0 from 51 votes
Dreamy Lemon Basil Risotto Recipe
Brighten up your usual dinner routine with this summery lemon basil risotto! Creamy, comforting arborio rice is merged with the fresh zing of lemon and basil for a tangy, totally refreshing twist on a classic. (Bonus—this quick and easy dish is ready in under 30 minutes!)
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Total Time
25 mins
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 416 kcal
Course:
Side Dish , Main Course
Cuisine:
Italian
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp olive oil 15 mL
- 1 medium white onion diced, about 1 cup
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 3 stalks celery diced
- 1 ¼ cup arborio rice 300 g
- ¾ cup white wine 177 mL
- 4 cups warm low-sodium vegetable broth 1 liter
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese 60 g
- 2 Tbsp butter 28 g
- ½ lemon* juice + zest
- 2 Tbsp chopped fresh basil
- salt and pepper to taste about ¼ tsp each
Instructions
- Base: Heat oil over medium in a large pot. Add onion, garlic, and celery, cooking until translucent and soft, about 5 minutes.
- Toast Rice: Add dry rice and cook, stirring frequently, for about 2 minutes, or until the rice is slightly opaque on the outside but uncooked on the inside.
- Wine: Add wine to the pot and simmer until wine has completely reduced.
- Broth: Slowly add the vegetable broth to the pan, adding ½ cup at a time. Wait until broth has almost completely absorbed before adding another ½ cup. Begin tasting the rice after 15 minutes or so. Once it is al dente (a little bit chewy), stop adding broth (you may not need the full amount).
- Flavor: Stir in Parmesan, butter, lemon zest and juice, and basil. Taste and add salt and pepper to suit your liking, adding more lemon juice/zest as needed. Serve immediately for optimal tastiness.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 to 5 days. When reheating, I suggest doing so on the stove until it’s nice and warm. Then, top with fresh parmesan!
- *Recipe adjustment: This recipe originally called for 1 whole lemon, which many readers found to be too sour. We have retested and reduced it to ½ a lemon.
- ½ a lemon.
Nutrition Information
Serving
1serving
Calories
416kcal
(21%)
Carbohydrates
57g
(19%)
Protein
10g
(20%)
Fat
13g
(20%)
Saturated Fat
6g
(30%)
Cholesterol
26mg
(9%)
Sodium
436mg
(18%)
Potassium
208mg
(6%)
Fiber
4g
(16%)
Sugar
3g
(6%)
Vitamin A
350IU
(7%)
Vitamin C
51.2mg
(57%)
Calcium
160mg
(16%)
Iron
2.2mg
(12%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4people
Amount Per Serving
Calories 416
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1serving | |
| Calories | 416kcal | 21% |
| Carbohydrates | 57g | 19% |
| Protein | 10g | 20% |
| Fat | 13g | 20% |
| Saturated Fat | 6g | 30% |
| Cholesterol | 26mg | 9% |
| Sodium | 436mg | 18% |
| Potassium | 208mg | 4% |
| Fiber | 4g | 16% |
| Sugar | 3g | 6% |
| Vitamin A | 350IU | 7% |
| Vitamin C | 51.2mg | 57% |
| Calcium | 160mg | 16% |
| Iron | 2.2mg | 12% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.