Classic Italian Seafood Risotto with White Wine and Parmesan
Creamy arborio rice simmered slowly with white wine and seafood, enriched with Parmesan and fresh parsley for a comforting Italian main course. This italian-inspired seafood ready in about 45 minutes pairs arborio rice, shrimp, peeled and deveined, scallops for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 460 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 1/2 cups arborio rice
- 8 oz shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 6 oz scallops
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 4 cups, kept warm chicken or seafood broth
- 1 medium shallot, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic clove, minced
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp lemon zest
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil and 1 tbsp butter in a large heavy-bottomed skillet over medium heat. Add 1 finely chopped shallot and 2 minced garlic cloves; sauté for 2-3 minutes until translucent and fragrant.
- Step 2: Add 1 1/2 cups arborio rice to the skillet and stir for 1-2 minutes until rice is well coated and slightly translucent at the edges.
- Step 3: Pour in 1/2 cup dry white wine and cook, stirring constantly, until the wine is mostly absorbed, about 3-4 minutes.
- Step 4: Begin adding 4 cups warm chicken or seafood broth, one ladleful (about 1/2 cup) at a time, stirring frequently and waiting until the liquid is absorbed before adding more. Continue this process for about 18-20 minutes until rice is creamy and al dente.
- Step 5: In a separate pan, melt 2 tbsp butter over medium-high heat. Add 8 oz peeled shrimp and 6 oz scallops, cooking for 2-3 minutes per side until opaque and just cooked through. Season with 1/2 tsp black pepper and a pinch of salt.
- Step 6: Once the risotto is cooked, gently fold in the cooked seafood, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1 tbsp butter, 1 tsp lemon zest, and 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley. Adjust salt to taste.
- Step 7: Serve immediately, garnished with extra parsley and Parmesan if desired.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Classic Italian Seafood Risotto with White Wine and Parmesan take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (15 min prep + 30 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 Classic Italian Seafood Risotto with White Wine and Parmesan?
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 Classic Italian Seafood Risotto with White Wine and Parmesan?
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 Classic Italian Seafood Risotto with White Wine and Parmesan 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 Classic Italian Seafood Risotto with White Wine and Parmesan?
Italian seafood 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.
