This recipe for mushroom risotto changed the course of my life. I know – that sounds very dramatic, but if you asked my husband about the exact moment he knew he wanted to marry me, he would tell you that he knew I was “The One” when I made this mushroom risotto for him for the very first time.
Back when Jack and I first started dating, we used to take turns cooking dinner in hopes of impressing each other with our culinary skills. We both loved to cook and both appreciated good food, so when we started dating it was a lot of fun to cook for an appreciative audience – or conversely, to be pampered by a delicious home cooked meal.
Like most risotto recipes, this one takes time and attention to prepare, since you must stir the Arborio rice frequently during the cooking process. But otherwise, the rice is simply and perfectly flavored with onion, chicken stock, parmesan and sautéed crimini (also sometimes called baby bella or baby portobella) mushrooms.
While I can’t promise that making this recipe will change the course of your life like it did mine, I can promise that it’s a delicious way to prepare risotto.
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Mushroom Risotto
Prep Time: 15 mins- Cook Time: 45 mins
- Total Time: 1 hour
Yield: 4-6 servings
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Pin RecipeDescription
Risotto with crimini mushrooms and parmesan cheese.
Ingredients
For preparing the mushrooms
- 1 8-ounce package crimini or baby bella mushrooms
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- salt
For preparing the Arborio rice
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- ½ large onion, finely diced (about 1 cup)
- 1 cup Arborio rice
- 1/3 cup dry white wine
- 2 ½ cups chicken stock
- ¾ cup grated parmesan
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- To prepare the mushrooms, clean the mushrooms by brushing them off (do not wash if possible) and cut into quarters (stems may be left on).
- In a medium sauté pan, melt the 1 tablespoon each of butter and olive oil. Add the cleaned and quartered mushrooms and sauté over medium-high heat until lightly browned, stirring frequently. (Note – it’s important to sauté the mushrooms over somewhat high heat in order to get the mushrooms to release their moisture without steaming the mushrooms.) Once the mushrooms are lightly browned and tender and plump, sprinkle lightly with just a touch of salt and allow to sauté for another minute more – this step will release just a bit more of the moisture in the mushrooms. Remove the mushrooms from the heat and set aside.
- To prepare the rice, in a medium heavy-bottomed saucepan, melt the butter and olive oil together over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for 5 minutes, until the onions are translucent.
- Add the Arborio rice, stirring frequently for 2-3 minutes until the rice is just starting to turn lightly golden.
- Quickly pour in the white wine and allow the liquid to boil and be absorbed into the rice. Then pour in ¼ cup of chicken stock to the rice, stirring constantly. (If necessary, adjust the heat under the pot – you want a medium simmer.) Add more stock ¼ cup at a time – adding more just as most but not all of the liquid is absorbed before adding in more stock.)
- Cook the rice and stock together in this manner for approximately 25 minutes or so – until the rice is tender but not mushy. Turn the heat off when there is still some liquid remaining in the rice and stir in the parmesan cheese and mushrooms and salt and pepper to taste. Stir to combine completely.
- Remove from heat and cover – let sit for 5 minutes before serving.
- Note: Risotto may be reheated by adding in some additional chicken stock and stirring to incorporate into the risotto.
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Oh, I love risotto so much! It is like adult comfort food. 🙂
Looks fantastic but I am a wee bit concerned about the ratio. You have 2.5 cups of chicken stock plus wine and I’ve been following a box directions of vino plus 4 cups of chicken stock or until done.
Hi Mike! Is the 4 cups+ of stock for 1 cup of rice or more than that? Either way, if you follow our recipe and need more stock it should be fine!! Hope you enjoy the recipe! Martha
Can I substitute the white wine? What can I use for that substitution?
Yes – just replace it with chicken stock!
I made this delicious recipe tonight and what I loved was how simple it was to make, and with so few ingredients, a great one for a financial savvy meal plan. Thankyou! 🙂
Thanks Chance!
I had to use 4 cups of stock to get the rice to the right consistency. Did I do something wrong?
Not at all Katie! Sometimes risotto takes a little more liquid to get it the right consistency.
My first Risotto and I made your Mushroom Risotto. It was delicious. Thank you for the wonderful recipe.
You’re very welcome Janice! So glad you enjoyed the recipe – this recipe in particular is very near and dear to our hearts! 🙂
Made this tonight in my dorm’s kitchen at school — it was fantastic! I substituted the onions for garlic, and added a *little* lemon juice at the end. Then I topped off my serving with a fried egg. Thank you so much for the recipe, this was my first risotto (and I come from a risotto family) and it was perfect.
So glad you enjoyed the recipe Bayley! (Love the addition of the lemon at the end!) Thanks for taking the time to write to us!
In all honesty- do you have a paypal “donation” tab?
I am finding your site to be far more useful than spending the day cookbook shopping. I can get exactly what I want and I am having so much fun looking at your offerings and reading your sweet stories! I’ve seen some blogs host a Donation Button that helps to pay for the site. So many great recipes, I’d spend $$$ easily on cookbooks to get them all.
Awww… thank you so much Jackie! No charge to visit our site or to enjoy our recipes! 🙂 We’re so glad you found us! Thanks for taking the time to write to us today!
OMG this was really simple to do and the result was so outstanding!!!! I followed the recipe exactly and my family totally loved it. Thanks for this wonderful risotto!!!
You’re very welcome Maria! This recipe is near and dear to our hearts and we’re very glad you enjoyed it so much!
YUM YUM YUM! This is a great recipe, though I also added more stock than the instructions called for. Thanks for this recipe!
Thanks Jackie! Glad you enjoyed the recipe!
This is a fantastic recipe and easy to make, thanks so much! Already made it three times in the last month.
★★★★★
Thanks Tania! So glad you enjoyed the recipe!