Creamy Shrimp Risotto: Ina Garten’s Cozy Night Recipe

Creamy, luxurious risotto becomes a culinary masterpiece with Ina Garten’s shrimp risotto recipe that promises restaurant-quality results.

Seafood lovers rejoice at this elegant dish that combines tender shrimp with perfectly cooked arborio rice.

Each spoonful delivers a rich, velvety texture that melts in your mouth.

The balanced blend of white wine, parmesan, and succulent shrimp creates a symphony of flavors.

Garten’s technique ensures a foolproof method for achieving that coveted creamy consistency.

Delicate herbs and a splash of brightness elevate this classic Italian comfort food to new heights.

You’ll want to make this impressive meal for a special dinner that feels both sophisticated and comforting.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 450 kcal

Servings: 4

Ingredients for Ina Garten Shrimp Risotto Recipe

• Olive Oil: Provides a silky foundation for sautéing and building deep, rich flavors in the dish.
• Arborio Rice: A creamy, starchy Italian rice perfect for creating luxurious risotto texture with its ability to absorb liquid while maintaining a delightful bite.

• Shrimp: Sweet, tender seafood that brings a delicate marine essence to the risotto, choosing fresh or high-quality frozen shrimp ensures optimal taste.
• Shallots: Delivers a mild, sophisticated onion flavor that gently perfumes the entire dish without overwhelming other ingredients.
• Crushed Red Pepper: Optional spice booster that adds a subtle warmth and zesty kick to the risotto.

• Chicken Broth: Provides a savory liquid base that infuses the rice with complex, comforting flavor.
• Spinach Leaves: Introduces a vibrant green color and nutrient-packed freshness to the creamy risotto.
• Unsalted Butter: Creates a luxurious, silky finish that adds richness and rounds out the overall taste.
• Lemon Zest: Brings a bright, citrusy note that cuts through the richness and elevates the entire dish's flavor profile.

Kitchen Tools to Make Ina Garten Shrimp Risotto

• Large Pan: Essential for sautéing shrimp and cooking risotto, preferably with high sides.
• Wooden Spoon: Perfect for stirring rice and preventing sticking without scratching pan surface.
• Measuring Cups: Needed for accurately measuring broth and rice portions.
• Sharp Knife: Required for chopping shallots and zesting lemon precisely.
• Cutting Board: Provides clean surface for chopping ingredients.
• Ladle: Helpful for adding warm broth gradually to risotto.
• Grater or Microplane: Ideal for zesting lemon smoothly.

Step-by-Step Guide for Ina Garten Shrimp Risotto

• Shrimp Preparation

Warm a skillet and gently sear tender shrimp with bright citrus notes and a whisper of spice until they turn gorgeous pink and glisten beautifully.

• Aromatic Foundation

Soften delicate shallots in smooth olive oil, creating a fragrant base that hints at the deliciousness to come.

• Rice Magic

Tumble pearly Arborio rice into the pan, coating each grain with rich flavor and anticipation of creamy comfort.

• Liquid Transformation

Slowly introduce warm broth, allowing the rice to drink in liquid and transform into a luxurious, silky landscape of deliciousness. Stir with patience and love.

• Green Embrace

Welcome fresh spinach leaves into the creamy mixture, watching them melt and intertwine with the rice’s velvety texture.

• Final Flourish

Reunite the seared shrimp with their risotto companions. Swirl in a pat of butter and a sprinkle of zesty lemon to elevate the entire dish with brightness and richness.

• Serving Moment

Spoon the risotto onto waiting plates, letting its creamy allure speak for itself – a celebration of ocean and earth on a single plate.

Customize the Flavor in Ina Garten Shrimp Risotto

• Adjust the crushed red pepper to match your heat preference, from a gentle hint to a fiery kick that'll make your taste buds dance.
• Replace shrimp with scallops, crab, or a mixed seafood medley for a delightful marine twist that keeps the dish exciting and versatile.
• Prep risotto base in advance and add shrimp just before serving to save time during busy weeknight dinners or when entertaining guests.
• Fold in freshly grated Parmesan or pecorino romano at the end for an extra layer of rich, salty complexity that elevates the entire dish.
• Experiment with additional vegetables like roasted asparagus, sautéed mushrooms, or crispy zucchini to add more texture and nutritional value to the risotto.

Serving Options for Ina Garten Shrimp Risotto

• Pair with Crusty Bread: Serve alongside a slice of warm, crusty Italian bread to soak up the creamy risotto and capture every delicious drop of flavor.
• Elevate with White Wine: Pour a crisp, chilled Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc that complements the shrimp's delicate taste and cuts through the risotto's richness.
• Create Fresh Side Salad: Toss a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette and shaved parmesan to provide a bright, tangy contrast to the creamy, rich main dish.
• Garnish with Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle chopped fresh basil or parsley on top to add a pop of color and fresh herbaceous notes that enhance the seafood and rice.

Keep Ina Garten Shrimp Risotto Warm or Fresh

• Maximize Freshness: Store leftover risotto in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The texture changes slightly when reheated, becoming less creamy.
• Quick Reheat Strategy: Warm gently in a pan with a splash of chicken broth, stirring continuously to restore moisture and prevent sticking. Stir carefully to maintain the rice's delicate texture.
• Smart Ingredient Separation: Keep cooked shrimp separate from risotto when storing to prevent seafood from overcooking during reheating. Add shrimp back after warming the rice base.
• Freezing Caution: Avoid freezing this risotto, as the delicate texture of Arborio rice and creamy consistency will break down during thawing, losing its signature smooth quality.

Creamy Ina Garten Shrimp Risotto Recipe

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4.8 from 40 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s shrimp risotto recipe delivers creamy, luxurious comfort from coastal Italian kitchens. Seafood enthusiasts can savor rich flavors and silky textures that transport palates straight to Mediterranean shores.

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Ingredients

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• 1 lb (454 g) raw large shrimp (16 to 20 per pound), peeled and deveined
• 1.5 cups Arborio rice
• 4 to 6 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 4 cups (2 oz/56 g) torn spinach leaves or baby spinach
• 3 tbsps extra virgin olive oil, divided
• 1 tsp kosher salt, divided (½ tsp for seasoning shrimp, ½ tsp for risotto)
• ¼ cup chopped shallot
• 2 lemons (grated zest of 2 lemons, 1 for cooking, 1 for garnish)
• 1/8 tsp crushed red pepper, optional
• 1 tbsp unsalted butter

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Instructions

1. Shrimp Preparation: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Season shrimp with kosher salt, lemon zest, and red pepper flakes. Sauté until pink and opaque, about 2 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
2. Aromatic Base: In the same skillet, add another drizzle of olive oil. Sauté shallots until translucent, then introduce Arborio rice, coating grains thoroughly with oil.
3. Liquid Integration: Gradually add warm broth, stirring constantly and allowing each addition to absorb before adding more. Continue this process for 25-30 minutes until rice reaches a creamy, al dente texture.
4. Final Touches: During the last broth addition, incorporate spinach leaves, stirring until wilted. Return shrimp to the pan, add butter and remaining lemon zest. Gently fold ingredients together to ensure even heating.
5. Serving: Plate immediately while steaming hot, optionally garnishing with an extra sprinkle of lemon zest for a bright, aromatic finish.

Notes

• Master the Rice Technique: Slowly add warm broth and stir constantly to achieve creamy, perfectly cooked Arborio rice with a delightful al dente texture.
• Shrimp Searing Secret: Cook shrimp quickly over medium heat until pink and opaque to preserve tender, juicy seafood flavor without overcooking.
• Flavor Layering Trick: Sauté shrimp in the same skillet to capture residual oils and build deeper, more complex taste profiles throughout the dish.
• Temperature and Timing Crucial: Keep broth warm and add gradually, stirring consistently for 25-30 minutes to develop risotto’s signature luxurious, silky consistency.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 750 mg
• Fat: 16 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 56 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 22 g
• Cholesterol: 160 mg