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.
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
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.
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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!
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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.
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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!
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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.
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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!
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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.
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Cherry Tomato Caprese Salad by foodworthfeed
This mouthwatering caprese salad features cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, balsamic, and an optional roasted tomato vinaigrette.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Vegan Caesar Salad by Vegan Huggs
This flavorful salad features a homemade vegan Caesar dressing as well as homemade croutons for the perfect crunch!
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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.
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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.
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Balsamic Roasted Brussels Sprouts
These vegan Balsamic Roasted Brussels Sprouts require just 3 ingredients plus salt and pepper! Tossed in balsamic vinegar and garlic-infused olive oil, these roasted Brussels sprouts are loaded with flavor. Enjoy them as is or top them with our vegan white sauce and toasted sliced almonds.
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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!
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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
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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Shelley
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!
Sherri Hall
Thanks so much, Shelley! Yes, there are so many ideas to choose from for sure! 🙂