It is a classic Italian dish made by cooking the mushrooms in a creamy, rich broth and adding them to your favorite recipe. It’s delicious!
The best part of this recipe is that you can use any mushroom you want. If you don’t like mushrooms, feel free to leave them out. Just make sure you have some other protein on hand for your meal.
What is Mushroom Risotto Made of?
Risotto Ingredients. Credit: canva
Risotto is an Italian rice dish that has been around since ancient times. The word “risotto” means “twice cooked” because it takes twice as long to cook risotto as regular rice.
This dish uses white wine instead of water, giving it a more complex flavor.
What Type of Mushroom is Best for Risotto?
Portobello Mushroom. Credit: canva
There are many different types of mushrooms that you can use in this recipe. Any kind will work just fine. However, I prefer cremini, button mushrooms, or portobello mushrooms because they are flavorful and meaty. They also hold up well when cooked.
What Does Mushroom Risotto Taste Like?
The creamy tastes exactly how you would expect it to taste: creamy and savory. There is no need to add cheese or anything else to this dish. It already has plenty of flavors.
What Goes with Mushroom Risotto?
It can be served as a starter/appetizer or main dish.
What Main Dishes to Serve with Mushroom Risotto?
Steak Fajitas. Credit: canva
As a starter, serve smaller portions (remembering that this is quite rich!). For a protein main, try some of these:
Steak Fajitas
Another option if you are looking for something spicy and hearty is steak fajitas. Steak fajitas are usually served with rice and beans, but you could easily substitute those ingredients.
Turkey Breast
I know turkey isn’t everyone’s favorite food, but it makes an excellent alternative to beef. Turkey breast is leaner than most cuts of beef, and it cooks very quickly. This makes it ideal for making risotto.
Crispy Pan-Fried Fish
Fish is another excellent option for a protein main. Crispy pan-fried fish is always a crowd-pleaser. Try serving this with a side salad and some crusty bread.
Grilled Chicken Breast
Grilling is a great way to prepare chicken breasts. Grilled chicken breast is moist and tasty. You can even grill the chicken ahead of time and reheat it later. Then, serve a simple green salad and some crusty French bread.
Pasta Bolognese
Bolognese sauce is probably the easiest pasta sauce to make. All you need is ground beef, tomato paste, garlic, red pepper flakes, and basil. Add all of these together and simmer until the sauce thickens. Serve over pasta.
Cheese Ravioli
Ravioli is a classic combination with risotto. If you want to take it to the next level, top each bowl with some shredded mozzarella cheese and bake them at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 10 minutes.
Baked Salmon Fillets
Salmon fillets are delicious and easy to cook. Season them with salt and pepper and place them on a baking sheet. Bake them at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes per inch of thickness. Serve with lemon wedges and a simple green salad.
Seared Scallops
Scallops are an excellent choice for the main course. Seared scallops are delicious and have a lovely sweet flavor. Similarly, use them for salmon fillets.
What Meat to Serve with Mushroom Risotto?
Grilled Pork Chop. Credit: canva
Here is the list of meat that pairs well:
Pork Chops
Pork Chops are an excellent pairing. Pork chops are so tender and juicy that they pair perfectly with risotto. In addition, pork chops go exceptionally well because of their texture.
Smoked Prime Rib
If you love smoked meats, you should give this one a try. Smoked prime rib is very similar to beef brisket and makes a perfect addition to this dish.
Grilled Lamb Breast
Lamb’s breast is one of my favorites. It is mild and delicate tasting. The key to cooking lamb is to let it rest after grilling. Letting it sit allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat.
What Side Dishes to Eat with Mushroom Risotto?
Here is the most popular side dish for risotto:
Spinach Apple Salad
I love apple pie, especially when served warmly in the oven. For this reason, I was excited to learn that apples pair well with risotto. Spinach apple salad is a beautiful combination of two of my favorite foods. It is colorful, nutritious, and delicious.
Cucumber Tomato Salad
Another fantastic pairing is between cucumbers and tomatoes. Cucumbers are crisp and refreshing, while tomatoes are juicy and sweet. This makes for a very satisfying salad.
Pineapple Salsa
Pineapple salsa is a fun twist on traditional salsa. It combines pineapple chunks, jalapeño peppers, cilantro, lime juice, olive oil, and salt. This is an excellent topping for grilled chicken.
Potato Wedges
are a must-have side dish. They are versatile and can be used Potatoes in many different ways. Potato wedges are a popular way to serve potatoes. They are crispy on the outside and tender inside.
Fried Potatoes
Frying potatoes is a common practice in Italian cuisine. Fried potatoes are delicious and make for a quick and easy side dish. You can even add bacon to these fried potatoes for extra flavor.
Peas
Fresh peas are a delicious source of protein. Peas are often paired because they help balance the rice’s richness.
Sweet Corn
Corn is another excellent accompaniment to risotto. Sweet corn is ideal for summer meals because it is nutritious and delicious.
What to Serve with Mushroom Risotto Vegetarian?
Arugula Salad. Credit: canva
Arugula Salad
This is one of my favorite salads. I love arugula because it is peppery and tangy. The best thing about this recipe is that it uses fresh arugula instead of wilted spinach. Fresh arugula is also much more flavorful than wilted spinach. Arguably the best part of this salad is the creamy dressing. Make sure to use whole-fat mayonnaise!
Green Beans
If you like mushrooms, then you will enjoy green beans. They are just as delicious as mushrooms, and they complement it nicely.
Mixed Greens
If you don’t like arugula or greens in general, mixed greens are perfect. Mixed greens are light and refreshing. They go well because they provide a nice contrast to the rich flavors in the dish.
Asparagus
Asparagus is another vegetable that pairs well with the risotto. Asparagus has a delicate flavor that complements it perfectly. It is also fiber, which is a healthy addition to any meal.
Steamed Broccoli
Broccoli is another vegetable that pairs beautifully with risotto. Steaming broccoli brings out its natural sweetness. If you want to make your broccoli taste even better, try adding some lemon zest to the steaming water.
How to Make
How Long Does Mushroom Risotto Take to Cook?
You should finish this in 30 minutes if you follow my instructions. However, if you add more ingredients, such as spinach or cheese, it may take longer to cook.
If you decide to use fresh herbs, you might need to add them at the end of the cooking process so they don’t lose their flavor.
What Ingredients Do I Need To Use When Making Risotto?
The main ingredient is Arborio rice. This type of rice is a short-grain rice that cooks quickly and produces creamy risotto. The other key ingredients include stock, wine, butter, Parmesan cheese, and seasonings.
The amount of each ingredient will vary depending on how much risotto you plan to make. For example, if you make a large quantity of risotto, you will need more stock than if you were only making one portion.
Stock is an essential component of risotto. It adds flavor and helps to thicken the risotto. Stock can be purchased pre-made or homemade.
How to Store
Serve: You can serve at room temperature for up to 2 hours before it needs to be stored.
Store: Refrigerate in an air container for up to 4 days. Reheat on the stovetop with a little extra broth.
Freeze: Cool the risotto entirely, then transfer to a sealed freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 2 months.
Reheat: You can reheat it as long as it’s been refrigerated. Just heat gently on low in a pan with some butter or microwave.
Over high heat, combine 1 tbsp oil and half the butter in a huge heavy-based pot. Once melted, add half of the mushrooms and cook for 4 minutes until golden brown.
Add the garlic and pepper—season with salt. Stir for 1-2 minutes until golden brown, then remove into a bowl.
Repeat with remaining mushrooms, then remove.
Risotto
Turn heat down to medium heat. In the same pot, melt butter, then add garlic and onion.
Gently stir and cook for 2 minutes until the onion is translucent but not golden in color.
Add the wine and cook over high heat, occasionally stirring, for 2 minutes until most of the liquid has evaporated.
Add rice and stir for 1 minute until semi-translucent.
Add 1.5 cups of stock and stir to combine. Allow 3 minutes for the liquid to absorb, stirring just a few times.
Add 1.5 cups stock and simmer for 3 minutes, occasionally stirring until mostly absorbed. Stirring is not required every few seconds.
Repeat twice until all stock is used up, rice is just cooked, but risotto is still creamy and sloppy (~10 min).
Finishes
Add cream and butter, and stir vigorously to make it creamy.
Stir in parmesan, salt, and pepper.
Stir through half the mushrooms, then taste and add more salt and pepper if needed. Consistency should be creamy, not stodgy.
Reheat the remaining mushrooms (I microwave).
Place the reserved mushrooms on top of each portion. Spoon the risotto over the bowls, then garnish with the remaining mushrooms. (including a drizzle of buttery juices pooled in a bowl!)
Garnish with parsley if using an extra parmesan. Serve immediately!
FAQs
What fish goes best with mushroom risotto?
Any whitefish or firm, oily fish would work well here. I like salmon, cod, haddock, etc.
How do you plate risotto?
It must be served piping hot so it doesn’t get soggy. If you serve it too cold, it will lose its texture. So don’t let it sit around for ages before serving.
Is risotto healthy?
Yes, it’s high in protein and low in carbs. However, it also contains lots of fiber, which helps keep us full longer.
What wine goes with mushroom risotto?
A light red wine such as pinot grigio works well. You can use any wine you want, though.
What protein goes with mushroom risotto?
You could try chicken breast, shrimp, tofu, or even steak.
Related Topics
What Rice is Best for Risotto?
There are different types of rice that can be used for risotto, but the best type of rice to use is arborio rice. Arborio rice is a short-grain rice that has a high starch content, which makes it perfect for creating a creamy and smooth dish.
What Meat Goes Well with Risotto?
It can be paired with many different types of meat. For example, chicken, pork, shrimp, and scallops are all good choices.
However, my personal favorite with bacon. The saltiness of the bacon pairs perfectly with the creamy rice and makes for a delicious dish. Give it a try!
What Protein Goes with Mushroom Risotto?
The most common types of protein to serve with it are meats such as chicken, beef, or pork. However, many people also enjoy seafood options like shrimp or salmon.
As for vegetarians, some great proteins include beans, legumes, tofu, and eggs.
What Protein Goes Well with Risotto?
There are many different types of protein that go well with the risotto. Some of the most popular options include chicken, pork, shrimp, and scallops. However, my personal favorite is bacon. The saltiness of the bacon pairs perfectly with the creamy rice and makes for a delicious dish. Give it a try!
What is the Secret to a Good Risotto?
The secret to a good dish is to use short-grain rice, like Arborio. And to make sure you add the broth gradually and stir constantly so that the rice doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pan.
Also, be patient and let it cook slowly so that the grains absorb all of the broth and become nice and creamy.
Can I Reheat Risotto in the Microwave?
Yes, you can reheat it in the microwave. Reheating in the microwave is a great way to save time and it still tastes delicious. Just follow these simple steps:
Place your risotto in a microwavable dish.
Add a splash of water to the dish.
Microwave on high for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Serve and enjoy!
What Can You Use Instead of Wine in Risotto?
To lower the acidity of wine in risotto, common substitutions are other alcohols like dry sherry, vodka, or gin. A small number of citrus fruits such as lemon or lime will help brighten the dish.
Which is Better Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc?
There’s no easy answer to this question – it depends on your personal preferences! If you’re looking for a light, refreshing wine, then Pinot Grigio is a great choice.
However, if you’re looking for something with a little more body and flavor, then Sauvignon Blanc may be the better option.
Do You Eat Risotto with a Spoon or Fork?
Whether you eat it with a spoon or fork is entirely up to you! Some people prefer to use a spoon so they can savor all the delicious flavors in each bite, while others prefer to use a fork so they can get through their meal a bit faster.
What Can You Serve with Risotto Balls?
They are great appetizers for any party! They can be served with a variety of different dipping sauces, such as marinara sauce, ranch dressing, or honey mustard. You could also try serving them with a simple side of browned butter and herbs.
