Rustic Italian Porcini Mushroom Risotto with Parmesan

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Creamy risotto simmered with earthy dried porcini mushrooms and finished with freshly grated Parmesan for a comforting Italian classic. This italian-inspired rice & grains (vegetarian) ready in about 55 minutes pairs dried porcini mushrooms, hot water, unsalted butter for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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: 25 min Cook: 30 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Place 1 oz dried porcini mushrooms in a bowl and pour 2 cups hot water over them. Let soak for 20 minutes until softened, then strain mushrooms, reserving soaking liquid and chopping mushrooms coarsely.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp unsalted butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add 2 finely chopped shallots and sauté for 3 minutes until translucent.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 1 1/2 cups Arborio rice and cook for 2 minutes until rice is well-coated and slightly toasted.
  4. Step 4: Pour in 1/2 cup dry white wine and stir continuously until fully absorbed.
  5. Step 5: Begin adding 4 cups warm vegetable broth, one ladle at a time, stirring constantly and allowing the liquid to absorb before adding the next ladle, for about 18 minutes.
  6. Step 6: Halfway through, add the chopped porcini mushrooms and 1 cup reserved soaking liquid to enhance flavor.
  7. Step 7: Once risotto is creamy and rice is tender but firm to bite, remove from heat. Stir in 1 tbsp unsalted butter, 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper until melted and combined.
  8. Step 8: Garnish with 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Rustic Italian Porcini Mushroom Risotto with Parmesan take to make?

Total time is about 55 minutes (25 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 Rustic Italian Porcini Mushroom Risotto with 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 dried porcini mushrooms from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Rustic Italian Porcini Mushroom Risotto with 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 Rustic Italian Porcini Mushroom Risotto with 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.

Is Rustic Italian Porcini Mushroom Risotto with Parmesan vegetarian?

Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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