Authentic 1940s D-18 Guitar-Style Mushroom Risotto
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.
Ingredients
- 1.5 cups Arborio rice
- 2 tbsp Dried porcini mushrooms
- 8 oz Fresh cremini mushrooms
- 4 cups Chicken broth
- 1/2 cup White wine
- 1 medium Shallot
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp Butter
- 1/2 tsp Salt
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Soak dried porcini in 1/2 cup hot broth for 20 minutes, then finely chop. Finely mince shallot.
- 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.
- Step 3: Add Arborio rice and toast for 2 minutes, stirring continuously until grains are slightly translucent around the edges.
- 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.
- 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).
- 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
- ★★★★★
Used half the salt and it was still plenty flavorful.
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.








