Creamy Parmesan and Herb Risotto

Creamy Parmesan and Herb Risotto is a rich, flavorful dish that celebrates the beauty of simplicity… and elbow grease. With its comforting texture and robust flavors, this risotto shows how genuine effort and care can turn everyday ingredients into a luxurious meal. Arborio rice is the backbone of the dish, chosen for its natural ability to release starch and create a creamy, velvety consistency without needing loads of extra cream. The combination of Parmesan, butter, and fresh herbs gives it an irresistible richness, perfect for those seeking comfort food that’s still elegant.

One of the unique aspects of this risotto is the treatment of onions and garlic. Instead of the usual chopping and sautéing, they are processed into a smooth paste, a little trick that does wonders for the dish. This technique not only helps bind the risotto together but also allows the flavors to permeate the dish more evenly, creating a cohesive base that you wouldn’t achieve with simple chopped aromatics. The paste melts into the rice, becoming a subtle but crucial layer in every bite, adding an element of surprise and excitement to the dish.

As with all great risottos, the process is what makes it special. Once the Arborio rice is toasted in the aromatic paste alongside extra virgin olive oil, the real work begins—ladling warm vegetable broth into the rice one spoonful at a time. Each addition of broth allows the rice to soften, slowly creating the iconic creamy texture. There’s something meditative about this process, a sense of calm and patience that comes with coaxing the rice into releasing its starches and transforming it into a beautifully smooth dish. It’s not just about tossing everything into a pot and hoping for the best, but about the journey of creating a dish you can be proud of.

The indulgent ingredients enter when the rice reaches the perfect al dente texture. Freshly grated Parmesan, butter, and a splash of heavy cream are stirred in at the final moments, enriching the risotto with a decadent finish. The cheese adds a nutty, salty depth, while the butter and cream provide that extra luxurious mouthfeel, making each spoonful rich and satisfying.

And let’s not forget the herbs! Fresh parsley and thyme are stirred in just before prior, adding brightness and complexity. The parsley offers a peppery contrast to the rich creaminess of the risotto, while the thyme’s earthy, floral notes provide a subtle sophistication. These herbs elevate the risotto from simple comfort food to something more refined, perfect for impressing guests or indulging in a special night at home.

Creamy Parmesan and Herb Risotto is a dish that can stand on its own, but it also pairs beautifully with grilled shrimp, roasted chicken, or seared vegetables. Whether you’re making it as a cozy dinner for two or serving it at a dinner party, this dish perfectly balances simplicity and indulgence, proving that with the right ingredients and a bit of elbow grease, comfort food can still be a work of art.

Creamy Parmesan and Herb Risotto

Recipe by Kyle Taylor

5.0 from 1 vote

Course: SidesCuisine: ItalianDifficulty: Hard

Servings

4

servings

Prep time

15

minutes

Cooking time

30

minutes

Total time

45

minutes

Creamy Parmesan and Herb Risotto blends the richness of Parmesan cheese and butter with the freshness of parsley and thyme, creating a dish that’s as comforting as it is elegant. The puréed onions and garlic add a smooth, cohesive texture, while the slow-cooked Arborio rice provides the signature creaminess.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups Arborio rice

• 6 cups vegetable broth

• 2 onions, chopped

• 3 cloves of garlic, minced

• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

• 1/2 cup heavy cream

• 1 tablespoon parsley, freshly chopped

• 1 tablespoon thyme, freshly chopped

• 2 tablespoons butter

• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

• to taste, salt and ground black pepper

Directions

• Process the Onion and Garlic:
  In a food processor, pulse the chopped onions and minced garlic until they form a smooth paste.
  
  This step enhances the creaminess of the risotto and helps the ingredients bind together more cohesively.
• Warm the Vegetable Broth:
  Add the vegetable broth and a pinch of salt to a saucepan. Warm the vegetable broth over low heat and keep it warm throughout the cooking process.
• Sauté the Onion and Garlic Paste:
  Heat the extra virgin olive oil over medium heat in a large skillet or pot. Add the onion and garlic paste to the skillet, and saute for 3-4 minutes until fragrant and slightly golden. Be careful not to let it burn.
• Toast the Arborio Rice:
  Add the Arborio rice to the skillet, stirring to coat it with the paste. Toast the rice for 2-3 minutes, stirring consistently.
• Gradually Add the Broth:
  Add the warmed vegetable broth, one ladle at a time. Stir constantly. Wait until the broth is absorbed before adding the next ladle. Continue this process for 30-40 minutes, stirring frequently, until the rice becomes creamy and al dente and the vegetable broth has been absorbed.
• Season:
  Stir in the fresh parsley and thyme, and season with salt and ground black pepper to taste. Remember that you added salt to the vegetable broth, so be careful not to over-salt it.
• Finish with Parmesan, Cream, and Butter:
  Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, heavy cream, and butter. Stir until the butter and cheese melts and the risotto becomes smooth and creamy.
• Garnish and Serve:
  Serve the Creamy Parmesan and Herb Risotto in individual bowls as a vegetarian entree, or alongside a protein like shrimp, for a well-rounded dish. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and grated Parmesan cheese.