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Gluten Free
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Nut Free
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Vegetarian
Classic Creamy Risotto Recipe
This delicious classic creamy risotto recipe is made with dry white wine, hot chicken broth, and freshly grated parmesan. Enjoy it as your main meal topped with mushrooms or steak, or as a mouthwatering side dish!
Why You’ll Love This Classic Creamy Risotto
Everyone loves risotto, but I know the thought of cooking it intimidates a lot of people! It may take a lot of stirring, but it’s really not a difficult dish for a home cook! Today I’ll teach you the step-by-step instructions to make this creamy risotto and impress all your guests.
This risotto recipe doesn’t have any additional add-ins; it’s all about that tender arborio rice and creamy parmesan! However, you can easily make a mushroom risotto by using this recipe and simply adding some sauteed mushrooms to the top.
It’s so versatile that you can top it with nearly anything you’d like. Steak, chicken, or other veggies are great options, but don’t stress about adding anything else – this dish can stand alone!
Key Ingredients to Make This Easy Creamy Risotto
- Arborio Rice – can be found an most grocery stores.
- Olive Oil- extra virgin.
- Onion: Yellow (not sweet)
- Seasonings – garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Dry white wine – pinot grigio or sauvignon blanc
- Hot chicken broth – beef will work too.
- Butter -unsalted.
- Grated parmesan – plus more for serving
Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.
How to Make Creamy Parmesan Risotto
Step 1: Saute Onion
Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat, and then saute your onion until it becomes translucent. This should take about 3 minutes.
Step 2: Add Arborio Rice
Add in the rice and garlic powder and then cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes. The grains should start to get translucent on the edges.
Step 3: Add Wine
Add the wine and cook while stirring until it’s absorbed.
Step 4: Add Broth and Stir
Add the broth, 1 cup at a time, cooking and stirring until it’s absorbed each time. This will take about 20 minutes.
When all of the broth has been absorbed, the rice should be tender but hold its shape.
Step 5: Add Cheese and Butter
When the rice is done, remove the pan from the heat and stir in the cheese, butter, and salt and pepper to taste. Stir until the butter and cheese are melted into the rice.
Step 6: Add More Parmesan and Serve
Sprinkle additional Parmesan cheese on top and enjoy!
Recipe FAQs
Thankfully, because of the type of rice used and the way it is cooked, it’s pretty easy to make risotto creamy without adding any cream or milk. The arborio rice itself can absorb a lot of liquid without becoming mushy, so you’ll have a very high moisture content and therefore super tender rice. Additionally, arborio has a high starch content so when you add the stock and broth the starches will meld the mixture together perfectly.
Risotto is made from arborio rice; some people think it’s a pasta dish because of how tender the rice is.
What to Serve with Risotto
- Enjoy it all on its own!
- Add sauteed mushrooms to your risotto mixture.
- Serve it alongside a hearty salad like this summer berry salad with goat cheese, or grilled zucchini corn salad.
- Top your risotto with steak filet, cod fish, chicken, or salmon!
- Risotto will always benefit from a side of veggies, so I’d recommend some roasted asparagus or roasted Brussels sprouts.
More Italian Recipes To Try
- Spinach and Ricotta Lasagna Roll Ups
- Homemade Affogato (Italian Coffee Dessert!)
- Easy Pasta Carbonara with Pancetta
- Easy Homemade Zuppa Toscana Soup with Kale
Other Tasty Rice Recipes To Make
If you tried this Classic Creamy Risotto or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you enjoyed it in the📝 comments below. I love hearing from you!
Classic Creamy Risotto
Ingredients
- 1½ cup arborio rice
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ cup dry white wine, pinot grigio or sauvignon blanc
- 5 cups hot chicken broth
- 1 tbsp butter
- ½ cup grated parmesan + for serving
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
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Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Saute onion, until the onion becomes translucent, about 3 minutes.2 tbsp olive oil, 1 medium onion,
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Add in the rice and garlic powder and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes, until grains start to get translucent on the edges.1½ cup arborio rice, 1 tsp garlic powder
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Add the wine. Cook and stir until it's absorbed.½ cup dry white wine,
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Add broth, 1 cup at a time, cooking and stirring until it's absorbed each time. This will take about 20 minutes. The rice should be tender but hold its shape.5 cups hot chicken broth
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When the rice is done, remove the pan from the heat and stir in the cheese and butter, and salt and pepper to taste. Stir until melted, then serve.1 tbsp butter, ½ cup grated parmesan + for serving, salt and pepper
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Serve with additional Parmesan cheese on top.
