Authentic 1940s D-18 Guitar-Style Mushroom Risotto

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A vintage-inspired risotto with deep umami notes, using heritage mushroom varieties and slow-cooked rice like Martin's classic guitar craftsmanship. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 40 minutes pairs Arborio rice, Dried porcini mushrooms, Fresh cremini mushrooms for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

★ 4.2 (10 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 480 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Soak dried porcini in 1/2 cup hot broth for 20 minutes, then finely chop. Finely mince shallot.
  2. Step 2: Heat butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add shallot and sauté until translucent (about 3 minutes), stirring constantly to prevent browning.
  3. Step 3: Add Arborio rice and toast for 2 minutes, stirring continuously until grains are slightly translucent around the edges.
  4. Step 4: Pour in white wine and stir until fully absorbed (about 2 minutes). Begin adding hot broth 1/2 cup at a time, stirring constantly until each addition is absorbed before adding more.
  5. Step 5: After 20 minutes of simmering, stir in chopped porcini and their soaking liquid, then add fresh cremini mushrooms. Continue adding broth until rice is al dente (about 25 minutes total).
  6. Step 6: Remove from heat, stir in 1/2 cup grated Parmesan, and season with salt. Let rest 5 minutes for flavors to meld authentically.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Authentic 1940s D-18 Guitar-Style Mushroom Risotto take to make?

Total time is about 40 minutes (15 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Authentic 1940s D-18 Guitar-Style Mushroom Risotto?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep arborio rice from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Authentic 1940s D-18 Guitar-Style Mushroom Risotto?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Authentic 1940s D-18 Guitar-Style Mushroom Risotto for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Authentic 1940s D-18 Guitar-Style Mushroom Risotto?

Italian pasta like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

What others are saying