Creamy Tomato Risotto

easy, creamy and comforting Tomato Risotto made with simple pantry ingredients and ready in only 30 minutes. This risotto is the easiest way to get comfort food on your table throughout the week.

Because food make you happy…

If you've never tried tomato risotto then you SO gotta, it's so good and totally different from white based risottos. The tomato adds freshness and a little tang whilst the rice creates a creaminess that you can't resist.

The thing is, risotto, for some reason has this stigma around it of being difficult and it couldn't be further from the truth. It's not only easy but it takes around 30 minutes from start to finish. There's no need to be intimidated by it at all because you can't go wrong.

When it comes to risotto the combinations and variations are endless so you can have fun and make it your own. We prefer to stick to simple flavours and we don't tend to add a lot of “extras” in the way of veggies and certainly no meat.

Traditionally, risotto was poor man's food so it never contained any meat and we've never liked the thought of adding it but you can do whatever you want, it's your food after all!

The Best Rice to Use for Making Risotto

There are two main types of rice you can use to make a good risotto Arborio or Carnaroli. Arborio rice is much more common and you should be able to find it in most supermarkets whereas Carnaroli is probably slightly harder to find.

Both these types of rice are short, fat and absorb less liquid than long-grain rice. They release more starch which gives the risotto the most good creamy texture whilst still having a little bite.

How to Make Creamy Tomato Risotto – Step By Step

Finely chop and sauté the onion for 2-3 minutes. Meanwhile cut the zucchini in half lengthways and then cut into slices. Add the zucchini to the pan and fry for 1 minute. (photo 1-3).

Next, add the garlic and fry for 1 minute then add the rice and stir to combine with everything in the pan for a few seconds (photos 4 & 5).

Add a few ladles of chicken stock to the rice and continue to stir until the rice starts to absorb the stock. Add the tomato paste, stir to combine and continue adding the stock a ladle at a time, allowing the rice to absorb the stock each time whilst constantly stirring (photos 6 & 7).

When there are a couple ladles of stock left add the mascarpone, salt, and pepper to taste, then the remaining ladles of stock as before and stir until it reaches a nice creamy consistency but not too sticky. Add the parmesan, stir and serve (photos 8 & 9).

Using Leftovers

The best part about risotto is that it never goes to waste even if you have leftovers! To be honest, we have been known to eat leftovers cold by the spoonful it's so good. But if you have a little more self-control you could make Arancini (Italian rice balls).

To make Arancini form cold risotto into balls, roll in flour, dip in beaten egg and then breadcrumbs. Fry the balls until golden brown in some vegetable oil then drain on kitchen paper…good!

You can even stuff the balls with mozzarella or another good melting cheese for an extra treat. These are a fun snack or can be served as an antipasto with drinks!

Top Tips For Making Creamy Tomato Risotto

• saute the onion until soft as it will release a lot of flavour.
• Always add the stock a ladleful at a time allowing the rice to absorb the liquid in between. This helps create a creamy, silky texture as the rice absorbs all the flavours. If you add all the stock at once the rice will boil and not be as tasty or creamy.
• Stir often you don't need to constantly stir in fact when we lived in Italy we learned that stirring constantly releases too much starch and makes the rice sticky. look after it, don't let it stick and stir it after adding stock.
• Season – the amount of seasoning will depend on the stock that you use so always taste and add a little salt at a time.

More Easy Dinner Recipes You Might Like:

• Easy Squash Risotto with Thyme
• Creamy Mushroom Risotto
• Gnocchi with a Brown Butter Sage Sauce
• Easy Sausage Ragu with Ricotta Gnocchi

Ingredients

Makes 6 people

• 14 oz (400g) arborio rice
• 4 3/4 cups (1.1 litres) chicken stock
• 1 white onion (, finely chopped)
• 4 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tbsp mascarpone
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 3 garlic cloves (, finely chopped)
• 1 large zucchini
• salt and pepper (, to season)
• 1 tsbp Parmesan (, freshly grated)

Method

1. In a large deep saucepan under a medium heat add 2 tsp of olive oil and sauté the onion for 2-3 minutes. Meanwhile cut your courgette in half lengthways then cut into slices. Add the courgette to the pan and fry for 1 minute. Add the rice and garlic and stir to stop it sticking just for a few seconds.

2. Add a few ladles of chicken stock and continue to stir until the rice starts to absorb the stock. Add the tomato paste and continue adding the stock a ladle at a time, allowing the rice to absorb the stock each time whilst constantly stirring.

3. When there are just a couple ladles of stock left add the mascarpone, salt, and pepper to taste, then the remaining ladles of stock as before and stir until it reaches a nice creamy consistency but not too sticky. Add the parmesan, stir and serve.

Kitchen notes

• Saute the onion until soft as it will release a lot of flavour.
• Always add the stock a ladleful at a time allowing the rice to absorb the liquid in between. This helps create a creamy, silky texture as the rice absorbs all the flavours. If you add all the stock at once the rice will boil and not be as tasty or creamy.
• Stir often, you don't need to constantly stir in fact when we lived in Italy we learned that stirring constantly releases too much starch and makes the rice sticky. look after it, don't let it stick and stir it after adding stock.
• Season - the amount of seasoning will depend on the stock that you use so always taste and add a little salt at a time.