The Creamiest Fresh Pea Risotto Recipe: Spring Comfort in a Bowl

Creamy and vibrant fresh pea risotto brings spring’s essence right to your dinner plate.

Soft arborio rice absorbs delicate flavors with each gentle stir.

Italian cuisine offers remarkable comfort through simple, quality ingredients.

Tender green peas add bursts of sweetness and color to this classic dish.

Farmers’ markets provide the most incredible seasonal produce for this recipe.

We love how quickly this meal comes together with minimal effort.

You’ll savor every delicious spoonful of this elegant, homemade risotto.

Fresh Pea Risotto That’s Creamy and Comforting

• Conquer Culinary Complexity: Master a classic Italian technique with this risotto recipe that transforms simple ingredients into a gourmet dish, perfect for boosting your cooking confidence.
• Customize with Ease: Adapt the recipe by swapping peas with seasonal vegetables like asparagus or mushrooms, making it a versatile meal for any time of year.
• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: Create a creamy, luxurious dish that appeals to both adults and kids, delivering rich flavors and smooth textures everyone will love.
• Quick Weeknight Winner: Prepare a restaurant-quality meal in under 30 minutes, using basic pantry ingredients and minimal kitchen skills.

Ingredients for Flavorful Fresh Pea Risotto

• Arborio Rice: A short-grain Italian rice with high starch content that creates the creamy texture of risotto.
• Fresh Peas: Sweet green peas that add a burst of freshness and vibrant color to the dish.
• Vegetable Broth: A flavorful liquid base that helps cook and season the risotto.

• Onion, Garlic: Classic aromatic vegetables that provide a deep, savory foundation for the risotto.
• Olive Oil: A heart-healthy oil that helps sauté the aromatics and adds richness to the dish.

• Butter, Parmesan Cheese: Creamy elements that add richness, depth, and a luxurious smooth texture to the risotto.
• Lemon Zest: A bright, citrusy garnish that provides a fresh and zesty finish to the dish.

How to Cook Fresh Pea Risotto Perfectly

Step 1: Prepare Warm Broth

Pour vegetable broth into a saucepan and heat gently over low flame, keeping it warm and ready for the risotto process. This ensures the broth is at the perfect temperature for slowly incorporating into the rice.

Step 2: Sauté Aromatic Base

Heat olive oil in a large skillet and add chopped onions. Cook until they become soft and translucent, releasing their sweet flavor.

Add minced garlic and continue cooking until the kitchen fills with a delightful fragrant aroma.

Step 3: Toast Arborio Rice

Add Arborio rice to the skillet and stir continuously.

Toast the rice for about 2 minutes until the grains become slightly see-through and develop a nutty fragrance. This step helps the rice absorb liquid beautifully and creates a creamy texture.

Step 4: Create Creamy Risotto

Begin adding warm broth one ladleful at a time. Stir constantly and allow each addition to be fully absorbed before adding the next.

This slow process helps release the rice’s natural starches, creating a luxuriously creamy consistency.

Step 5: Incorporate Fresh Peas

When the rice is halfway cooked (around 10 minutes), gently fold in fresh peas.

Continue cooking and adding broth until the rice reaches a perfect al dente texture, which takes about 18-20 minutes total.

Step 6: Finish and Serve

Remove the skillet from heat.

Stir in butter and freshly grated Parmesan cheese until the risotto becomes smooth and silky. Sprinkle with lemon zest for a bright, fresh finish.

Serve immediately while the risotto is wonderfully creamy and warm.

Tips for Creamy and Delicious Fresh Pea Risotto

• Select short-grain Arborio rice for creamy, authentic risotto texture that absorbs liquid perfectly.
• Stir constantly during cooking to release rice starches, creating signature velvety consistency without burning.
• Use freshly shelled peas when possible for brightest flavor and most vibrant green color in the dish.
• Add Parmesan cheese off heat to prevent separation and maintain smooth, silky sauce texture.
• Serve immediately after cooking to enjoy maximum creaminess and prevent rice from becoming sticky or clumpy.

Creative Variations on Fresh Pea Risotto to Try

• Vegan Pea Risotto: Replace butter and Parmesan with nutritional yeast, vegan butter, and cashew cream for a dairy-free version.
• Herb-Infused Risotto: Add fresh mint, basil, or tarragon during the final stirring for an aromatic herb twist.
• Protein-Packed Option: Incorporate crispy pancetta, grilled chicken, or sautéed shrimp for added protein and depth of flavor.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Use certified gluten-free Arborio rice and ensure vegetable broth is gluten-free for celiac-friendly preparation.

Pairings That Complement Fresh Pea Risotto Well

• A chilled Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc perfectly complements the light, fresh flavors of the pea risotto, cutting through its creamy richness while enhancing the delicate pea sweetness.
• Toss mixed greens with lemon vinaigrette, fresh herbs like basil and mint, and thin shaved fennel to provide a bright, zesty contrast to the rich, creamy risotto.
• Serve thin, crispy prosciutto slices alongside the risotto to add a salty, crunchy element that balances the soft, creamy rice and provides a delightful textural counterpoint.

How to Store Fresh Pea Risotto Properly

• Refrigerate: Store leftover risotto in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keeps fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Freeze: Transfer risotto to freezer-safe containers, leaving some space for expansion. Freeze up to 2 months. Seal tightly to prevent freezer burn.
• Microwave Reheating: Place risotto in a microwave-safe dish. Add a splash of broth or water to restore moisture. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until heated through.
• Stovetop Refresh: Warm risotto in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add extra broth or water to help restore creamy texture. Stir continuously to prevent sticking and ensure even heating.

FAQs

• What makes Arborio rice perfect for risotto?

Arborio rice contains high starch content that creates a creamy texture when slowly cooked, releasing its natural starches and producing the signature velvety consistency of traditional risotto.

• Can I use frozen peas instead of fresh peas?

Yes, frozen peas work perfectly in this recipe. Simply add them directly from the freezer during the cooking process, which helps maintain their bright green color and fresh flavor.

• Why do I need to stir risotto constantly?

Continuous stirring helps release the rice’s starches evenly, creating a creamy texture and preventing the rice from sticking to the bottom of the pan. This technique ensures uniform cooking and rich consistency.

Fresh Pea Risotto

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4.8 from 9 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Creamy Italian rice dish fresh pea risotto showcases spring’s finest ingredients with delicate green peas and parmesan. Gentle stirring releases rich, velvety textures you’ll savor with each elegant spoonful.

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Ingredients

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• 1.5 cups arborio rice
• 1 cup fresh peas
• 4 cups (1 liter) vegetable broth
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup (50 g) parmesan cheese, grated
• 2 tbsps olive oil
• 2 tbsps butter
• 1 tsp lemon zest

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Instructions

1. Warm vegetable broth in a saucepan over low heat, maintaining a gentle simmer to ensure consistent temperature for risotto preparation.
2. Sauté finely chopped onions in olive oil until they become translucent and soft, releasing their sweet aroma.
3. Add minced garlic and cook briefly, allowing the aromatics to infuse the oil with rich flavor.
4. Introduce Arborio rice, stirring constantly to coat each grain with oil and toast until edges become slightly transparent.
5. Pour warm broth into the rice incrementally, stirring continuously and allowing each ladleful to absorb completely before adding the next.
6. When rice is halfway through cooking (approximately 10 minutes), incorporate fresh peas into the mixture.
7. Continue stirring and adding broth until rice reaches a creamy, al dente consistency, which typically takes 18-20 minutes total.
8. Remove skillet from heat and fold in butter and Parmesan cheese, creating a luxurious, smooth texture.
9. Garnish with delicate lemon zest for a bright, citrusy finish and serve immediately to preserve the risotto’s creamy consistency.

Notes

• Choose short-grain Arborio rice for the creamiest texture, ensuring each grain releases starch for a luxurious consistency.
• Toast rice carefully to develop a nutty flavor without burning, watching for a light golden color and aromatic scent.
• Keep broth warm throughout cooking to maintain steady temperature and prevent rice from becoming sticky or unevenly cooked.
• Use fresh peas at peak season for the sweetest, most vibrant flavor, or substitute frozen peas for convenience during off-seasons.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 320 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 450 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0.1 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 9 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg