Mushroom & Thyme 'Imbibe' Risotto

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-05 · Updated 2026-04-05

A creamy, earthy risotto where Arborio rice fully absorbs a rich mushroom broth infused with fresh thyme, creating a deeply flavorful vegetarian dish in under 30 minutes. This italian-inspired pasta (vegetarian) ready in about 40 minutes pairs Arborio rice, cremini mushrooms, diced 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.

Ingredients

• 1.5 cups Arborio rice
• 8 oz cremini mushrooms
• 1/2 cup diced onion
• 2 cloves garlic
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 2 tbsp leaves fresh thyme
• 1/2 cup white wine
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp butter in a large saucepan over medium heat until melted. Add 8 oz sliced cremini mushrooms and 1/2 cup diced onion, cooking for 8 minutes until mushrooms release moisture and onions soften—stir occasionally to prevent browning.
2. Step 2: Add 2 minced garlic cloves and 2 tbsp fresh thyme leaves, sautéing for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in 1.5 cups Arborio rice, coating every grain with butter, and cook for 2 minutes until rice edges turn translucent.
3. Step 3: Pour in 1/2 cup white wine, stirring constantly until fully absorbed—this should take 3-4 minutes, with the rice becoming glossy and the alcohol evaporated.
4. Step 4: Begin adding 4 cups chicken broth, 1/2 cup at a time, stirring constantly after each addition. Wait until each portion is almost fully absorbed before adding the next—this process takes 18-20 minutes total, with the rice becoming creamy and tender but still slightly firm.
5. Step 5: Stir in 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Cook for 2 more minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the rice grains, then remove from heat. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld.