16 Delicious Risotto Recipes That Are Easier To Make Than You Think

This comforting rice dish should be one you make on the regular.

lemon parsley risotto
Photo: Sidney Bensimon

Risotto is one of those dishes that's easy to make once you know how, despite its reputation for being difficult. Stock up on arborio or carnaroli rice, as using the right type of short-grained starchy rice is key to acing this dish. Our favorite recipes include asparagus risotto for the spring, butternut squash for the fall, and classic risotto, simple yet elegant any time of the year. We also have oven-baked risotto recipes for those times when you don’t want to stand at the stove stirring, and risotto made with farro as a delicious variation on the usual. Many of our vegetable risottos are made with chicken broth for depth of flavor but can be vegetarian if you use a good vegetable broth instead. 

Our collection of risotto recipes will guide you in creating this much-loved Italian dish. Once you get the technique down, you’ll be exploring the possibilities of this comforting meal and will be making it all the time.

01 of 16

Asparagus and Lemon Risotto

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Andrew Purcell

One of our favorite ways to welcome spring is with this light and bright risotto that’s packed with fresh asparagus and frozen peas. It’s a vegetarian dinner that everyone asks for. 

02 of 16

Easy Risotto

Risotto in bowls

Rachel Marek

Creamy and comforting, this easy risotto is a classic. Arborio rice, chicken broth, a little white wine, onion, and plenty of Parmesan cheese are stirred carefully to create a dish that’s at once simple and complex. It’s a back-pocket recipe we all need.

03 of 16

Butternut Squash Risotto

butternut squash risotto

This easy take on butternut squash risotto skips the step of roasting the squash before using it in the risotto. That makes this a one-pot recipe—and we think it makes this dish sweeter, too.

04 of 16

Leek, Bacon, and Pea Risotto

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Two spring favorites, leeks and peas, come together in this delightful risotto, which also includes bacon, for a rich smokiness.

05 of 16

Mushroom Risotto With Spring Herbs

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No wild mushrooms here! Cremini or white button mushrooms are all you need for this any-night risotto. You can add ham or cooked bacon if you like.

06 of 16

Chicken Risotto

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Mike Krautter

In addition to chicken, this risotto includes yellow summer squash and asparagus, so it’s really a meal in one.

07 of 16

Saffron Risotto With Shrimp and Peas

saffron risotto shrimp peas
Sidney Bensimon

Saffron gives this risotto its glorious golden hue and subtle flavor. Shrimp and peas (fresh or frozen) round out the dish.

08 of 16

Creamy Parmesan Risotto

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This traditional risotto is one you should try. The foolproof recipe turns out perfectly al dente rice with a rich, creamy sauce every time. Lemon gives it a bright boost, while Parmesan adds a welcome hit of umami.

09 of 16

Oven-Baked Risotto

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This dish has all the classic risotto ingredients: arborio rice, white wine, stock, and Parmesan cheese. However, it’s not classic in how it is cooked—in the oven rather than on the stove!

10 of 16

Pressure-Cooker Corn Risotto

corn risotto with basil and tomato
Marcus Nilsson

This is an inspired dish that uses corncobs to make fast, flavor-packed corn stock in the pressure cooker—best of all, it is ready in about 15 minutes.

11 of 16

Baked Farro Risotto With Golden Vegetables and Goat Cheese

baked farro risotto with golden vegetables and goat cheese
Chris Simpson

This clever vegetarian dinner has you start the risotto on the stovetop, briefly cooking garlic with grated yellow beets, butternut squash, farro, and broth. Then they bake in the oven while more golden beets and squash roast on a baking sheet. Stir them into the risotto for serving, along with Parmesan.

12 of 16

Tomato and Sausage Risotto

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This comforting supper incorporates canned tomatoes, spinach, and sausage for a complete meal. Use sweet Italian sausage to keep it mild, or spicy for a kick.

13 of 16

Mushoom Risotto

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This is a classic mushroom risotto, in which dried porcini mushrooms are soaked to make stock, and a variety of fresh mushrooms, such as porcini, chanterelle, and oyster, flavor the dish.

14 of 16

Sweet Corn and Brown Rice Risotto

sweet corn-brown rice risotto garnished with basil
Kate Sears

Hearty, short-grain brown rice is cooked risotto-style with fresh corn for this vegetarian dish. It’s a creamy, comforting main that will please both non-meat eaters and omnivores.

15 of 16

Farro Risotto With Shrimp

Farro Risotto with Shrimp
Bryan Gardner

Fans of farro and fans of risotto alike will love this easy dinner. It’s made with pearled farro and finished with fresh herbs.

16 of 16

One-Pot Seafood Orzo Risotto

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Marcus Nilsson

Brothy and briny, this risotto has a paella-like feel. Instead of rice, you use orzo, and then you can use whatever seafood you like, such as halibut, shrimp, squid, and/or cockles.

Updated by
Lynn Andriani

 Lynn is a freelance writer for MarthaStewart.com.

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