tofu recipe is the perfect dish to pair with your favorite risotto recipes. It's made with a homemade marinade that is bursting with flavor from balsamic vinegar, garlic, lemon juice, honey, and seasonings. There's a vegan option too!
Check out this recipe
close-up overhead of finished tofu on top of rice in a bowl.
Cauliflower Steaks with Chermoula Sauce by Eat Something Vegan
These cauliflower steaks with chermoula sauce are perfect for serving alongside risotto for a flavorful meal.
Check out this recipe
overhead of cauliflower steaks in a cast iron pan.
Honey Garlic Tofu Recipe
This Honey Garlic Tofu (with vegan option) is an easy-to-make dish that's packed with flavor! It's sweet, salty, tangy, and comes together in just 20 minutes!
Check out this recipe
A plate filled with cooked white rice topped with honey garlic tofu. Everything is garnished with black sesame seeds and chopped scallions.
Air Fryer Stuffed Mushrooms by Cooking School Dropout
These air fryer stuffed mushrooms are a great vegetarian side for risotto featuring tomatoes, olives, and mozzarella cheese.
Check out this recipe
stuffed mushrooms in a cast iron pan.
Air Fryer Tofu Nuggets
Air Fryer Tofu Nuggets are crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and SO addicting! They're easy to make and ready in less than 30 minutes!
Check out this recipe
Air fryer tofu nuggets placed on a platter with news paper. Lime edges and a bowl of ketchup placed around them.
Easy Cashew Basil Pesto Recipe
This Cashew Pesto is bright, savory, and full of flavor. It's perfect for serving alongside risotto with some crusty bread for dipping or to use as a topping or mix-in.
Check out this recipe
Cashew pesto served in a white bowl with a wooden spoon in it. Sliced baguette, basil leaves and halved lemon placed next to the bowl.
Pesto Rosso by Mad Creations
This red pesto features sun dried tomatoes and almonds for a twist on the classic green pesto. Great for topping your risotto or using as a dipping sauce for bread on the side.
Check out this recipe
Red pesto rosso topped with pine nuts, basil, and a lemon wedge in a bowl
Garlic Parmesan Cheese Straws by Three Olives Branch
These flavorful breadsticks are easy to make with puff pastry sheets, Parmesan cheese, and seasonings for the perfect simple side dish.
Check out this recipe
garlic Parmesan cheese breadsticks wrapped in a kitchen towel.
Vegan & Gluten-Free Garlic Bread
If you're in need of a vegan version of garlic bread (GF too!), try this easy recipe. This crunchy, buttery vegan and gluten-free garlic bread is incredibly easy to make in just 15 minutes and with only 6 ingredients!
Check out this recipe
overhead view of cut pieces of garlic bread on a white plate
Baked Balsamic Bruschetta
This Baked Balsamic Bruschetta is the perfect party appetizer! Lightly-oiled gluten-free bread is topped with a balsamic-marinated mixture of tomatoes, garlic and onion and sprinkled with Parmesan and fresh basil for a delicious flavor combination. 
Check out this recipe
close-up of pieces of bruschetta on a white serving plate.
Cherry Tomato Caprese Salad by foodworthfeed
This mouthwatering caprese salad features cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, balsamic, and an optional roasted tomato vinaigrette.
Check out this recipe
caprese salad in a white bowl with balsamic being drizzled on with a spoon.
Cucumber and Tomato Salad
This simple and flavorful cucumber and tomato salad is light, refreshing and takes just minutes to make with only a few ingredients.
Check out this recipe
overhead of cucumber tomato salad in white bowl with wooden spoon to the right.
Panzanella Salad by Joy Food Sunshine
This panzanella salad features sourdough bread, mozzarella cheese, tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, onions, and basil for a flavor-packed side dish.
Check out this recipe
Panzanella salad with toasted bread, tomatoes, cucumber, avocado, and mozzarella in a bowl
Simple Side Salad by Peas and Crayons
This simple side salad features lettuce, veggies, croutons, and Parmesan or feta cheese plus three choices of dressing - Greek, Italian, or Balsamic.
Check out this recipe
close-up of side salad with colorful veggies and Parmesan cheese.
Vegan Caesar Salad by Vegan Huggs
This flavorful salad features a homemade vegan Caesar dressing as well as homemade croutons for the perfect crunch!
Check out this recipe
overhead of salad in a white bowl with a fork in it.
Romanian Spring Salad by The Romanian Cookbook
This simple green salad is the perfect complement for a hearty dish like risotto. It's easy to make and packed with veggies.
Check out this recipe
Romanian spring salad with lettuce, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, and scallions in a bowl
Lemon Arugula Salad with Pine Nuts by A Cedar Spoon
This arugula salad with toasted pine nuts and Parmesan cheese is easy to make and features a quick homemade lemony dressing.
Check out this recipe
lemon arugula salad in a white bowl with a wooden salad claw in it.
Creamy Vegan Broccoli Soup Recipe
This Vegan Broccoli Soup Recipe is SO smooth and creamy, you'd never guess it's made without any dairy! It's quick and easy to make, and can be on the table in just 30 minutes!
Check out this recipe
Creamy green vegetable soup topped with roasted cashews and basil in white bowls
Garlic Butter Brussels Sprouts by Eating Works
These buttery Brussels are bound to satisfy everyone's taste buds and make a great addition to your risotto dinner.
Check out this recipe
overhead of Brussels sprouts in a white bowl.
How to Cook Frozen Broccoli (on the stove)
This easy broccoli side dish is ready in just minutes with a light, refreshing flavor that's perfect for serving alongside risotto.
Check out this recipe
overhead of broccoli in a white bowl with fork to the right.
Mushroom Marsala by Urban Bliss Life
This mushroom marsala is an easy and flavorful one-pan dish that is the perfect side for your risotto main dish.
Check out this recipe
overhead of mushroom marsala in a white bowl.
Roasted Carrots and Green Beans by Balance with Jess
You only need 5 ingredients and 20 minutes to make this nutritious and easy side dish of roasted carrots and green beans.
Check out this recipe
overhead of carrots and green beans on white serving platter.
Air Fryer Charred Broccolini by Vegan Punks
This broccolini side dish is easy to make in under 10 minutes. It's perfect topped with a squirt of lemon juice and some vegan Parmesan cheese.
Check out this recipe
overhead of broccolini on a white serving platter.
Oven Roasted Vegetables Medley by Two Healthy Kitchens
It's easy to eat the rainbow when you've got these colorful oven roasted veggies on your plate!
Check out this recipe
Oven-roasted vegetables with zucchini, carrots, cherry tomatoes, peppers, and asparagus on a platter
Sauteed Arugula by The Clever Meal
Sauteeing arugula is a great way to bring out its flavor! This easy recipe features the flavors of garlic, toated pine nuts, and sweet raisins.
Check out this recipe
Sauteed arugula with pine nuts and golden raisins on a white platter with baguette
Baked Sweet Potato and Kale by Clean Eating Kitchen
Sweet potatoes, kale, and onions are seasoned and baked to perfection in this easy side dish that makes a great pairing for risotto.
Check out this recipe
sweet potato kale casserole in a white serving bowl with a spoon in it.
Sauteed Swiss Chard by Lavender and Macarons
This swiss chard recipe is a wonderful complement for your risotto. Flavored with garlic, tomato, and fresh thyme, it's a flavor-packed side that's easy to make in under 15 minutes.
Check out this recipe
Sauteed rainbow Swiss chard with red stems in a bowl
Blistered Tomatoes by Foxes Love Lemons
These blistered tomatoes can be made with either cherry or grape tomatoes, and are flavored with garlic, shallot, lemon juice, and basil. Easy to make in under 10 minutes for a quick side!
Check out this recipe
overhead of blistered tomatoes in a cast iron pan with a spoon in it.
Roasted Broccoli Rabe by Living Lou
This broccoli rabe side dish is tossed with red pepper flakes and freshly squeezed orange juice for a burst of flavor.
Check out this recipe
Sauteed broccoli rabe with chili flakes on a white plate with orange wedges
White Asparagus Recipe by Our Plant Based World
If you've never tried white asparagus before, this easy vegan recipe is a great way to start! It's the perfect complement to a hearty risotto dish.
Check out this recipe
overhead of white asparagus in a dish with hand sticking fork in one.
Air Fryer Squash
Air fryer squash is an easy-to-make side dish that's ready in 15 minutes or less! Naturally vegan and gluten-free, this great side dish recipe features both zucchini and fresh yellow squash tossed with olive oil, salt and pepper. 
Check out this recipe
overhead view of cooked squash on a white plate.
Air Fryer Green Beans
You'll love how easy it is to make fresh green beans in your air fryer! In about 10 minutes, you'll have a tasty side dish that's perfect with almost any main course.
Check out this recipe
close-up overhead of green beans on a white plate.
Air Fryer Asparagus
This easy-to-make air fryer asparagus recipe cooks in less than 10 minutes and is the perfect side dish for any occasion! It's also extra tasty topped with our vegan hollandaise.
Check out this recipe
overhead of asparagus on white serving dish with large serving fork next to it
Balsamic Roasted Brussels Sprouts (3 Ingredients!)
These vegan roasted brussel sprouts require just 3 ingredients plus salt and pepper! Tossed in balsamic vinegar and garlic-infused olive oil, they're ready in less than 45 minutes and are perfect for weeknight dinners or holiday gatherings.
Check out this recipe
close-up of Brussels sprouts in white baking dish
Roasted Broccoli with Garlic
You can't go wrong with roasted veggies! This irresistibly flavorful roasted broccoli with garlic is super easy to make with just 3 ingredients plus salt and pepper and ready in just 20 minutes!
Check out this recipe
overhead of broccoli garnished with coarse sea salt
Sauteed Mushrooms by Drive Me Hungry
Sauteed mushrooms and risotto are the perfect combination whether served on top or on the side. This version is cooked in butter and garlic, and can be flavored a number of ways.
Check out this recipe
close-up of sauteed mushrooms in a white dish.

As you can see, there are so many options when it comes to sides for risotto. In fact, it's hard to pick just one, so why not try them all?!

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2 Comments

  1. What a wonderful collection of recipes - I especially love that there are so many veggie ideas, and also tofu! My risotto will never be lonely again lol!

    Reply