They’re filling, loaded with flavor, and ideal for family dinners at home. Sure, risotto can sometimes get a bad rap because it takes a lot of time and care to get right. But after one bite, you’ll know it’s all worth it. And with this list of comforting dinner recipes, you’ll achieve crowd-pleasing meals with minimal effort. So, don’t let these risotto recipes intimidate you! They may look fancy with their lobster tails and squid ink sauce, but they’re all surprisingly easy to make.
Risotto Dinners To Put On Repeat
1. Wild Mushroom Risotto
Mushrooms make everything better, and this risotto is no exception. It’s super easy to make but tastes like you spent hours laboring away in the kitchen. Mushrooms are particularly great in risotto because they soak up all the tantalizing flavors you add to the broth while bringing wonderful earthiness to the mix.
2. Lemon Parmesan Risotto with Peas
This lemon parmesan risotto with peas is the perfect springtime dish to add to your weekly menu. It’s full of citrusy flavor from the lemon zest and juice, with the added bite of garlic and shallots to make it a restaurant-worthy meal.
3. Chicken and Mushroom Risotto
Not only does this dish look good, but it tastes great too! Each bite of this chicken and mushroom risotto fills your mouth with creamy, hearty goodness.
4. No-Stir Creamy Lemon & Herb Baked Risotto
Believe it or not, you can make this notoriously tricky dish in the oven! That’s right; this no-stir risotto is the hands-off dinner you need on a busy weeknight. It’s super creamy and bright as the herbs and lemon sparkle off your palate.
5. Creamy Lobster Risotto
If you’re looking to recreate the fine dining experience at home, look no further. This divine dinner recipe is buttery, savory, and deliciously hearty. Plus, everyone will go nuts for the succulent chunks of lobster that add a rich flavor to every bite. This dish will undoubtedly impress any dinner guest that’s lucky enough to snag a seat at your table.
6. Spicy Shrimp Risotto for Two
I love shrimp dinners because they’re bright, juicy, and super fast to make. This one is extra inviting for anyone that thinks risotto can sometimes taste a little bland. You’ll add a generous dose of crushed red pepper to give the shrimp a little kick. But it’s balanced just right with a luscious creamy sauce.
7. Lemony Asparagus Risotto
This dish is light, lemony, and a treat for your tastebuds. It makes the ideal vegetarian dinner to serve if you don’t have meat-eaters at the table. That said, it’s so fresh and yummy; I bet everyone will be reaching for seconds.
8. Mushroom Risotto with Truffle Oil
As the name suggests, this risotto recipe gets its flavor from the rich truffle oil infused into the rice. It may be vegan and gluten-free, but it’s still bursting with fantastic taste and texture.
9. Sun-Dried Tomato Risotto
Sun-dried tomatoes are one of my favorite ingredients to add to risotto. Not only are they super tasty, but they also bring a pleasant chewy texture and pops of bright color to the mix. The savory and slightly tangy flavors make this sticky rice dish hard to beat.
10. Easy Brown Rice Risotto with Mushrooms and Fresh Oregano
This dish might not be a looker, but it sure tastes great! Between the savory umami mushrooms and the fresh oregano, it creates a captivating experience for your taste buds. Elevate this dish by adding extra fresh herbs or a few pieces of juicy grilled chicken.
11. White Wine and Parmesan Risotto
I love using wine for cooking because it adds a hint of acidity and a nice touch of fanciness to the meal. And you don’t even need to spend a lot of money on a good bottle. In fact, it’s better to use something budget-friendly. Just remember that this is dinner, not dessert, so you’ll want to get something dry.
12. Instant Pot Risotto
If you don’t want to spend hours at the stove feeding and stirring a pan of risotto, give this recipe a try. The Instant Pot was practically made for creating the perfect, fluffy risotto every single time. Better still, it takes minimal effort, and the payoff is huge.
13. Roasted Butternut Squash Risotto
This dish tastes like fall in a bowl. The sweetness of the butternut squash mixes beautifully with the lightly nutty brown rice. If you’re a fan of fall flavors like I am, you won’t want to miss this dish. It provides the perfect sweet, spiced flavor combo in every forkful.
14. Spring Risotto with Asparagus & Peas
This recipe may have “Spring” in the title, but it’s a fan-favorite all year round. I love the simplicity of the light rice with the bright green veggies, and you can never go wrong with Parmigiano-Reggiano! It’s already vegetarian, but leave out the cheese and swap the butter for something dairy-free if you want this vegan-friendly. You’ll also need to use veggie stock, and I recommend adding a spoonful of nutritional yeast for a nice cheesy finish.
15. Beet Risotto with Goat Cheese
Don’t let your eyes fool you; this deep fuchsia risotto is all-natural. It’s colored with beets, but their earthy flavor doesn’t overwhelm your palate. Instead, it tastes like a beautiful, grounding dinner with delightful pops of tangy cheese.
16. Green Risotto Recipe
From one extreme to the other, this green risotto is fragrant and fresh. Trust me; the dazzling green color will delight your friends and family. The color and flavor come from fresh spinach leaves, parsley, and basil, all pureed into the vegetable broth before cooking. It adds a zesty herbal warmth to the rice, creating a flavorful punch in every bite.
17. Leftover Turkey Risotto
We all know what it’s like to have seemingly endless tubs of leftover turkey after the holidays, right? So why not put it to great use by making this leftover turkey risotto? This recipe is perfect for when you’re getting sick of all the holiday fare and want to delight your palate with something new. The leftover turkey mixes perfectly with the savory pieces of mushroom and pancetta in this recipe. Plus, you could even add some leftover roasted veggies to the top if you want.
18. Vegan Thai Green Curry Risotto
This vegan Thai curry will spice up your week like nothing else can. Coconut milk makes the perfect substitute for heavy cream and adds a creamy silkiness with just a hint of sweetness. It may be vegan, but I think a few sautéed shrimps would look amazing on top.
19. Cauliflower Risotto
Looking for a low-carb risotto alternative? How about this riced cauliflower recipe? It comes with all the vitamins packed into cauliflower, along with its mild natural flavor and fun texture. It’s quick, easy, and delightfully healthy.
20. Arancini di Riso: Sicilian Rice Balls
Okay, this recipe isn’t technically risotto, but I still think it should be in your risotto repertoire. Arancini are flavorful rice balls stuffed with cheese and tomato sauce then deep-fried. What’s not to love about that?
21. Risotto Nero (Squid Ink Risotto, a Venetian Recipe)
I know it may look scary, but this squid ink risotto is way easier than you think to recreate. It’ll undoubtedly shine from the dinner table with striking black color, and anyone at the table will be delighted and intrigued. The classic Venetian dish looks stunning and tastes out of this world. The squid ink adds a unique flavor but doesn’t overpower the dish with a fishy taste.
22. Italian Sausage and Mushroom Risotto
Sausage and mushroom come together to create this hearty, wholesome dish. It’s easy enough to whip up for a weeknight meal, but it is impressive enough to serve at dinner parties too.
23. Gose Spring Risotto (Beer Risotto)
If you’re a beer-lover like me, you’ll love this boozy dish. Gose is a traditional German beer that carries notes of citrus and hops, making it a fantastic addition to this spring risotto. The beer adds a unique touch of flavor to the zesty dish, making this a compelling experience for your taste buds.
24. Bacon, Basil, and Tomato Risotto {BLT Risotto}
We all know and love the classic BLT sandwich, but this bacon, basil, and tomato risotto is something you didn’t know you needed. Each bite tastes like a nibble from the classic sammie, just slightly more elevated.
25. Fresh Salmon Risotto
If you’re craving a dish that’s hearty and wholesome but full of healthy Omega 3’s, this is the recipe for you. The salmon in this recipe really seals the deal, adding a salty flavor and a light pink hue to compliment the sticky rice. You get carbs, protein, and plenty of greens packed into every bite, making this a complete meal in a bowl.
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