Risotto

Risotto is a classic Italian dish that has been around for centuries. The dish is made with rice, broth, and various other ingredients, and is typically served as a main course. There are many different recipes for risotto, and each region of Italy has its own unique version.

The earliest known recipe for risotto dates back to the 14th century. It was published in a cookbook called Liber de Coquina, which was written in Latin. This version of the dish was made with rice, cheese, and saffron.

Risotto became popular in the 16th century, when it began to be served as a first course at weddings and other special occasions. At this time, the dish was often made with meats and vegetables.

Advice

When making risotto, it is important to be patient and take your time during the cooking process. Start by toasting the arborio rice in oil or butter until it is lightly browned. Then, slowly start adding the broth, a ladle at a time, and stirring continuously until the broth is absorbed into the rice. Continue to add broth until the risotto reaches the desired texture. Be sure to add salt to taste as well as any additional seasonings. Lastly, stir in the Parmesan cheese and butter for a creamy finish.

Questions

Is risotto a pasta or rice?

Risotto is a type of rice dish.

Is risotto healthier than rice?

Risotto can be healthier than rice depending on the ingredients used. If the risotto is made with whole grains, vegetables, lean protein, and healthy fats, then it is a much healthier option than white or brown rice. Additionally, the creamy texture of risotto can lead to a lower calorie count than a bowl of rice.

How is risotto different from rice?

Risotto is a type of Italian rice dish that is cooked using a specific technique. The rice used is usually a starchy variety such as Arborio, Carnaroli, or Vialone Nano. Unlike regular rice, risotto is cooked in a broth or stock and stirred continuously to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the pan and to ensure it becomes creamy. It also requires more liquid than regular rice, as the rice absorbs the broth/stock as it cooks. Additionally, risotto takes longer to cook than regular rice, typically 20-30 minutes.

What do you put in risotto?

Risotto is traditionally made with rice, broth, butter, onion, and Parmesan cheese. Other ingredients often added to risotto include mushrooms, vegetables, seafood, and herbs.

What is so special about risotto?

Risotto is a creamy Italian dish made from short-grain rice. It is special because it is cooked in a way that enhances the starches in the rice, giving it a creamy texture. Risotto is also versatile, as it can be made with a variety of ingredients, including vegetables, seafood, and proteins. Finally, it is relatively easy to make and can be served as a main course or a side dish.

Is risotto served hot or cold?

Risotto is typically served hot.

Jump to: Ingredient Breakdown Insights

Recipes

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Tomato Risotto

  • parsley
  • olive oil
  • salt
  • basil
  • onion
  • carnaroli rice
  • pecorino romano cheese
  • white wine
  • red pepper flake
  • red tomato
  • garlic
  • vegetable broth
  • tomato
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Mushroom Risotto With Peas

  • salt
  • pea
  • carnaroli rice
  • white wine
  • shallot
  • parmesan cheese
  • parsley
  • olive oil
  • thyme
  • garlic
  • mushroom
  • chicken
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Corn Risotto

  • CORN STOCK (OPTIONAL)
  • leek dark green
  • salt
  • black peppercorn
  • carrot
  • celery
  • onion
  • garlic
  • corn cob
  • RISOTTO
  • arborio rice
  • parmesan cheese
  • salt
  • leek
  • corn
  • white wine
  • heavy cream
  • black pepper
  • chive
  • butter
  • corn stock
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Risotto for Beginners

  • shallot
  • italian parsley
  • vegetable oil
  • arborio rice
  • vermouth
  • parmesan cheese
  • butter
  • chicken stock
  • black pepper
  • salt
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Tomato and Basil Risotto

  • salt
  • salt
  • tomato
  • thyme
  • arborio rice
  • rosé wine
  • onion
  • sweet tomato
  • basil
  • parmesan cheese
  • sugar
  • olive oil
  • garlic
  • vegetable stock
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Risotto With Sausage and Parsley

  • black pepper
  • onion
  • arborio rice
  • italian sausage
  • white wine
  • italian parsley
  • parmesan cheese
  • salt
  • lemon
  • butter
  • olive oil
  • chicken stock
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Lemon Risotto with Summer Squash

  • pepper
  • salt
  • summer squash
  • carnaroli rice
  • white wine
  • parmesan cheese
  • onion
  • lemon juice
  • garlic
  • olive oil
  • parsley
  • lemon zest
  • vegetable stock
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Risotto with Tomatoes and Corn

  • salt
  • salt
  • tomato
  • arborio rice
  • white wine
  • onion
  • parmesan cheese
  • sugar
  • olive oil
  • garlic
  • ears sweet corn
  • basil
  • vegetable stock
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Chive Risotto Cakes

  • olive oil
  • salt
  • arborio rice
  • italian fontina cheese
  • greek yogurt
  • black pepper
  • egg
  • chive
  • panko
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Baked Risotto With Winter Squash

  • salt
  • bread crumb
  • ricotta cheese
  • carnaroli
  • leek
  • onion
  • winter squash
  • saffron
  • lemon zest
  • squash broth
  • parsley
  • parmesan cheese
  • butter
  • gruyère cheese
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BA’s Best Risotto

  • black pepper
  • white wine
  • salt
  • onion
  • parmesan cheese
  • japanese sushi rice
  • butter
  • olive oil
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Risotto With Broccoli

  • pepper
  • broccoli
  • carnaroli rice
  • white wine
  • parmesan cheese
  • onion
  • garlic
  • olive oil
  • parsley
  • vegetable stock
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Shrimp Risotto With Peas

  • saffron
  • pepper
  • salt
  • pea
  • shrimp
  • chicken stock
  • carnaroli rice
  • white wine
  • onion
  • parsley
  • olive oil
  • garlic
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Risotto With Peas and Sausage

  • salt
  • leek
  • lemon zest
  • chive
  • butter
  • vialone nano
  • white wine
  • pecorino cheese
  • olive oil
  • garlic
  • english pea
  • chicken
  • weisswurst
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Pan-Fried Risotto Cakes

  • salt
  • zest
  • all purpose flour
  • carnaroli
  • parmesan cheese
  • sage
  • onion
  • white wine
  • butternut squash
  • butter
  • chive
  • olive oil
  • egg
  • fontina cheese
  • vegetable broth
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Risotto al pomodoro

  • basilico
  • brodo vegetale
  • burro
  • cipolle dorate
  • grana padano dop
  • olio extravergine 'oliva cucchiai
  • passata di pomodoro cucchiai
  • pomodorini
  • riso carnaroli
  • sale fino
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Mushroom Risotto

  • butter
  • garlic
  • arborio rice
  • cream
  • parmesan cheese
  • salt
  • white wine
  • butter
  • olive oil
  • eschallots french onion
  • garlic
  • mushroom
  • chicken broth
  • mushroom
  • parsley
  • parmesan cheese
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Risotto With Pumpkin, Ginger and Sage

  • RISOTTO
  • black pepper
  • salt
  • leek
  • sage
  • ginger
  • arborio rice
  • white wine
  • rennet parmesan cheese
  • pumpkin seed
  • olive oil
  • butter
  • winter squash
  • parsley
  • water
  • PUMPKIN SEED TOPPING
  • pumpkin seed
  • olive oil
  • salt
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Mushroom Risotto

  • mushroom
  • shallot
  • mushroom stock
  • italian parsley
  • vegetable oil
  • arborio rice
  • white wine
  • parmesan cheese
  • butter
  • salt
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Risotto al telefono

  • brodo vegetale caldo
  • maggiorana
  • mozzarella cheese
  • olio extravergine 'oliva
  • passata di pomodoro
  • riso vialone nano
  • sale fino
  • scalogno
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Baked Creamy Pumpkin Risotto

  • onion
  • arborio rice
  • parmesan cheese
  • sage
  • white wine
  • sage
  • butter
  • garlic
  • chicken stock broth
  • butter
  • pumpkin
  • parmesan cheese
  • salt
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Chicken & Mushroom Risotto

  • olive oil
  • onion
  • arborio risotto rice
  • white wine
  • parmesan cheese
  • chicken thigh
  • butter
  • mushroom
  • butter
  • garlic
  • bacon
  • litre chicken broth stock
  • parsley
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Vegetable Risotto

  • salt
  • nutmeg
  • arborio rice
  • fennel leaf
  • onion
  • mushroom
  • parmesan cheese
  • green leaf lettuce
  • butter
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Kohlrabi Risotto

  • salt
  • kohlrabi
  • olive oil
  • arborio rice
  • white wine
  • onion
  • parmesan cheese
  • garlic
  • parsley
  • vegetable stock
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Risotto al Salto

  • salt
  • carnaroli
  • saffron thread
  • onion
  • white wine
  • parmesan cheese
  • chicken stock
  • butter
  • clarified butter
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Butternut Squash Risotto

  • arborio rice
  • olive oil
  • rosemary
  • onion
  • salt
  • white wine
  • parmesan cheese
  • butternut squash
  • garlic
  • vegetable broth
  • parsley
  • black pepper
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Butternut Squash Risotto

  • nutmeg
  • white wine
  • parmesan cheese
  • water
  • chicken stock
  • onion
  • butternut squash
  • arborio rice
  • butter
  • olive oil
  • garlic
  • sage
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Risotto al gorgonzola

  • brodo vegetale
  • burro
  • gorgonzola
  • grana padano dop da grattugiare
  • pepe nero
  • riso carnaroli
  • scalogno
  • vino bianco secco
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Tomato and Parmesan Risotto

  • black pepper
  • salt
  • carnaroli rice
  • tomato paste
  • onion
  • nutmeg
  • cherry tomato
  • parmesan cheese
  • olive oil
  • butter
  • garlic
  • chicken broth
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Butternut Squash Farro Risotto

  • crème fraîche
  • farro grain
  • white wine
  • parmesan cheese
  • butter
  • olive oil
  • shallot
  • butternut squash
  • sage
  • salt
  • pepper
  • sage
  • garlic
  • smokey bacon
  • fontina cheese
  • chicken
  • nutmeg grinding
  • grape seed
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Butternut Squash Risotto

  • nutmeg
  • salt
  • white wine
  • parmesan cheese
  • water
  • chicken stock
  • onion
  • butternut squash
  • arborio rice
  • butter
  • olive oil
  • garlic
  • sage
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Butternut Squash Risotto

  • parsley
  • salt
  • special equipment champagne glass
  • nonstick spray
  • white wine
  • butternut squash
  • mushroom
  • parmesan cheese
  • risotto
  • onion
  • chicken broth
  • butter
  • olive oil
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Risotto With Mushrooms and Thyme

  • ASSEMBLY
  • pepper
  • salt
  • parmesan cheese
  • mushroom
  • olive oil
  • butter
  • white wine vinegar
  • garlic
  • thyme
  • RISOTTO
  • white wine
  • salt
  • onion
  • japanese sushi rice
  • parmesan cheese
  • butter
  • olive oil
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Risotto al salmone

  • aglio spicchio
  • aneto rametto
  • brodo di pesce
  • burro
  • grana padano dop da grattugiare
  • maggiorana ciuffo
  • olio extravergine 'oliva
  • pepe nero
  • porri
  • riso carnaroli
  • sale fino
  • scorza di limone andfrac12
  • timo rametto
  • tranci di salmone
  • vino bianco andfrac12 bicchiere
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Chicken Risotto

  • shallot
  • chicken
  • chicken stock
  • vegetable oil
  • arborio rice
  • white wine
  • butter
  • salt
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Shrimp Risotto

  • arborio rice
  • shrimp
  • salt
  • white wine
  • lemon juice
  • parmesan cheese
  • black pepper
  • shallot
  • olive oil
  • parsley
  • garlic
  • chicken stock
  • butter
  • butter
  • garlic
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Risotto al limone

  • acqua
  • burro
  • limoni
  • olio extravergine di oliva
  • parmigiano grattugiato
  • pepe
  • riso
  • sale fino
  • vino bianco
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Pesto-ish Risotto

  • salt
  • parmesan cheese
  • lemon
  • turmeric
  • carnaroli rice
  • pine nut
  • butter
  • basil
  • olive oil
  • garlic
  • vegetable broth
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Spring Vegetable Risotto with Poached Eggs

  • black pepper
  • salt
  • white wine
  • white vinegar
  • pecorino romano cheese
  • flat leaf spinach
  • fennel
  • chive
  • chanterelle
  • arborio rice
  • fava bean
  • olive oil
  • crème fraîche
  • butter
  • leek
  • garlic
  • egg
  • chicken broth
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Easy Baked Risotto

  • parmesan cheese
  • basil
  • onion
  • salt
  • black pepper
  • arborio
  • butter
  • olive oil
  • garlic
  • chicken broth
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Morel Mushroom Risotto

  • rborio rice
  • parmesan cheese
  • white wine
  • morel mushroom
  • salt
  • garlic
  • heavy cream
  • onion
  • butter
  • vegetable broth
  • chive
  • mint
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Risotto With Milk

  • salt
  • hot cappuccino
  • olive oil
  • sugar
  • lemon
  • vanilla bean
  • vialone nano
  • mascarpone cheese
  • white bread
  • milk
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Mussel Risotto

  • chicken stock
  • saffron
  • salt
  • pea
  • onion
  • parsley
  • thyme
  • celery
  • arborio rice
  • white wine
  • black mussel
  • parsley
  • olive oil
  • water
  • tomato
  • garlic
  • peppercorn
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Barley Risotto With Greens and Seared Scallops

  • VEGETABLE PURÉE
  • lemon juice
  • coriander
  • carrot
  • sweet potato
  • rutabaga
  • onion
  • shallot
  • heavy cream
  • salt
  • bay leaf
  • garlic
  • olive oil
  • TO FINISH
  • pickled hot pepper
  • vegetable oil
  • swiss chard
  • parsley
  • halibut
  • BARLEY
  • barley
  • salt
  • vegetable stock
  • onion
  • bay leaf
  • butter
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Prawn Risotto (Shrimp)

  • pea
  • milk
  • butter
  • olive oil
  • arborio rice
  • butter
  • onion
  • parmesan cheese
  • white wine
  • garlic
  • chicken broth
  • prawn
  • parsley
  • parmesan cheese
  • salt

Ingredient Breakdown

 
salt
parmesan cheese
olive oil
white wine
butter
onion
garlic
arborio rice
parsley
black pepper
chicken stock
chive
vegetable stock
pepper
sage
shallot
chicken broth
butternut squash
vegetable broth
thyme
mushroom
lemon juice
leek
basil
carnaroli rice
pea
chicken
tomato
lemon
pecorino romano cheese
lemon zest
water
carrot
vegetable oil
sugar
burro
sale fino
nutmeg
celery
heavy cream
italian parsley
farro
pancetta
egg
carnaroli
saffron
riso carnaroli
spinach
ginger
saffron thread
pearl barley
cherry tomato
ears corn
asparagus
vanilla bean
winter squash
walnut
fennel
rosemary
japanese sushi rice
broccoli
shrimp
vialone nano
fontina cheese
brodo vegetale
black rice
pumpkin seed
mozzarella cheese
olio extravergine 'oliva
scalogno
arborio risotto rice
dill
grana padano dop da grattugiare
pepe nero
crème fraîche
mint
milk
bay leaf
red pepper flake
red tomato
green
leek dark green
black peppercorn
corn
corn cob
corn stock
taleggio
vermouth
simmering chicken stock
coconut milk
lime
thai red
green bean
thai basil
makrut lime
rosé wine
sweet tomato
italian sausage
lower chicken broth
summer squash
tarragon
white wine pinot grigio
pesto
sugar snap pea
ears sweet corn
italian fontina cheese
greek yogurt
panko
bread crumb
ricotta cheese
squash broth
gruyère cheese
black
black quinoa
smoked bacon
lobster tail
brandy
eggplant
herb
plump garlic clove
shiitake cap
quinoa
porcini mushroom
dandelion green
heart celery branch
pecorino cheese
english pea
weisswurst
mustard green
parsnip
zest
all purpose flour
basilico
cipolle dorate
grana padano dop
olio extravergine 'oliva cucchiai
passata di pomodoro cucchiai
pomodorini
beet green
beet
cream
eschallots french onion
rennet parmesan cheese
mushroom stock
rice
bell pepper
grain rice
chicken breast
marjoram
brodo vegetale caldo
maggiorana
passata di pomodoro
riso vialone nano
chicken stock broth
pumpkin
chicken thigh
bacon
litre chicken broth stock
fennel leaf
green leaf lettuce
plum tomato
approximately
kohlrabi
clarified butter
tuscan kale
turkey meat
tarragon orteaspoon
green onion
shiitake mushroom
stock
lemon rind
gorgonzola
vino bianco secco
tomato paste
farro grain
smokey bacon
nutmeg grinding
grape seed
provolone cheese
prosciutto
special equipment champagne glass
nonstick spray
risotto
vegan parmesan cheese
white wine vinegar
aglio spicchio
aneto rametto
brodo di pesce
maggiorana ciuffo
porri
scorza di limone andfrac12
timo rametto
tranci di salmone
vino bianco andfrac12 bicchiere
cheddar cheese
acqua
limoni
olio extravergine di oliva
parmigiano grattugiato
pepe
riso
vino bianco
smoked salmon
seafood
turmeric
pine nut
white vinegar
flat leaf spinach
chanterelle
fava bean
arborio
rborio rice
morel mushroom
hot cappuccino
mascarpone cheese
white bread
black mussel
peppercorn
pickled hot pepper
barley
coriander
swiss chard
sweet potato
rutabaga
halibut
artichoke
prawn

Insights

Correlated with Higher Ratings

  • vegetable stock
  • pea
  • lemon

Staple Ingredients

  • salt 42%
  • olive oil 35%
  • white wine 34%
  • butter 33%
  • parmesan cheese 33%
  • onion 31%
  • garlic 30%
  • arborio rice 26%

Common Ingredients

  • parsley 15%
  • black pepper 13%
  • shallot 11%
  • chicken stock 10%
  • chicken broth 9%
  • vegetable broth 9%

Usual Ingredients

  • pepper 7%
  • chive 6%
  • mushroom 6%
  • thyme 6%
  • carnaroli rice 6%
  • lemon juice 5%
  • vegetable stock 5%
  • butternut squash 5%
  • water 5%
  • heavy cream 4%
  • pea 4%
  • basil 4%
  • sage 4%
  • lemon zest 4%
  • spinach 3% See More
  • leek 3%
  • lemon 3%
  • chicken 3%
  • shrimp 3%
  • tomato 3%
  • asparagus 3%
  • carrot 3%
  • celery 3%
  • herb 3%
  • bay leaf 2%
  • red pepper flake 2%
  • risotto rice 2%
  • bacon 2%
  • sugar 2%
  • ginger 2%
  • grana padano cheese 2%
  • italian parsley 2%
  • mascarpone cheese 2%
  • nutmeg 2%
  • porcini mushroom 2%
  • rosemary 2%
  • saffron 2%
  • saffron thread 2%
  • farro 2%
  • kale 2%
  • pancetta 2%
  • pecorino romano cheese 2%
  • vegetable oil 2%
  • 1%
  • cauliflower 1%
  • egg 1%
  • green onion 1%
  • marjoram 1%
  • milk 1%
  • sale fino 1%