Risotto is easier to make than you think! It’s the perfect late lunch, dinner, or special occasion dish that always impresses and even better topped with pan fried shrimp.
An Easy Risotto Recipe
Risotto is an Italian restaurant favorite. This version is a decadent tasting rice dish with parmesan cheese and a hint of lemony goodness topped with juicy shrimp.
Risotto is a restaurant-worthy recipe that’s actually so easy to make at home. The secret to its creamy goodness is in the high starch content of arborio rice that’s released when it’s cooked. This risotto is topped with shrimp but the fresh lemon flavor pairs well with almost any seafood from salmon to scallops.
Make it a meal by serving with a crispy Caesar Salad, or a bright and tangy Caprese Salad. Risotto is delish with some Homemade Garlic Bread to go with it.
Ingredients & Variations
ARBORIO RICE: Short-grain Arborio rice is key for a risotto recipe. Cooked in wine, broth, and seasonings, risotto comes out creamy with a savory flavor. The addition of parmesan cheese adds salty richness and a creamy texture while lemon adds a fresh and tangy flavor. SEASONINGS: The shrimp are lightly seasoned in butter, garlic, and paprika. Try your favorite seasoning mixes like Cajun seasoning, blackened seasoning or lemon pepper seasoning. SHRIMP: Choose fresh shrimps that are of the same size, are intact, and smell fresh. If using frozen, thaw before cooking. Tails off is easier for eating but tails on can make a pretty presentation, the choice is yours. ADD-INS: Shrimp risotto can be enhanced with any one of these colorful, healthy, veggie additions: spinach, peas, asparagus, mushrooms, or diced bell peppers.
Risotto gets its creamy texture from the starches in the rice, not from added dairy! Stirring risotto as it cooks keeps it from sticking but more importantly, makes the luscious creamy texture. As bits of warm broth are added and the rice is gently stirred and agitated, the starches from the grains mix with the broth to create a perfect dish. Be aware, that this recipe is not dairy-free as the parmesan cheese still contains dairy.
How to Make Shrimp Risotto
Shrimp Risotto is super easy to make. It takes a bit of time and a lot of stirring, but the results are so worth it.
Tips for Creamy Risotto
Toast the Arborio rice in a small amount of olive oil to warm up the grains and intensify the flavor. Ensure you’re adding warm broth for the best consistency and even cooking. Gently stir the risotto, this is important to release the starches and make a great creamy dish. Meat or veggie add-ins should be added lightly warmed as well before adding to the risotto. Warm the dish or bowl before serving risotto (fill it with really hot tap water while you’re finishing up the shrimp).
Got Leftovers?
Keep leftover shrimp risotto covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat on the stovetop and add additional chicken broth or some milk to restore the creamy texture. Freeze portions in zippered bags with the date labeled on the outside. Thawed shrimp risotto will not be as firm once it’s thawed. Fresh veggie add-ins will make this a whole new dish!
More Risotto Recipes We Love
Instant Pot Mushroom Risotto – one and done! Parmesan Risotto – creamy & velvety Instant Pot Risotto Carbonara – loaded with bacon Butternut Squash Risotto – made from scratch Mushroom Barley Risotto – easy & savory
Did you make this Shrimp Risotto? Be sure to leave a rating and a comment below! © SpendWithPennies.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited. Please view my photo use policy here.
