Easy Risotto Milanese

Risotto Milanese is lusciously creamy, delicious, and easy to make. Milan’s signature dish is made with Arborio rice, fragrant saffron threads, onion, garlic, a splash of white wine, and savory stock. Best of all, it’s ready in just 20 minutes and tastes absolutely DIVINE!

Easy Recipe for Risotto Milanese

If you ever arrive at Milan’s airport, you need to stop at a local restaurant in Milan or inside the dining area at the airport and try Milan’s classic dish: Risotto Milanese. It’s the best, and we love it. So today, we are showing you how to make their famous Risotto Milanese – and it is easier than you think.

Risotto Milanese is made with only a few aromatics and pantry ingredients, and it’s ready to serve in 20 minutes. Plus, we serve it with grated Parmesan cheese and a green salad as a side for a simple dinner, just the way they do it in Milan, Italy.

Risotto is our go-to when we run out of options on ‘what to make for dinner.’ Especially when you’re not in the mood for additional meats or fish.

Risotto Milanese can be intimidating for new cooks because it requires some patience. But risotto is hard to mess up! Ingredient substitutions are also relatively easy.

You can make an Easy Vegetable Risotto loaded with frozen mixed veggies, or our Butternut Squash Risotto with Cheese and Sage. Be sure to try these recipes next!

Plus, Italian risotto recipes are usually cooked slowly, starting with soffritto, the flavor base of countless Italian sauces and ragu. And it is usually onion and garlic, with olive oil and butter or both – just don’t overcook them.

Then you want to toast the rice. When the veggies are translucent, add the rice and cook for a minute or so. Then add the liquids: wine, and then stock (usually chicken or vegetable stock), which allows the starch to be released, creating a smooth and creamy texture.

Other ingredients such as Parmigiano-Reggiano and/or Pecorino cheese are usually added. But this recipe for Risotto Milanese also requires 2 more ingredients: saffron threads, and Champagne vinegar.

And, this recipe is so flavorful – we can’t wait for you to try it!

Ingredients You Will Need:

For our easy risotto Milanese recipe, you will need the following ingredients:

• 2 + 1/2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 to 2 cups bottled water (and as needed)
• 2 pinches of saffron threads
• 3 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
• 4 Tbsp. unsalted butter – divided
• 2 garlic cloves – diced
• 1 large onion – diced
• 2 cups Italian Arborio rice
• 1/2 cup (good-quality drinking) white wine
• 1/2 tsp. sea salt. and extra to taste
• 2 tsp. white wine vinegar (or champagne vinegar)
• 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese

How to Make Risotto Milanese?

First time making Risotto Milanese? No worries, we’ve got you covered. Let’s run through these steps so you’ll understand what’s involved before you start.

1. Start by warming the broth. In a small pot, pour in 2 + 1/2 cups of chicken or vegetable stock, plus 1 cup of water, on moderate-low heat. Toss in pinches of saffron threads. Allow the broth to simmer.

2. In a medium-sized pot, sauté the diced large onion and garlic cloves with 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter. Sauté until the onions have turned golden and caramelized, about 5 minutes. Toss in 2 cups of Arborio rice and stir until it’s almost toasted.

3. Deglaze the rice and onion mixture with 1/2 cup of white wine. Stir until the wine has reduced a little.

4. Next, stir in the heated broth, ladle-by-ladle, and one at a time, allowing absorption in the rice before adding more. This is where you will need a little patience. But in the end, it is all worth it. It takes about 19 minutes.

5. Season the risotto with salt. Taste and adjust the seasonings. The rice should be tender to the bite. If the rice is still not ready, stir in additional water until the rice is fully cooked.

6. When risotto is ready, remove the pot from the heat. Finish and toss in the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter and grated parmesan cheese, and stir until the butter and cheese melt and give you a creamy texture. Then serve immediately.

An Italian Dish You’ll Love

This easy Risotto Milanese always turns out exquisite! Your family will love it as much as we do! Serve it with a glass of Pinot Grigio, or any white wine, and maybe a green salad to round out the meal. Try this recipe, and let us know!

And Enjoy!

More Delicious Recipes for Risotto

• Cacio e Pepe Risotto
• Creamy Asparagus Risotto
• Risotto con Funghi (Mushrooms)
• Best Creamy Lemon Risotto with Baby Peas

Don’t forget!  If you make this delicious Easy Risotto Milanese recipe, let us know and leave a comment with a 5-star rating below.  Sharing your experience and insights will not only help those who read them, but will help us too!

Happy Cooking! 🙂

Thanks for stopping by!

xo anna and liz