Creamy Mushroom Risotto with Parmesan and Thyme

Introduction

Risotto has a reputation for being fussy, but the truth is it's mostly a matter of patience and a wide pan. The first time I made it from scratch I stood at the stove convinced I'd ruined dinner — and then it suddenly came together in the last five minutes, the way it always does. This version leans on mixed mushrooms (cremini, shiitake, and oyster if you can find them) for depth, with fresh thyme and a knob of butter at the end to make it glossy. Serve it on the day you cook it; risotto waits for no one.

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Ingredients

• •1 1/2 cups Arborio rice
• •300 g mixed mushrooms (cremini, shiitake, oyster), sliced
• •1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
• •3 garlic cloves, minced
• •1/2 cup dry white wine
• •5 cups warm vegetable or chicken broth
• •3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• •3 tbsp unsalted butter
• •2 tbsp olive oil
• •1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
• •Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

1. 1

   Warm the broth in a saucepan over low heat and keep it gently simmering throughout the cooking process.

2. 2

   Heat 1 tbsp olive oil and 1 tbsp butter in a heavy-bottomed pan over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms in a single layer and sear without stirring for 2 minutes, then toss until golden brown. Season with salt and set aside.

3. 3

   In the same pan, add the remaining olive oil and butter. Sauté the onion until translucent, about 4 minutes, then add the garlic and thyme and cook for 30 seconds.

4. 4

   Add the Arborio rice and toast it for 1–2 minutes, stirring constantly, until the edges turn translucent.

5. 5

   Pour in the white wine and stir until fully absorbed.

6. 6

   Add the warm broth one ladle at a time, stirring frequently and waiting until each addition is mostly absorbed before adding the next. This process takes about 18–22 minutes.

7. 7

   When the rice is creamy and al dente, stir in the seared mushrooms, the remaining tablespoon of butter, and the grated Parmesan.

8. 8

   Season to taste, cover, and let rest for 2 minutes. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan and thyme on top.

Nutrition (per serving, estimated)

Nutrition is an approximation generated from ingredient databases and may vary based on brands and exact measurements.

Calories

470 kcal

Protein

14 g

Carbs

62 g

Fat

16 g