Creamy Parmesan Pesto Risotto (Printer-friendly)
Creamy Arborio rice slowly cooked with aromatic basil pesto and rich Parmesan for a luxurious Italian comfort dish.
# What You'll Need:
→ Rice
01 - 1 ½ cups Arborio rice
→ Broth
02 - 5 cups low-sodium vegetable broth, kept warm
→ Aromatics
03 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
04 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
05 - 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
06 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
→ Wine
07 - ½ cup dry white wine
→ Cheese and Pesto
08 - ¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving
09 - ⅓ cup basil pesto (homemade or high-quality store-bought)
→ Seasoning
10 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
→ Garnish
11 - Fresh basil leaves
12 - Pine nuts, toasted
# How to Prepare:
01 - Heat butter and olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and sauté until translucent, about 3 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
02 - Add Arborio rice and cook, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes until the grains are well coated and slightly translucent at the edges.
03 - Pour in the white wine. Stir and cook until almost completely absorbed.
04 - Add warm vegetable broth, one ladle at a time, stirring frequently. Allow each addition to be absorbed before adding the next. Continue until the rice is creamy and al dente, about 18–20 minutes (you may not need all the broth).
05 - Reduce heat to low. Stir in the Parmesan cheese and pesto until fully combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
06 - Remove from heat, cover, and let rest for 2 minutes. Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan, basil leaves, and toasted pine nuts if desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The combination of bright basil pesto and nutty Parmesan creates layers of flavor that develop as you stir
- This recipe teaches you the meditative rhythm of risotto making which turns cooking into a relaxing experience
02 -
- Stirring frequently releases starch from the rice which creates the natural creamy texture risotto is famous for
- Letting the rice rest covered for 2 minutes off heat allows the flavors to meld and the texture to settle
03 -
- Stirring constantly is not necessary but frequent stirring prevents sticking and ensures even cooking
- Extra butter stirred in just before serving adds restaurant quality richness