23 Risotto Recipes for Silky, Creamy Dinners at Home
The best homemade risotto recipes turn a pantry staple (rice) into a restaurant-worthy meal. Beyond the base, our favorite risotto recipes bring an extra element to the plate: tender seafood that lends its briny flavor to the broth, bright green veggies, earthy mushrooms, or even a toasty—almost smoky—caramel sauce (save that one for dessert). Some are ideal for stirring together while you chat with a friend in the kitchen over a pre-dinner glass of wine; others skip most of that stovetop hang and opt for the oven instead. Read on for all of our favorite risotto recipes—including a choice move for the leftovers.
Photo by Gentl & Hyers, Prop Styling by Ayesha Patel, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich1/23Risotto al Limone
Some risotto recipes toss in a full farmers market haul, but this version of the classic Italian rice dish keeps things streamlined. There’s no chicken broth or chicken stock here, just a touch of dry white wine, olive oil, Meyer lemon, and Parmigiano Reggiano.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell3/23Spring Risotto
A last-minute addition of store-bought basil pesto turns creamy risotto into a bright bowl of warm-weather comfort food. The recipe calls for asparagus, English peas, sugar snap peas, and fiddleheads, but you can adjust for whatever spring or summer produce you can find.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell4/23Butternut Squash Risotto With Toasted Pepitas
Savory miso and a paprika-packed squash purée make this dairy-free risotto hearty and satisfying. Double or triple the squash purée to cut down on your cooking time for other meals throughout the week—we like stirring it into broth for a quick soup or using it as a pasta sauce.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson5/23Risotto With Amarone and Caramelized Radicchio
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Dana Bonagura6/23Oven Risotto With Crispy Roasted Mushrooms
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Prop Styling by Anne Eastman, Food Styling by John Bjostad7/23Lemony Risotto With Asparagus and Shrimp
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Christopher Barsch9/23Seared Scallops With Basil Risotto
Fresh basil and pineapple juice give this recipe a summery feeling. If you’re nervous about cooking scallops, read this guide first.
Photo by Alex Lau, Prop Styling by Aneta Florczyk, Food Styling by Susie Theodorou11/23Tomato and Parmesan Risotto
Cherry tomatoes are decent even in the depths of winter, so this risotto can be made all year. Stir it up and serve with extra Parmesan and lots of freshly ground black pepper.
Marcus Nilsson13/23Toasted Barley Risotto With Spinach and Herbs
If you’re out of carnaroli rice, and you don’t have arborio or any other short grain rice on hand, you can make a creamy risotto with orzo, ditalini, farro, or barley. Really toasting the barley in the oven before simmering it over low heat with vegetable broth lends the dish an extra nutty flavor. Stir in a purée of spinach and parsley, and brighten with chopped tarragon and citrus.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Kat Boytsova14/23Instant Pot Mushroom Risotto
Yes, you can absolutely make legit risotto in your Instant Pot. Cut out the stirring and the slow ladling of stock!
