Original Post: https://www.evolvingtable.com/pesto-risotto/
Easy Pesto Risotto Recipe
Made with simple ingredients and secretly SO easy, this Pesto Risotto Recipe comes out ultra creamy and is even better than you get at a restaurant! Arborio rice is slowly cooked with warmed broth then stirred together with fresh basil pesto, Parmesan, and a little lemon at the end.
Servings: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 4 cups broth chicken or vegetable, regular sodium
- 1 ¼ cups Arborio rice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter
- 1 small sweet onion finely diced
- 2 garlic cloves finely minced
- ½ cup basil pesto homemade or store-bought
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese grated, plus more for serving
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon salt to taste
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Lemon zest optional
- Fresh basil chiffonade, optional
- Pine nuts toasted, optional
Instructions
- Warm the Broth: Place chicken broth in a pot and heat to almost a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low to keep warm.4 cups broth
- Heat the Veggies and Rice: Sauté oil and onions in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add garlic and continue sautéing for another minute. Reduce heat to medium low and add rice. Stir for 1-2 minutes.1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 small sweet onion, 2 garlic cloves, 1 ¼ cups Arborio rice
- Stir in the Broth: Add ½-1 cup at a time of warmed broth. Stir continuously and add next amount once liquid is almost completely absorbed. Repeat this process over the course of 25 minutes.
- Add the Pesto. During the last few minutes of cooking, mix in the basil pesto, Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper.½ cup basil pesto, ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, 1 teaspoon lemon juice, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Serve the Risotto. Once all broth is added and the risotto is to your desired consistency, serve with additional Parmesan cheese, toasted pine nuts, fresh basil and lemon zest. Enjoy!Lemon zest, Fresh basil, Pine nuts
Video
Notes
- Rice: Arborio rice is a must when making risotto. Do not sub with any other grain variety.
- Pesto: Homemade pesto adds the most flavor, but store-bought works great if you're short on time. Just look for one with simple, fresh ingredients.
- Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3–4 days. Reheat with a splash of broth or water to bring back the creamy texture.
Nutrition
Calories: 285kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 4mg | Sodium: 1047mg | Potassium: 70mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 785IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 91mg | Iron: 2mg
