Delicious Pairs: 8 BEST Side Dishes for Braciole

Have you ever heard of the Italian dish braciole? Braciole is sliced steak rolled around a filling, usually cheese and veggies.

It’s then dipped in egg and breadcrumbs, fried up golden brown, and topped with sauce.

Braciole has quite an interesting history behind it.

It was created by farmers to enjoy a hearty and filling steak without having to buy expensive meat.

The taste of braciole is truly one-of-a-kind.

The flavorful beef steak is mild, but when paired with a rich sauce, it pops out.

There is also a nice texture contrast between the crunchy breading and the creamy filling.

And an important final note – braciole goes great with any side dish imaginable.

From pasta dishes to garlic bread to salads, you can’t go wrong.

In this article, we will list some of the best sides to eat with braciole so you can find one you love.

Why Consider Serving Side Dishes for Braciole?

Braciole is a popular dish in Italy, usually consumed by Italian-Americans.

It is a method of preparation for certain types of meat.

Braciole means “bracelet” in Italian and refers to the thin cut of meat rolled around various fillings before it is baked or braised.

Since braciole is usually made with thin flank steak or round steak, it cooks very quickly.

In terms of flavor, braciole are delicious all on their own.

However, many people like to pair braciole with a side dish that compliments it well.

Because braciole is usually served with pasta at most Italian restaurants, one may consider serving either spaghetti or another type of pasta alongside this meal.

This provides an opportunity to make the flavors more complex by adding even more ingredients to the dish.

Some great dishes include braciole and pasta with meat sauce, braciole and spaghetti with marinara sauce, and braciole and angel hair pasta with garlic butter.

Another consideration for a side dish to serve alongside braciole is vegetables.

This could be especially good because it provides variety in texture and flavor.

A good idea for vegetables to serve with braciole would be something more carb-heavy, like baked ziti, angel hair pasta with marinara sauce, or rice.

What to Serve with Braciole? 8 BEST Side Dishes

So you’ve mastered the art of making braciole.

What now? What do you serve alongside your Italian masterpiece? It’s important to know what goes well with braciole because that side dish will depend on how good your main dish is.

Here are eight tasty options that not only taste great but look great too.

1 – Pasta

Pasta is always a great option.

It’s also one of the most well-known side dishes for this dish, so it’s no surprise that pasta goes well with just about any main dish.

The best thing about pasta as a side dish is how versatile it can be.

You can serve it with marinara sauce, meat sauce, or even butter and garlic.

Pasta is also not too filling on its own, making it a great side dish to serve alongside another.

There are so many different noodles you can choose from that it’s really hard to go wrong.

2 – Mashed Cauliflower

This may be known as a “diet” food, but that doesn’t mean it can’t taste amazing.

Compared to mashed potatoes, this dish is much lighter and healthier for you.

One of the main reasons mashed cauliflower is a great addition to braciole is because it has the same creamy texture as mashed potatoes.

Although fewer carbs, this dish still gives you that warm and fuzzy feeling in your stomach, which can be very comforting after such a hearty meal.

What’s nice about mashed cauliflower is that you can also try other flavors to have a little bit of variety.

You could serve this with just plain butter or garlic, but you could also try serving it with brown gravy or even pesto.

3 – Cucumber Salad

Cucumbers are one of the lightest vegetables around and pair well with just about any dish you can serve them with.

For this side dish, you have the option of adding your favorite dressing to give it some flavor.

You could also even add some bacon bits or dried cranberries for some added texture and sweetness.

Cucumber salad goes well with braciole because cucumbers are known for their crunchiness, which is the opposite of what braciole is.

That crispy crunch in the cucumbers is a nice contrast to the softness in the meat sauce.

It’s also very refreshing, which can be perfect after you’re done eating all that pasta.

4 – Baked Ziti

Baked ziti is a great side dish because it’s very versatile in terms of flavor and texture.

It’s also frequently served at Italian restaurants, so many people are familiar with the taste, making it great for pairing with braciole.

Making baked ziti is fairly simple and can be made with several different ingredients.

You can add ground beef, ricotta cheese, garlic, and so on, as well as store-bought sauces to give this dish extra flavor.

It’s also baked in the oven, which allows it to have that crispy top layer that everyone loves.

5 – Cioppino

Cioppino is an Italian dish consisting of fish, usually red snapper or striped bass, in a tomato-based broth with vegetables and spices.

This dish has so much flavor but also packs quite the punch when it comes to spiciness.

What makes cioppino work well with braciole is that they both have rich sauces, mostly of tomatoes.

That spiciness in the cioppino helps cut through all the flavors in braciole, leaving your palate clean and refreshed after each bite.

6 – Bruschetta

Bruschetta is a dish where you take a piece of bread and top it off with tomatoes, garlic, basil, and oil.

It may sound simple, but there’s a reason why this dish has become so popular over the years.

A great thing about bruschetta is that you can use any bread you want.

Some people prefer toasted baguettes, while others enjoy topping their toast off with crackers.

It also pairs well with braciole because of its freshness, which is the complete opposite of what you get from eating meat sauce.

It’s not too filling on its own but can make a great dinner companion to anything else you’re serving.

7 – Zucchini Sauté

Zucchinis are not only very healthy but also very simple to make.

They work great as a side dish because they can go with almost anything, including braciole.

Zucchinis have a firm texture like potatoes, so it has that same classic feel you get when eating braciole and mashed potatoes together.

Zucchini sauté well with braciole because zucchinis are very versatile when it comes to flavor.

You can add in some garlic and basil, maybe even a little bit of cheese, and you’ll have one delicious side.

You can even try using zucchini cut up in place of noodles for a twist the next time you make braciole.

8 – Roasted Red Potatoes

Potatoes are also a very versatile vegetable that works well with most dishes, including braciole.

You can cook them over the stovetop or even bake them in an oven for a crispy texture.

They are quite easy to make, so people of all skill levels can enjoy this side dish.

Roasted red potatoes are great with braciole because it brings the flavor out of the meat sauce.

They are also very filling, which is perfect if you’re looking for a side dish that’s hearty enough to make you full after one serving.

You can use any size of potatoes you want as well as any seasonings.

Try using rosemary and garlic for a savory and satisfying side that’s perfect for serving with braciole.

Conclusion

In conclusion, braciole is a very hearty dish that packs so much flavor in every bite.

That’s why it’s important to serve it with other equally as rich dishes, which is where the side dishes on this list come into play.

The options mentioned above have lots of variety in flavors and textures, so you’ll surely find one that fits your preferences.

You can serve any of these dishes as a main course or even as part of the main course.

Add anything from mashed potatoes to bruschetta, and you’ll never have trouble finding something that goes well with your braciole.

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