Golden Grains – 21 Perfect Risotto Recipes That Are Beginner Easy

Jenny deRemer

Aug 26, 2024

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Discover how to blend Arborio rice with a variety of rich flavors and textures, creating dishes that are both comforting and sophisticated. Whether you’re looking for a simple weeknight meal or an elegant dinner party dish, our risotto recipes will guide you to creamy perfection!

Table of Contents

Shrimp Risotto

A skillet filled with creamy risotto topped with seared shrimp, garnished with fresh herbs. The dish contains pieces of sun-dried tomatoes and wilted spinach, with a spoon placed in the center. Fresh herbs are scattered around the skillet on the wooden table.
Shrimp Risotto. Image Credit: Julia for Julia’s Album.

Shrimp Risotto combines classic elements like Arborio rice, broth, white wine, butter, and Parmesan cheese. This iconic Italian dish not only delivers a delightful taste but also presents beautifully on the plate.

Get This Recipe: Shrimp Risotto

Lemon Scallop Risotto

A bowl of seafood risotto with shellfish and creamy rice, garnished with parsley, on a white plate.
Lemon Scallop Risotto. Image Credit: Sabrina Currie for West Coast Kitchen Garden.

Bright and zesty, this lemon scallop risotto is a fresh take on a classic. The scallops are perfectly seared, and the lemon adds a refreshing twist that complements the creamy rice.
Get This Recipe: Lemon Scallop Risotto

Parmesan Risotto

A close-up of a creamy risotto served in a white bowl, garnished with chopped parsley and topped with shaved parmesan cheese. A fork rests on the side of the bowl, and the background includes part of a wine glass and a beige napkin.
Parmesan Risotto. Image Credit: Lyuba Brooke for Will Cook for Smiles.

Parmesan Risotto is a straightforward yet impressive dish, blending Arborio rice with white wine, garlic, and plenty of Parmesan cheese. If you’re looking to try your hand at making risotto, this recipe is a great starting point. It’s both stunning in presentation and simple to execute!

Get This Recipe: Parmesan Risotto

Sweet Corn Parmesan Oven Risotto

A close-up of a plate containing rice, corn, shredded cheese, chopped green herbs, all mixed in a creamy texture.
Sweet Corn Parmesan Oven Risotto. Image Credit: Peabody for Sweet ReciPEAs.

No need to stand and stir with this oven-baked risotto! Sweet corn and Parmesan blend beautifully in this dish, making it a breeze to whip up. Just pop it in the oven and let it cook to perfection.
Get This Recipe: Sweet Corn Parmesan Oven Risotto

Sun-Dried Tomato Risotto

A skillet filled with creamy risotto mixed with sun-dried tomatoes, fresh spinach, and garnished with basil leaves. A large spoon is resting in the skillet, ready to serve. Fresh sprigs of herbs are scattered around the pan on a dark wooden surface.
Sun-Dried Tomato Risotto. Image Credit: Julia for Julia’s Album.

This creamy rice dish might look like it’s straight from a high-end restaurant, but it’s surprisingly simple to prepare. Sun-Dried Tomato Risotto is a quintessential Italian comfort food that fits perfectly as an appetizer, a main dish, or a side. It’s a versatile choice for any meal!

Get This Recipe: Sun-Dried Tomato Risotto

Creamy Parmesan Risotto with Shrimp

Shrimp on a bed of creamy risotto, garnished with lemon slices and herbs. A fork is partially visible to the right.
Creamy Parmesan Risotto with Shrimp. Image Credit: Jessica Randhawa for The Forked Spoon.

Succulent shrimp on a bed of creamy Parmesan risotto is pure luxury. The shrimp are quickly sautéed and then nestled into the creamy, cheesy rice for a dish that’s both elegant and easy to make.
Get This Recipe: Creamy Parmesan Risotto with Shrimp

Bacon Onion Pumpkin Risotto

A plate of creamy yellow risotto with pieces of bacon. A spoon is partially submerged in the dish.
Bacon Onion Pumpkin Risotto. Image Credit: Lyuba Brooke for Will Cook for Smiles.

This rich and creamy Italian rice dish combines the robust flavors of bacon, shallots, and pumpkin. While it takes a bit of time to prepare, the result is absolutely worth it. In under an hour, you can savor this delicious and hearty Bacon, Onion, and Pumpkin Risotto.

Get The Recipe: Bacon Onion Pumpkin Risotto

Shrimp Risotto

A close-up of a plate of creamy risotto topped with plump shrimp, asparagus pieces, and garnished with chopped parsley. The dish appears rich, colorful, and appetizing, showcasing a blend of yellow risotto, green asparagus, and pink shrimp.
Shrimp Risotto. Image Credit: Erren Hart for Erren’s Kitchen.

This straightforward and tasty Shrimp Risotto with Asparagus recipe features a no-stir method, ready in under 30 minutes! Pair it with warm garlic bread for a simple weeknight dinner that the whole family will love!

Get The Recipe: Shrimp Risotto

Risotto Recipe

A creamy bowl of risotto garnished with grated cheese and chopped herbs sits beside a small saucepan containing more grated cheese. A gold spoon is placed in the risotto. A pink cloth napkin is draped nearby on a light surface.
Risotto Recipe. Image Credit: Allie Roomberg for Baking A Moment.

This classic Risotto Recipe is straightforward and delightful, combining chicken broth, white wine, and Parmesan cheese. You can whip up a batch in 30 minutes or less, perfect for when you’re craving something quick and tasty.

Get The Recipe: Risotto Recipe

Lobster Risotto

A black plate holding a serving of creamy risotto garnished with chopped herbs. The risotto is light yellow with visible bits of meat, likely seafood. A fork is placed on the plate, and lemon slices and a glass of white wine are in the background.
Lobster Risotto. Image Credit: Lyuba Brooke for Will Cook for Smiles.

Lobster Risotto is a luxurious dish perfect for special occasions or anytime you want to indulge. This creamy homemade risotto features tender lobster meat, rich broth, cream, and generous amounts of Parmesan cheese. While it presents as an elegant meal, it’s surprisingly simple to prepare, making it an ideal choice for any celebratory dinner.

Get The Recipe: Lobster Risotto

Chicken & Mushroom Risotto

A close-up view of creamy mushroom risotto in a pan. The dish features a rich mix of risotto rice, tender sautéed mushrooms, grated cheese, and fresh chopped parsley, creating a comforting and savory meal.
Chicken & Mushroom Risotto. Image Credit: Erren Hart for Erren’s Kitchen.

This creamy Chicken and Mushroom Risotto recipe offers a fantastic way to repurpose leftover chicken. Packed with rich, earthy mushroom flavors, this comforting dish is sure to delight any crowd.

Get The Recipe: Chicken & Mushroom Risotto

Easy Saffron Risotto

A close-up of a creamy saffron risotto in a black bowl. The risotto is garnished with finely chopped parsley. A wooden spoon with a utensil design engraved on it is placed in the bowl, showing the risotto's rich, golden-yellow color and smooth texture.
Easy Saffron Risotto. Image Credit: Erren Hart for Erren’s Kitchen.

This exquisite risotto is enhanced with the luxurious taste of saffron, striking the ideal balance between brightness and depth. The addition of lemon zest, parsley, and Parmesan cheese brings a perfect complement of flavors to the dish.

Get The Recipe: Easy Saffron Risotto

Mushroom Risotto

A pot of mushroom risotto with a spoon inside, topped with grated cheese and chopped herbs. Two small bowls beside the pot contain more chopped herbs and ground black pepper. A block of Parmesan cheese and a grater are placed in the foreground on the right.
Mushroom Risotto. Image Credit: Meggan Hill for Culinary Hill.

Mushroom Risotto, with its nutty and deep flavors, is a dish that truly rewards the effort spent by the stove. This exceptionally creamy risotto becomes even more luxurious with a mix of tender, earthy wild mushrooms.

Get The Recipe: Mushroom Risotto

Roasted Tomato Risotto

A close-up of creamy tomato risotto being stirred with a wooden spoon. The dish features plump grains of rice, finely chopped tomatoes, and fresh spinach leaves, all enveloped in a rich, orange-hued sauce.
Roasted Tomato Risotto. Image Credit: Erren Hart for Erren’s Kitchen.

Make the most of your summer tomatoes with this Roasted Tomato Risotto recipe. It’s an ideal weeknight meal for the entire family.

Get The Recipe: Roasted Tomato Risotto

Easy Instant Pot Risotto with Butternut Squash

A bowl of creamy risotto topped with chopped herbs and grated cheese, with a spoon partially submerged.
Easy Instant Pot Risotto with Butternut Squash. Image Credit: Jessica Randhawa for The Forked Spoon.

The Instant Pot makes risotto a breeze, and this version with butternut squash is no exception. The squash adds a sweet, nutty flavor that pairs perfectly with the creamy rice. Just set it and forget it!
Get This Recipe: Easy Instant Pot Risotto with Butternut Squash

Risotto Marinara (Seafood Risotto)

Shrimp, scallops, and rice in a sauce, garnished with chopped parsley.
Risotto Marinara (Seafood Risotto). Image Credit: Colleen for The Food Blog.

This seafood risotto is packed with ocean flavors from fresh seafood simmered in a rich tomato marinara sauce. The rice absorbs all the deliciousness, making each bite a taste of the sea.
Get This Recipe: Risotto Marinara (Seafood Risotto)

Morel Mushroom and Prawn Risotto

A plate of creamy risotto topped with green peas, pieces of meat, and fresh basil leaves.
Morel Mushroom and Prawn Risotto. Image Credit: Hilda for Hilda’s Kitchen Blog.

Morel mushrooms and prawns create a luxurious risotto that’s perfect for a special occasion. The morels add a unique, rich flavor that pairs beautifully with the sweet, tender prawns.
Get This Recipe: Morel Mushroom and Prawn Risotto

Truffle Mushroom and Leek Risotto

A white bowl filled with creamy mushroom risotto topped with grated cheese and chopped green herbs.
Truffle Mushroom and Leek Risotto. Image Credit: Kat and Alec for The Heirloom Pantry.

The truffle oil in this risotto brings a touch of elegance, while the mushrooms and leeks add a delicious depth of flavor. It’s a dish that feels fancy but is simple enough for a weeknight.
Get This Recipe: Truffle Mushroom and Leek Risotto

Classic Chanterelle Mushroom Risotto

A plate of risotto topped with sautéed mushrooms and garnished with parsley sits on a checkered tablecloth beside a glass of white wine.
Classic Chanterelle Mushroom Risotto. Image Credit: Sabrina Currie for West Coast Kitchen Garden.

Chanterelle mushrooms make this risotto extra special. Their delicate, nutty flavor shines through in this creamy dish, making it a true treat for mushroom lovers.
Get This Recipe: Classic Chanterelle Mushroom Risotto

Mushroom and Spinach Risotto with Walnuts

Mushrooms and walnuts in a green, herb-filled sauce.
Mushroom and Spinach Risotto with Walnuts. Image Credit: Brian and His Team for Krumpli.

Earthy mushrooms and fresh spinach are complemented by the crunch of walnuts in this risotto. It’s a great way to add some greens and texture to your meal.
Get This Recipe: Mushroom and Spinach Risotto with Walnuts

Porcini Mushroom & Black Garlic Risotto

A white plate of mushroom risotto with peas, topped with grated cheese.
Porcini Mushroom & Black Garlic Risotto. Image Credit: Bernice Hill for Dish ‘n’ the Kitchen.

Porcini mushrooms and black garlic create a rich, umami-packed risotto. The black garlic adds a subtle sweetness and depth that make this dish truly unique.
Get This Recipe: Porcini Mushroom & Black Garlic Risotto

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About Jenny deRemer

I am a Charleston, South Carolina-based culinary novice, an ardent authority on all things travel, a designer by trade, and the creator of Not Entirely Average. I have a weakness for farmers' markets, delight in adventures way off the beaten path, enjoy documenting my many moods through photography, and have been known to conquer the occasional yard sale with gusto!

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