What to Serve with Mushroom Risotto: 14 Best Side Dishes

When the cold weather starts, there is nothing better for a warm cozy dinner at home than my Instant Pot Mushroom Risotto recipe.

The best risotto recipes are made with just butter, arborio rice, olive oil, savory parmesan cheese, chicken broth, and finely chopped shallots.

You can add a number of different flavors to your creamy rice dish. Pumpkin, seared scallops, lemon zest, aromatics, and sauteed mushrooms can all be added to your buttery rice dish to make your own risotto recipes.

Mushroom risotto, like most Italian cuisine, is best served with a glass of vino. However, it also pairs well with many other dishes to make a delicious and hearty meal.

I've gathered my go-to side dish recipes to serve with any of your favorite recipes for smooth and creamy risotto. Some are quick and easy, while others might take some time.

All of them are tasty and answer the question of what to serve with mushroom risotto tonight.

Looking for a quick answer?

The best side dishes to serve with mushroom risotto are garlic herb butter roasted chicken, salmon with dill, and roast beef.

For a lighter option, you could also serve some crunchy green beans, mint soup, or a healthy spinach salad.

You can even elevate your risotto course with garlic prawns or a rack of lamb.

Now, let’s get cooking!

1. Salmon With Dill

Salmon is an excellent pairing for any risotto dish. The rich flavors and creamy texture of a mushroom risotto can be overwhelming if paired with something else that is heavy.

Add some steamed broccoli to serve alongside the salmon and risotto for an even healthier main course.

2. Lemon Garlic Chicken

Another excellent option for what to serve with mushroom risotto is this lemon garlic chicken with golden brown crispy skin.

In addition to pairing well with a smooth and creamy risotto, these crispy chicken thighs can be served with any rice dish, a vegetable side dish like roasted broccoli, or some delicious potato wedges.

3. Crispy Green Beans

Wondering what to serve with mushroom risotto recipes? These crispy green beans are a classic risotto side dish that is fast and easy to make with incredible flavor.

You can even chop your beans and add them to your creamy risotto resulting in a healthy and delicious one-pot meal.

4. Pork Tenderloin

Pork tenderloin is a lean meat that is an excellent side dish if you are wondering what to serve with mushroom risotto.

Season your tenderloin with fresh herbs from the garden or your favorite spices from the pantry. Serve your tender pork loin alongside your smooth and creamy mushroom risotto or on top as a complete meal.

Any pork side will work with this creamy rice dish, including your favorite sausage links, pork chops, or crumbled sausage.

5. Bacon Wrapped Asparagus

If you are wondering what to serve with mushroom risotto, check out my simple bacon-wrapped asparagus. They will make your taste buds and anyone at your dinner table happy.

For a more elevated side dish, you can swap out the bacon for prosciutto, drizzle with high-quality olive oil and balsamic reduction, then serve with risotto for a delicious meal you won't soon forget.

6. Halibut

Halibut is a light-tasting option that is versatile to work with, easy to make, and a delicious option to serve with risotto.

You can sear it with some olive oil, lemon juice, half the butter, and white wine.

Serve risotto alongside your halibut and a fresh arugula salad for a healthy and delicious meal you will want again and again.

7. Steamed Vegetables

This simple side dish recipe featuring steamed broccoli, cauliflower, and green beans is so easy to make and can always be altered to your personal preference.

Add some olive oil, lemon juice, and red pepper flakes. Steam and serve with risotto. Add some restaurant-quality scallops, pork chops, sliced chicken breast, or smoked prime rib for a tasty, satisfying, and elevated dish.

8. Roast Beef

This roast beef recipe is an excellent dish to serve with risotto and will likely yield plenty of leftovers to be used for later meals.

If you save half the mushrooms from the risotto recipe, you can melt butter in the roast drippings and add the reserve mushrooms for some amazing gravy to pour over potato wedges or sweet potatoes.

9.  Garlic Prawns

Garlic prawns have always been a crowd-pleaser and a favorite recipe of mine to serve with risotto.

In addition to these garlic prawns, you could try it with coconut-toasted shrimp if you want to know what to serve with mushroom risotto. The slightly crispy outer layer of the coconut shrimp is a nice addition to the creamy texture of your risotto dish.

10. Spinach Salad

Of my favorite side dishes to serve with risotto, a nice light salad is always a good idea.

This spinach salad features a slightly sweet balsamic dressing and feta cheese. You could however swap it out for some parmesan cheese, add any remaining mushrooms from the risotto, and add some marinated olives for a more savory flavor to serve with mushroom risotto.

11. Rack of Lamb

Take your mushroom risotto to the next level with some herb-crusted lamb chops.

If you can't find lamb at your local grocery store, oven-baked pork chops will also work well in a pinch to serve with risotto.

Cook some reserved mushrooms in the same pot as your lamb or pork for some rich and flavorful gravy drippings.

12. Steamed Broccoli

Another quick and easy side dish to serve with risotto is steamed broccoli.

Serve risotto with pork chops or your favorite sausage links and steamed broccoli or remaining mushrooms as a healthy, delicious, and substantial meal.

13. Homemade Garlic Bread

Garlic bread is hands down one of my favorite oven-baked side dishes to serve with mushroom risotto.

Featuring parmesan cheese, plenty of garlic, and Italian crusty bread, the crispy exterior is perfect for dipping in the smooth and creamy risotto.

14. Garlic Herb Butter Roasted Chicken

This garlic herb butter roaster chicken can go a long way if used properly.

Once it's cooked and its buttery juices pooled, those drippings can be used to make an amazing chicken gravy or kept to make homemade chicken broth later.

You can serve the risotto with sliced chicken breast or use the leftovers to add to your cooked arborio rice for a chicken mushroom risotto.

Best Side Dishes to Serve With Mushroom Risotto

• Salmon With Dill
• Lemon Garlic Chicken
• Crispy Green Beans
• Pork Tenderloin
• Bacon Wrapped Asparagus
• Halibut
• Steamed Vegetables
• Roast Beef
• Garlic Prawns
• Spinach Salad
• Rack of Lamb
• Steamed Broccoli
• Garlic Bread
• Garlic Herb Butter Roasted Chicken

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