If you’re looking for something different yet satisfying, this easy risotto recipe fits the bill.
44. If you’re looking for easy risotto recipes simple enough for any day, this dish is the answer.
26. Arborio is key.)
Step-by-Step: How to Make Real Italian Risotto
1. Warm your broth.
This is important.
Creamy Almond Risotto: A Dairy-Free and Healthy Comfort Plate
If you’re craving a rich, nutty dish, Creamy Almond Risotto is the perfect choice. This vibrant dish feels comforting yet refreshing, ideal for chilly autumn nights.
42. It is light in color and its taste is sweet; it’s made with pork, Grana Padano cheese, marsala, meat broth, and spices.
Risotto alla parmigiana
Another very tasty, yet simple risotto that everyone loves is risotto alla parmigiana.
If you need a quick and easy risotto recipe for a weeknight, this one fits the bill perfectly.
11. The sweet candied citron contrasts beautifully with the briny capers and aromatic sage, creating a risotto that feels adventurous. And once you get the hang of it, you’ll wonder why you ever thought it was “too complicated.”
What is Risotto Exactly?
At its core, risotto is a creamy rice dish made by slowly cooking special short-grain rice with broth, adding a little at a time until it’s perfectly tender but still a tiny bit firm (“al dente”). It’s famous in Northern Italy — think Milan, Venice, and beyond — and can be flavored a million ways, from simple Parmesan to seafood, mushrooms, saffron, or seasonal veggies.
Also Read Easy Fancy Pasta Dinners That Taste Restaurant-Worthy
Essential Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups Arborio rice (or Carnaroli, if you can find it)
1/2 cup dry white wine (Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc works)
3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Salt and pepper to taste
Optional garnish: extra butter, fresh herbs, lemon zest
(Trust me, you don’t want to sub in regular long-grain rice here.
Finished with a generous handful of Parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of fresh sage or thyme, Risotto alla Zucca is a harmonious blend of sweet and savory flavors, offering a hearty and satisfying meal that embodies the essence of Italian comfort food.
Additional Ingredients:
400g pumpkin/butternut squash
Sage leaves
Nutmeg
Method Variations:
Roast pumpkin first
Incorporate in two stages
Crisp sage leaves for garnish
Wine Pairing: Fiano di Avellino
7.
If you’re craving something simple yet flavorful, this easy risotto recipe will become a staple in your home.
40. Once toasted, add a glass of wine and let it evaporate for extra flavor.
How to make risotto: cooking and ‘mantecatura’
After toasting it, cover the rice completely with simmering, hot broth – vegetable or meat broth, depending on the risotto you wish to prepare.
The melon adds a refreshing sweetness, while the crispy speck provides a salty, crunchy contrast. If you love carbonara but want to try it in a new form, this easy risotto recipe is the one to make.
43. The lightness of the lettuce blends beautifully with the creamy rice, while the seeds add a satisfying crunch.
Let the risotto rest for a couple of minutes and serve.
Top 10 Risottos: The Ultimate Guide to Classic Italian Risotto
Essential Risotto Base Technique
This is your foundation for all risotto variations
Base Ingredients (serves 4):
320g Carnaroli or Vialone Nano rice
1 white onion, finely diced
60g butter, divided
60g Parmigiano Reggiano
120ml dry white wine
1.5L hot stock
Salt and white pepper
Basic Method:
Heat stock in separate pot
Toast rice in dry pan (2-3 minutes)
Soffritto (sauté onions in butter)
Add rice, toast 1-2 minutes more
Deglaze with wine
Add hot stock gradually
Final mantecatura (beating in butter and cheese)
Top 10 Classic Risotto Variations
1.
Arborio or Carnaroli rice is then added, toasting gently to develop its nutty flavor. Not Basmati. The bright citrus, fragrant rosemary, and touch of sparkling wine create a refreshing dish that’s light yet decadent. Gradually, warm seafood or vegetable broth is incorporated, with constant stirring to release the rice's starches, creating a creamy texture.
Just a few minutes and the rice will be ready. The tender chicken and rich, creamy rice make this one of the most satisfying main dish risotto recipes you can make at home. Toast the rice on high heat for one minute, stirring continuously. But fresh is always better.
Q3: Is risotto gluten-free?
Yes — pure risotto made with Arborio rice and natural broth is gluten-free.
Risotto ai Funghi Porcini is a testament to the harmonious blend of simple ingredients creating a sophisticated and satisfying meal.
Additional Ingredients:
40g dried porcini (soaked)
200g fresh mushrooms
Garlic clove
Fresh thyme
Truffle oil (optional)
Method Variations:
Use mushroom soaking liquid in stock
Sauté fresh mushrooms separately
Add at different stages for texture variety
Wine Pairing: Barolo or Barbaresco
3.
It’s one of the creamiest Italian risotto recipes I’ve tried and is fantastic for special occasions. The creamy rice, pancetta, and vibrant green peas create a dish that’s light yet comforting. Pour in the hot broth a little at a time, stirring occasionally. This is perfect for a special occasion or when you want to elevate your typical seafood risotto dishes.
Scampi Risotto with Cherries: A Fancy and Unique Seafood Plate
If you’re looking for something adventurous, Scampi Risotto with Cherries delivers a perfect balance of sweet and savory. After about 12 minutes, when the risotto is still al dente, add some diced scamorza cheese and let it melt.
Purple Risotto: A Fancy and Vibrant Vegetarian Creation
If you want to add some color to your plate, Purple Risotto is a fun and delicious way to do it. Arborio and Carnaroli rice are considered the best varieties. Risotto al Barolo
Piemontese luxury
Risotto al Barolo is a luxurious and deeply flavorful dish that utilizes Barolo wine, one of Italy's most prestigious and aromatic wines, to create a rich and complex risotto.
This is one of my go-to fall risotto recipes when the weather starts to cool down. Crumbled Gorgonzola cheese is stirred in towards the end, melting into the risotto and infusing it with its distinctive sharpness and depth. If you’re searching for spring risotto recipes that showcase traditional Italian flavors, this one is a must-try.
28.
Spring Risotto: A Light and Vegetarian Seasonal Delight
Nothing feels more like spring than a bowl of Spring Risotto packed with asparagus and fresh herbs.