Have you ever had Spinach Risotto? It’s sure to become your favorite Italian risotto rice recipe. It’s so easy to make and a great way to eat your greens!
All risotto dishes should come with a warning… no skill required!
It’s true!
Once you know how to make risotto, simply incorporate different ingredients and it becomes a new side dish.
Whether you are making this Asparagus Risotto or this Easy Mushroom Risotto, you won’t believe how easy it is to make this classic comfort food.
After all, who can resist a creamy risotto recipe?
As you probably know, Italian rice has the magical ability to absorb a lot of liquid and still maintain a chewy texture.
This characteristic is also observed in this arborio rice recipe, Creamy Rice Pudding, and this delicious Italian Easter dessert, Rice Ricotta Easter Pie.
Your friends and family will be so impressed!
Let me show you how truly simple it is to make.
Ingredients
A printable recipe card found at the bottom of this page has the specific amounts for each ingredient. This is just a summary.
- Hot broth. Vegetable, chicken, or beef. Homemade is best. If using commercial, buy low sodium.
- Olive oil. A personal preference. Butter can also be used.
- Italian Soffritto. A classic combination.
- Garlic. Use as much or as little as you like.
- Arborio rice. High starch rice is essential to obtain that creamy texture.
- White wine. A simple dry wine works well. It can be replaced with an equal amount of stock.
- Spinach. Such a healthy vegetable.
- Parmesan cheese. Freshly grated is always better.
- Butter. Just a pat.
- Parsley. Italian flat-leaf and fresh is best.
- Lemon juice. Optional.
- Lemon zest. Once again optional, but a little goes a long way in brightening the dish.
- Salt and pepper. To taste.
Instructions
Heat your broth (3-4 cups) in a medium saucepan. Maintain a low simmer throughout the whole process. Any basic risotto recipe requires the slow addition of a hot broth to the arborio rice so it’s important to have the broth ready.
- Over medium heat, drizzle 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet.
- Saute the onion, carrot, and celery for about 5-7 minutes or until translucent. Stir frequently.
- Add the minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds or so.
- Stir in the rice (1 cup).
- Keep stirring the rice mixture for about 4-5 minutes. The edges of the rice should begin to turn translucent and just beginning to turn a light golden brown.
- Increase the heat to medium-high, add the wine or broth (½ cup) and stir constantly until absorbed. This should take 30-60 seconds.
- Add the chopped spinach. Combine properly with the rice mixture.
- Add ½ cup of hot broth (at a time) into the rice mixture and stir frequently until the broth is absorbed.
- Keep adding the broth (½ cup at a time) and stir occasionally, until it is absorbed.
- Keep repeating this procedure…
Tips
- Always use arborio rice to make risotto. This short-grain rice has the magical ability to absorb a lot of liquid without becoming mushy.
- Timing is everything! Prep your ingredients. The timing of the addition of the ingredients is crucial to obtain a risotto with the perfect texture. All ingredients must be ready.
- Allow the broth to be absorbed slowly. To achieve the creamy texture risotto is famous for, the broth must be absorbed slowly, over medium heat.
What to serve with risotto?
Almost anything! It makes a great appetizer or even a side dish. As an example, pair risotto with seafood as this complements the simple flavors of the risotto rice.
Easy spinach recipes we love
Recipe origins
As previously mentioned, there are endless variations when it comes to making risotto.
This easy risotto recipe I am sharing with you today is the result of my efforts to use some vegetables I had in my fridge.
It is that easy once you start with a simple risotto recipe.
Let yourself be inspired… use different vegetables, replace the Parmesan with different cheeses, add a couple of tablespoons of Basil Pesto, Sun-Dried Cherry Tomatoes or even Garlic Scape Pesto!
You can also use pureed vegetables!
You are only limited by your imagination!
I would love to hear about some of your easy risotto recipes!
THANKS SO MUCH for following and being part of the She Loves Biscotti community where you will find Simple & Tasty Family-Friendly Recipes with an Italian Twist.
Ciao for now,
Maria
★★★★★ If you have made this arborio rice risotto, I would love to hear about it in the comments below and be sure to rate the recipe!
Spinach Risotto
Ingredients
- 3-4 cups vegetable broth low sodium
- 2 tablespoons olive oil extra virgin
- 1 small onion minced minced, about ½ cup
- 1 carrot finely chopped
- 1 celery stalk finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup arborio rice uncooked
- ½ cup white wine or chicken broth
- 100 grams spinach fresh, chopped, about 2 cups
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese grated, plus additional for serving(optional)
- 1 tablespoon butter
- zested lemon peel optional
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Place the broth in a medium saucepan and bring to a low simmer. Keep warm.
- Over medium heat, drizzle 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet.
- Saute the onions, carrot and celery for about 5-7 minutes until translucent. Stir frequently.
- Add the garlic and stir for about 30 seconds.
- Add the rice.
- Keep stirring (frequently) for about 4-5 minutes. The edges of the rice should begin to turn translucent and just beginning to turn a light golden brown.
- Increase the heat to medium-high, add the wine (or broth) and stir constantly until absorbed. This should take about 1 minute.
- Add the chopped spinach. Stir to mix well with the rice mixture.
- Stir in ½ cup of hot broth into the rice mixture.
- Stir frequently until the broth is absorbed.
- Keep adding the broth (½ cup at a time) and stirring until it is absorbed. Repeat.
- At the end of 16-20 minutes, start tasting your risotto. The texture should be al dente but still creamy.
- Remove from heat and stir in the butter and the cheese. The addition of the lemon juice is optional.
- Garnish with zested lemon peel (if using) and chopped parsley.
- Serve immediately with additional Parmesan (if desired).
Video
Notes
- Always use arborio rice to make risotto. This short grain rice has the magical ability to absorb a lot of liquid without becoming mushy.
- Timing is everything! Prep your ingredients. The timing of the addition of the ingredients is crucial to obtain a risotto with the perfect texture. All ingredients must be ready.
- Allow the broth to be absorbed slowly. In order to achieve the creamy texture risotto is famous for, the broth must be absorbed slowly, over medium heat.
Nutrition
Val says
Risotto is one of my favorite foods! Can’t wait to try this spinach risotto!