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When it comes to 5-star rewards for facing cooking fears, it doesn’t get much better (or more delicious) than Mushroom Risotto.

Creamy mushroom risotto in a white bowl

Mushroom risotto tastes decadently creamy with nutty notes from Parmesan, a floral hint of saffron, and the salty bacon and earthy mushrooms round out the umami factor.

In other words, it tastes amazing.

Creamy mushroom risotto being stirred with a wooden spoon

Homemade Risotto is Easier Than You Think

I spent years avoiding cooking risotto because it has a reputation for being difficult.

Risotto has even been called the death dish on the popular cooking competition Masterchef, because it is (allegedly) so hard to get right.

Don’t you believe a word.

Sorry Gordon Ramsey, the mushroom risotto myth has been busted!

Risotto is 100% doable at home, and it’s not nearly as fussy as you’ve been led to believe.

Easy mushroom risotto in a white bowl

Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to stir risotto constantly for 30+ minutes until your arm is about to fall off.

A quick stir every couple of minutes is fine.

Risotto has become one of my favorite dishes to make at home (and even in the pressure cooker for Instant Pot Risotto), so much so that I rarely order it out anymore.

Sip some wine while you make it (you’ll have a bottle open for the recipe anyway), chill out, and enjoy the process.

This mushroom risotto is what I cooked for dinner on Valentine’s Day.

You don’t need an occasion to cook it, but garlic mushroom risotto will make any night special!

Two bowls of mushroom risotto with herbs

How to Make Mushroom Risotto

This easy mushroom risotto recipe is attainable for cooks of any level.

Roll up your sleeves, open the wine, and get ready to wow.


The Ingredients

  • Arborio Rice. Short-grain arborio rice is critical for creamy risotto. It is especially starchy, and as those starches release, they make the risotto creamy.

Substitution Tip

Two other kinds of rice you can swap for arborio are Carnaroli (what Ben’s Italian Nonna loves) and Vialone Nano. DO NOT swap long grain rice or a rice such as basmati or Jasmine. Their starch content and the size of the grains will not yield risotto that has a creamy consistency as short-grain rice.

For a healthy mushroom risotto, use brown arborio rice. Note that you will need to extend the cook time to 40 to 50 minutes, because brown rice takes longer than white. If you run out of chicken stock, add water so that the risotto doesn’t become too salty. Great source of fiber!

  • Mushrooms. The hearty base of our risotto. Most of the time, I use baby bella (cremini) mushrooms which are easy to find. (Mushroom lovers with enjoy Mushroom Pasta and Mushroom Pizza as well!)

Market Swap

For an elevated take, try making oyster mushroom risotto, or use a blend of wild mushrooms, shiitake or dried porcini mushrooms.

DO NOT use white button mushrooms, which lack flavor. Cremini are just as easy to find and taste much better.

  • Bacon. For the most mouth-watering risotto. The bacon (and bacon drippings!) adds savory, smoky flavor.
  • Shallot. A key flavor-builder and risotto classic. I prefer these over onions.
  • Butter. For richness and that unbeatable butter flavor. Skip the olive oil!
  • Chicken Stock. Risotto is simple, so every ingredient matters. Buy the best brand you can and make sure it is STOCK, not broth. Stock has more flavor.
  • Wine. Wine adds flavor and a touch of acidity to the risotto. A dry white wine like Sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio will work well here.
  • Saffron. Saffron is made from the dried stigmas of crocus flowers. It tastes floral, earthy, and complex—there is truly nothing else like it. It is also what gives this risotto (and similar rice-based dishes such as paella) its lovely yellow hue.
  • Thyme. Adds an earthiness that complements the mushrooms.
  • Parmesan. Salty, cheesy goodness that melts lusciously into the creamy risotto and gives it a note of umami flavor.

Tip!

To add a green vegetable to this mushroom risotto (and thus nudge it along the healthy end a bit more), make mushroom risotto with peas (stir in 1 to 1 1/2 cups of frozen peas at the end; no need to thaw them first) or mushroom risotto with spinach by stirring in a few handfuls of chopped spinach at the end until it wilts.

The Directions

  1. Warm the stock and keep in on one burner.
Bacon being cooked in a pot
  1. Sauté the shallot and bacon in butter in a large Dutch oven.
Vegetables being stirred in a pot
  1. Add the mushrooms.
Mushrooms and rice in a pot
  1. Stir in the rice and garlic. Pour in the wine.
A Dutch oven with grains and vegetables
  1. Pour in 2 ladles of the stock, then stir in the saffron, thyme, salt, and pepper. Let simmer, stirring frequently.
A Dutch oven full of mushroom risotto
  1. Once the stock has been mostly absorbed, add 2 more ladles of stock and continue to stir. Repeat this process until the rice is a creamy texture and al dente (DO NOT over cook or your risotto will be mushy). Remove it from the heat and add the Parmesan. Sprinkle with parsley (optional).

Dietary Note

To make this a vegetarian mushroom risotto, omit the bacon and use an additional tablespoon butter instead.

Two bowls of mushroom risotto

Wine Pairing

Serve mushroom risotto with Pinot Noir, Nebbiolo, Pinot Gris, or Chardonnay.

Storage Tips

  • To Store. Refrigerate risotto in an airtight storage container for up to 4 days in the fridge.
  • To Reheat. Gently rewarm leftovers in a pot on the stovetop over medium-low heat or in the microwave, adding additional water or stock as needed to thin it.
  • To Freeze. Freeze risotto in an airtight freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Meal Prep Tip

Up to 1 day in advance, chop the shallot, mince the garlic, and cut the bacon into pieces. Refrigerate each ingredient in a separate airtight storage container.

What Goes Best with Mushroom Risotto

While this dish works fabulously as a stand-alone meal, here are a few ideas of what you could pair with it:

Easy mushroom risotto in a bowl
  • Dutch Oven. This Dutch oven has plenty of space for making risotto.
  • Ladle. You’ll use this to transfer the broth to the risotto.
  • Measuring Spoons. Great for measuring spices, baking ingredients, and more.

Homemade mushroom risotto is a pleasure to cook AND a preview of heaven to eat.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Can I Substitute for Saffron?

There isn’t a good substitute for saffron because it tastes so unique. Saffron is available at many grocery stores, at Trader Joe’s, or online. If you cannot find it or wish not to purchase it, omit it from the recipe.

Can I Make Risotto Without Wine?

While I highly recommend making the risotto with wine, you can make it without. Swap the wine for an equal amount of chicken or vegetable stock.

What Meat Goes with Mushroom Risotto?

This mushroom risotto will pair well with almost any type of meat or seafood. I think it would pair especially well with steak, roast chicken, pork, salmon, or scallops (see the blog post above for more ideas).

Can You Make This In The Instant Pot?

While you can make instant pot risotto, I prefer the low and slow method. It makes it more delicious and creamy with amazing flavor!

Mushroom Risotto

5 From 3 reviews . Help us out! Review HERE.Help out & review HERE

Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 40 minutes
Total: 50 minutes

Servings: 6 servings
Creamy mushroom risotto with Parmesan, garlic, and white wine is spectacular and easier than you think. Serve it as a main dish or side dish.

Ingredients
  

  • 4 cups unsalted chicken stock
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 3 strips thick-cut bacon cut into bite sized pieces (about 3.5 ounces)
  • 1 cup chopped shallot* about 2 medium or 3 small
  • 16 ounces sliced cremini, baby bella mushrooms or a mix of wild mushrooms, sliced
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 cup Arborio rice
  • ½ cup dry white wine such as Sauvignon blanc
  • ½ teaspoon saffron threads I purchase mine at Trader Joe’s
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme or 2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt plus additional to taste
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • Water as needed
  • cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese plus extra for serving

Instructions
 

  • In a medium saucepan, warm the chicken stock. Keep a ladle handy.
  • In a Dutch oven or similar heavy-bottomed pot, melt the butter over medium low. Once the butter melts, add the bacon and shallot. Sauté for 5 minutes.
  • Stir in the mushrooms and sauté 5 minutes more.
  • Add the rice and garlic, stirring to coat the grains with the cooking oils. Stir in the wine and let simmer for 1 minute.
  • Risotto time, you’ve got this! Add 2 big ladles of the chicken stock, then add the saffron, thyme, salt, and pepper. Let the risotto simmer over low heat until the liquid is almost completely absorbed, stirring every few minutes to promote even cooking and to keep the risotto from sticking. This will take 5 to 10 minutes. You don’t have to stir risotto constantly. Just stick near the stove and pop over to give it a stir every minute or two.
  • Repeat the process: add 2 more ladles of stock, and stir every few minutes, until the mixture starts to look a bit dry. Continue adding by 2 ladlefuls, until the rice is cooked through but still has a pleasant, al dente bite, about 25 to 30 minutes total. The risotto should be nice and creamy, not dry (don’t keep cooking on and on until it is mushy or becomes dry). If it has absorbed all of the chicken stock before it is as al dente as you would like, splash in some water (or additional stock if you have it on hand). Remove from the heat and stir in the Parmesan. Season to taste and enjoy hot.

Notes

  • *1 shallot refers to the entire shallot bulb, no matter how many cloves it contains. Think of the term “shallot” the way you would a “head” of garlic vs. a clove of garlic.
  • TO STORE: Refrigerate risotto in an airtight storage container for up to 4 days.
  • TO REHEAT: Gently rewarm leftovers in a pot on the stovetop over medium-low heat or in the microwave.
  • TO FREEZE: Freeze risotto in an airtight freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Nutrition

Serving: 1(of 6)Calories: 380kcalCarbohydrates: 41gProtein: 14gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 37mgPotassium: 709mgFiber: 3gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 283IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 142mgIron: 3mg

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Erin Clarke

Hi, I'm Erin Clarke, and I'm fearlessly dedicated to making healthy food that's affordable, easy-to-make, and best of all DELISH. I'm the author and recipe developer here at wellplated.com and of The Well Plated Cookbook. I adore both sweets and veggies, and I am on a mission to save you time and dishes. WELCOME!

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