EatDelights – Only the Good Taste of Food

Savory Pair-ups: 8 BEST Side Dishes to Serve with Osso Bucco

Osso Bucco is a dish that originates in Italy and typically consists of veal shanks braised until they are fork-tender.

When it is served, the meat is pulled from the bone with an accompanying bowl of sauce.

As you might imagine, Osso Bucco can be pretty heavy to eat on its own, so many people serve side dishes such as polenta or risotto.

In this blog post, we will share 8 side dishes that would be great to serve with Osso Bucco.

What to Serve with Osso Bucco – 8 BEST Side Dishes

Osso Bucco is a delicious Italian dish that consists of veal shanks braised in tomatoes and white wine.

However, it’s not the most filling meal.

Most people enjoy adding side dishes to their Osso Bucco because they provide more texture and substance to the meaty main course.

That being said, what should you serve with Osso Bucco?

This is a list of some side dishes that taste great when served alongside an Osso Bucco:.

1 – Risotto Milanese

Risotto Milanese is a classic Italian dish.

It’s easy to make and pairs well with any main course, but it belongs at the side of Osso Bucco, like family members who grew up in different houses.

The dish is made with rice and sautéed onions, butter, broth or water, salt and pepper to taste.

It would be best if you stirred the risotto continuously until it becomes creamy.

Then, all of the ingredients are cooked together in one pot for a few minutes before the cheese is added at just the right time to melt as desired.

This dish goes great with Osso Bucco because both dishes have similar spices, such as cinnamon and paprika, which you can’t go wrong with when picking outside dishes for your next dinner party.

Hash browns make an excellent addition to any meal, but they work especially well if you’re looking for something hearty to serve alongside Osso Bucco.

2 – Cauliflower Gratin with Fontina Cheese

Osso Bucco is a delicious dish, but the side dishes can be bland.

Give your guests something new to taste that will complement the rich flavors of this dish.

This cauliflower gratin recipe is a perfect side for Osso Bucco that can be made well ahead and tastes delicious.

In addition, this gratin requires only eight ingredients that you likely have on hand.

This gratin has a cheesy sauce to die for, and the cauliflower soaks up all of those delicious flavors, making it an excellent accompaniment to Osso Bucco.

So this one’s perfect if you’re looking for something with some extra oomph to accompany your Osso Bucco dish.

3 – Green Beans Almondine

One of our favorite sides we like serving with Osso Bucco are green beans almondine – slightly sautéed and tossed in butter until golden brown before being topped off with slivered almonds and crispy bacon.

This tangy vegetable is perfect for adding flavor and texture to any meal.

There’s just something about the salty crunch and nuttiness of almonds that pair well with rich braised meats, especially those rich in natural gelatin-like Osso Bucco.

If you’re looking for an easy and delicious side dish, this is a great option.

Start by adding one pound of French green beans to two tablespoons of butter and cover with the lid.

Cook on medium-high heat until tender (about five minutes).

Remove from pan onto parchment paper or foil-lined plate, then top with slivered almonds and crispy bacon bits.

Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit/177° Celsius for about three minutes until crisp before serving alongside your braised meats.

You can flavor this dish to your liking by adding salt and pepper or grating a bit of fresh Parmesan cheese on top.

4 – Stuffed Tomatoes with Goat Cheese

For an elegant yet straightforward dish befitting any occasion or home cooking: serve stuffed tomatoes with goat cheese as the perfect side to your Osso Bucco.

The filling of these uber-healthy and flavorful delights will leave you feeling satisfied without overloading on carbohydrates.

This recipe is super simple, so it’s sure to become a hit among friends and family alike; plus, they’re easy enough for even beginners in the kitchen to make.

Not only are they easy enough prep wise but their flavor complements hearty dishes like these wonderfully too.

There isn’t anything better than tangy tomato sauce mixed with the rich flavor of goat cheese when served together.

5 – Savory Rice with Lentils

One of my favorite side dishes for heavier meals, like Osso Bucco or lamb shanks, are lentils with savory rice pilaf on the other end of the spectrum in terms it’s more wholesome but still filling.

Rice pilaf is a dish of rice that has been cooked in butter or oil and then sauteed with onions, carrot, and celery until the vegetables are tender and the rice grains have an al dente texture to them.

This mixture can be seasoned with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and any other spices you like.

You’ll want to cook it for about 20-25 minutes depending on your stove top’s heat level, so make sure this side dish will last throughout dinner time before adding spices.

Serve up some savory lentils on top of the rice pilaf, and you’ll have a comforting dish that will help sustain your appetite for all of those delicious dishes.

They’ll add an earthy flavor profile complimented by hints of thyme, oregano, and sesame if you decide to add them.

6 – Lemon Roasted Potatoes and Broccoli Rabe

Have you ever had a dish with lemon and garlic? If not, you’re missing out.

The flavors of these ingredients blend in the best possible way to create something tangy, savory, sweet, and slightly spicy all at once.

We like to roast both potatoes and broccoli rabe following MinimalistBaker’s technique for roasting vegetables for this recipe.

Roasted veggies are always delicious but adding some fresh lemon juice adds an extra layer of flavor that you can’t miss.

Lemon-roasted potatoes have a nice crunch on the outside when they’re cooked just right, while inside, they remain soft as silk – perfect texture for any potato lover or anyone who appreciates things well done with lots of care put into it.

Of course, we also add plenty of roasted garlic to our potatoes and broccoli rabe for that extra punch of flavor.

This dish is perfect because you can serve everything on one plate, so your guests don’t have to travel around dishes.

So what’s even better than serving this Osso Bucco recipe?

7 – Crispy Garlic Mushrooms

Mushrooms and meat go hand in hand.

Sautéed Garlic Mushrooms are the perfect accompaniment to any traditional Italian favorite, and their crispy texture is a flavorful departure from traditionally soggy mushrooms.

Crispy Garlic Mushrooms are buttery and savory little morsels of heaven – perfectly paired with Osso Bucco or any winter meal you’re planning on making in celebration of your upcoming holiday festivities.

So what’s so great about these mushrooms? They’re just like garlic bread but have more flavor packed into each bite thanks to their crispy exterior layer, which also provides some textural crunch.

8 – Pesto Crusted Pork Loin Chops

Why do you think pesto is so famous? It’s easy to make, and it tastes great.

And how about the way that pine nuts and garlic perfectly go together in this recipe.

It enhances any dish, don’t you know, especially Osso Bucco with its rich flavors like tomatoes, wine, or broth to braise meat shanks for hours on end until they’re fall-off-the-bone tender.

A little side of grilled pork loin chops slathered up with homemade basil sauce will accompany your meal beautifully.

The pesto crust is fragrant, and the chops are grilled to golden perfection, leaving them moist on the inside with a crispy exterior that makes for an excellent main dish or elegant side at your next summer gathering.

Conclusion

Osso Bucco is a delicious, hearty dish that deserves to be served with an equally unique side.

With so many delicious side dishes to choose from, it can be challenging to narrow down the perfect complement for your Osso Bucco.

We recommend trying these side dishes that we think will taste great with this meaty dish.

Let us know which of these recipes you try and how they work out.