Mushroom Risotto Wellplated Com

Mushroom risotto tastes decadently creamy with nutty notes from Parmesan, a floral hint of saffron, and the salty bacon and earthy mushrooms round out the umami factor. In other words, it tastes amazing.

Homemade Risotto is Easier Than You Think

I spent years avoiding cooking risotto because it has a reputation for being difficult. Risotto has even been called the death dish on the popular cooking competition Masterchef, because it is (allegedly) so hard to get right. Don’t you believe a word. Sorry Gordon Ramsey, the mushroom risotto myth has been busted! Risotto is 100% doable at home, and it’s not nearly as fussy as you’ve been led to believe. Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to stir risotto constantly for 30+ minutes until your arm is about to fall off. A quick stir every couple of minutes is fine. Risotto has become one of my favorite dishes to make at home, so much so that I rarely order it out anymore. Sip some wine while you make it (you’ll have a bottle open for the recipe anyway), chill out, and enjoy the process. This mushroom risotto is what I cooked for dinner on Valentine’s Day. You don’t need an occasion to cook it, but garlic mushroom risotto will make any night special!

How to Make Mushroom Risotto

This easy mushroom risotto recipe is attainable for cooks of any level. Roll up your sleeves, open the wine, and get ready to wow.

The Ingredients

Arborio Rice. Short-grain arborio rice is critical for creamy risotto. It is especially starchy, and as those starches release, they make the risotto creamy.

Mushrooms. The hearty base of our risotto. Most of the time, I use baby bella (cremini) mushrooms which are easy to find.

Bacon. For the most mouth-watering risotto. The bacon (and bacon drippings!) adds savory, smoky flavor.Shallot. A key flavor-builder and risotto classic. I prefer these over onions.Butter. For richness and that unbeatable butter flavor. Skip the olive oil!Chicken Stock. Risotto is simple, so every ingredient matters. Buy the best brand you can and make sure it is STOCK, not broth. Stock has more flavor.Wine. Wine adds flavor and a touch of acidity to the risotto. A dry white wine like Sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio will work well here. Saffron. Saffron is made from the dried stigmas of crocus flowers. It tastes floral, earthy, and complex—there is truly nothing else like it. It is also what gives this risotto (and similar rice-based dishes such as paella) its lovely yellow hue.Thyme. Adds an earthiness that complements the mushrooms. Parmesan. Salty, cheesy goodness that melts lusciously into the creamy risotto and gives it a note of umami flavor.

The Directions

Storage Tips

To Store. Refrigerate risotto in an airtight storage container for up to 4 days in the fridge. To Reheat. Gently rewarm leftovers in a pot on the stovetop over medium-low heat or in the microwave, adding additional water or stock as needed to thin it. To Freeze. Freeze risotto in an airtight freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

What Goes Best with Mushroom Risotto

While this dish works fabulously as a stand-alone meal, here are a few ideas of what you could pair with it: For a healthy mushroom risotto, use brown arborio rice. Note that you will need to extend the cook time to 40 to 50 minutes, because brown rice takes longer than white. If you run out of chicken stock, add water so that the risotto doesn’t become too salty. Great source of fiber! DO NOT use white button mushrooms, which lack flavor. Cremini are just as easy to find and taste much better.

Chicken. Pair this risotto with Baked Chicken Breast, Air Fryer Chicken Breast, or Baked Chicken Thighs. Fish. Pan Seared Salmon, Pan-Fried Cod or Baked Salmon in Foil would be delicious. Shrimp. Try Grilled Shrimp Seasoning, Air Fryer Shrimp, or Garlic Butter Shrimp (with a splash of lemon juice).Steak. A juicy grilled steak would be scrumptious with this dish and so decadent (see this Steak Sandwich for cooking tips). Pork. Grilled Pork Chops or Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin would be tasty with mushroom risotto. Bread. Because the only thing that could make mushroom risotto more comforting is a side of pillowy soft No Knead Focaccia. Salad. For a light, healthy side dish, try pairing the risotto with Arugula Salad.

Recommended Tools to Make this Recipe

Dutch Oven. This Dutch oven has plenty of space for making risotto. Ladle. You’ll use this to transfer the broth to the risotto. Measuring Spoons. Great for measuring spices, baking ingredients, and more.

Homemade mushroom risotto is a pleasure to cook AND a preview of heaven to eat. Leave a rating below in the comments and let me know how you liked the recipe.