Advertisement
  • Newsletter
  • Subscribe
Recipe Collections

18 Amazingly Easy Risotto Recipes

Master our simple methods for risotto and you'll be able to whip up endless variations of this creamy comfort food.
Risotto crispy mozzarella cakes

Produced by Aimee Nishitoba; Photography by Christie Vuong; Recipe by Julie Van Rosendaal; Food Styling by Ashley Denton; Prop Styling by Madeleine Johari

Our classic Parmesan risotto is a six-ingredient delight: arborio rice with Parmesan, white wine, broth, onion and butter. A slowly stirred labour of love, the final product is saucy but not soupy, and the grains of rice have a tender bite to them. But that's only one way to make risotto. From no-stir to slow-cooker risottos, here are a host of easy ways to make this tasty dish.

Mushroom and Beet Risotto

A creamy, colourful vegetarian dish that's perfect for winter. Tip: Steady stirring over a low simmer is what really makes this saucy risotto utter perfection. Get our mushroom and beet risotto recipe.

Mushroom and beet risottoPhoto, Roberto Caruso.

Instant Pot Pumpkin Risotto

This is one of our hands-down favourite Instant Pot dishes. Get this Instant Pot Pumpkin Risotto recipe.

Instant Pot Pumpkin Risotto with sage and cheese garnishPhotography, Erik Putz. Food styling, Arisa Yokomura. Prop styling, Madeleine Johari.

Risotto with Swiss Chard and Garlic Shrimp

A creamy risotto tossed with colourful Swiss chard, goat cheese and garlicky shrimp. Get this risotto with Swiss chard and garlic shrimp recipe.

Advertisement
Risotto with shrimp in a bowl.Photo, Erik Putz.

Corn Risotto

Corn lends a nutty sweetness to risotto, and this recipe is a great way to use up leftover cobs. Get this corn risotto recipe.

Two bowls of corn risotto topped with basil leaves against a pale pink backgroundPhoto, Christie Vuong.

Turkey and Leek Risotto

One of our favourite ways to use shredded turkey is in this creamy, rustic dish. Get this turkey and leek risotto recipe.

Turkey and leek risotto in a bowl.Photo, Sian Richards.

Seafood Paella

There are more vegetables in this paella (Spain's answer to seafood risotto) than you might find in a traditional recipe, making it a satisfying, one-pot meal. Get this paella recipe.

A pan of seafood paellaPhoto, Christie Vuong.

Scallop Risotto with Arugula

This risotto gets its creamy texture from extra-smooth ricotta, while the scallops get a hint of smokey flavour from the paprika—all in all, a winning combination. Get this scallop risotto with arugula recipe.

Advertisement
Scallops on risotto in a bowl.Photo, Erik Putz.

Slow Cooker Butternut Squash Barley Risotto

This shortcut risotto uses the slow cooker, so you don’t have to constantly stir the pot. It also gets a rustic, harvest-fresh finish (perfect for any night of the week) with sautéed mushrooms, creamy squash and fried sage. Get this slow cooker squash and barley risotto recipe.

Three bowls of butternut squash barley slow cooker risotto topped with fried sage leaves next to a bowl of fresh sage leaves for a post on the best butternut squash barley risotto slow cooker recipe(Photo: Roberto Caruso)

Classic Parmesan Risotto

Saucy and rich, this classic Italian risotto is an ideal starter dish. Get this classic Parmesan risotto recipe.

A blue bowl filled with Classic Parmesan Risotto.

Steel-Cut Oat Risotto

Consider this an easier, nuttier version of rice-based risotto. The oats maintain a slight chewiness even when fully cooked. We used store-bought beef broth; if you use homemade, season the risotto generously with salt. Get our steel-cut oat risotto recipe.

Stout-braised beef stew, oat risotto and Emerald Isle greens on a table with a green dutch oven and pint of Guinness(Photo: Sian Richards)

Asparagus and Brown Rice Risotto

A perfect mix of flavour and textures, this risotto—with tender asparagus and creamy rice—gets some bite from crumbled gorgonzola. Get this asparagus and brown-rice risotto recipe.

Advertisement
Asparagus risotto on a wooden spoon.Photo, Roberto Caruso.

Osso Bucco with Instant Creamy Risotto

Risotto that cooks in 10 minutes? Yep! Thanks to the pressure cooker, this complete gourmet meal (braised lamb shanks included) is ready in just over an hour. Get this awesome osso bucco and instant creamy risotto recipe.

Osso bucco and risottoPhoto, Angus Fergusson.

Coconut ’Risotto’

This light and flavourful side dish goes beautifully with our tropical fruit and spiced chicken. Get this coconut ‘risotto’ recipe.

Coconut risotto served as a side dish on a plate.Photo, Roberto Caruso.

Crispy Mozzarella Arancini

Leftover risotto? This is the perfect way to use it, because who doesn’t love crispy, cheesy appetizers? (Also, cold risotto is easier to roll for frying.) Get this crispy mozzarella arancini recipe.

Fried risotto cakes on a wooden spoon.Photo, Roberto Caruso.

Baked Risotto with Roasted Fennel

This risotto needs no stirring while it bakes. Warning: It’s easy to forget the pot is very hot once it’s out of the oven; we wrap tea towels around the pot handles as a reminder. Get this baked risotto with roasted fennel recipe.

Advertisement
Baked risotto with roasted fennel in a bowl.Photo, George Whiteside.

Baked Tomato Risotto

Start this nutrient-rich risotto on the stove, then simply pop it in the oven and walk away. Get this baked tomato risotto recipe.

Baked tomato risotto in a pot.

Lemony Mint and Pea Risotto

This zesty version only takes about 30 minutes and the end result is a satisfying, cozy meal. Get this lemony mint and pea risotto recipe.

Lemony Mint And Pea Risotto in a wooden spoon for a post on an easy Lemony Mint And Pea Risotto recipe(Photo: Roberto Caruso)

Farro Risotto with Squash and Hazelnuts

Leave room for for seconds with this one—everyone will love the sweet sautéed squash and crunchy toasted hazelnuts. Get this farro risotto with squash and hazelnuts recipe.

Farro risotto with butternut squash and hazelnuts on a wooden spoon.Photo, Roberto Caruso.

Watch: How to make classic risotto recipe

The very best of Chatelaine straight to your inbox.

By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.

Chatelaine celebrates, inspires, informs and empowers. We know that Canadian women contain multitudes, and we cover all of the issues—big and small—that matter to them, from climate change to caregiving, Canadian fashion and what to cook now.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Copy link
The cover of Chatelaine magazine's spring 2025 issue, reading "weekend prep made easy"; "five delicious weeknight meals", "plus, why you'll never regret buying an air fryer"; "save money, stay stylish how to build a capsule wardrobe" and "home organization special" along with photos of burritos, chicken and rice and white bean soup, quick paella in a dutch oven, almost-instant Thai chicken curry and chicken broccoli casserole in an enamelled cast-iron skillet

Subscribe to Chatelaine!

Want to streamline your life? In our Spring 2025 issue, we’ll show you how—whether it’s paring down your wardrobe, decluttering your messiest spaces or spending way less time cooking thanks to an easy, mostly make-ahead meal plan for busy weeknights. Plus, our first annual Pantry Awards.