Easy Pesto Risotto

This Easy Pesto Risotto is filled with bright flavors, Langostino or Shrimp (your choice!), asparagus, and roasted cherry tomatoes! PLUS, it can be on your table in 30 minutes!

What is Risotto?

Risotto is a creamy Italian Rice dish. It is often confused with being pasta, but it is in fact rice. Many people are intimidated by the thought of making Risotto, however, I will tell you it’s really easy – it takes just a little patience.

Unlike traditional rice, Risotto is slow cooked by adding roughly a 1/2 cup of stock at a time. This process allows each grain to release their starches thus creating a rich velvety texture – making this Pesto Risotto a decadent comforting meal. This process takes about 30 minutes from beginning to end.

Ingredients to make this Easy Pesto Risotto

• Olive Oil
• Arborio Rice
• White Wine
• Shallot
• Cherry Tomatoes
• Langostino or Shrimp
• Salt
• Pepper
• Chicken Stock
• Pre made Pesto
• Garlic
• Lemon Juice
• Asparagus
• Pecorino Romano

How to make this Easy Pesto Risotto

Garlic Roasted Cherry Tomatoes: Toss cherry tomatoes, olive oil, and garlic together in a bowl. Pour the tomatoes on a cookie sheet and bake at 450*F for roughly 12-15 minutes or until the skin on the tomatoes starts to break.

Chicken or Vegetable Stock: In a large saucepan over Medium-High, bring stock to a simmer. Turn down to Medium-Low.

Risotto: In a Dutch Oven, heat olive oil and cook shallots until soft. Next, add rice and garlic and cook for 2 minutes. Then, add white wine and allow liquid to absorb.

Next, this is where patience comes into play. These next steps of adding the stock cannot be rushed. Begin adding 1/2 cup of stock at a time – frequently stirring until all the liquid has been absorbed. Repeat this process until all liquid has been added.

Depending on how you like your asparagus there are two options here. If you prefer an al dente bite to your asparagus, add the asparagus after half of the stock has been added to the rice. If you prefer a softer asparagus, add the asparagus after 1 cup of stock has been added.

During the last 1/2 cup addition, add the langostino or shrimp, cherry tomatoes, pesto. Once the last 1/2 cup has just barely been absorbed, add the grated cheese and lemon juice and quickly stir together. Serve immediately.

How to reheat leftovers

This Easy Pesto Risotto is best served immediately after cooking. The longer it sits, the more the sauce sets. That is not to say that you cannot enjoy it the next day. When you heat it up, you can add a couple of tablespoons of stock to the dish to help break down the starch again.

Recipe Alternatives

One of my favorite things about risotto is its versatility. The base of the recipe is pretty much the same at all times. Arborio Rice, Wine, Stock.

• Protein: For this particular recipe, switch out the protein with cubed chicken – don’t forget to season with salt and/or pepper before cooking! It will need to cook longer. I would suggest cooking it before starting the risotto to ensure it is cooked through.
• Vegetarian: This can easily be made into a vegetarian meal by excluding the meat and using vegetable stock.
• Mushrooms: pair very well with risotto recipes – I personally prefer portobello mushrooms for Risotto.
• Appetizers: Another delicious recipe to make are Arancini Balls – they’re fried risotto balls – delish!

Risotto is typically considered a special occasion dish, but I’m hoping I can change your mind! This Easy Pesto Risotto is packed with flavor, it’s a total crowd pleaser, and is super versatile based on your taste! It’s one of our favorites especially paired with some fresh homemade Focaccia! I hope you enjoy!

Looking for another easy dinner in 30 minutes or less? You have to try this Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta or this Balsamic Steak Salad with Fried Goat Cheese!

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