17 Delicious Sides to Serve With Veal Scallopini

Veal scallopini is a classic Italian dish that features thin, tender slices of veal cooked quickly in a skillet. With its mild, slightly sweet flavor, veal scallopini makes a refined yet comforting main course. But what should you serve alongside this elegant meat dish? The right side dishes can really bring out the best in scallopini and make it a complete meal.

In this article I’ll suggest 17 delicious options for what to serve with veal scallopini. From hearty starches to bright vegetables to fresh salads you’ll find plenty of ideas to complement the veal perfectly.

Best Starch Sides for Veal Scallopini

A hearty starch side dish helps to balance out the protein of the veal scallopini Here are some excellent choices

1. Fondant Potatoes

Fancy yet easy, fondant potatoes have a crispy, golden exterior and an ultrasmooth, almost creamy interior. They are the ultimate side to serve at a romantic dinner alongside veal scallopini. The rich potatoes are a nice contrast to the mild veal.

2. Garlic and Olive Oil Mashed Potatoes

For a simpler take on potatoes, creamy mashed spuds are always a winner. Be sure to flavor them with garlic, olive oil, salt and pepper. The garlic notes match beautifully with veal.

3. Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomatoes

A pasta dish makes a natural partner for scallopini. For lots of flavor, saute garlic and oil, then toss with cooked spiral pasta and rehydrated sun-dried tomatoes. The tangy tomatoes pair perfectly.

4. Tomato Orzo

Similar to pasta, a risotto-style tomato orzo is fantastic alongside scallopini. Use diced tomatoes or fire-roasted tomatoes to add sweetness and richness to the creamy dish.

5. Wild Rice Pilaf

For a gluten-free option, make a pilaf using wild rice, sauteed mushrooms, onions, carrots and fresh herbs. The earthy, toothsome rice stands up well to the veal.

6. Lasagna-Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms

Get the Italian flavors of lasagna stuffed into portobellos instead of pasta. These hearty mushroom caps filled with cheese make a low-carb pairing for scallopini.

Fresh Vegetable Sides for Veal

Crunchy, vibrant vegetables add balance and nutrition to a veal scallopini meal. Here are some great veggies to try:

7. Sauteed Swiss Chard

Quickly sauteed greens like Swiss chard offer texture and bold flavor. Cook briefly with olive oil and garlic. The slight bitterness offsets the richness of veal.

8. Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Carrots

For an easy roasted veggie mix, toss halved Brussels sprouts and carrots with olive oil, salt, and pepper, then roast at 400°F until caramelized and tender. The natural sweetness matches the veal.

9. Sauteed Asparagus and Mushrooms

Saute FRESH asparagus spears along with sliced mushrooms in butter or olive oil. The blend of umami flavors complements veal scallopini perfectly.

10. Garlic Broccolini

For a lighter option, stir fry crisp broccolini with olive oil, garlic, and red pepper flakes for a kick. The bright green veggie lightens up the plate.

Fresh Salads and Veggie Sides

Crunchy, cool salads provide contrast and brightness alongside veal scallopini. Try these:

11. Arugula Salad with Shaved Parmesan

Make a simple salad of fresh arugula leaves, shaved Parmesan, and lemon vinaigrette to cut the richness of the veal. The peppery greens pair nicely.

12. Endive Salad with Blue Cheese

For more bold flavors, use endive leaves as the base for a salad with crumbled blue cheese, walnuts, and balsamic vinaigrette. The slight bitterness works well with veal.

13. Chopped Salad with Chickpeas

Chopped veggies like cucumbers, bell peppers, carrots and radishes over chickpeas make a hearty but healthy salad. Toss all in a lemony vinaigrette.

14. Tomato and Mozzarella Salad

For pure Italian flavors, serve slices of ripe tomatoes and fresh mozzarella dressed simply with olive oil, salt, pepper and basil. Light and refreshing alongside scallopini.

15. Garlicky White Beans

Warm chickpeas or cannellini beans sauteed with olive oil and garlic add protein. The creamy beans pair nicely with the veal textures.

More Creative Pairings for Veal Scallopini

If you want to get adventurous with your scallopini sides, here are a couple more ideas to try:

16. Sauteed Crab Cakes

For an upscale surf-and-turf meal, make crab cakes sauteed in butter to serve atop the veal. The sweet crab meat complements the veal perfectly.

17. Fried Gnocchi

Pan-fried potato gnocchi offers a crispy, rich side option. Toss gnocchi in olive oil over medium heat until golden brown. Sprinkle with parsley and Parmesan.

Tips for Serving Veal Scallopini

• Always let veal rest for 5 minutes before slicing to retain juices.

• Add pan sauces from the veal to your side dishes for more cohesive flavors.

• Offer lemon wedges for squeezing over the veal and sides. Brightens up the flavors.

• Garnish with fresh herbs like parsley, basil or oregano to tie the whole plate together.

With so many tasty options for sides, you can serve veal scallopini multiple times without getting bored! From hearty potatoes to green veggies to fresh salads, these delicious pairings will perfectly complement elegant, golden brown veal scallopini.