What to Serve with Butternut Squash Risotto? 12 Side Dishes

We've all had that moment mid-week where we can't figure out what to serve with our butternut squash risotto (a creamy Italian rice dish made with arborio rice and roasted butternut squash). Risotto? Easy.

Side dish? Not as simple!

We've been there, staring blankly at our fridge, wondering what goes best.

First of all, if you've never made risotto, it's like a warm hug in a bowl. But what about its sidekicks?It's got to be something that doesn't steal the limelight.

So we're here to help you sort it out.

We've tried everything from simple salads to roast veggies. And now we want to share our favorites.

Let's make our risotto experience unforgettable!

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Top 12 Side Dishes for Butternut Squash Risotto

Here are some ideas for side dishes to serve with your butternut squash risotto:

Side Dish	Main Ingredients	Flavor	Difficulty	Time
Roasted Beet Salad	Beets, arugula, feta	Sweet, earthy	Easy	45 min
Garlic Parmesan Dinner Rolls	Bread dough, garlic, parmesan	Savory, buttery	Moderate	1 hr 15 min
Sautéed Kale with Lemon	Kale, lemon, garlic	Tangy, garlicky	Easy	15 min
Roasted Maple Brussels Sprouts	Brussels sprouts, maple syrup	Sweet, caramelized	Easy	30 min
Arugula Salad with Balsamic	Arugula, balsamic vinegar	Peppery, tangy	Easy	10 min
Parmesan Truffle Fries	Potatoes, truffle oil, parmesan	Savory, umami	Moderate	45 min
Garlic Herb Focaccia	Bread dough, herbs, garlic	Herbal, garlicky	Moderate	2 hr 15 min
Roasted Asparagus with Lemon	Asparagus, lemon zest	Bright, lemony	Easy	20 min
Pear and Walnut Salad	Pears, walnuts, greens	Sweet, nutty	Easy	15 min
Rosemary Parmesan Biscuits	Biscuit dough, rosemary, parmesan	Savory, herbal	Moderate	30 min
Sautéed Spinach with Garlic	Spinach, garlic	Garlicky, fresh	Easy	10 min
Roasted Butternut Squash Wedges	Butternut squash	Sweet, roasted	Easy	40 min

1 - Roasted Beet Salad

Beets offer a unique blend of earthy and sweet flavors that complement butternut squash risotto perfectly (Beta vulgaris, a root vegetable with earthy, slightly sweet notes).

This side dish is easy to prepare-just roast the beets in the oven until they're tender; see more roasted vegetable side ideas.

2 - Garlic Parmesan Dinner Rolls

Who doesn't love a good roll? These garlic parmesan dinner rolls are little bites of heaven.

With every bite, you get a pop of warm, garlicky goodness followed by the rich, nutty flavor of parmesan, which pairs nicely with garlicky shrimp side ideas.

Ingredients? Simple stuff: flour, yeast, garlic, butter, and parmesan (use all-purpose flour and active dry yeast).

Pro tip: Brush the tops with a little extra butter before baking for that glossy finish.

We love them warm from the oven, soft inside and slightly crisp on the outside. A true party for the palate.

3 - Sautéed Kale with Lemon

Kale and lemon is a pairing we love. The lemon brings out a zesty fresh flavor in the kale that's unbeatable (Brassica oleracea var. sabellica, a leafy green with slightly bitter, earthy notes).

Easy to make, it's just chopped kale, olive oil, garlic, and a squeeze of lemon; find more kale salad side options.

Sauté until the kale is tender but still has a bite. It cuts through the richness of risotto perfectly.

It's a bright, fresh, and simple side dish.

4 - Roasted Maple Brussels Sprouts

Alright, let's talk brussels sprouts. We've got roasted brussels sprouts with a sweet maple twist.

These babies are crisp on the outside and tender inside (roast at 425°F for 20-25 minutes to achieve a caramelized exterior).

We toss them in olive oil, salt, and pepper. Coat them with a drizzle of maple syrup.

Roast them until they're caramelized.

The sweet maple and earthy sprouts create a perfect balance. It's like healthy meets indulgent.

Easy peasy, totally worth it.

5 - Arugula Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette

Arugula salad is a fresh, peppery addition to our meal (arugula, or Eruca sativa, has a mustardy, peppery bite). We love its light, tangy vibes against the risotto's creaminess.

Ingredients: arugula, cherry tomatoes, shaved parmesan, olive oil, balsamic vinegar; also see arugula salad side ideas.

The balsamic vinaigrette gives a sweet and tangy kick, contrasting with the bitter arugula.

In our experience, this salad is insanely quick to toss together, and always gets compliments.

Easy, tasty, and balanced - it's a must-try.

6 - Parmesan Truffle Fries

Crunchy, savory fries with a touch of luxury (the truffle oil lends earthy, musky aromatics). We toss them with parmesan and truffle oil for that extra oomph.

Ingredients? Easy: Russet potatoes, garlic, parmesan, truffle oil, salt, and pepper.

Our top tip: Bake them until golden and crispy. The truffle oil adds a unique, rich flavor, while the parmesan gives a nutty twist.

Try them once and you'll be hooked.

7 - Garlic Herb Focaccia

We're obsessed with garlic herb focaccia. It's a pillowy bread with a seasoned crust (a classic Italian flatbread with an open crumb).

Every bite offers a pop of garlic and herbs.

Ingredients are simple: flour, yeast, olive oil, rosemary, thyme, and garlic. The rosemary gives a pine-like aroma, while thyme adds a peppery touch.

We bake it until golden brown. Soft inside, crispy edges.

It's the ultimate sidekick to our risotto.

8 - Roasted Asparagus with Lemon Zest

Asparagus is versatile and packed with flavor (Asparagus officinalis, with grassy, slightly bitter notes). We roast it till it's tender, adding just olive oil, salt, pepper, and lemon zest.

The lemon zest gives a fresh zip to the earthy taste of asparagus.

We love how easy this is to make. Throw it in the oven and you're done.

It's fresh, simple, and goes with the creamy risotto perfectly.

9 - Pear and Walnut Salad

Salads are fun when they balance flavors and textures. Pear and walnut salad brings sweet and crunch together.

Mix sliced pears, toasted walnuts, arugula, and blue cheese (Bosc or Bartlett pears work well for texture and sweetness). The creamy cheese contrasts with the crisp pear.

For dressing, whisk olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and a pinch of salt. We add it just before serving for freshness.

10 - Rosemary Parmesan Biscuits

Alright, let's talk rosemary parmesan biscuits. Crumbly, cheesy, and herb-infused, they're our go-to side.

Flour, baking powder, lemon zest, fresh rosemary, parmesan, and buttermilk are the essentials (fresh rosemary gives the best aromatic punch).

We mix dry ingredients first. Add buttermilk for that soft, moist inside.

Rosemary brings a pine-like aroma. Parmesan adds a salty, nutty flavor.

Bake until golden brown for maximum yum.

Perfect for mopping up extra risotto sauce. These biscuits are a surefire hit at any meal.

11 - Sautéed Spinach with Garlic

We can't get enough of this super simple side dish. Chopped spinach, garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper (baby spinach is milder and wilts faster than mature leaves).

That's all you need. The garlic adds a savory punch, while the olive oil keeps it smooth.

It complements risotto quite well.

We love the bright green color it adds to our plate. Sauté until it's just wilted, for the perfect texture.

This side dish is quick, healthy, and flavorful.

12 - Roasted Butternut Squash Wedges

Roasted butternut squash wedges are our autumn staple. We keep it simple: squash, olive oil, salt, pepper, and rosemary.

T1Cut into wedges and roast until they're caramelized and crispy on the outside.

Butternut squash brings a sweet and nutty flavor (Cucurbita moschata, with dense, sweet flesh). Rosemary adds some piney freshness.

We love how it contrasts with creamy risotto.

It's a perfect balance of textures and tastes.