Creamiest Barefoot Contessa Parmesan Risotto Recipe

Parmesan risotto is creamy, savory, and surprisingly easy to prepare.

Arborio rice soaks up the broth slowly, giving it that luscious, spoon-coating texture.

Parmesan adds a salty richness that makes each bite more satisfying than the last.

While it needs your attention, the technique is simple and rewarding.

You can serve it on its own or dress it up with seasonal extras.

It’s comfort food that always feels a little bit fancy.

Closing Thoughts on Easy Parmesan Risotto

Parmesan risotto emerges as pure Italian comfort magic, transforming simple ingredients into culinary poetry.

Classic techniques meld with Barefoot Contessa’s genius oven method, eliminating constant stirring.

Creamy textures and rich Parmesan notes dance across palates with incredible depth.

Mediterranean warmth radiates through each comforting spoonful of this elegant dish.

Chefs and home cooks alike can master this foolproof recipe with confidence and joy.

When craving authentic Italian magic, make this risotto – share your delicious dish, spark conversations, and spread culinary love with friends and fellow epicureans.

Fall for the Creamy Charm of Easy Parmesan Risotto

• Unleash Effortless Elegance: This oven-baked risotto delivers restaurant-quality results with minimal hands-on cooking, making gourmet dining accessible to home cooks of all skill levels.
• Creamy Comfort Without Constant Stirring: Traditional risotto demands endless stovetop attention, but this method allows you to relax while the oven does the hard work, creating a luxuriously smooth texture without exhausting manual labor.
• Quick Weeknight Gourmet Solution: From start to finish, this recipe takes less than an hour, transforming simple ingredients into a rich, satisfying meal that feels like a special occasion without consuming your entire evening.
• Versatile Flavor Canvas: The basic recipe welcomes creative variations like adding different herbs, proteins, or seasonal vegetables, allowing you to personalize the dish to match your mood or pantry contents.

Key Ingredients for Easy Parmesan Risotto

Main Ingredients:

• Arborio Rice: Creamy, starchy Italian rice perfect for risotto with short, plump grains that release starch during cooking.
• Chicken Stock: Rich, flavorful liquid that provides depth and moisture to the risotto, enhancing overall taste.

• Parmesan Cheese: Aged, salty Italian cheese that adds rich umami flavor and creamy texture to the dish.
• Unsalted Butter: Smooth dairy product that helps create silky, luxurious consistency in the risotto.
• White Wine: Dry, acidic liquid that adds complexity and brightness to the risotto's flavor profile.

• Frozen Peas: Sweet, tender green vegetables that provide a pop of color and fresh taste to the creamy risotto.
• Salt: Essential seasoning that balances and enhances the overall flavor of the dish.
• Black Pepper: Warm, slightly spicy ground seasoning that adds subtle heat and depth to the risotto.

Step-by-Step Guide for Easy Parmesan Risotto

Step 1: Prepare Your Oven

Warm up your oven to a cozy 175°C (350°F). Get ready for a delicious risotto adventure!

Step 2: Create Risotto Base

• Arborio rice
• Hot chicken stock

Cover the pot tightly and slide it into the oven. Let it bake for 45 magical minutes until the rice becomes perfectly tender and most of the liquid disappears.

Step 3: Whip Up Creamy Goodness

• Remaining chicken stock
• Parmesan cheese
• White wine
• Butter
• Salt
• Black pepper

Stir everything with enthusiasm for 2-3 minutes until the mixture becomes wonderfully smooth and creamy.

Step 4: Add Vibrant Peas

Toss in frozen peas and gently cook for 1-2 minutes. The peas will warm up and add a pop of color and freshness.

Step 5: Serve and Celebrate

Plate your risotto immediately while it’s steaming hot. Sprinkle extra Parmesan on top for an extra flavor explosion. Enjoy your restaurant-quality meal right at home!

Insider Tips for Easy Parmesan Risotto

• Prep Ahead and Relax: Measure and chop ingredients before starting to make the cooking process smooth and stress-free.
• Control the Heat: Maintain a gentle simmer while adding stock to prevent burning and ensure even absorption.
• Grate Cheese Fresh: Use a microplane or fine grater to create light, fluffy Parmesan that melts seamlessly into the risotto.
• Let It Rest: Allow the risotto to sit for 2-3 minutes after cooking to achieve the perfect creamy consistency.
• Customize Your Comfort: Experiment with seasonal vegetables or proteins to make this risotto your personal signature dish.

Smart Storage for Easy Parmesan Risotto

• Freezing: Transfer cooled risotto to freezer-safe containers, leaving space for expansion. Seal tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Divide into individual portions for convenient future meals, preventing waste and saving time.
• Moisture Preservation: Cover the surface with plastic wrap directly touching the risotto before refrigerating. This technique prevents a dry skin from forming and helps maintain the creamy texture when reheating.
• Texture Restoration: When reheating from frozen or refrigerated state, gradually add warm chicken stock or water while stirring. Incorporate a small pat of butter to revive the original silky consistency, ensuring the risotto remains luxuriously creamy and appetizing.

Fresh Twists on Easy Parmesan Risotto

• Seafood Symphony: Replace frozen peas with succulent shrimp or tender scallops, creating a luxurious maritime version of the classic risotto that brings oceanic flavors to your table.
• Mediterranean Magic: Swap chicken stock with vegetable broth and add sun-dried tomatoes, kalamata olives, and crumbled feta cheese for a Greek-inspired risotto that transports your taste buds to the Mediterranean coast.
• Mushroom Meadow: Incorporate a mix of wild mushrooms like porcini, shiitake, and cremini, sautéed with fresh thyme, to develop an earthy and rich risotto that celebrates woodland ingredients.
• Autumn Harvest: Introduce roasted butternut squash, crispy sage leaves, and toasted pine nuts to create a seasonal risotto that captures the warm, comforting essence of fall's bountiful produce.

Barefoot Contessa Easy Parmesan Risotto Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.5 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Barefoot Contessa’s Easy Parmesan Risotto brings Italian comfort straight to your kitchen with minimal effort. Creamy Arborio rice melts with parmesan cheese, creating a luxurious side dish that feels like a gourmet restaurant experience without complex techniques.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 300 grams (10.6 ounces) Arborio rice
• 1.2 liters (5 cups) hot chicken stock, preferably homemade
• 100 grams (3.5 ounces) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 150 grams (5.3 ounces) frozen peas

Cooking Liquids:

• 120 milliliters (4 fluid ounces) dry white wine

Seasoning and Finishing:

• 45 grams (1.6 ounces) unsalted butter, diced
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Prepare the baking vessel by thoroughly greasing a Dutch oven or deep ceramic casserole dish with olive oil or butter to prevent sticking.
2. Combine uncooked arborio rice with hot chicken stock in the prepared dish, ensuring all grains are evenly distributed and submerged in the liquid.
3. Securely cover the dish with a tight-fitting lid or aluminum foil to trap moisture and create a consistent cooking environment.
4. Position the covered dish in a preheated oven at 175°C (350°F), allowing the rice to gently absorb the stock and develop a tender, creamy texture over 45 minutes.
5. Carefully remove the dish from the oven, noting that the rice should appear slightly firm and most liquid absorbed.
6. Incorporate remaining chicken stock, grated Parmesan cheese, white wine, unsalted butter, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper into the rice.
7. Vigorously stir the mixture for 2-3 minutes, creating a luxurious, velvety consistency that allows the flavors to meld seamlessly.
8. Gently fold in frozen green peas, allowing them to warm through and retain their vibrant color and crisp texture.
9. Transfer the risotto to warmed serving plates, garnishing with additional freshly grated Parmesan cheese and a light dusting of black pepper.
10. Serve immediately while the risotto maintains its creamy, glossy appearance and optimal temperature.

Notes

• Double-check stock temperature before adding to maintain consistent heat throughout cooking.
• Grate Parmesan cheese moments before stirring into risotto for maximum flavor impact.
• Deglaze pan with wine immediately after sautéing onions to build deep, rich undertones.
• Fold frozen peas gently during final moments to preserve bright green color and crisp texture.
• Stir continuously with wooden spoon to release rice starches and create ultra-creamy consistency.

• Prep Time: 45 minutes
• Cook Time: 5 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 cup (approximately 170g)
• Calories: 310
• Sugar: 1g
• Sodium: 480mg
• Fat: 12g
• Saturated Fat: 8g
• Carbohydrates: 45g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 7g
• Cholesterol: 40mg