Herb-Infused Lemon Risotto with Parmesan Crust

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-03-31 · Updated 2026-03-31

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are drafted and published.

Creamy Arborio rice cooked in aromatic lemon broth, topped with a golden Parmesan crust and fresh basil for a bright, indulgent finish. This Italian-inspired rice and grain recipe, ready in about 50 minutes, pairs arborio rice, lemon, onion 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.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 30 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 480 cal/serving

Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

1.5 cups arborio rice
2, zested and juiced lemon
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
2 cloves minced garlic
1/2 cup white wine
4 cups vegetable broth
3 tbsp butter
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
1 tsp salt

The pan we’d use for this → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →

Equipment for this recipe

Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté for 3 minutes until translucent. Stir in garlic and cook 1 minute.
Step 2: Add arborio rice and stir to coat with oil, 2-3 minutes until grains are glossy. Pour in white wine and let absorb completely, 2-3 minutes.
Step 3: Begin adding broth, 1/2 cup at a time, stirring constantly until each addition is absorbed before adding more. Repeat until rice is al dente, about 18-20 minutes total. Stir in lemon zest and juice during last 2 minutes of cooking.
Step 4: Remove from heat. Stir in remaining 2 tbsp butter and 1/4 cup grated Parmesan. Transfer to a serving dish, top with remaining Parmesan, and broil 2-3 minutes until golden crust forms. Garnish with basil.