We’ve all had that moment mid-week where we can’t figure out what to serve with our butternut squash risotto. 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!

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. We love adding a simple dressing of olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and a touch of honey to bring out the natural sweetness.
This side dish is easy to prepare—just roast the beets in the oven until they’re tender. Sprinkle with goat cheese and walnuts for added texture.
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 burst of warm, garlicky goodness followed by the rich, nutty flavor of parmesan. These rolls are perfect with butternut squash risotto.
Ingredients? Simple stuff: flour, yeast, garlic, butter, and parmesan. 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 taste buds.
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. Easy to make, it’s just chopped kale, olive oil, garlic, and a squeeze of lemon.
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.
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. We love its light, tangy vibes against the risotto’s creaminess.
Ingredients: arugula, cherry tomatoes, shaved parmesan, olive oil, balsamic vinegar.
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. 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. Every bite offers a burst 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. 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 complements 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. 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.
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. 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 vibrant 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. Cut into wedges and roast until they’re caramelized and crispy on the outside.
Butternut squash brings a sweet and nutty flavor. Rosemary adds a touch of piney freshness. We love how it contrasts with creamy risotto. It’s a perfect balance of textures and tastes.

Andrew Gray is a seasoned food writer and blogger with a wealth of experience in the restaurant and catering industries. With a passion for all things delicious, Andrew has honed his culinary expertise through his work as a personal chef and caterer.
His love for food led him to venture into food writing, where he has contributed to various online publications, sharing his knowledge and insights on the culinary world. As the proud owner of CooksCrafter.com, Andrew covers a wide range of topics, including recipes, restaurant reviews, product recommendations, and culinary tips.
Through his website, he aims to inspire and educate fellow food enthusiasts, offering a comprehensive resource for all things food-related.