Mushroom Risotto Recipe: Umami-Filled Cold-Weather Comfort

Savory, creamy, and packed with delicious mushroom flavor, this mushroom risotto recipe strikes the perfect balance between indulgence and comfort.

If you’re looking for a dish that’s comforting, nourishing, and a perfect way to incorporate mushrooms into your cooking, look no further than this recipe. With its creamy texture, earthy flavors, and wholesome warmth, it’s the perfect, satisfying dish to welcome the changing of seasons.

Jump to a section:

• What do you need to make mushroom risotto?
• How to make mushroom risotto
• Tips for making mushroom risotto
• Storing and reheating mushroom risotto
• Mushroom risotto recipe
• Ingredients
• Instructions

What do you need to make mushroom risotto?

Mushroom risotto is an Italian dish that has a creamy texture and rich, earthy flavors. The key ingredients include:

• Arborio Rice: Arborio rice is a short-grain, starchy rice that is essential for making risotto. Its high starch content helps create the creamy consistency of the dish.
• Mushrooms: Mushrooms are the star ingredient. You can use a variety of mushrooms, such as cremini, shiitake, porcini, oyster, maitake, or a mix of different types.
• Broth: Use chicken, beef, or vegetable broth to cook the rice. It provides flavor and moisture as the rice absorbs the liquid during cooking.
• White Wine (Optional): Deglaze the pan with dry white wine, like Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc. It adds a layer of complexity and acidity to the dish.
• Onion: A small onion helps to build a flavorful base for the risotto.
• Garlic: Minced garlic adds depth and aroma to the dish.
• Olive Oil and Butter: These fats are used for sautéing the vegetables and creating a rich, creamy texture in the risotto.
• Parmesan Cheese: Use a good parmesan cheese for that salty, umami-packed flavor we all love.
• Salt and Pepper: These seasonings are used to taste throughout the cooking process to ensure the risotto is properly seasoned.
• Fresh Herbs (Optional): Use fresh herbs like parsley or thyme for garnish and to add a burst of freshness to the finished dish.

How to make mushroom risotto

While mushroom risotto is a relatively easy dish to make, it might sound complex if this is your first time giving it a try. Fear not, because here’s a quick run down to show you the basics. The key is gradually adding the warm broth to the rice and stirring continuously until the rice is creamy and cooked.

Here's a general overview of how mushroom risotto is prepared:

• Warm the broth in a separate saucepan.
• Sauté the mushrooms and set aside.
• Sauté the onion and garlic and add the rice to toast.
• If using, add the wine to deglaze the pan and simmer until almost absorbed.
• Gradually add the broth to the rice, one ladleful at a time, while constantly stirring.
• Add the sautéed mushrooms when the rice is cooked to your desired level of doneness (usually al dente).
• Add the grated Parmesan cheese and, if you want, an additional knob of butter.
• Garnish with fresh herbs like parsley or thyme.

That’s it! The process is simple but requires your constant attention. It’s all worth it though, as the end result is a rich, comforting dish that celebrates the natural umami goodness of mushrooms. Plus, you get all those incredible mushroom health benefits that go along with it, making it a win-win.

Tips for making mushroom risotto

As mentioned earlier, this dish requires some attention to detail to achieve the perfect creamy texture and rich mushroom flavor. Here are some tips to help give you the best, most flavorful results:

• Use the right rice: As touched upon, Arborio rice is the preferred choice for risotto. Other short-grain rice varieties like Carnaroli can also work well.

• Choose a Variety of Mushrooms: Experiment with different types of mushrooms, such as cremini, shiitake, and porcini, to add depth of flavor and texture to your risotto. A mix of mushrooms can be particularly tasty. If you are a fan of foraging wild mushrooms, consider using chanterelles, morels, or even chicken of the woods in this recipe!
• Prep Your Ingredients: Measure, chop, and ready all ingredients before starting as risotto requires constant attention.
• Warm the Broth: Heat broth in a separate pot, keeping it warm to maintain a consistent temperature for the rice.
• Sauté the Mushrooms: Sauté mushrooms in a medium-hot, pre-heated pan until they release moisture and start to brown to develop their flavor.
• Toast the Rice: Toast the rice to enhance its nutty flavor and help it absorb pan flavors.
• Add Broth Gradually: Add warm broth to the rice one ladle at a time. Stir constantly and allow the liquid to be absorbed before adding more for a creamy consistency.
• Stir, Stir, Stir! Stir constantly to release the rice's starches for a creamy texture.
• Taste and Adjust: Taste frequently, adjusting salt and pepper as needed. Rice should be al dente.

BONUS TIP: Want to add to your risotto’s earthy, umami profile while also giving it an immune-supporting edge? Consider adding 2 teaspoons of Real Mushrooms 5 Defenders powder extract.

Storing and reheating mushroom risotto

Risotto is best served fresh and immediately. But if you have leftovers, here are some tips:

• You can store mushroom risotto for up to four days in an airtight container in the refrigerator, but be aware that it becomes less creamy and more thick as the rice soaks up the broth over time.
• When reheating, you may need to add a bit of extra broth or water to restore its creamy consistency. Stir well to incorporate the liquid.

Now on to the recipe!

Mushroom Risotto Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups Arborio rice
• 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth (hot)
• 1 cup dry white wine
• 1 pound fresh mushrooms (such as cremini or shiitake), sliced
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

1. In a saucepan, bring the broth to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low and keep it warm throughout the cooking process.
2. In a large skillet or saucepan, heat the olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat. Add the sliced mushrooms and sauté them until they are brown and any liquid they release has evaporated. This should take about 5-7 minutes. Remove the mushrooms from the pan and set them aside.
3. In the same skillet, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter and sauté the chopped onion and garlic until they become translucent (about 2-3 minutes).
4. Add the Arborio rice to the skillet with the onions and garlic. Stir and cook for a few minutes until the rice becomes translucent around the edges.
5. Pour in the white wine and stir continuously until the rice has absorbed most of it.
6. Begin adding the hot broth, one ladleful at a time, to the rice mixture. Stir constantly and allow the liquid to be mostly absorbed before adding more broth. Continue this process until the rice is creamy and cooked al dente. This usually takes about 18-20 minutes.
7. When the rice is almost done, stir in the sautéed mushrooms and cook for a few more minutes to heat them through.
8. Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the grated Parmesan cheese. Season the risotto with salt and pepper to taste.
9. Garnish the mushroom risotto with fresh chopped parsley. Serve immediately and enjoy!!

Customize & Celebrate!

Feel free to customize the mushroom risotto by adding herbs like thyme or rosemary, or even a splash of truffle oil for an extra layer of flavor if you’re feeling fancy. The options are endless as to how you want to finish the dish and what you’d like to pair it with.

This dish is hearty and features the umami-packed flavors of mushrooms and parmesan, so it is a satisfying meat-replacement dish if you are trying to cut back on your meat consumption.

Overall, it’s the perfect dish to share with some friends and celebrate! So invite some people over and enjoy in good health!