Easy Vegetable Risotto Recipe - A Dish of Daily Life (2024)

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A farmer’s market favorite, this fast and easy Vegetable Risotto recipe is an elegant dish, perfect for weeknight meals or special occasions.

Easy Vegetable Risotto Recipe - A Dish of Daily Life (1)

Easy Vegetable Risotto

My husband is half Italian and half Lebanese, so I’ve been lucky to have experience some amazing foods from both cuisines.

But risotto has always been one of my favorites. In fact, when we go out to eat at my favorite Italian restaurant, I ALWAYS order risotto. I don’t think I have ever ordered anything else. Their risotto is just so good, I can’t resist.

The vegetable risotto I am sharing with you today is elegant, but quite easy. Risotto itself can be a bit labor intensive, in that you have to constantly stir it. But it’s not difficult to make at all.

This farmer’s market favorite ismade with Stella®Parmesan, a delicious Italian cheese. Paired with a green salad, it’sperfect for date night!

For us, with three teenagers and busy sports schedules, date nights are far and few between.

The other night though, after our vegetable risotto dinner, my husband and I sat down to enjoy a rare movie together. We’re both big fans of inspirational sports movies, and we have a son that runs cross country, so my husband suggested McFarland, USA.

It did not disappoint…if you are a runner, have a child that runs, or just like sports movies, I highly recommend it!

Butback to the recipe!

Risotto is usually served as a first course before the main course, but when I make it, it is the main course.

A good Parmesan is important to this recipe. I chose Stella® Parmesan because I enjoy the slightly nutty flavor, and it pairs nicely with vegetables as well. However, I will admit, while I was cooking, I was snacking on the Stella® Italian Sharp and Fontina cheeses, which are really delicious artisan cheeses as well. I just love artisancheeses!

Chop up your vegetables and shred your cheese first so everything is ready to go when you startcooking.

While you’re doing that, heat up your vegetable broth.

Once your broth is boiling, parboil your vegetables until just crisp-tender and then remove them with a slotted spoon. After you remove the vegetables, add your wine to the stock.

Saute your onion in a couple tablespoons of olive oil until translucent. Then add your Arborio rice to the onion and saute until a little white dot appears in the middle of the rice.

This will probably take less than a minute so be prepared.

Add a cup of the vegetable broth and wine mixture to the rice, and stir until liquid is absorbed. You’re going to continue to do this until all of the liquid is gone.

By the time you are finished using all of the liquid, your rice will be tender and creamy.

Then remove your risotto from the heat, stir in your Parmesan cheese, and then add the vegetables back in. Season with salt and pepper, and dinner is served!

How easy was that?!

Easy Vegetable Risotto Recipe - A Dish of Daily Life (6)

Easy Vegetable Risotto

Yield: 6

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Ingredients

  • 8 cups vegetable stock
  • 1 cup white wine
  • 2 cups Arborio rice
  • 1 cup yellow onion, chopped
  • 1 heaping cup of asparagus, chopped
  • 1 heaping cup of carrots, chopped
  • 2 heaping cups of broccoli florets
  • 2 cups freshly grated Parmesan
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Heat vegetable broth over high heat and bring to a boil.
  2. Add asparagus to pot and boil until just tender, about 2 minutes. Remove with slotted spoon, and repeat with other vegetables. Set vegetables to the side for now.
  3. Add the wine to the stock and lower the heat to a simmer.
  4. In a large saucepan, heat olive oil and saute onion until translucent, about 3-5 minutes.
  5. Add rice to onion. Stir until you see a white spot in the center of the rice grain...this happens quickly, about 30 seconds.
  6. Add 1 cup of the vegetable broth to rice and onion mixture and stir until liquid is absorbed, keeping the heat on low. Continue to add the liquid a little bit at a time, allowing it to absorb before adding more liquid.
  7. Once you have used all the liquid, the rice will be tender and the mixture creamy.
  8. Remove from heat, stir in 2 cups of freshly grated Parmesan cheese, then add the vegetables.
  9. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
  10. Mix well.
Nutrition Information:

Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 2588Total Fat: 49gSaturated Fat: 25gCholesterol: 138mgSodium: 6976mgCarbohydrates: 409gSugar: 44gProtein: 96g

I hope you enjoy this easy vegetable risotto recipe as much as my husband and I did!

Easy Vegetable Risotto Recipe - A Dish of Daily Life (8)

Easy Vegetable Risotto Recipe - A Dish of Daily Life (9)

Easy Vegetable Risotto Recipe - A Dish of Daily Life (2024)

FAQs

Can you eat risotto as a meal? ›

You can easily eat risotto as a main dish, simply pick your favorite(s) of these vibrant veggies and you'll quickly level up your risotto to dinner status!

What vegetables go good with risotto? ›

Arborio rice: Essential to make a perfectly creamy risotto. Vegetable broth: Gives the risotto more flavor than cooking with water. Veggies: Fresh asparagus, tomato, and carrot work best in our version. Fresh basil: This finishing touch infuses the best vegetarian risotto with so much flavor.

Is risotto a peasant dish? ›

The history of risotto can be traced back to the 16th century when rice first began to be cultivated in the Po Valley region of Italy. The dish was originally a humble peasant dish, made with leftover rice and broth. However, it gradually gained popularity and became a staple in the diet of the wealthy as well.

Can you use risotto rice for other things? ›

Yes, you can. After cooking risotto rice, you can cool it to make arancini (fried rice balls). To make arancini, you can stuff rice balls with ingredients such as meat or cheese. But, you can also make plain rice balls without stuffing.

What's healthier risotto or pasta? ›

Which is the best for weight loss: rice or pasta or orzo or risotto? Pasta and orzo have the highest protein content and highest fiber content of the options. This means that after eating pasta or orzo, you will feel fuller for longer leading to less snacking.

Is risotto good for your gut? ›

Risotto has an adequate amount of fibre that aids in the proper functioning of the digestive tract and regulates bowel function. It also helps treat common digestive issues such as constipation and diarrhoea.

What do Italians eat risotto with? ›

In Italy, when it is not used as a complete meal, risotto is considered a main dish, and is usually served with small portions of meat or light vegetable side dishes. For example, it is very common to pair risotto with a couple of lemon escalopes, or with bresaola and arugula.

What do you normally eat with risotto? ›

7 Additions That Make Risotto a Complete Meal
  • Roasted Shrimp. ...
  • Beans. ...
  • Crispy Chicken Thighs. ...
  • Cooked Sausage. ...
  • Fried or Poached Eggs. ...
  • Ricotta. ...
  • Seared Scallops.

What do you eat with risotto? ›

That's why I've gathered all of my favorite accompaniments to mushroom risotto in this list, including:
  • 1.Grilled Asparagus.
  • 2.Lamb Roast.
  • 3.Harissa Roasted Chicken.
  • 4.Garlic Butter Shrimp.
  • 5.Marinated Tofu.
  • 6.Cajun Honey Butter Grilled Salmon.
  • 7.Balsamic Glazed Brussels Sprouts.
  • 8.Lemon Herb Salad.
Jan 16, 2024

Why is risotto so expensive? ›

Due to the high quality of the materials used, the labor-intensive cooking procedure, and the overall dining experience it provides, risotto can be more expensive. The price is influenced by premium components like Arborio rice and specialty cheeses.

Do Italians eat risotto with fork or spoon? ›

Most Italians eat risotto with a fork, but there are areas where you are given a spoon by default to eat it: it happens in Campania, for example, but not only there. It partly depends on convenience and habits.

How do you eat risotto etiquette? ›

If you follow the rules of 'Galateo' ( good behavior ) risotto must be eaten with the fork only, and you don't spread it on the plate to cool it down. Italians tend to eat risotto with a fork, that is what the etiquette says. The spoon should be only for babies and toddlers while they are learning how to eat properly.

How do chefs cook risotto so quickly? ›

The key is to spread the rice out into a thin, uniform layer so that it cools rapidly and evenly. Giving it a few gentle stirs as it starts to cool can hasten the process. *If you're cooking your risotto in a pressure cooker, just cut the cooking time down by about 25%, and leave out the last spoonful of liquid.

Why don't you wash risotto rice? ›

Does risotto rice need to be rinsed before cooking? No, don't rinse the rice! Rinsing will wash off the starch which is so important to get the right texture. Without it, your risotto may come out watery and thin instead of thick and velvety.

What rice not to use for risotto? ›

Great risotto cannot be made with long-grain rice, such as Basmati or Jasmine rice. Sometimes, other grains can be used to make risotto-style dishes, such as barley, farro, buckwheat, and quinoa.

Is risotto a side dish or an entree? ›

"For most people, risotto is an entree." But you can serve it as a side with almost any meat, from chicken to fish and beef - even meatballs simmered in a slow-cooked sauce. No surprise that that's Mancini's favorite way. Here's his recipe for a risotto with mushrooms and shallots.

Is risotto served alone? ›

Risotto is a bit like macaroni and cheese without the macaroni — a great stand-alone dish, or a substantial side dish.

Is risotto a heavy meal? ›

Risotto should be rich without being heavy. Risotto is a perfect dish to use up left over vegetables or meats and fish. You can make a risotto with minimal ingredients and have a stunning meal at the end of it. You can also make a risotto with just store cupboard ingredients.

What goes well with risotto for dinner? ›

Breads
  • Garlic Bread. Of course, you can never go wrong with garlic bread – especially when you're serving an Italian main like risotto! ...
  • Bruschetta. ...
  • Crostini. ...
  • Focaccia. ...
  • Honey Mustard & Rosemary Chicken. ...
  • Garlic Butter Shrimp. ...
  • Cast Iron Skillet Steak. ...
  • Baked Salmon Filet.
Nov 28, 2023

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