Right up there alongside pizza and lasagna, risotto is a creamy Italian dish that you need in your recipe arsenal. The creamy consistency and rich flavour make it the perfect comfort food. Italian risotto is made by cooking starchy short-grained rice in broth until the texture becomes creamy. With various ways to reinvent the dish, you can try different varieties when you need something tasty and homemade. Just make sure to get the following base ingredients.

White Arborio rice: For a delicious risotto, start with the right short-grain rice. Arborio rice is ideal since it has fatter, shorter kernels compared to other short-grained rice. The high amount of starch released during cooking gives Italian risotto its signature creamy texture. You can also use carnaroli rice, especially if you want the grains to remain separate, even when the rice is fully cooked. Our Italian risotto recipes recommend not rinsing the rice.

Broth: You'll need broth or hot liquid to make risotto. You can use hot water, stock or broth, depending on what you have on hand. Flavoured broth, like vegetable or chicken broth, is recommended to improve the taste. Any broth or stock added should be hot.

Butter: Adding butter adds flavour to the rice, but any type of fat can work. Use butter to coat the rice kernels and also add it when the rice is cooked.

Aromatics and seasoning: If you are cooking Italian risotto as your main dish, consider adding various aromatics and seasoning to boost the flavour profile. Seasoning and aromatics like onions or chopped shallots will make the dish tastier and filling.

White wine: Add a little acidity and balance to the Italian risotto by mixing in dry white wine. Ensure the wine is not too sweet.

Cheese: If you want a cheesy risotto, add parmesan cheese and let it melt for five minutes before serving it. You can also use asiago cheese or grated romano.

Italian risotto can be served as a complete meal. Alternatively, you can pair it with side dishes, such as small portions of meat or light vegetables. The Italian risotto recipe you use will determine the ideal pairing. For instance, it is common to pair mushroom risotto with dairy foods like ricotta meatballs. Aside from being a main dish, risotto can also be served as a side dish for roasted potatoes with steak and chicken breast. Some tasty dishes to serve alongside creamy risotto include:

Lemon escalopes: If you have yet to try escalopes, you really should. They are slices of veal meat cooked with butter and lemon juice. The delicate, citrusy flavour makes it perfect for completing a meal that starts with risotto. The cheesy and creamy consistency blends with the delicate taste of veal.

Chicken breast: Pair your creamy risotto with a slice of chicken breast cooked with white wine and lemon juice. Alternatively, you can pair it with yoghurt curry chicken.

Sausage rolls: If you want tasty comfort food to serve with risotto, try Italian sausage rolls with provolone.

Roasted potatoes: When serving risotto as a side dish, pair it with roasted potatoes or wedges. Roast the potatoes and serve the creamy risotto as a second course.

Toasted bread with pesto: Toasted bread pairs well with creamy dishes. Since cheesy parmesan risotto is creamy, you need something chewy to balance out the creaminess. You can toast the bread with mozzarella or homemade pesto.