Recipe Overview
Why you’ll love it: Rich and creamy mushroom risotto is a comforting vegetarian dish that anyone can make. This recipe is filled with mouthwatering garlicky mushrooms and flavorful herbs with the most satisfyingly hearty texture.
How long it takes: This easy mushroom risotto is ready in under an hour.
Equipment you’ll need: rimmed baking pan for roasting and a heavy-bottom pot and spoon for stirring
Servings: 4
Creamy Roasted Mushroom Risotto
Risotto. Fancy-schmancy, right? In reality, a creamy homemade mushroom risotto is not out of reach for any night of the week. Roasted mushroom risotto is totally gourmet, but it is so easy to make. It’s a satisfying classic recipe filled with earthy roasted mushrooms, creamy arborio rice, and Parmesan cheese.
Of course, I’ve made this risotto with my favorite thing in life which is any roasted vegetable. Seeing as roasted mushrooms are top of my list lately in terms of veggies to roast, creamy roasted mushroom risotto is a no-brainer. It’s amazingly delicious!
Easy Risotto Recipe
You can do this! Learn how to make restaurant-style risotto right in your own kitchen. The secret is just to keep on stirring. Agitating the rice is key to releasing the starches which create a rich, creamy texture (and anybody can stir!).
Comforting and flavorful. This classic dish is hearty and tastes like it comes from a 5-star restaurant. Mushroom risotto is packed with umami flavor, thanks to two types of buttery mushrooms, plus garlic, parmesan, and herbs.
Customizable. My vegetarian mushroom risotto recipe is fantastic just as it’s written. However, if you’re not a fan of mushrooms, or if you’d like to get creative with another roasted veggie, this recipe is super easy to adapt. Keep reading for suggestions!
What Is Risotto?
Traditional Italian risotto is a classic dish made by cooking starchy rice in broth until the consistency becomes creamy. Other ingredients include butter, onions, white wine, and parmesan cheese. There isn’t only one way to make risotto either. You’ll find variations made with mushrooms (like this one) and saffron (Risotto alla Milanese), among others.
Ingredient Notes
- Mushrooms: I make this risotto recipe with a combination of roasted white mushrooms and dried chanterelle mushrooms. Dried mushrooms have a more intense flavor, so if you’d prefer to use only white mushrooms, that’s fine, too. You can really use any combination of mushrooms you’d like. (P.S. If you love mushrooms, be sure to try my cream of mushroom soup, too!)
- Thyme: Fresh or dried thyme leaves complement the earthy mushroom flavors, plus salt and coarse black pepper to season.
- Broth: I usually use vegetable stock for this risotto recipe. Chicken stock will also work if you’re not making a vegetarian risotto.
- Onions and Garlic: Freshly minced garlic cloves and finely diced yellow onion for aromatics.
- Risotto Rice: The rice used to make risotto is called Arborio rice. Risotto rice is different from regular white rice (see below), as its high starch content is what thickens the broth to make risotto creamy.
- Wine: White wine deepens the flavors and also helps to deglaze the pot (in other words, lift up and dissolve the browned bits from the bottom). I recommend a dry white wine, like chardonnay. However, if you’d prefer to cook without wine, substitute equal parts vegetable or chicken stock instead.
- Parmesan: Trust me, you’ll want to grate your parmesan fresh from the block for this recipe. If you’d like to keep things authentic, go with Parmigiano-Reggiano. Pecorino is another good option. Stirring freshly grated parmesan into the finished risotto adds another layer of creaminess.
Arborio Rice vs. Regular Rice
What’s the difference between arborio rice and white rice? The difference lies in the rice’s starch content. Arborio rice, or risotto rice, is a type of starchy Italian short-grain rice. Unlike white rice, risotto rice can absorb large amounts of liquid without turning mushy. Instead, the excess starches give risotto its creamy texture. Other varieties of starchy rice include Carnaroli or Vialone Nano rice.How to Make Mushroom Risotto
There’s something therapeutic about the process of stirring risotto rice into the broth until it becomes creamy. Although sometimes I make risotto in my Instant Pot, with no stirring at all, this stovetop version really comes down to the cooking technique. It’s super simple! Let’s get started:
Prep the mushrooms. Chop and then season the white mushrooms with olive oil, thyme, salt, and pepper. Roast at 425ºF for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring about halfway through. While the mushrooms are in the oven, rehydrate the dried chanterelle mushrooms in a bowl with boiling water. Bring the vegetable stock to a simmer on the stovetop.
Saute. Add the chanterelles to a saute pan with melted butter, garlic, and onion. Cook for a few minutes, then stir in the rice, lightly toasting it in the pan. Pour in the white wine to deglaze the bottom of the pot, then simmer until it’s reduced.
Cook the risotto. At this point, you’ll start incorporating the simmering vegetable stock, a little at a time. Begin by adding a half-cup of stock to the rice, stirring until it’s absorbed before adding more. Repeat, stirring often, until most of the stock is absorbed and the rice is creamy with a slight chew. This should take about 25 minutes.
Finish and serve. Lastly, take the pan off of the heat, then stir in the grated parmesan followed by the roasted mushrooms. Sprinkle on chopped fresh parsley and serve right away.
Tips for the Best Homemade Risotto
Here are a few final tips for an ultra-creamy stovetop mushroom risotto:
Don’t rinse the rice. Some white rice varieties call for rinsing beforehand to remove the starch, but not risotto rice. You want to leave the starch intact.
Stir often. A creamy risotto calls for near-constant stirring as it helps the liquid absorb and releases the starches in the rice. Once you get into a groove, the time goes by quickly!
Go slow. Cook your risotto slowly, letting the broth absorb each time before adding the next half-cup. Rushing the process doesn’t do the texture of your risotto any favors.
Remove the pan from the heat before adding the parmesan. This prevents the cheese from clumping.
Easy Recipe Variations
- A different vegetable: You could roast nearly any vegetable and stir it into this creamy risotto. Try it with roasted carrots, roasted butternut squash, or even roasted asparagus.
- Herbs: If you want to use different herbs, it’s easy to do. Tarragon, sage, fresh oregano, rosemary, or parsley are delicious.
- Protein: Keep this risotto perfectly vegetarian for Meatless Monday by using vegetable stock. To make it meaty, use chicken stock and add diced or shredded grilled chicken to satisfy your meat-loving family. Steak or shrimp risottos are good, too.
- Greens: Wilt in spinach, sautéed kale, or peas for a pop of green.
Serving Suggestions
Serve mushroom risotto on its own as a main dish, or in smaller portions as a starter or appetizer. It pairs great with proteins like pork chops and vegetable sides like lemon roasted broccoli. For a quick weeknight dinner, these easy air fryer chicken thighs cook in the time it takes to finish your risotto.
If I’m entertaining, seared scallops or lemon pepper shrimp make a flavorful addition next to this rich and earthy mushroom risotto. We also love it served in the colder months with a cozy Italian pot roast.
As with other rice dishes, properly storing leftover risotto is key to preserving the texture (not to mention avoiding dangerous bacteria!).
Fridge: Store your mushroom risotto in an airtight container and refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours. Reheat the risotto within 1 to 2 days, either in the microwave or on the stovetop, until it’s hot throughout. If needed, add a bit of extra broth or water to the risotto before reheating to help loosen it up.
Freezer: Risottos aren’t the best freezer meals. However, you can freeze this recipe in a pinch. Store the mushroom risotto in a freezer-safe container and freeze it for up to 2 months. Thaw the risotto in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Free Meal Plan
Interested in a weekly meal plan that includes this recipe? Take a look at my Meal Plan #34. You’ll find a wholesome recipe for each weekday plus a categorized grocery list. Let me do the planning for you this week!
More Vegetarian Recipes
I originally shared the recipe for this roasted mushroom risotto on Anolon.com, but you can also find it right here (we retested it and updated it in 2023 so the current version is here on Rachel Cooks).
Roasted Mushroom Risotto
Ingredients
- 1 pkg. (1 oz.) dried chanterelle mushrooms
- 16 ounces white mushrooms, cut into halves or quarters (bite-sized)
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (or ½ teaspoon dried thyme)
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
- 6 cups vegetable broth (or stock)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small yellow onion, finely diced (½ cup)
- 1 ¾ cups Arborio rice
- ⅔ cup dry white wine (I like chardonnay)
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (more for garnish, if desired)
- 2 tablespoons (or more) chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F.
- Place the dried chanterelle mushrooms in a bowl, and pour boiling water over them. Let them soak for at least twenty minutes.1 pkg. (1 oz.) dried chanterelle mushrooms
- Place the white mushrooms on a large-rimmed sheet tray and toss with olive oil, thyme, and a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Spread into a single layer and roast for 15 minutes, stir, and roast for another 5 to 10 minutes or until golden brown and cooked.16 ounces white mushrooms, cut into halves or quarters, 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves, ¼ teaspoon kosher salt, ¼ teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
- Meanwhile, bring the stock to a simmer in a saucepan.6 cups vegetable broth
- In a large deep sauté pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add rehydrated and drained chanterelles, garlic, and onion, and sauté for about 5 minutes or until onions are translucent.2 tablespoons unsalted butter, 2 cloves garlic, minced, 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
- Add the rice and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes to toast the rice, stirring frequently.1 ¾ cups Arborio rice
- Add the white wine to the pan, and bring to a boil. Reduce liquid by about half, 2 to 3 minutes. Add ½ cup of simmering stock, and keep stirring nearly constantly, making sure to push down any rice stuck to the edges of the pans. Once the liquid is nearly absorbed, add another ½ cup of stock, stirring constantly. Continue to do this until the rice is cooked but still slightly chewy, about 25 minutes.⅔ cup dry white wine
- Remove from heat and stir in Parmesan cheese and roasted mushrooms.½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.2 tablespoons (or more) chopped fresh parsley
Notes
- Variations: If you prefer, substitute another roasted vegetable of your choice. Tarragon, sage, fresh oregano, rosemary can be substituted for parsley. Try adding cooked chicken or sautéed shrimp.
- Storage and reheating. Refrigerate leftover risotto in an airtight container within 2 hours, for 1 to 2 days. Reheat either in the microwave or on the stovetop until risotto is hot throughout. If needed, add a bit of extra broth or water to the risotto before reheating to help loosen it up.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Did You Make This?Share a comment and rating below! I love hearing what you think!
I “LOVE” mushrooms but never have tried making risotto but now I am going to have to! Thanks for the recipe!!! Wish me luck!
This recipe looks delicious. I’d probably toast some pine nuts and top each serving with them.
I have to admit I leave most of the cooking to my boyfriend. I can follow recipes but that’s about it. He would love to try your risotto, though. And loves to tweak things in the process.
I would customize it with my fork and make thw whole pot my own.
Absolutely look great, I would only make bigger portions, look fab.
I would serve it with some salmon! That’s my favorite way to serve any risotto.
wow that risotto looks amazing! I will have to make it for my husband. I would have to try it first,but adding some crunch would be nice
Made this for dinner and it was a hit with everyone. I added some peas and topped with a little more Parmesan/Romano. Love it!
So glad you liked it! Thanks for sharing!
I would add more cheese.