Arancini is one of my favorite dishes. It’s a ball of rice that is stuffed with different kinds of fillings and then deep-fried. The great thing about arancini is that you can serve it with pretty much any side dish you like.

Here’s the thing, I once made a batch of arancini and needed a side dish to go with it. I didn’t have anything prepared, so I had to get creative. I ended up making a simple side dish of steamed broccoli. I wasn’t sure how my husband would react, but he ended up liking it! In fact, he liked it so much that he asked me to make it again the next time I made arancini.

If you’re looking for a side dish to go with your arancini, you’re in for a treat! Below, I’ve listed some of my favorite side dishes for arancini.

So, without further ado, let’s get started!

Best Side Dishes for Arancini

Tomato Bruschetta
Cheese Platter
Minestrone with Garlic Rolls
Radish Salad
Classic Panzanella
Green Beans with Tomatoes
Grape Tomatoes and Basil
Pita Bread and Hummus

Tomato Bruschetta

Y’all know I love me some good comfort food. And there’s nothing more comforting than a big plate of crispy arancini smothered in Marinara sauce. But every now and again, I like to mix things up and switch out the Marinara for a nice Tomato Bruschetta.

Frankly, the acidity of the tomatoes helps to cut through the richness of the arancini, and the herbs add a nice flavor dimension. Plus, it’s just so darn pretty to look at!

Now, to prepare the Tomato Bruschetta, simply combine chopped tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and fresh basil in a bowl. Season to taste with salt and pepper, then spoon over your arancini. Trust me, your taste buds will scream their heads off!

Cheese Platter

My husband always jokes that I think that Cheese platters are the perfect side dish for any meal! And for the most part he’s right. From my experience, cheese platters are versatile, easy to prepare, and go with just about anything. But why does cheese go so well with arancini?

For one thing, the rich creaminess of the cheese helps to balance out the crunchiness of the fried rice balls. But more importantly, cheese is a delicious way to add a little extra protein and fat to your meal.

Typically arancin