Mushroom Shrimp Risotto

This Mushroom Shrimp Risotto recipe is creamy and made with garlic. It's got Parmesan cheese and makes the best Italian dinner for two!

I think careful cooking is love, don't you? The loveliest thing you can cook for someone who's close to you is about as nice a valentine as you can give. - Julia Child.

This Garlicky Shrimp Mushroom Risotto is a great meal you can prepare at home that utilizes a few different cooking techniques and is packed full of flavor.

Cooking is an expression of love and Valentine's Day is the perfect opportunity to share that love and to show off your skills.

What's more romantic than whipping up a tasty dish and sharing it with your loved one over a couple glasses of wine? You can keep the flowers and the candy - I'll take a good meal any day like this Shrimp Mushroom Risotto any day!

Your spouse will love it and love that you took the time to stretch your culinary skills.

Even though this recipe is a little decadent and fancy it's totally gluten free, making it a great alternative to pasta.

Jump to:

• What Is Risotto?
• How Do I Add Flavor To Risotto?
• How To Make Risotto From Scratch
• How Long Does Risotto Last In The Fridge?
• What To Serve With Mushroom Shrimp Risotto
• Mushroom Shrimp Risotto

What Is Risotto?

Risotto is a classic Italian dish made with Arborio rice that's cooked in broth. The rice is fairly starchy and the broth draws that starch out as it cooks resulting in its characteristic creamy texture.

It has a reputation of being one of those things you only find at a fancy restaurant but it's absolutely something you can make at home and is a pretty fun dish to make.

There are a few steps to nail down when making risotto and once you master them - You're set! This recipe uses mushrooms and is topped with shrimp but there are so many variations out there. And I assure you they're all delicious.

Here's How To Make It:

1. Mince 8 cloves of garlic, 1 small white onion, and 2 8 oz. packages of mushrooms. You can use any type of mushroom you like - I went for plain old button mushrooms but feel free to mix it up. It is Valentine's Day after all.
2. Once the chopping is complete, heat a saute pan to medium and add 1 Tbsp. of olive oil.
3. Once the oil is heated, add all of the mushrooms along with ¼ tsp. each of kosher salt and pepper. The salt will draw the liquid out of the mushrooms and create a little bit of broth as it cooks.
4. Saute for 5 minutes, stirring frequently and then remove them from the pan. Set the mushrooms aside for now.

If you love Italian flavors check out this Homemade Spaghetti Sauce, Green Pasta Sauce, and Spinach Walnut Pesto!

How Do I Add Flavor To Risotto?

1. Return the pan to the stove top and add 1 Tbsp. of butter to it.
2. Add half of the minced garlic and the entire chopped onion to the pan. Saute the garlic and onions for 4-5 minutes or until the onions have softened slightly.
3. Now add 1 ½ cups of Arborio rice to the garlic and onions. Saute the rice for 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Sauteing the rice like this toasts it a little bit. The rice will brown slightly as it toasts.
4. Now add ⅔ cup of white wine to the rice and saute for another 3-4 minutes. The wine will reduce as it cooks and the alcohol will dissipate leaving you with a pan of very fragrant rice.

The copious amounts of garlic, onion, and white wine provide this risotto with lots of decadent flavor.

The cup of Parmesan cheese in addition to fresh herbs helps to take it over the top!

How To Make Risotto From Scratch

Now the risotto starts to turn into shrimp mushroom risotto. The trick is to add warm broth to the pan a little at a time until the rice is fully cooked. This whole process only takes about 16-20 minutes (depending on how firm you like the rice).

1. First, heat 6 cups of chicken broth in a separate sauce pan on the stove top. You only need to heat the broth through - It should not come to a boil.
2. Once the broth has heated, add a cup of it to the rice. Stir the rice and broth together. The rice will absorb the broth after a minute or two. Add another cup of broth at this point. Stir again and wait for the rice to absorb the broth.
3. Repeat this process for 16-20 minutes using the rest of the broth. Eventually, the rice will be plump and won't absorb any more liquid. It is important to stir the rice frequently to prevent it from sticking to the pan.

How Long Does Risotto Last In The Fridge?

Any leftovers should last 2-3 days stored in an airtight container in the fridge.

Be sure to allow the risotto to cool completely before transferring to the fridge for storage.

Can Risotto Be Frozen?

I would not recommend freezing risotto as it can make the rice dry and starchy.

This is one of those meals best enjoyed right away.

Feel free to taste the rice as it cooks. Traditionally it is served 'al dente'. This means that there is still a bit of bite to the rice. It should not be crunchy but not completely soft and tender.

We'll add a few more ingredients at this point just to make it extra special.

1. Add another Tbsp. of butter, ½ cup of shaved Parmesan cheese, and a generous amount of salt and pepper.
2. Stir together and fold in the mushrooms we cooked earlier.

How To Make The Garlicky Shrimp (Or Prawns)

Let's not forget about the shrimp (also known as prawns)!

1. In a separate pan, heat 1 Tbsp. of olive oil. Once heated, add the remaining half of minced garlic and saute for 1-2 minutes.
2. Add 1 lb. of peeled shrimp to the pan along with ¼ tsp. each of kosher salt and pepper. Saute the shrimp for 4-5 minutes, stirring often.

Love shrimp? Check out these recipes!

• Cilantro Lime Shrimp Bowls
• Air Fryer Shrimp Tacos
• Sheet Pan Shrimp Tacos
• Vietnamese Inspired Shrimp Salad
• Skillet Shrimp & Veggies
• Cajun Shrimp Tacos

What To Serve With Mushroom Shrimp Risotto

It's time to assemble. Scoop a good potion of the risotto into individual serving bowls and arrange 4-5 shrimp on top (make sure you add all that garlicky cooking oil).

Mince ½ cup or so of your favorite herb and sprinkle a handful of it on the risotto.

You can use any herb (fresh or dried) you like. Now garnish the dish with more grated Parmesan cheese and dust the whole thing with a bit of paprika.

I love dishes like this with fresh vegetable sides like this Marinated Green Bean Salad, Cherry Tomato Salad, or Fresh Pea Salad.

It's also great with roasted vegetables like Garlic Roasted Green Beans, Mediterranean Cauliflower, or Brussels Sprouts.

For a delicious appetizer check out this Kalamata Olive Tapenade or Spinach Artichoke Dip.

You now have a restaurant quality dish to show off - I mean share with your loved one. It will look like you slaved for hours but really it will only have taken about 30 minutes.

I'm telling you - Nothing says love like a big bowl of risotto.

Love risotto? Don't miss these recipes!

• Beef Short Rib Risotto
• Lemon Pea Risotto

Love mushrooms? Check out these recipes!

• Mushroom Gruyere Tartlets
• Mushroom Olive Pasta
• Crispy Air Fryer Mushrooms
• Mushroom Arugula Pizza
• Spinach Artichoke Stuffed Mushrooms
• Chicken Marsala Pasta
• Steak Diane with Mushroom Sauce
• Roasted Mushroom Tapenade
• Roasted Black Bean Mushroom Burgers

Looking For More Risotto Recipes? Don't Miss These!

Risotto alla Milanese

Chicken Risotto

Butternut Squash Risotto