Creamy Mushroom Risotto Recipe

Golden Creamy Mushroom Risotto Recipe: Homemade Bliss in a Bowl

Stirring a pot of velvety mushroom risotto reveals the magic of Italian comfort food.

This classic risotto recipe blends earthy porcini mushrooms with rich, creamy arborio rice.

Chefs across Italy have perfected this delectable dish through generations of culinary expertise.

Each spoonful delivers a luxurious blend of tender mushrooms and perfectly cooked rice.

The technique requires patience and a gentle touch to create a silky, smooth texture.

Parmesan cheese adds a sharp, salty contrast that elevates the entire dish.

You’ll love how these simple ingredients transform into a restaurant-quality meal right in your kitchen.

Prepare to savor every decadent bite of this irresistible risotto.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 360 kcal

Servings: 4

Mushroom Risotto Starts With These Ingredients

For Main Ingredients:
  • Arborio Rice: The star of risotto, this short-grain Italian rice releases starch slowly, creating that signature creamy texture.
  • Mushrooms: Earthy and rich, choose fresh, firm mushrooms with no soft spots or discoloration for maximum flavor.
  • White Wine: Adds depth and acidity, selecting a dry wine like Pinot Grigio enhances the overall taste profile.
For Aromatics:
  • Onion: Provides sweet, foundational flavor that builds the risotto's base.
  • Garlic: Intensifies savory notes, look for firm, plump cloves without green sprouts.
For Finishing and Enhancing:
  • Parmesan Cheese: Introduces nutty, salty complexity, opt for freshly grated for best melting and flavor.
  • Parsley: Brings bright, fresh herb notes and beautiful green color, choose vibrant leaves with no wilting.
  • Salt and Pepper: Essential for balancing and elevating all other ingredients' flavors.
For Cooking Liquids:
  • Vegetable or Chicken Broth: Creates risotto's signature creamy consistency, ensure it's warm when adding.
  • Olive Oil, Butter: Provide rich, smooth base for cooking, use a combination for depth of flavor.

Tools to Master Mushroom Risotto

  • Large skillet: Essential for sautéing mushrooms, aromatics, and cooking risotto.
  • Wooden spoon or spatula: Perfect for stirring rice and preventing sticking.
  • Ladle: Helps add broth gradually and evenly to the risotto.
  • Cutting board: Needed for chopping mushrooms, onions, and parsley.
  • Sharp knife: Crucial for precise vegetable preparation.
  • Measuring spoons: Ensures accurate oil, butter, and seasoning amounts.

Cook Mushroom Risotto Like a Restaurant

  • Sauté Mushrooms

Toss mushrooms into a sizzling skillet with olive oil and butter. Let them dance and turn golden brown for about 5-7 minutes. Gently transfer the caramelized beauties to a waiting plate.

  • Build Flavor Base

In the same skillet, swirl more oil and butter. Add chopped onions and minced garlic, letting them soften and release their aromatic magic for 2-3 minutes.

  • Toast Rice

Introduce Arborio rice to the pan, coating each grain with the flavorful oils. Let the rice toast and become slightly translucent, releasing a nutty fragrance.

  • Deglaze and Simmer

Pour in white wine, watching it sizzle and absorb into the rice. Slowly add warm broth, one ladleful at a time, stirring consistently. Allow each addition to melt into the rice before adding more.

  • Finish and Enhance

When rice reaches creamy perfection, fold in the reserved mushrooms. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese, chopped parsley, salt, and pepper. Stir until everything harmonizes beautifully.

  • Serve with Flair

Transfer risotto to warm plates. Garnish with extra Parmesan and fresh parsley. Enjoy immediately while luxuriously creamy and hot.

Flavor Tips for a Richer Mushroom Risotto

  • Pro Mushroom Risotto Secrets: Cooking Tips & Variations
  • Texture Triumph: Use short-grain Arborio rice for ultra-creamy results; stir constantly to release natural starches that create that signature silky texture.
  • Mushroom Magic: Mix different mushroom varieties like porcini, shiitake, and cremini for deeper, more complex flavor profiles that elevate the entire dish.
  • Dietary Flexibility: Make this risotto gluten-free by using certified gluten-free broth and replacing traditional Parmesan with nutritional yeast for a dairy-free version.
  • Protein Power-Up: Add grilled chicken, crispy pancetta, or sautéed shrimp during the final stirring stage to transform this side dish into a complete meal with extra protein.
  • Vegan Twist

Serve Mushroom Risotto With Confidence

  • Rustic Italian Feast: Pair the mushroom risotto with a crisp arugula salad drizzled with lemon vinaigrette for a refreshing contrast.
  • Wine Companion: Choose a medium-bodied white wine like Pinot Grigio or an elegant Chardonnay to complement the creamy, earthy mushroom flavors.
  • Protein Harmony: Add grilled chicken breast or seared scallops on the side to transform this risotto into a complete, satisfying meal that balances texture and richness.
  • Seasonal Garnish: Top with toasted pine nuts or crispy sage leaves to introduce a delightful crunch and elevate the dish's visual and taste profile.

Plan and Keep Mushroom Risotto Fresh

  • Smart Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftover risotto in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 23 hours. Risotto's texture changes when chilled, so consume quickly for the best taste and quality.
  • Quick Reheating Technique: Gently warm risotto in a skillet with a splash of broth or water, stirring constantly to restore creamy consistency. Avoid microwave heating to prevent rice becoming dry or rubbery.
  • Freezing Wisdom: Not recommended for freezing due to rice's delicate texture. Risotto tends to separate and lose its signature smooth, creamy character when thawed, compromising the dish's elegant appeal.
  • Batch Preparation Hack: Consider making slightly larger quantities to enjoy a second meal. Keep extra portions in shallow containers to help cool faster and maintain food safety standards. Remember to refrigerate within two hours of cooking to prevent bacterial growth.
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Creamy Mushroom Risotto Recipe

Creamy Mushroom Risotto Recipe


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4.6 from 34 reviews

  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 5 1x

Description

Classic mushroom risotto celebrates creamy Italian comfort food with rich, earthy flavors. Parmesan cheese and arborio rice combine for a luxurious dish that delivers genuine culinary satisfaction.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups (950 ml / 32 fl oz) chicken or vegetable broth, warmed
  • 1 ½ cups (360 ml / 12 fl oz) arborio rice
  • 8 oz (225 g) cremini or button mushrooms, sliced
  • ½ cup (120 ml / 4 fl oz) dry white wine
  • 2 tbsps olive oil
  • 2 tbsps unsalted butter
  • 1 small onion, finely diced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • ½ cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tbsps fresh parsley, chopped (plus extra for garnish)
  • 1 tsp salt (or to taste)
  • ½ tsp black pepper (or to taste)

Instructions

  1. Mushroom Preparation: Caramelize mushrooms in a harmonious blend of olive oil and butter over medium heat until they achieve a rich, golden-brown complexion, developing deep, concentrated flavors. Transfer the transformed mushrooms to a separate plate.
  2. Aromatic Foundation: In the same skillet, sauté finely chopped onions and minced garlic until they soften and release their fragrant essence, creating a flavor-packed base for the risotto.
  3. Rice Toasting: Introduce Arborio rice, coating each grain in the aromatic oil and butter. Gently toast the rice to activate its nutty undertones, then deglaze with white wine, allowing the liquid to nearly completely absorb and intensify the rice’s character.
  4. Broth Infusion: Embark on a methodical broth incorporation, adding warm broth one ladleful at a time. Stir consistently, permitting each addition to be mostly absorbed before the next. This technique coaxes out the rice’s natural starches, culminating in a luxuriously creamy texture over 18-20 minutes.
  5. Final Composition: Once the rice reaches perfect al dente consistency, integrate the caramelized mushrooms, grated Parmesan, chopped parsley, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Adjust seasoning to taste, and if necessary, introduce a splash of warm broth to achieve a silky, flowing consistency.
  6. Presentation: Serve immediately, garnishing with additional Parmesan and fresh parsley. Ensure the risotto is presented at its peak temperature, showcasing its creamy, indulgent nature.

Notes

  • Mushroom Selection: Choose fresh, firm mushrooms like porcini, shiitake, or cremini for deeper, more complex flavor profiles.
  • Rice Precision: Use authentic Arborio or Carnaroli rice to ensure proper starch release and creamy consistency; avoid long-grain rice varieties.
  • Liquid Temperature Control: Always use warm broth to maintain steady cooking temperature and prevent rice from becoming tough or unevenly cooked.
  • Stirring Strategy: Stir risotto consistently but gently to release starches without breaking rice grains, creating smooth, velvety texture.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Dinner, Lunch
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 5
  • Calories: 380
  • Sugar: 2 g
  • Sodium: 600 mg
  • Fat: 14 g
  • Saturated Fat: 6 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 55 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 10 g
  • Cholesterol: 20 mg
Emily Lawson

Emily Lawson

Content Creator & Culinary Specialist

Expertise

  • Creative Content Writing and Blogging​
  • Plant-Based and Alternative Grilling Recipes​
  • Food Styling and Visual Storytelling​
  • Nutritional Analysis and Healthy Cooking

Education

Oregon Culinary Institute
Diploma in Culinary Arts
Focus: Emphasis on farm-to-table cooking, sustainable practices, and the fusion of global flavors with traditional grilling methods. ​


Emily Lawson is the content creator at Daves Grill, turning tasty ideas into clear, easy recipes. Based in Portland, she trained at the Oregon Culinary Institute and loves cooking with fresh, seasonal ingredients, especially grilled veggies and global flavors.

Emily mixes food writing with hands-on cooking to bring you recipes that feel fun, not stressful. Her goal is to make every dish simple, flavorful, and worth coming back to. Together, she and Dave serve up real food, one recipe at a time.

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