Asparagus risotto is one of the most common and loved risotto recipes in Italy. It's creamy, flavorful, and delicious. A perfect way to celebrate the asparagus season!
Asparagus Risotto is a creamy Italian rice dish filled with pieces of tasty green asparagus. It's a special kind of food that feels fancy but is also very cozy and comforting to eat. This recipe mixes the softness of the rice with the fresh taste of asparagus, making a meal that's both yummy and a bit fancy. This spring risotto recipe is perfect for any family weeknight meal or even for a special occasion or a dinner party with a lot of people since it's easily scalable.
This creamy risotto is perfect for when you want to make something nice for dinner that isn't too hard to cook. It's great because you can make it with things you might already have in your kitchen, like rice, broth, and some cheese. Plus, it's a good way to use asparagus, a vegetable that's crunchy and good for you.
Check out also these Cheese Cappelletti with creamy Asparagus sauce.
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🧾 Ingredients
You only need a few simple fresh ingredients to make this creamy asparagus risotto recipe.
- Risotto Rice: Use Carnaroli or Arborio kind of rice for the best risotto. A short-grain rice known for its high starch content, which gives risotto its creamy texture.
- Asparagus: Preferably fresh and tender, chopped into bite-sized pieces. The star of the dish, bringing a slightly sweet and grassy flavor. See below for more details
- Vegetable Broth: Used to gradually cook the rice, infusing it with flavor. Warm broth is essential for achieving the perfect risotto texture.
- Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated for a salty, umami flavor that complements the asparagus.
- Onion: Use white or yellow onion. Finely chopped, it forms the base of the asparagus risotto, offering a subtle sweetness.
- Dry White Wine: Such as Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, or Chardonnay. A splash adds acidity and complexity to the dish.
- Unsalted Butter: For sautéing and finishing the classic risotto, adding richness.
- Heavy Cream: To add creaminess to the blended asparagus sauce. You can also use whole milk, or water for a lighter dish.
- Salt and Black Pepper: To taste, for seasoning.
Different types of asparagus
Wild asparagus are quite difficult to find. They are really thin and tall and they hide very well within the thorny bushes. If you don't hunt them yourself, you'll need to be very lucky to ever see them on a market stall, because of how rare and precious they are. So, most of the time we have to rely on cultivated asparagus, which are bigger and stiffer, but still very delicious.
Most of the time you can also find in the supermarket two types of green asparagus: large and tall or thin and short (often called just asparagus tips). Both varieties are great for any preparation and this asparagus risotto. The only difference is that the larger ones need to be blanched in boiling water for a few minutes, while the small ones can be sautèed directly in the pan. I'll give instructions for both in the recipe card.
🥣 Recipe Variations
- Lemon Zest: Add zest from one lemon for a citrusy, fresh twist.
- Mushrooms: Sautéed mushrooms can be added for an earthy flavor.
- Roasted Garlic: Add some Roasted Garlic Butter for a sweeter, more mellow garlic flavor.
- Herbs: Stir in fresh herbs like thyme or basil at the end for added freshness.
- Creamy Goat Cheese: Incorporate goat cheese instead of parmesan for a tangy, creamy finish.
📋 Instructions with Photos
Step 1. Slice the asparagus (leaving the tips full) and sauté in a large skillet with a knob of butter, until they start to brown. Season with salt and pepper, then remove from heat.
Step 2. Keep the tips and few of the slices aside for later and blend the remaining asparagus in a mixer with the heavy cream, until you get a creamy sauce.
Step 3. In the same pan, add the rice and minced onion, and toast at high heat for 2-3 minutes. Add the glass of wine and let it evaporate for a couple of minutes.
Step 4. Turn down the heat to medium-low and add a ladle of stock, until the rice is covered. Add more stock once the liquid is absorbed.
Step 5. After 10 minutes, add the asparagus cream to the rice and keep cooking for another 8-10 minutes, adding more stock or water when necessary and mixing with a slotted spoon.
Step 6. When the rice is cooked (al dente), add the grated Parmesan cheese, another knob of butter and mix well. The asparagus risotto should have a creamy consistency, not too stiff and not too loose.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the classic asparagus risotto with a sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan and a drizzle of high-quality olive oil. Pair it with a crisp, green salad dressed in a light vinaigrette and a glass of dry white wine for a complete, sophisticated meal. Garnish with fresh herbs like parsley or chives to add color and flavor.
❄️ Storage
- Storage: Cool the leftover risotto quickly and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: Freezing is not recommended, as it can affect the texture.
- Reheating: Add a splash of broth or water and reheat gently on the stove, stirring frequently until hot and creamy.
💭 Recipe FAQs
Stirring frequently and adding broth gradually allows the rice to release its starch slowly, preventing a mushy texture.
Yes, by using vegetable broth, substituting Parmesan with nutritional yeast or vegan cheese, using a plant-based heavy cream or milk, and using olive oil exclusively for sautéing.
While wine adds acidity and depth, it can be substituted with lemon juice mixed with water for a non-alcoholic version that still provides some acidity.
Recipe Tips
- If the asparagus are long, you may need to remove the tough ends. To do so, hold the asparagus with both hands and snap it in two. It will naturally snap where at the softer point, removing the woody part.
- For the cooking process of the risotto, you can use a medium-large skillet with high sides. Alternatively, you can use a large saucepan, a large pot, or a dutch oven.
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📖 RECIPE
Asparagus Risotto
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Ingredients
- ¾ cup Risotto Rice , Carnaroli
- ½ White Onion
- 3.5 oz Asparagus, 6 large or 20 small ones
- 2 cups Vegetable Stock
- ¼ cup White Wine
- 2-3 tablespoon Butter
- ⅓ cup Heavy Cream
- Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, grated
- Salt
- Black Pepper
Instructions
- In a small saucepan heat up the vegetable stock or bouillon and bring to boil.
- If using large asparagus, blanch them in the stock (with the tips out of the water) until you can easily pierce the stalk with a knife (5-10 minutes). Remove them from the stock and turn down the heat to keep it warm.
- Slice the asparagus (leaving the tips full) and sauté in a large pan with a knob of butter, until they start to brown. Season with salt and pepper, then remove from heat. Keep the tips and few of the slices aside for later and blend the remaining asparagus in a mixer with the heavy cream, until you get a creamy sauce.
- In the same pan, add the rice and minced onion, and toast at high heat for 2-3 minutes. Add the white wine and let it evaporate for a couple of minutes.
- Turn down the heat to medium-low and add some of the vegetable stock, until the rice is covered. Add more stock once the liquid is absorbed.
- After 10 minutes, add the asparagus cream to the rice and keep cooking for another 8-10 minutes, adding more stock or water when necessary.
- When the rice is cooked (al dente), add the grated Parmesan cheese, another knob of butter and mix well. The risotto should have a creamy consistency, not too stiff and not too loose.
- Serve immediately, decorating with the asparagus tips you set aside.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
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Jo
Absolutely love this fresh delicious looking risotto. Spring bring so many wonderful produces and asparagus is one of my absolute favorite. Using it in risotto is even better! Two of my favorite things, gotta to be YUM