Risotto is a rice-based dish that originated in the north of Italy. It is well-known for its creamy texture and can be cooked using a variety of ingredients.

How do I make risotto?

To cook risotto, you need to prepare your rice by frying it in olive oil or butter. When done, submerge it in broth until cooked, then add in the rest of your ingredients.

Can you freeze risotto for later?

It is possible to freeze risotto for up to three months. However, it may lose its unique texture when thawed, so let it cool slowly and add water or stock while reheating to prevent it from drying out.

What is the best rice for risotto?

Any rice that is long and fine will be suitable for your risotto recipe. Arborio is the top choice for risotto rice, but Carnaroli and Vialone Nano are also great choices.

Is risotto pasta or rice?

Risotto derives its name from the Italian word riso, meaning rice. Although it shares some similarities with pasta dishes, rice is the basis for risotto and not pasta.

Italian Risotto Recipes

From delicious meat-based risotto recipes to vegetarian risotto dishes, we have a great selection of Italian risotto recipes for all lovers of this rice-based meal.

Pumpkin Risotto

Baked Chicken & Cherry Tomato Risotto

with Spinach & Flaked Almonds

Easy Beef & Bacon Bolognese Risotto

with Tomato Salad & Parmesan

Garlic Prawns & Chorizo Risotto

with Thyme-Roasted Cherry Tomatoes

Grand Garlic Prawns & Chorizo Risotto

with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes & Parsley

Oven-Baked Chicken, Red Pesto & Veggie Risotto

with Parmesan Cheese & Chilli Flakes

Date-Night Garlic Prawns & Chorizo Risotto

with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes

Baked Bacon, Mushroom & Sage Risotto

with Pear & Hazelnut Salad

Oven-Baked Prawn & Chorizo Risotto

with Apple, Spinach & Rocket Salad

Baked Pumpkin Risotto

with Sage Brown Butter & Parmesan

Truffle & Mushroom Risotto

with Pear Salad & Roasted Hazelnuts

Baked Cherry Tomato & Pesto Risotto

with Pine Nuts & Parmesan

Easy Baked Bacon & Mushroom Risotto

with Semi-Dried Tomatoes, Almonds & Pear Salad

Red Pesto & Veggie Risotto

with Lemon & Garlic Pangrattato

Bacon & Mushroom Risotto

with Caramelised Onion & Apple Salad

One-Pan Chorizo Risoni Risotto

with Cherry Tomatoes, Spinach & Cheddar

Basil Pesto & Marinated Goat Cheese Risotto

with Baby Spinach & Walnuts

Seared Prawns & Baked Zucchini Risotto

with Pangrattato & Parmesan

Chicken & Red Pesto Risotto

with Lemon & Parmesan

Roasted Sweet Potato Risotto

with Mushrooms & Toasted Pecans

Baked Chicken Risotto

with Caramelised Cherry Tomatoes

Baked Pumpkin & Parmesan Risotto

with Herby Brown Butter & Greens

Baked Chicken & Lemon Risotto

with Garlic Pangrattato & Pear Salad

Baked Herby Chorizo & Spinach Risotto

with Blistered Cherry Tomatoes & Parmesan

Chicken, Mushroom & Thyme Baked Risotto

with Rocket Salad

Baked Chorizo, Cherry Tomato & Spinach Risotto

with Parmesan Cheese

Similar Recipe Collections

Italian Ciabatta Recipes

Italian Spaghetti Recipes

Italian Gnocchi Recipes

Italian Pasta Bake Recipes

Italian Bolognese Recipes

Italian Lasagne Recipes

Ragu Recipes

Passata Recipes

Get inspired

How to Make an Authentic Italian Risotto Recipe

One of the most popular recipes to come out of Northern Italy, risotto is a rice-based dish cooked in broth and prepared with different ingredients to create a delicious and creamy meal.

While there are many different risotto recipes to choose from, there are a number of special ingredients that will make the recipe you choose the perfect authentic risotto dish every time.

Choosing the Rice: The secret to creating a great risotto is selecting the correct rice for your recipe. Rice that is fine and large is the best kind to use for risotto as it is better at absorbing and holding in flavour during cooking.

Risotto recipes such as our bacon & mushroom risotto recipe includes Arborio rice, but other good choices include Carnaroli, Roma, Vialone Nano and Baldo.

Preparing rice and cooking the broth

Preparing the Rice: While you can cook your rice as is, creating an authentic risotto requires a bit more care and preparation. Cooking the rice in oil or butter will allow it to absorb the fat and form a hard layer.

This will help protect the rice during cooking and allow for the release of starch that gives risotto its creamy texture. Stir the rice as it cooks, adding some white wine for extra flavour as you go.

Cook the Broth: The next step is to cook the risotto in a broth based on your chosen ingredients. Whether you are cooking meat or vegetable-based broth, you will need to boil the rice while submerged in the broth for between 20 to 30 minutes.

Add the rest of your ingredients and cook the risotto according to your preferred recipe. For a good example of this, give our bacon & chilli risotto recipe a try.

Dishes that Go Well with an Italian Risotto Recipe

Italian risotto is a creamy, rice-based dish that goes well with a range of ingredients. Whether you are eating your risotto as a side meal or as a main, there are plenty of dishes that are a perfect complement to a risotto.

Here are some great ideas to include with your next risotto recipe.

Meal Options: If you are planning on having a risotto as your main, there are plenty of great meal options you can pair it with. Consider the risotto recipe you are making and add something that complements it.

Steak or lamb are great choices for a variety of risottos, especially when pan-fried in garlic butter. Chicken is a versatile meat that works well with risotto, either roasted, grilled or breaded.

For prawn risotto, consider pairing it with seared scallops or baked salmon. Finally, if you prefer a meat-free meal, try roasted vegetables such as potatoes, pumpkin and cauliflower for the perfect vegetable risotto meal.

Risotto sides

Side Dishes: Consider what side dishes you fancy pairing with your risotto recipe. A simple but appetising option is a bread-based dish such as garlic bread or bruschetta.

Not only are these delicious when paired with any Italian meal, but they can also soak up any leftover sauces and juices from your risotto. Salads and vegetables are another great choice. For vegetables, consider sauteed mushrooms or garlic-roasted asparagus to bring out that extra flavour.

For salads, perhaps add a bit of zest with some balsamic dressing or olive oil, as well as additions such as croutons, shredded parmesan and antipasto ingredients like salami and olives for that true Mediterranean taste.