Serve Tiramisu alongside Macerated Strawberries and Raspberries, Chocolate-Covered Raisin and Strawberry Cupcakes, Banana Pudding, Chopped Almonds, Walnuts, Peanuts, And Cashew Nuts, and Marsala Wine.
Grab a bunch of strawberries and raspberries, lemon juice, and caster sug
For a lighter option, try Marsala Wine. Produced in Marsala, Sicily, Marsala is a sweet wine that's popular for serving with tiramisu.
Meaning "cheer me up" or "pick me up," tiramisu is an Italian dessert made from savoiardi (ladyfingers), mascarpone cheese, egg yolks, coffee, and cocoa.
It is typically served cold.
Tiramisu originated in Italy around the 1960s; however, there was no written evidence of its recipes until the 1970s.
It pairs best with fruits, chocolate, and sweet wines like Marsala, Ice Wine, Port, Cream Sherry, and Vin Santo.
If you're planning to serve tiramisu, we have a list of awesome side dishes for you to consider serving.
10 Desserts and Drinks to Pair with Tiramisu
If you're looking for the perfect accompaniment to your tiramisu dish, try paella dessert side ideas for menus alongside these sweets.
We've rounded up 10 delicious side dishes that go well with this classic Italian dessert.
1 - Macerated Strawberries and Raspberries
If you're just looking for something exciting and refreshing to serve with tiramisu, you won't want to look any further.
Macerated strawberries and raspberries are a match made in heaven for tiramisu - try fresh strawberry side dishes that amplify the pairing.
Grab a bunch of strawberries and raspberries, lemon juice, and caster sugar.
All you have to do now is slice the berries, add the lemon juice and sugar, and stir.
Leave it for a minimum of 30 minutes, and you're done.
The lemon juice and sugar add a depth of flavor to the berries and make them even more tasty.
2 - Chocolate-Covered Raisin and Strawberry Cupcakes
Serve this classic candy with your tiramisu if you want your guests to enjoy a restaurant-quality experience at the next dinner.
Once you learn how to make this delicious dessert, you'll never want to grab it from the store again.
Chocolate-covered raisin and strawberry cupcakes use frozen or dried strawberries, raisins, flour, baking powder, powdered sugar, vanilla essence, milk, and salt.
If you want to top them off with buttercream frosting for that extra sweetness, get room-temperature butter, vanilla essence, icing sugar, milk, and salt.
It takes around 45 minutes to make this dessert.
So, it's perfect for those days when you don't want to spend too much time in the kitchen.
For a cool contrast, consider chilled fruit treats like strawberry ice cream side options for contrast alongside your tiramisu.
3 - Banana Pudding
There's nothing wrong with serving two types of sweet desserts- especially when they complement each other perfectly.
Banana pudding typically comprises vanilla wafers, custard, and fresh bananas topped with meringue or whipped cream.
Many like to top the banana pudding with tiramisu as their flavors go well together.
You can make a whole new dessert to serve with your tiramisu if you want to present multiple desserts - like simple breads referenced in banana bread side pairings and ideas.
4 - Chopped Almonds, Walnuts, Peanuts, And Cashew Nuts
If you don't have time to spare for another dish that takes over an hour to cook, simply chop some nuts and serve them beside your tiramisu.
Chopped almonds, walnuts, peanuts, cashew nuts, or anything you have in hand will work for this side.
It is the easiest, most hassle-free way to have something to serve along with tiramisu.
As simple as the preparation is, assorted nuts add depth and texture to tiramisu in the most decadent way.
For a nut-forward accompaniment that echoes savory-sweet menus, see cashew chicken side suggestions for balance to inspire nutty choices.
5 - Marsala Wine
Skip your other beverages this time and serve Marsala wine instead if you're serving tiramisu for the last course.
Produced in Marsala, Sicily, Marsala is a sweet wine that's popular for serving with tiramisu.
It is suggested that you serve wine that's sweeter than the dessert when there's tiramisu for dessert.
If not, the dessert's sweetness cancels out the taste of the wine and makes it bland.
If you can't get your hands on Marsala wine, you can opt for other sweet wines like Moscato Rosa, Port, and Sherry - or pair with Chicken Marsala side ideas for themed meals that use similar flavors.
6 - Rainbow Fruit Skewers
While there are many fruit recipes that go with tiramisu, you can keep it clean, fresh, and simple by making rainbow fruit skewers with the fruits you can get.
They are packed with vitamins and take only 15 minutes to make.
For the most bright rainbow fruit skewers, you can get fruits like raspberries, tangerines, mango, pineapple, watermelon, green and red grapes, blueberries, kiwi, and strawberries.
Cut them in different shapes (if you have time) and put them in the skewers.
That's all.
If the menu leans lighter, pair tiramisu with fresh skewers and consult rainbow trout side ideas for bright accompaniments for similarly vibrant plating tips.
7 - Italian Green Beans
Now, let's get into the "side dish" part of the list.
This is for those who aren't very sure about what sides to serve during the main course when you have tiramisu coming up next.
Italian green beans work for anyone- even the pickiest eaters.
This dish features green beans mixed with sautéed ripe grape tomatoes and drenched in Italian seasoning, parmesan cheese, and garlic.
The fresh flavors of the veggies go well with decadent tiramisu and keep the palate cleansed for the dessert.
You can prepare this side dish without worry as it complements almost all main courses - including mains listed in Italian meatloaf side pairings for easy meals.
You can make this dish in 15 to 20 minutes using the simplest ingredients in your pantry.
8 - Tuscan White Bean Salad
Although the name of this dish calls for cannellini beans, you can use any type of beans you have.
Pair Tuscan white bean salad with whatever main dish you've prepared, and you can finish it off beautifully with a tiramisu cake.
Tuscan white bean salad uses ingredients like sun-dried tomatoes, brown mushrooms, yellow onion, olive oil, lemon juice, scallion, parsley, salt, and pepper.
It has a good amount of fiber and protein and is very healthy compared to many side dishes.
The best part is that you can include this dish on your menu when you plan to serve tiramisu for dessert.
9 - Italian Stuffed Tomatoes
Another Italian side dish that's sure to blow everybody's minds is Italian stuffed tomatoes.
It uses bread crumbs, anchovies, and pine nuts to give a savory filling for the tomatoes.
You can brighten the dish up further by adding lemon zest and parsley to the stuffing.
Some even like to add raisins, but that's optional.
Make sure to line the tomatoes with sea salt generously.
All you've got to do now is drizzle some white wine at the bottom of the pan and bake the stuffed tomatoes for 25 minutes.
This side dish is great and compatible with many main courses if you want to keep the theme Italian.
10 - Farro Salad
Do you want a salad that's fancier and more presentable than your regular green salad? Try Italian farro salad.
Regardless of what you're serving for the main course, this side dish will go well with anything.
Farro salad is made using sweet and juicy cherry tomatoes, fresh herbs, radishes, and a zingy dressing.
But you can use other veggies by all means, as farro tastes excellent with many vegetables.
It is a simple side dish that's great for indoor and outdoor meals.
TIP: Ensure to salt the water you're using to cook the farro. Without seasoning, you'll get a bland taste.
Frequently Asked Questions
Grab a bunch of strawberries and raspberries, lemon juice, and caster sug Once you learn how to make this delicious dessert, you'll never want to grab it from the store again. Most home cooks pick this because it adds contrast and rounds out the meal.
A leafy green or fiber-rich vegetable balances the meal best. This side dish is a good pick for adding color and nutrients.
Pairing a protein-heavy main with a lighter vegetable side keeps the meal from feeling too heavy.
Not always. A vegetable-only pairing works when the main course already includes starch.
Add rice, bread, or potatoes only if the meal needs more substance.
Roasted frozen vegetables, pre-cooked grains, or a quick pan sauté all come together in under 15 minutes with minimal prep and no special equipment needed.
Opera cake often gets compared directly to tiramisu - see Opera Cake vs Tiramisu comparison guide. For another dessert-to-main perspective, consult paella dessert side ideas for menus which highlights complementary sweets.