I’m sure you’d want to know what to serve with beef braciole. Now, this is a topic I am eager to talk about.
Beef braciole is a delicious Italian dish that is usually served as the main cause. It can also be served with side dishes.
Luckily for you, this article is dedicated to discussing the numerous dishes that can be served with beef braciole.
There are so many dishes you can serve with beef braciole with your imagination being your only limit. The ingredients used in making it makes it easier to pair with so many dishes.
But What Is Beef Braciole?
Before we jump right into the best side dishes that pair well with beef braciole, let’s talk about beef braciole.
Some of you have no idea what it is, more or less how it tastes and I’m going to remedy that.
Braciole which is also known as involtini is a marvelous beef-based dish.
It is rolling a thin slice of beef and stuffing it with different ingredients, usually cheese and vegetables or in some cases bread crumbs.
It is sometimes caramelized in butter or oil after being dipped in egg and breadcrumbs before it is fully baked or sautéed.
The origin of this dish is what interests me the most. It was created by farmers as a response to poverty.
It was meant to act as meat for those who couldn’t afford real meat.
Note: Despite its origin, beef braciole have become a very renowned dish that leaves people with a permanent mark of its unique taste.
What To Consider When Choosing A Side Dish For Beef Braciole
Before we dive right into the dishes that go well with beef braciole, let’s talk about what to consider in the first place.
Taste
Your taste determines what you go for generally. The side dish you choose is also a result of that taste.
So if you want plain carbohydrates, you know what to go for. If you want something equally as spicy, you can pick your side dish from that box.
How The Braciole Are Made
Asides from your taste, I think the ingredients used in preparing your beef braciole determine what goes well with it.
You might decide to modify your recipe and your side dish choice should be in alignment with what compliments those modifications.
If your beef braciole are more sweet than spicy, you know what to go for.
Cost
Some side dishes are cheaper to get by than others. So your budget is also a factor to consider.
You might want something cheap and easy to make like rice or pasta or you could want something more elaborate like bruschetta.
What To Serve With Beef Braciole?
Now that we know what beef braciole we can now figure out what sides go with beef braciole.
Like I said earlier, there are so many dishes to serve with beef braciole than I can even imagine.
So if you ask what is a good side dish for braciole?
I can barely scrape the surface of that answer which is why I’m just going to mention the few I’m aware of.
Potato
There are two ways potatoes can be enjoyed with beef braciole. You can have it boiled and whole or boiled and marshes.
Mashed potatoes
It tastes great to combine two traditional Italian dishes, potatoes, and beef braciole, into one dinner.
Mashed potatoes and beef braciole are a perfect combination of creamy and savory. It is a perfect blend of flavor and texture.
Baked or boiled potatoes
Potatoes either boiled or baked go perfectly well with beef braciole.
It is very simple to make and it compliments the beef braciole so well that it brings out the taste of the meat sauce.
Whichever type of potatoes you decide to go for you can rest assured that they are a wonderful combination with beef braciole.
Salad
Salads, especially cucumber salad, is a light dish that goes well with beef braciole.
Aside from their lightness, cucumbers are known for their crunchiness, which is the contrast to the soft and smooth texture of braciole making it a perfect combination.
Some people might not favor it because of the taste but you can enhance the flavor of this side dish, can add your preferred dressing.
You can also add some bacon or dried fruit for extra flavor and tastiness.
Rice
Using rice as a side dish for beef braciole is perfectly splendid.
It is simple and easy to make and it makes the food itself look beautiful because of the color contrast.
As for the taste, it is divine. The combination creates this tasty flavor, saucy taste, and juicy texture.
Cauliflower
Cauliflower is more of a dietary replacement for rice and potatoes but that doesn’t make it any less delicious.
The cauliflower could be cauliflower rice or mashed cauliflower.
I prefer mashed cauliflower more because it is equally as creamy as mashed potatoes and you can barely tell the difference.
The best part is that you can experiment with it as much as you want, by adding different seasonings and other additional ingredients like garlic or butter.
Roasted Vegetable
Roasted vegetables are one of the easiest side dishes to make. It is simple yet very delicious.
The vegetables are nutritious and fibrous giving this hard and crunchy feel that goes well with the softness and sauciness of the beef braciole.
Bruschetta
Bruschetta is a dish that consists of grilled garlic bread or bread rubbed with garlic and topped with tomato, basmati, cheese etcetera.
Bruschetta itself is mostly enjoyed alone with various toppings but it pairs well with beef braciole.
The beef braciole can be a part of the toppings for the bruschetta or the bruschetta can be a side dish for the beef braciole. Either way, they both work well together.
It is not my favorite combination because it is a clash of vibrant flavors with each flavor fighting to burst through.
This is why it is a unique combination loved by a lot of people.
Baked Ziti
Baked ziti is a great side dish that offers a variety of flavors and textures.
It is really popular because of this said flavor and it is frequently served in Italian restaurants, it is perfect for pairing with braciole.
A number of ingredients can be used to prepare baked ziti but it is still a very straightforward dish.
You can add ground beef, cheese, mozzarella, parmesan, and other ingredients, as well as premade sauces, to this dish to enhance the flavor.
Because it is roasted, people sometimes mistake it for lasagna but they are both different.
Tip: Lasagna would also make a terrific side dish for beef braciole.
Pasta
We always save the best for last and on that note, we are discussing my favorite dish to serve with beef braciole.
I know it’s more of a cliche but you can never go wrong with good old pasta.
Pasta is a very popular side dish for almost any main course.
Not only does it complement the dishes it is paired with, but it also has a wide variety to choose from so you can never go wrong.
Tip: It is very easy to make, extremely flexible to accommodate your taste, and truly showcases your culinary skills.
Conclusion
We have gotten to the end of this article and I can say for sure that you are familiar with the dishes that pair well with beef braciole.
Even you can find new dishes on your own that pairs well with beef braciole if you look hard enough.
I know there are more dishes out there that can pair up nicely with beef braciole but these are the few I’m closely aware of.
By now I know you have an idea of what to serve with beef braciole whenever the occasion arises.
I hope this article has been helpful. Thank you very much for your time and patience. Stay safe!