Creamy Mushroom Risotto (Printable)
Velvety Arborio rice with golden mushrooms, Parmesan, and cream for an authentic Italian comfort dish.
# What You'll Need:
→ Mushrooms
01 - 14 oz mixed mushrooms (cremini, shiitake, button), cleaned and sliced
02 - 2 tbsp olive oil
03 - 1 tbsp unsalted butter
→ Risotto Base
04 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
05 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
06 - 1 ½ cups Arborio rice
07 - ½ cup dry white wine
08 - 4 cups vegetable broth, kept warm
09 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter
10 - ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
11 - ½ cup heavy cream
12 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
→ Garnish
13 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
14 - Extra grated Parmesan (optional)
# How to Make It:
01 - Heat olive oil and 1 tbsp butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add sliced mushrooms and sauté until golden brown and tender, about 7 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Remove half the mushrooms and set aside for garnish.
02 - Melt 2 tbsp butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook until soft and translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add Arborio rice to the onion mixture and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes until rice is lightly toasted and glossy.
04 - Pour in white wine and stir until almost completely absorbed.
05 - Add one ladleful of warm vegetable broth to the rice and stir gently. When liquid is absorbed, add another ladleful. Continue adding broth, stirring frequently, allowing each addition to absorb before adding the next, until rice is creamy and al dente, about 18-20 minutes.
06 - Stir in sautéed mushrooms (reserving garnish), heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until risotto is creamy and well combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
07 - Serve risotto hot, topped with reserved mushrooms, fresh parsley, and extra Parmesan if desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The texture becomes impossibly creamy without using heavy techniques or restaurant equipment
- Earthy mushrooms create such deep flavor that even mushroom skeptics usually ask for seconds
02 -
- Constant stirring is not strictly necessary but frequent stirring helps release starch for creaminess
- Warm broth prevents the rice from cooking unevenly or becoming gummy
03 -
- Room temperature broth will throw off your cooking time and texture
- Letting the rice rest for 2 minutes off heat helps it settle