Italian-Style Shrimp and Tomato Risotto
Creamy risotto cooked with succulent shrimp and ripe tomatoes, finished with Parmesan and fresh basil for a comforting Italian meal. This italian-inspired rice & grains ready in about 40 minutes pairs arborio rice, olive oil, shallot, finely chopped for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 calories and feeds 2, 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 cup arborio rice
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 shallot, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/3 cup dry white wine
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 8 oz shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 tbsp fresh basil, chopped
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Warm 4 cups chicken broth in a saucepan over low heat and keep it at a gentle simmer.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 finely chopped shallot and 2 minced garlic cloves, sautéing for 2 minutes until translucent and fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 1 cup arborio rice, cooking for 1-2 minutes to toast the grains until they look translucent at the edges.
- Step 4: Pour in 1/3 cup dry white wine, stirring continuously until mostly absorbed by the rice.
- Step 5: Add the warm broth one ladle at a time, stirring frequently and allowing each addition to absorb completely before adding the next, about 18-20 minutes.
- Step 6: When the rice is halfway cooked, stir in 8 oz peeled and deveined shrimp and 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes, cooking for 4-5 minutes until shrimp turn pink and rice is creamy yet al dente.
- Step 7: Remove from heat and stir in 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 2 tbsp chopped fresh basil, 3/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper until creamy and well combined.
- Step 8: Serve the risotto immediately while warm.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Italian-Style Shrimp and Tomato Risotto take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (10 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 Italian-Style Shrimp and Tomato 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 Italian-Style Shrimp and Tomato 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 Italian-Style Shrimp and Tomato Risotto for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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 Italian-Style Shrimp and Tomato Risotto?
Italian rice & grains 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.