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One-Pot Tomato Parmesan Risotto Comforting Recipe

by on September 6, 2025
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If you’re craving a warm, comforting meal, I have the perfect dish for you: One-Pot Tomato Parmesan Risotto. This recipe is easy, delicious, and requires minimal cleanup! I’ll guide you through choosing the best ingredients, preparing the rich, creamy base, and avoiding common mistakes. Join me in creating this cozy dish that will impress your family and friends. Let’s dive into the world of risotto together!

To make this one-pot tomato Parmesan risotto, you need: - 1 cup Arborio rice - 4 cups vegetable broth - 1 cup diced ripe tomatoes (fresh or canned) - 1 medium onion, finely chopped - 2 cloves garlic, minced - 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese - 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil - 1 teaspoon dried oregano - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste - Fresh basil leaves, for garnish You can use fresh or canned tomatoes for this dish. Fresh tomatoes add brightness and flavor. They work well in summer when they are at their best. Canned tomatoes are great when fresh ones aren't in season. They are easy to use and often packed with flavor. Choose what you have on hand, and your risotto will taste great either way! Arborio rice is key to making creamy risotto. This short-grain rice has a high starch content. When you cook it slowly and stir, it releases its starch. This gives the risotto its creamy texture. Other rice types won't create the same rich and smooth result. Always use Arborio for the best risotto experience! Start by heating one tablespoon of olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. When the oil shimmers, add one finely chopped onion. Stir it often for about 3-4 minutes. You want the onion to soften and turn translucent. Next, add two minced garlic cloves. Stir this for one minute until it smells great. The onion and garlic form the tasty base of your risotto. Now, it’s time to add one cup of Arborio rice to the pot. Stir it well so each grain gets coated in the onion and garlic mix. Sauté the rice for about two minutes. This step is key because toasting the rice brings out its rich flavor. You will notice a slight change in color when it is ready. Pour in one cup of diced tomatoes, along with their juices. Sprinkle in one teaspoon of dried oregano and mix everything well. This adds a nice, savory touch to your risotto. Gradually add four cups of vegetable broth, one cup at a time. Stir often and wait for the rice to absorb the broth before adding more. This process takes about 18-20 minutes. Your risotto will become creamy and tender. When it reaches the right texture, stir in one cup of freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Don’t forget to add salt and pepper to taste. Enjoy your delightful, comforting dish! To make your risotto creamy, use Arborio rice. This rice has a high starch content. As you cook the rice, stir it often. The stirring helps release the starch. The starch creates a smooth, creamy texture. Add broth slowly, one cup at a time. Let the rice absorb the broth before adding more. This technique is key for great risotto. Taste your risotto as you cook. Add salt and black pepper to enhance the flavor. Freshly ground black pepper makes a big difference. If you use canned tomatoes, check the salt content. Adjust your seasoning based on that. You can also add fresh herbs like basil for extra flavor. One mistake is adding all the broth at once. This can lead to mushy rice. Another mistake is not stirring enough. Stirring helps the rice cook evenly. Keep an eye on the heat. Too high can burn the rice. Too low can make it cook too slowly. Lastly, don’t rush. Good risotto takes time and care. Enjoy the process! {{image_4}} You can easily add veggies to your risotto. Spinach works great and adds color. Just stir it in near the end of cooking. Fresh peas are another tasty option. They bring a sweet crunch. You can also try zucchini or bell peppers. Cut them into small pieces. Add them after the onion and garlic are soft. This way, they cook well but still stay bright. If you want more protein, chicken or shrimp is perfect. For chicken, use bite-sized pieces. Add them after the onion and garlic. Cook until they are no longer pink. For shrimp, toss them in during the last few minutes. They cook fast and add a nice touch. Both options make the dish heartier and more filling. To make this risotto vegan, skip the cheese. Use nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor. It gives a nice taste without dairy. Swap the vegetable broth for water if needed. You can also add tofu or chickpeas for protein. These changes keep the dish rich and tasty while being plant-based. Enjoy this comforting meal without the animal products! After enjoying your One-Pot Tomato Parmesan Risotto, let the leftovers cool. Once cool, place them in an airtight container. This helps keep the risotto fresh. Store it in the fridge for up to three days. Make sure to label the container with the date. This way, you will know when to enjoy it again. When reheating, add a splash of vegetable broth or water. This keeps the risotto creamy and moist. You can use a microwave or heat it on the stove. If using the stove, heat it over low heat. Stir it often to prevent sticking. Taste and adjust the seasoning before serving, if needed. You can freeze risotto, but there are some do's and don'ts. Do freeze it in small portions. This makes it easy to thaw only what you need. Use freezer-safe containers or bags. Don’t freeze risotto with added cheese. It can change the texture when thawed. When you are ready to eat, thaw it in the fridge overnight. Then, reheat it on the stove with a bit of liquid to restore its creaminess. The best rice for risotto is Arborio rice. This rice has a high starch content. The starch makes the risotto creamy. Arborio rice also absorbs flavors well. Other types like Carnaroli or Vialone Nano work too. They all help create that perfect creamy texture. No, you cannot make risotto without stirring. Stirring helps release the starch from the rice. This step is key for creaminess. If you don’t stir, the rice can stick to the pot. It may also cook unevenly. So, keep stirring for the best results! You know risotto is done when it is creamy and tender. The rice should be al dente, which means it has a slight bite. Taste a few grains to check. If they are too hard, add more broth and cook longer. Once it’s creamy and tender, it’s ready to eat! This blog post covered all you need for making risotto. We looked at key ingredients and how fresh tomatoes and Arborio rice make a difference. You learned the steps to create a creamy dish, plus tips to avoid common mistakes. We explored tasty variations and how to store your leftovers. Remember, risotto is fun to make and easy to change. With practice, you will impress your friends and family with your skills. Enjoy every bite!

Ingredients

Complete list of ingredients

To make this one-pot tomato Parmesan risotto, you need:

– 1 cup Arborio rice

– 4 cups vegetable broth

– 1 cup diced ripe tomatoes (fresh or canned)

– 1 medium onion, finely chopped

– 2 cloves garlic, minced

– 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

– 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

– 1 teaspoon dried oregano

– Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

– Fresh basil leaves, for garnish

Fresh vs. canned tomatoes

You can use fresh or canned tomatoes for this dish. Fresh tomatoes add brightness and flavor. They work well in summer when they are at their best. Canned tomatoes are great when fresh ones aren’t in season. They are easy to use and often packed with flavor. Choose what you have on hand, and your risotto will taste great either way!

Importance of Arborio rice

Arborio rice is key to making creamy risotto. This short-grain rice has a high starch content. When you cook it slowly and stir, it releases its starch. This gives the risotto its creamy texture. Other rice types won’t create the same rich and smooth result. Always use Arborio for the best risotto experience!

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preparing the base (onion and garlic)

Start by heating one tablespoon of olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. When the oil shimmers, add one finely chopped onion. Stir it often for about 3-4 minutes. You want the onion to soften and turn translucent. Next, add two minced garlic cloves. Stir this for one minute until it smells great. The onion and garlic form the tasty base of your risotto.

Toasting the rice

Now, it’s time to add one cup of Arborio rice to the pot. Stir it well so each grain gets coated in the onion and garlic mix. Sauté the rice for about two minutes. This step is key because toasting the rice brings out its rich flavor. You will notice a slight change in color when it is ready.

Incorporating tomatoes and broth

Pour in one cup of diced tomatoes, along with their juices. Sprinkle in one teaspoon of dried oregano and mix everything well. This adds a nice, savory touch to your risotto. Gradually add four cups of vegetable broth, one cup at a time. Stir often and wait for the rice to absorb the broth before adding more. This process takes about 18-20 minutes. Your risotto will become creamy and tender. When it reaches the right texture, stir in one cup of freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Don’t forget to add salt and pepper to taste. Enjoy your delightful, comforting dish!

Tips & Tricks

Achieving perfect creaminess

To make your risotto creamy, use Arborio rice. This rice has a high starch content. As you cook the rice, stir it often. The stirring helps release the starch. The starch creates a smooth, creamy texture. Add broth slowly, one cup at a time. Let the rice absorb the broth before adding more. This technique is key for great risotto.

Adjusting seasoning

Taste your risotto as you cook. Add salt and black pepper to enhance the flavor. Freshly ground black pepper makes a big difference. If you use canned tomatoes, check the salt content. Adjust your seasoning based on that. You can also add fresh herbs like basil for extra flavor.

Avoiding common risotto mistakes

One mistake is adding all the broth at once. This can lead to mushy rice. Another mistake is not stirring enough. Stirring helps the rice cook evenly. Keep an eye on the heat. Too high can burn the rice. Too low can make it cook too slowly. Lastly, don’t rush. Good risotto takes time and care. Enjoy the process!

Variations

Adding vegetables (like spinach or peas)

You can easily add veggies to your risotto. Spinach works great and adds color. Just stir it in near the end of cooking. Fresh peas are another tasty option. They bring a sweet crunch. You can also try zucchini or bell peppers. Cut them into small pieces. Add them after the onion and garlic are soft. This way, they cook well but still stay bright.

Meat or protein additions (chicken or shrimp)

If you want more protein, chicken or shrimp is perfect. For chicken, use bite-sized pieces. Add them after the onion and garlic. Cook until they are no longer pink. For shrimp, toss them in during the last few minutes. They cook fast and add a nice touch. Both options make the dish heartier and more filling.

Making it vegan-friendly

To make this risotto vegan, skip the cheese. Use nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor. It gives a nice taste without dairy. Swap the vegetable broth for water if needed. You can also add tofu or chickpeas for protein. These changes keep the dish rich and tasty while being plant-based. Enjoy this comforting meal without the animal products!

Storage Info

Storing leftovers

After enjoying your One-Pot Tomato Parmesan Risotto, let the leftovers cool. Once cool, place them in an airtight container. This helps keep the risotto fresh. Store it in the fridge for up to three days. Make sure to label the container with the date. This way, you will know when to enjoy it again.

Reheating tips

When reheating, add a splash of vegetable broth or water. This keeps the risotto creamy and moist. You can use a microwave or heat it on the stove. If using the stove, heat it over low heat. Stir it often to prevent sticking. Taste and adjust the seasoning before serving, if needed.

Freezing risotto: do’s and don’ts

You can freeze risotto, but there are some do’s and don’ts. Do freeze it in small portions. This makes it easy to thaw only what you need. Use freezer-safe containers or bags. Don’t freeze risotto with added cheese. It can change the texture when thawed. When you are ready to eat, thaw it in the fridge overnight. Then, reheat it on the stove with a bit of liquid to restore its creaminess.

FAQs

What is the best type of rice for risotto?

The best rice for risotto is Arborio rice. This rice has a high starch content. The starch makes the risotto creamy. Arborio rice also absorbs flavors well. Other types like Carnaroli or Vialone Nano work too. They all help create that perfect creamy texture.

Can I make risotto without stirring?

No, you cannot make risotto without stirring. Stirring helps release the starch from the rice. This step is key for creaminess. If you don’t stir, the rice can stick to the pot. It may also cook unevenly. So, keep stirring for the best results!

How do I know when risotto is done?

You know risotto is done when it is creamy and tender. The rice should be al dente, which means it has a slight bite. Taste a few grains to check. If they are too hard, add more broth and cook longer. Once it’s creamy and tender, it’s ready to eat!

This blog post covered all you need for making risotto. We looked at key ingredients and how fresh tomatoes and Arborio rice make a difference. You learned the steps to create a creamy dish, plus tips to avoid common mistakes. We explored tasty variations and how to store your leftovers.

Remember, risotto is fun to make and easy to change. With practice, you will impress your friends and family with your skills. Enjoy every bite!

To make this one-pot tomato Parmesan risotto, you need: - 1 cup Arborio rice - 4 cups vegetable broth - 1 cup diced ripe tomatoes (fresh or canned) - 1 medium onion, finely chopped - 2 cloves garlic, minced - 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese - 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil - 1 teaspoon dried oregano - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste - Fresh basil leaves, for garnish You can use fresh or canned tomatoes for this dish. Fresh tomatoes add brightness and flavor. They work well in summer when they are at their best. Canned tomatoes are great when fresh ones aren't in season. They are easy to use and often packed with flavor. Choose what you have on hand, and your risotto will taste great either way! Arborio rice is key to making creamy risotto. This short-grain rice has a high starch content. When you cook it slowly and stir, it releases its starch. This gives the risotto its creamy texture. Other rice types won't create the same rich and smooth result. Always use Arborio for the best risotto experience! Start by heating one tablespoon of olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. When the oil shimmers, add one finely chopped onion. Stir it often for about 3-4 minutes. You want the onion to soften and turn translucent. Next, add two minced garlic cloves. Stir this for one minute until it smells great. The onion and garlic form the tasty base of your risotto. Now, it’s time to add one cup of Arborio rice to the pot. Stir it well so each grain gets coated in the onion and garlic mix. Sauté the rice for about two minutes. This step is key because toasting the rice brings out its rich flavor. You will notice a slight change in color when it is ready. Pour in one cup of diced tomatoes, along with their juices. Sprinkle in one teaspoon of dried oregano and mix everything well. This adds a nice, savory touch to your risotto. Gradually add four cups of vegetable broth, one cup at a time. Stir often and wait for the rice to absorb the broth before adding more. This process takes about 18-20 minutes. Your risotto will become creamy and tender. When it reaches the right texture, stir in one cup of freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Don’t forget to add salt and pepper to taste. Enjoy your delightful, comforting dish! To make your risotto creamy, use Arborio rice. This rice has a high starch content. As you cook the rice, stir it often. The stirring helps release the starch. The starch creates a smooth, creamy texture. Add broth slowly, one cup at a time. Let the rice absorb the broth before adding more. This technique is key for great risotto. Taste your risotto as you cook. Add salt and black pepper to enhance the flavor. Freshly ground black pepper makes a big difference. If you use canned tomatoes, check the salt content. Adjust your seasoning based on that. You can also add fresh herbs like basil for extra flavor. One mistake is adding all the broth at once. This can lead to mushy rice. Another mistake is not stirring enough. Stirring helps the rice cook evenly. Keep an eye on the heat. Too high can burn the rice. Too low can make it cook too slowly. Lastly, don’t rush. Good risotto takes time and care. Enjoy the process! {{image_4}} You can easily add veggies to your risotto. Spinach works great and adds color. Just stir it in near the end of cooking. Fresh peas are another tasty option. They bring a sweet crunch. You can also try zucchini or bell peppers. Cut them into small pieces. Add them after the onion and garlic are soft. This way, they cook well but still stay bright. If you want more protein, chicken or shrimp is perfect. For chicken, use bite-sized pieces. Add them after the onion and garlic. Cook until they are no longer pink. For shrimp, toss them in during the last few minutes. They cook fast and add a nice touch. Both options make the dish heartier and more filling. To make this risotto vegan, skip the cheese. Use nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor. It gives a nice taste without dairy. Swap the vegetable broth for water if needed. You can also add tofu or chickpeas for protein. These changes keep the dish rich and tasty while being plant-based. Enjoy this comforting meal without the animal products! After enjoying your One-Pot Tomato Parmesan Risotto, let the leftovers cool. Once cool, place them in an airtight container. This helps keep the risotto fresh. Store it in the fridge for up to three days. Make sure to label the container with the date. This way, you will know when to enjoy it again. When reheating, add a splash of vegetable broth or water. This keeps the risotto creamy and moist. You can use a microwave or heat it on the stove. If using the stove, heat it over low heat. Stir it often to prevent sticking. Taste and adjust the seasoning before serving, if needed. You can freeze risotto, but there are some do's and don'ts. Do freeze it in small portions. This makes it easy to thaw only what you need. Use freezer-safe containers or bags. Don’t freeze risotto with added cheese. It can change the texture when thawed. When you are ready to eat, thaw it in the fridge overnight. Then, reheat it on the stove with a bit of liquid to restore its creaminess. The best rice for risotto is Arborio rice. This rice has a high starch content. The starch makes the risotto creamy. Arborio rice also absorbs flavors well. Other types like Carnaroli or Vialone Nano work too. They all help create that perfect creamy texture. No, you cannot make risotto without stirring. Stirring helps release the starch from the rice. This step is key for creaminess. If you don’t stir, the rice can stick to the pot. It may also cook unevenly. So, keep stirring for the best results! You know risotto is done when it is creamy and tender. The rice should be al dente, which means it has a slight bite. Taste a few grains to check. If they are too hard, add more broth and cook longer. Once it’s creamy and tender, it’s ready to eat! This blog post covered all you need for making risotto. We looked at key ingredients and how fresh tomatoes and Arborio rice make a difference. You learned the steps to create a creamy dish, plus tips to avoid common mistakes. We explored tasty variations and how to store your leftovers. Remember, risotto is fun to make and easy to change. With practice, you will impress your friends and family with your skills. Enjoy every bite!

One-Pot Tomato Parmesan Risotto

Indulge in a delicious One-Pot Tomato Parmesan Risotto that’s both creamy and comforting! This simple recipe combines Arborio rice, fresh tomatoes, and grated Parmesan cheese, all cooked to perfection in a single pot. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s a hassle-free meal for any occasion. Click through to explore this flavorful recipe and impress your family with an easy gourmet dish tonight!
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Ingredients
  

1 cup Arborio rice

4 cups vegetable broth

1 cup diced ripe tomatoes (fresh or canned)

1 medium onion, finely chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

1 teaspoon dried oregano

Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Fresh basil leaves, for garnish

Instructions
 

In a large pot or Dutch oven, add the olive oil and heat it over medium heat. Once shimmering, add the finely chopped onion. Sauté for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion becomes soft and translucent.

    Incorporate the minced garlic into the pot and sauté for an additional minute, stirring constantly to prevent burning, until fragrant.

      Add the Arborio rice to the pot, stirring well to coat the grains in the onion and garlic mixture. Sauté for about 2 minutes, allowing the rice to lightly toast, which enhances its flavor.

        Pour in the diced tomatoes along with their juices, and sprinkle in the dried oregano. Mix thoroughly to ensure that all ingredients are evenly distributed.

          Gradually add the vegetable broth, one cup at a time, stirring frequently. Allow each cup of broth to be absorbed by the rice before adding the next. This process will take approximately 18-20 minutes, during which the rice will become creamy and tender.

            When the risotto reaches a creamy consistency and the rice is al dente, stir in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Season the dish with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste, adjusting as needed.

              Remove the pot from heat and let the risotto sit for a couple of minutes to thicken slightly before serving.

                Prep Time: 10 minutes | Total Time: 30 minutes | Servings: 4

                  - Presentation Tips: To serve, ladle the risotto into shallow bowls. Garnish with fresh basil leaves and an additional sprinkle of Parmesan cheese for an inviting touch. A gentle drizzle of high-quality olive oil atop the risotto will provide a beautiful finishing accent. Enjoy!