What To Serve With Butternut Squash Risotto

by Alan Chavez

What To Serve With Butternut Squash Risotto

Butternut Squash Risotto is a creamy and savory dish. It pairs well with sides like roasted vegetables, grilled protein, salad, and bread. To create the ultimate meal, choose one or more of these sides.

  • Roast veggies like carrots, Brussels sprouts, and asparagus for a crunchy addition.
  • Grill chicken, fish, or shrimp to add protein.
  • Serve a fresh salad with mixed greens, tomatoes, and vinaigrette.
  • Top it all off with a slice of crusty bread and butter or olive oil. Enjoy!

Vegetable Side Dishes

Butternut squash risotto – a tasty fall dish – is great as a main or a side. For the best flavor, pair it with a veggie dish! Something simple or complex – there are many perfect side dishes for butternut squash risotto.

Let’s take a look at some of them!

Garlic Roasted Broccoli

Treat yourself to garlic roasted broccoli! It’s a yummy side dish that goes with a variety of main dishes. Here’s what you need:

  • 1 head of broccoli, cut into florets;
  • 2-3 cloves of garlic, minced;
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil;
  • salt and pepper, to taste.

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Toss the broccoli in oil and garlic in a bowl. Sprinkle salt and pepper. Spread the broccoli on a baking sheet. Roast for 20-25 minutes until tender and charred. Enjoy this garlic roasted broccoli with butternut squash risotto, grilled chicken, or roasted salmon.

Balsamic Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Yummy balsamic-roasted Brussels sprouts make an amazing side to serve alongside butternut squash risotto. Here’s a simple recipe!

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb Brussels sprouts
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • Salt & pepper, to taste

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
  2. Wash sprouts & cut off ends. Cut in half, if necessary.
  3. Mix olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic powder, salt & pepper in a bowl.
  4. Add sprouts & toss until fully coated.
  5. Place sprouts on a baking sheet.
  6. Roast for 25-30 minutes until brown & crispy.

Tip: Add some chopped bacon/pancetta to the sprouts before roasting for extra flavor!

Grilled Asparagus

Grilled Asparagus – a delectable and nutritious veggie side dish! Perfect with Butternut Squash Risotto.

Here’s how to make it:

  1. Preheat your grill to medium-high.
  2. Rinse asparagus, snap off woody ends.
  3. In a bowl, mix olive oil, salt, pepper.
  4. Brush asparagus with oil mixture.
  5. Grill 4-5 minutes, turning occasionally, until tender, slightly charred.
  6. Remove from grill, arrange on platter.
  7. Drizzle with lemon or balsamic vinegar for a flavor kick.

Grilled Asparagus – a swift and straightforward side dish that pairs perfectly with the creamy texture of Butternut Squash Risotto.

Salad Side Dishes

Butternut Squash Risotto – delicious and cozy! To make it even more special, why not pair it with a salad? A green one, a slaw, or a grain-based salad – there’s something for everyone. Add a light and crunchy contrast to the creamy risotto. Perfect accompaniment for Butternut Squash Risotto!

Caprese Salad with Balsamic Glaze

Caprese Salad with Balsamic Glaze is a stunning side for Butternut Squash Risotto – a match made in heaven! Here’s how to make it:

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 8 ounces mozzarella cheese, sliced
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic glaze

Directions:

  1. Arrange the mozzarella and tomatoes in a dish.
  2. Sprinkle the chopped basil on top.
  3. Drizzle the glaze over everything.
  4. Serve with Butternut Squash Risotto.

Pro-tip: Select fresh and top-notch ingredients for the best flavor!

Arugula Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette

Arugula Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette is a great side for Butternut Squash Risotto. Its peppery taste contrasts the richness of the risotto plus the lemon vinaigrette adds a zesty and refreshing note. Here’s how to make this tasty salad:

Ingredients:

  • 4 cups Arugula
  • 1/4 cup shaved Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup chopped Walnuts
  • 2 tablespoons Lemon Juice
  • 1/4 cup Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
  • 1 clove Garlic, minced
  • Salt & Black Pepper to taste

Directions:

  1. In a big bowl, whisk together the Lemon Juice, minced Garlic, Salt, and Black Pepper.
  2. Slowly pour in the Olive Oil while whisking to make the dressing.
  3. Add the Arugula to the bowl and mix with the dressing.
  4. Top with shaved Parmesan Cheese and chopped Walnuts.
  5. Serve & Enjoy!

Pro Tip: For extra flavor, add Cherry Tomatoes, sliced Cucumbers, or Roasted Beets to the salad.

Caesar Salad with Homemade Dressing

Make your Caesar salad unique by using homemade dressing! Here’s how:

Dressing:

  • – 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • – 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • – 2 tbsp olive oil
  • – 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • – 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • – 2 tsp minced garlic
  • – Salt and black pepper to taste

Procedure:

Mix all the ingredients together in a small bowl.

Salad:

  • – 1 large head of Romaine lettuce, chopped
  • – 1/2 cup croutons
  • – Parmesan cheese, shaved

Procedure:

Toss the chopped Romaine lettuce with the homemade dressing in a large bowl.

Top with croutons and shaved Parmesan cheese.

Serve this classic side dish with any main course. Enjoy!

Meat and Seafood Side Dishes

Butternut squash risotto is a tasty, creamy meal that is usually eaten as the main course. To get the most flavors out of the risotto, think about serving it with a tasty meat or fish dish. Let’s go over some of the best sides to go with butternut squash risotto and how to make them.

Pan Seared Scallops

Pan-seared scallops – yum! An easy-to-make seafood dish that goes great with butternut squash risotto. Here’s what to do:

  1. Dab the scallops with a paper towel to get rid of any moisture.
  2. Sprinkle salt, black pepper and paprika on both sides of the scallops.
  3. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add some olive oil.
  4. Place the scallops in the skillet in a single layer. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, until golden brown and crispy outside, tender inside.
  5. Serve with a warm bowl of butternut squash risotto. Pro tip: Sprinkle chopped fresh herbs – like parsley or chives – on top of the scallops for a zingy flavor. Enjoy!

Grilled Chicken

Grilled chicken is a tasty, fulfilling main course. It pairs great with different sides! To complete your butternut squash risotto, try these yummy options:

  • Grilled veg – zucchini, asparagus, or bell peppers.
  • Roasted sweet potatoes – sweet and creamy!
  • Green salad – light and crisp with a tart dressing.
  • Garlic bread – toasted and delicious.
  • Grilled corn – to bring summer to your plate.

No matter which side you choose, make sure it compliments the main course for a balanced and enjoyable meal.

Rosemary Roasted Pork Loin

Rosemary-roasted pork loin is a scrumptious meal. Especially with butternut squash risotto as a meat and seafood side dish. Here’s a recipe for it:

Ingredients:

  • 1 (3-4lb) boneless pork loin
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon cracked black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
  2. Mix rosemary, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
  3. Rub pork loin with olive oil.
  4. Cover with seasoning mix.
  5. Place in roasting pan and cook until 145°F. This should take about 1 1/2 hours.
  6. Rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing.
  7. Serve with butternut squash risotto.

Pro Tip: Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the pork loin. That way, it’s safe to eat and full of flavour.

Bread Side Dishes

Butternut squash risotto? Yum! Serve it with a range of breads for side dishes. Hot or cold, you can sample a variety of tastes and textures. Traditional French baguette? Toasted focaccia? Or a warm ciabatta roll? Take your pick! Here’s a list of the yummiest breads to enjoy with butternut squash risotto:

Garlic Breadsticks

Garlic breadsticks are a must-try! They’re easy to make and complement Italian cuisine or soup. Here’s how:

  1. Get 1 pound of pizza dough. 4 tablespoons of butter, 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 tablespoon chopped parsley, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan, salt & pepper.
  2. Preheat oven to 425°F.
  3. Flour the surface and roll out the dough. Cut into strips and bake for 10-15 mins.
  4. Melt the butter in a small saucepan and add garlic. Cook until fragrant. Remove from heat and stir in parsley.
  5. Brush garlic butter on top of the breadsticks.
  6. Sprinkle with Parmesan, salt, & pepper.
  7. Serve hot & enjoy!

Pro tip: Try adding garlic powder, red pepper flakes, or Italian seasoning for extra flavor.

Grilled Flatbread with Herbs and Parmesan

Grilled flatbread with herbs and parmesan? Yum! It’s a tasty and handy bread side to have with butternut squash risotto. Here’s how:

  1. Preheat the grill to medium-high.
  2. Mix together melted butter, garlic, herbs (e.g. rosemary, thyme, oregano) and parmesan cheese.
  3. Brush the mixture onto pre-made flatbread or pizza dough.
  4. Grill for 2-3 minutes per side, until golden and with grill marks.
  5. Serve with risotto or as an app with a dip. Pro-tip: Mix it up with different types of cheese and herbs.

Focaccia Bread with Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar Drizzle

Focaccia bread – the ideal accompaniment to butternut squash risotto! Here’s how to make it:

Ingredients:

  • – 1 1/2 cups warm water
  • – 1 tbsp active dry yeast
  • – 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • – 2 tsp salt
  • – 1/4 cup olive oil
  • – 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar

Instructions:

  1. In a bowl, combine warm water and active dry yeast. Let sit for 5 mins until dissolved and bubbly.
  2. Add flour, salt, and olive oil. Stir until a dough forms.
  3. Knead the dough on a floured surface for 5-10 minutes.
  4. Place the dough in an oiled bowl, cover with plastic. Let rise 1 hour.
  5. Preheat oven to 400°F.
  6. Place dough on baking sheet, use fingers to create dimples.
  7. Brush with olive oil. Bake for 20-25 mins until golden brown.
  8. Drizzle balsamic vinegar just before serving.

This focaccia bread is the perfect match for the creamy and savory flavor of butternut squash risotto. Pro tip: Add fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme to the dough for extra flavor.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are some good protein options to serve with Butternut Squash Risotto?

Some good protein options to serve with Butternut Squash Risotto are roasted chicken, grilled shrimp, or seared scallops.

2. What kind of vegetables go well with Butternut Squash Risotto?

Vegetables that go well with Butternut Squash Risotto are roasted brussels sprouts, sautéed kale, or grilled asparagus.

3. Can I serve a salad with Butternut Squash Risotto?

Yes, you can serve a salad with Butternut Squash Risotto. A simple mixed greens salad or a kale salad with cranberries and pecans would be a great pairing.

4. What about serving bread or breadsticks with Butternut Squash Risotto?

Serving bread or breadsticks with Butternut Squash Risotto is a great idea. Garlic bread or crusty French bread would be an excellent accompaniment.

5. Is it okay to serve wine with Butternut Squash Risotto?

Yes, it is absolutely fine to serve wine with Butternut Squash Risotto. A good white wine like a Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc would pair well.

6. What kind of dessert would complement Butternut Squash Risotto?

A light, refreshing dessert like lemon bars or fruit sorbet would complement the richness of Butternut Squash Risotto well.