This flavor-packed asparagus risotto pairs creamy arborio rice with Parmesan and lemony roasted asparagus. A true crowd pleaser!

Creamy, savory, crunchy, and zingy: this asparagus risotto is truly sublime. Otherwise known as, the best way to usher in spring! Alex and I are craving fresh flavors over here, and this fancy yet simple dinner is the perfect antidote. Roast up some asparagus with lemon at the same time that you’re stirring up a creamy risotto on the stovetop. Then throw the tender bright green asparagus into the risotto, right along with the lemon. You’ll wish the pot would never end (we certainly did!).

What’s in asparagus risotto?

You’ll need a handful of simple ingredients for this asparagus risotto. The flavors are crisp and pure. Here’s what you’ll need:

• White arborio rice: a short-grain Italian rice used for making risotto
• Asparagus
• Broth and dry white wine: wine is essential to the nuanced flavor!
• Lemon: fresh lemon pairs perfectly with asparagus
• Parmesan cheese: brings just the right savory notes
• Olive oil, butter, onion, garlic powder: For flavoring
• Toasted pine nuts: step it up with this Italian-style garnish (here’s how to toast them)

The keys to making risotto

Making risotto is actually quite simple! It’s just a matter of slow cooking short grain rice with broth until it becomes extraordinarily creamy. When Alex and I first started cooking, I remember thinking that risotto was something that came out of a box marked “risotto”. Turns out, it’s just a special way to cook arborio rice.

• Use arborio rice. Make sure to find short-grain white arborio rice for this recipe. You should be able to find it at most grocery stores. This variety of rice becomes plump
• Heat the broth first. Start with warm broth (this recipe uses some water too, so you don’t have to buy more than 1 quart). This helps it to cook right into the warm rice without lowering the temperature of the food.
• Add warm broth 2 ladles at a time and stir until integrated. That’s all you have to do! Once the broth cooks into the rice, add another two ladles.
• Cook until creamy & al dente, then add Parm. Keep cooking this way until the rice is creamy but still a bit al dente (with a little bite in the center). It should take about 12 minutes. Then add the Parmesan cheese and stir vigorously for 2 minutes.

How to cook the asparagus: roast it!

While that risotto is bubbling, you’ll roast up a pan of asparagus until it’s tender. We love that this veggie adds fiber to the risotto, making it more filling and nutritious! How to cook asparagus? Use the concept from our Roasted Asparagus. It’s so easy: just about 10 minutes in a very hot oven makes it perfectly tender. Here are some tips on the asparagus side of this risotto:

• Prep the pan and have it ready to go while making the risotto. You’ll prep everything and get your pan of asparagus ready, then start the risotto. Because…
• Time it so the asparagus finishes just as the risotto does. When the asparagus comes out of the oven, it’s perfectly bright green and tender. You’ll want to catch it just at that point so it’s at its brightest color when you serve. Overcooking the asparagus makes it turn a drab green color.
• Leftovers lose the color in the asparagus: but still taste good! The asparagus will fade to a yellow green color in leftovers. But they still taste wonderful: they’re just not showy for serving to guests.

Why to make this asparagus risotto

This risotto is the absolute perfect spring recipe, filled with bright green fresh and tangy flavors! Of course, you can also serve it any season you can find good asparagus. A few recipe testers tried this recipe for us: here’s what they had to say!

• “We made the asparagus risotto tonight and it was SO SO SO good! I was surprised at how much lemon flavor it had from roasting the lemons with the asparagus. We had to keep ourselves from eating the whole thing in one dinner!” -Connie
• “It was so delicious. It was creamy and tangy and the asparagus was perfect!” -Karen

What to serve with risotto

Sometimes it’s hard to decide how to make risotto into a full meal (Alex and I have been there)! Accessorizing with a salad makes for a healthy vegetarian dinner. Of course, it want to add crunchy, savory garlic bread we won’t judge! Here are a few ideas for what to serve with risotto:

• Easy Arugula Salad Here’s the simplest salad you’ll ever make! This easy arugula salad is fool-proof: you don’t even need to make dressing.
• Classic Garlic Bread It’s crunchy on top, chewy on the inside, and full of flavor: the perfect side to go with pasta or tomato soup.
• Fennel Orange Salad A fancy and refreshing side dish! It pairs juicy orange and the subtle licorice essence of fennel with a citrus vinaigrette.

PS if you love risotto, make sure to try our Butternut Squash Risotto, Mushroom Risotto, Roasted Cauliflower Risotto and Parmesan Risotto.

This asparagus risotto recipe is…

Vegetarian and gluten-free.

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More asparagus recipes

Want more ways to use this healthy green stalk? Here are some asparagus recipes to add to your repertoire:

• Asparagus Salad with Feta Bursting with flavor and totally versatile! It highlights sauteed asparagus with lemon, radishes, feta, and a Dijon dressing.
• Shaved Asparagus Salad Ever tried asparagus raw? It tastes mild and sweet! Eat it as shaved asparagus salad, which pairs the ribbons with a tangy lemon vinaigrette and Parmesan.
• Easy Baked Asparagus An easy side dish that’s a hit with everyone. The green stalks are roasted until tender, spritzed with lemon & topped with Parmesan.

A Couple Cooks - Healthy, Whole Food, & Vegetarian Recipes