Barefoot Contessa Easy Parmesan Risotto: A Comforting Family Favorite

Name: Barefoot Contessa Easy Parmesan Risotto
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h 15 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1½ cups Arborio rice; 5 cups low-sodium chicken stock; ½ cup dry white wine (or more chicken stock); 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese; 3 tablespoons butter; 1½ teaspoons kosher salt; ½ teaspoon black pepper; Optional: 1 cup peas or sautéed mushrooms

Posted on February 15, 2026

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This creamy Barefoot Contessa Easy Parmesan Risotto comes together in about 30 minutes, all in one pot, for a quick weeknight meal that your family will love! Switch up the ingredients to suit your taste or use it as a ‘clean out the fridge’ meal to get rid of leftovers and odds and ends! Trust me, you’re going to want this comforting dish in your rotation.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Creating this beautiful, creamy risotto doesn’t require a million ingredients, just a few simple staples that you might already have on hand. Here’s what you’ll need:

1½ cups Arborio rice
5 cups chicken stock
½ cup dry white wine
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
3 tablespoons butter
1½ teaspoons kosher salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
Optional: 1 cup peas or sautéed mushrooms

Let’s Get Cooking!

How to Make Barefoot Contessa Easy Parmesan Risotto

Are you excited? Let’s dive into this simple yet satisfying recipe.

Preheat your oven to 350°F. This step is important as we’ll be baking the risotto for a hands-off approach!
In a Dutch oven or a similar oven-safe pot, combine the Arborio rice and chicken stock. Give it all a good stir to distribute the rice evenly. You can already smell the aroma of the rice – it’s going to be so good!
Cover the pot with a lid and pop it in the oven for about 45 minutes. Chill, sip some wine (or not), and enjoy a moment!
Once that timer goes off, take it out and give it a stir. The rice should be tender and creamy! Now, stir in the Parmesan cheese, white wine, butter, salt, and pepper until it’s all melted together beautifully.
If you’re using them, add in the peas or sautéed mushrooms and stir again until everything is combined nicely. You might have to restrain yourself from diving in right away.
Serve immediately, optionally sprinkling extra Parmesan on top for good measure. The best part is, you can never have too much cheese, right?

Why I Love This Risotto

Honestly, this is my go-to recipe when I need something comforting but don’t have a ton of time to spare. The flavor is simple yet absolutely satisfying and soul-warming. My kids go crazy for it, even my picky eater can’t resist! I’m a real sucker for creamy, cheesy goodness. It’s versatile too! You can use whatever herbs, veggies, or proteins you have on hand. The best part is it makes a fantastic clean-out-the-fridge meal!

If you loved this risotto, be sure to check out my Creamy Mushroom Risotto, my Ina Garten Baked Risotto, or my Carbonara Risotto!

Why This Recipe Works

Comfort Food at Its Best

This risotto is loaded with tons of flavor and perfect for those chilly evenings when you want something that feels like a hug in a bowl. Seriously, it’s just cozy!

Quick & Easy

With just a few ingredients and a little love, it comes together in under 30 minutes of prep and cooking time. Minimal effort for maximal comfort, and isn’t that what we all want on busy weeknights?

One Pot Wonder

Everything happens in one pot! Less mess equals less stress. And who doesn’t need some extra peace of mind when juggling a crazy schedule?

Customizable

Whether you want to toss in some leftover veggies or whatever protein you’ve got lying around, this risotto hugs all the flavors. It’s your canvas, so go ahead and make it your own!

Make-Ahead Options

While I recommend serving it fresh, if you want to whip it up in advance, you can cool it down and store it in the fridge for a day or two. Just know that the texture will change a bit.

Serving & Storage Tips

How to Serve This Risotto

This risotto can stand alone as a delightful main dish, but it also pairs wonderfully with grilled chicken, sautéed shrimp, or a nice salad. I usually serve it with a simple arugula salad dressed with lemon and olive oil for a light and fresh contrast.

Storage

This risotto will keep in the refrigerator for about 3–4 days. Just make sure it’s stored in an airtight container to keep all that creamy goodness intact!

Reheating Instructions

To reheat, I recommend adding a splash of chicken stock or water and microwaving it in short intervals. Stir often until it reaches your desired heat. A little stirring will revive that creamy texture!

Freezer Friendly

Nope! Unfortunately, traditional risotto doesn’t freeze well. The texture changes as the creamy starches don’t thaw and reheat well. But if you’re up for experimentation, you can always try freezing, and maybe it’ll work out… who knows?

Final Thoughts

And that’s it! This Barefoot Contessa Easy Parmesan Risotto is not only delicious but also incredibly practical for a weeknight dinner. I hope you give this a try, and I can’t wait to hear how your family loves it as much as mine does. Remember, there’s nothing quite like a home-cooked meal to bring everyone together. Happy cooking!

If you enjoyed this blog post, don’t forget to visit my Pinterest to find even more delicious recipes you’ll love! Enjoy your cooking adventures!