Traditional Italian Risotto with Parmesan
Creamy Arborio rice cooked to perfection with onion, white wine, and Parmesan for a classic Italian one-pot dish. This italian-inspired quick meals ready in about 45 minutes pairs (300 g) Arborio rice, small (100 g) onion, (120 ml) white wine for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 390 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 (300 g) Arborio rice
- 1 small (100 g) onion
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) white wine
- 4 cups (960 ml) vegetable broth
- 1/2 cup (50 g) Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add chopped onion and garlic, sauté until translucent, 3-4 minutes.
- Step 2: Add Arborio rice, stir to coat with butter. Cook for 2 minutes until rice is slightly toasted.
- Step 3: Pour in white wine, stir until absorbed. Begin adding warm broth one ladle at a time, stirring constantly, until rice is al dente (about 18-20 minutes).
- Step 4: Remove from heat, stir in Parmesan, salt, and pepper. Let rest for 2 minutes before serving, allowing flavors to meld.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Traditional Italian Risotto with 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 Traditional Italian 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 (300 g) arborio rice from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Traditional Italian 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 Traditional Italian 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.
What goes well with Traditional Italian Risotto with Parmesan?
Italian quick meals 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
- ★★★☆☆
Decent recipe but nothing special. Might try a different version.
