Our full recipe guide on how to make Risotto, one of the most popular dishes in Italy besides Spaghetti Bolognese.
Risotto is a classic Italian dish known for its creamy texture and rich flavor. Risotto is a versatile dish that can be adapted with various ingredients using Arborio rice, which is known for its ability to absorb liquid and release starch. Here’s how to make an authentic Risotto:
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How to Make Risotto
Risotto Recipe Ingredients
1 cup Arborio rice
4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
1/2 cup white wine (optional)
1 small onion
2 cloves garlic
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
Salt and black pepper
Mushrooms, peas, asparagus, saffron, seafood, or chicken
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Step By Step How to Make Risotto
Step 1 – Prepare the Broth
Warm the broth, the chicken or vegetable broth warm over low heat. Warm broth is crucial as adding cold broth can shock the rice and affect the cooking.
Step 2 – Cook the Aromatics
Sauté Onions and Garlic, heat the olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic, sautéing until the onion is translucent and soft, about 3-4 minutes.
Step 3 – Toast the Rice
Toast Rice with the onions. Stir constantly for about 2 minutes until the rice becomes slightly translucent and well-coated in oil and butter.
Step 4 – Deglaze with Wine
Pour in the white wine, stirring constantly until the wine is fully absorbed. This adds acidity and flavor to the dish.
Step 5 – Add the Broth
Add the warm broth one ladle at a time, stirring frequently. Wait until each ladle of broth is mostly absorbed before adding the next. This slow addition is key to getting the creamy texture of risotto.
Step 6 – Cook the Risotto
Continue adding broth and stirring the rice. The whole process should take about 18-20 minutes. The rice should be tender but still slightly firm to the bite, “al dente.”
Step 7 – Finish the Risotto
Once the rice is cooked, remove from heat and stir in the remaining tablespoon of butter and the grated Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste. The final mixture should be creamy and thick enough to spread slowly if scooped onto a plate.
Step 8 – Serve
Risotto should be served immediately after cooking to enjoy its best texture and flavor. Garnish with extra Parmesan, herbs, or other optional ingredients.
Tips To Make Risotto
Constant Stirring: Unlike other rice dishes, risotto requires frequent stirring to ensure even cooking and to release the rice’s starch.
Feel free to add cooked mushrooms, roasted vegetables, saffron, or cooked seafood during the last few minutes of cooking to customize your risotto.
Creaminess without Cream: The creaminess of risotto comes from the starch of the rice and the constant stirring, not from actual cream.
How Many Calories Has A Risotto
Generally, a typical serving of risotto, which is about one cup (approximately 240 grams), contains around 350 to 450 calories. This estimate can increase with the addition of richer ingredients like cheese, cream, butter, or meats like chicken or seafood.
Arborio rice: About 160 calories per 1/4 cup uncooked (which expands to roughly a cup when cooked).
Olive oil and butter: Typically used in small amounts, about 1 tablespoon each, adding up to around 100-120 calories. Parmesan cheese: Around 20-30 calories per tablespoon.
About the Author: Ruben, co-founder of Gamintraveler.com since 2014, is a seasoned traveler from Spain who has explored over 100 countries since 2009. Known for his extensive travel adventures across South America, Europe, the US, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, and Africa, Ruben combines his passion for adventurous yet sustainable living with his love for cycling, highlighted by his remarkable 5-month bicycle journey from Spain to Norway. He currently resides in Spain, where he continues to share his travel experiences alongside his partner, Rachel, and their son, Han.