Creamy Parmesan Risotto

If you’re looking for a rich and creamy dish to impress your family or guests, this Creamy Parmesan Risotto recipe is a must-try. With just a few simple ingredients, including Parmesan cheese, butter, and shallots, you can create a deliciously creamy risotto that pairs perfectly with almost any protein. Whether you’re cooking for a weeknight dinner or a special meal, this recipe offers a comforting and flavorful experience.

What is Risotto?

Risotto is a classic Italian dish made by cooking rice in a flavorful stock until it reaches a creamy consistency. Traditionally made with arborio rice, this dish can also be prepared with carnaroli rice, which is known for its slightly firmer texture.

Both types of rice are starchy and absorb liquid well, making them ideal for creating the creamy consistency that makes risotto so delightful.

Why You Should Make This Creamy Parmesan Risotto Recipe

• Deliciously Creamy Texture: The combination of butter and Parmesan cheese creates a velvety smooth texture, making every spoonful of this risotto, rich and satisfying.
• Simple Yet Flavorful: This easy risotto recipe uses simple ingredients like olive oil, shallots, and white wine, but the result is an incredibly flavorful and comforting dish.
• Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether you’re making this for a casual weeknight dinner or serving it as a side at a holiday meal, this creamy risotto will always be a hit.
• Customizable: Add in vegetables, protein, or extra cheese to suit your taste and create a risotto dish that’s uniquely yours.

Ingredients

• Carnaroli or Arborio Rice: These two types of rice are ideal for making risotto due to their high starch content. If unavailable, you can use Vialone Nano rice or Baldo rice as alternatives.
• Olive Oil: Use any neutral oil, such as canola or vegetable oil, if needed.
• Butter: You can substitute with margarine or ghee for a dairy-free option.
• Shallots: If you don’t have shallots, you can use onions as a substitute for a similar mild flavor.
• Garlic: Feel free to add minced garlic, along with the shallots.
• White Wine: You can use chicken broth or apple cider vinegar for a non-alcoholic substitute.
• Chicken Stock: For a vegetarian version, use vegetable stock instead.

How to Prepare Creamy Parmesan Risotto

1. Heat the chicken stock in a pot over medium heat, keeping it warm.
2. In a separate pot, melt the butter with the olive oil over medium heat.
3. Add the shallots to the pot and cook for 2-3 minutes, until softened.
4. Add the rice and salt. Cook, stirring frequently, until the rice turns white, about 4 minutes.
5. Pour in the white wine and cook until it’s absorbed by the rice.
6. Add a ladle full of the warmed chicken stock to the rice, stirring constantly. Allow the stock to almost fully absorb before adding another ladle of stock.
7. Continue this process, adding the stock one ladle at a time, and stirring frequently until the rice is tender and creamy. This should take about 20-25 minutes.
8. Stir in the remaining butter and Parmesan cheese. Cook for another 1-2 minutes.
9. Spoon the risotto into a serving bowl and garnish with shaved Parmesan and a sprinkle of cracked black pepper. Serve immediately.

How to Serve and Store

Serve this Creamy Parmesan Risotto with:

• Chicken or Shrimp: The creamy richness of the risotto pairs perfectly with grilled, pan-seared, or air-fryer chicken or shrimp for a balanced meal.
• Roasted Vegetables: Try serving it with roasted vegetables like asparagus, brussels sprouts, or zucchini for a comforting side dish.
• Steak: A juicy steak is a great pairing with this creamy risotto for a hearty and satisfying meal.
• Braised Short Ribs: The creamy texture of the risotto is a perfect pairing option with tender, Braised Beef Short Ribs.
• Salad: A fresh, crisp salad with a tangy vinaigrette will cut through the richness of the risotto.

How to Store Leftovers:

• Refrigeration: Store leftover risotto in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
• Reheating: To reheat, add a splash of chicken stock or water and heat over low heat, stirring occasionally. You may need to add more liquid as the rice absorbs it.

Turning Leftover Risotto into Arancini:

One fun way to use up leftover risotto is to turn it into arancini, or fried risotto balls. Simply shape the leftover risotto into small balls, coat them in breadcrumbs, and fry until golden and crispy. You can even stuff the balls with cheese for extra flavor!

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can I make this risotto ahead of time? While risotto is best served fresh, you can prepare it in advance and store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. When reheating, add a little extra stock to restore its creamy texture.
• 2. What is the difference between Arborio and Carnaroli rice? Both are short-grain rice varieties used in risotto, but Carnaroli rice tends to hold its shape better and has a creamier texture, making it the preferred choice of many chefs. Arborio rice, however, is more widely available and works well for risotto as well.
• 3. Can I use vegetable stock instead of chicken stock? Yes! You can easily substitute vegetable stock for chicken stock for a vegetarian version of this creamy risotto.
• 4. Is there a non-dairy option for this risotto? Yes! You can use non-dairy butter or olive oil instead of regular butter, and use nutritional yeast or a dairy-free Parmesan substitute to make this risotto dairy-free.

More Risotto Recipes to Love

• Chanterelle Mushroom Risotto

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GET TO KNOW ME!

WELCOME! My name is Melissa Latin aka. Charlotte Fashion Plate. Happy to meet you! I am more than just recipes. I love fashio

n and style too! Most importantly, I love my Family (my Hubby and my Fur Babies). My Husband (aka my “Kitchen Bitch”) means the world to me. He’s pretty damn cool too. Not only is he one of the nicest guys you will ever meet, he also has had a lengthy career in professional hockey. Not only winning two Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins in the early ’90’s, but most recently winning the Calder Cup with the Charlotte Checkers, amongst many other accolades. If you live in Charlotte and play hockey, or have a family member who plays, be sure to contact him!

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