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    Home » Recipes » Sides & Appetizers

    Simple Goat Cheese Risotto

    Published: Nov 11, 2022 by Emily · This post may contain affiliate links.

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    This creamy Goat Cheese Risotto is so delicious, tangy, and easy! It's a perfect weeknight dinner or side dish, and it comes together so easily!

    risotto in a bowl.

    One of the first "real dishes," (aka not ramen or butter noodles) that I learned how to cook was a classic risotto! I was so interested in how it became so creamy and luscious without much or any cream.

    I found risotto to be such a simple and affordable dish, I make it all the time now! The hardest part is that you have to keep stirring, but otherwise it is so easy! I love to make any kind of risotto, especially a mushroom risotto, but this goat cheese risotto was soooo fun and flavorful.

    Table of Contents:
    • 🍚 Recipe Origins
    • 🎥 Watch the video of this recipe
    • 🍲 Why you'll love this Goat Cheese Risotto
    • 🥘 What you need for this recipe
    • 📋 How to make Goat Cheese Risotto
    • 💭 Expert Tips & Tricks
    • Recipe FAQs
    • Related Recipes
    • 📖 Recipe

    🍚 Recipe Origins

    There are, apparently, many conflicting takes on the origins of risotto, but it naturally starts with the introduction of rice to Italy. Rice was brought to places like Italy and Spain by the Arabs in the Middle Ages.

    In Milan, which was originally part of Spain, rice was very popular as was "slow-cooking." Combining slow-cooked rice with spices like saffron eventually resulted in a dish similar to modern-day risotto.

    Risotto is known as an Italian dish and is popular all over Italy and at Italian restaurants in other countries, but it is more popular in northern Italy.

    🎥 Watch the video of this recipe

    🍲 Why you'll love this Goat Cheese Risotto

    • It's only a few ingredients! Just risotto rice, broth, butter, and goat cheese!
    • Make it all in one pot. Aside from the pot for heating the broth, the whole dish comes together in one!
    • It's a great base or side. Add some protein to this or serve is aside a salad or main course!

    🥘 What you need for this recipe

    Ingredients and Substitutions

    ingredients with labels.
    • Arborio Rice - Arborio rice, often coined "risotto rice" is what you need for this recipe. I do not recommend substituting this.
    • Broth - I used vegetable broth, but chicken broth is fine too. Try to use a light-colored broth, since this dish comes out very white.
    • White Wine - A cheap, dry white wine is good for this. Cooking wine is also fine to use!
    • Goat Cheese - I used a marinated goat cheese, which is slightly firmer and has a touch more flavor, but any plain or herbed goat cheese is fine here!
    • Onion - White or yellow onion, a shallot can work too.
    • Olive Oil - Good quality is best, I don't recommend substituting this.
    • Butter - Optional, I like to sweat the onion in a bit of butter with the oil. Additionally, tossing some in at the end can aid in texture.

    Tools and Equipment

    • Small pot - For heating the broth.
    • Large pan or pot - For cooking the risotto. Nonstick is best.
    • Knife
    • Wooden spoon or rubber spatula

    📋 How to make Goat Cheese Risotto

    Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients

    Begin by measuring out the necessary amounts of rice and broth and other ingredients.

    Finely dice ½ an onion.

    In a small pot, begin to bring broth to a gentle simmer.

    Step 2: Make the Risotto

    In a large nonstick pan or pot, heat olive oil and butter to medium.

    Add the diced onion and sweat until translucent.

    Next, add the dry arborio rice (do not rinse it) and stir to combine.

    onion in a pan.
    rice and onion in a pan.

    Toast the rice with the onions for about 1 minute, then de-glaze the pan by adding the wine and using your wooden spoon to gently scrape the bottom of the pan.

    Continue stirring and cooking until the wine is almost entirely evaporated.

    Use a ladle or measuring cup to add about ¼ - ⅓ cup of hot broth into the risotto, then continue to stir on medium-low heat until almost entirely absorbed.

    rice cooking in pan.
    pot of broth next to pan.

    Continue this process until you have used all of the broth and/or until the rice is cooked all the way through.

    Step 3: Finishing Touches

    Once the risotto is cooked all the way through, season with salt and pepper.

    Add the goat cheese while the pan is still warm and stir to combine.

    Goat cheese added to risotto in pan.
    melted cheese in risotto in pan.

    The cheese may thicken the risotto, so you may want to add a bit more broth to loosen it up.

    Serve hot and garnish with more pepper and/or fresh herbs.

    risotto in a bowl.

    💭 Expert Tips & Tricks

    • I used a marinated goat cheese, which is slightly firmer and has a touch more flavor, but any plain or herbed goat cheese is fine here!
    • I suggest using a light colored broth, either a light vegetable (or dilute if too dark) or chicken broth.
    • Be sure to continue stirring during the entire cooking process as it releases the starches in the rice and makes the end texture creamier.

    Recipe FAQs

    What cheese is traditionally used in risotto?

    Traditionally, parmesan cheese is added to risotto for extra creaminess and flavor. This recipe subs the parmesan for goat cheese for a tangy flavor and extra creamy!

    What is the secret to a great risotto?

    While it shouldn't be considered a 'secret,' the best way to get great risotto is to use the correct ingredients and take your time! Risotto takes at least 30 minutes of continuous stirring.

    Do you rinse Arborio rice before cooking?

    Unlike many other rice-based recipes, you should NOT rinse arborio rice for risotto. The starches in the rice help to create the silky texture.

    Related Recipes

    • The Best Creamy Chickpea Pasta Salad
    • Blood Orange Gin Cocktail
    • Healthy Fish Tacos (With Cod)
    • Scallop Crudo with Mango Sauce

    Love a recipe you've tried? Please leave a 5-star🌟 rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page. Don't forget to tag me on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook when you try one of my recipes!

    📖 Recipe

    risotto in a bowl.

    Simple Goat Cheese Risotto

    This creamy Goat Cheese Risotto is so delicious, tangy, and easy! It's a perfect weeknight dinner or side dish, and it comes together so easily!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course, Rice, Side Dish
    Cuisine: Italian
    Diet: Gluten Free, Vegetarian
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 35 minutes
    Total Time: 45 minutes
    Servings: 2 people
    Calories: 585kcal
    Author: Emily

    Equipment

    • Small pot
    • Large pan or pot
    • Knife
    • Wooden Spoon or Rubber Spatula

    Ingredients

    • ½ cup Arborio Rice
    • 1 tablespoon Butter
    • ½ tablespoon Olive oil
    • 1½ cup Broth
    • ½ cup Wine
    • ½ Onion minced
    • 6 oz Goat cheese anywhere from 4-8 oz is fine, up to you.

    Instructions

    • Begin by measuring out the necessary amounts of rice and broth and other ingredients.
    • Finely dice ½ an onion.
    • In a small pot, begin to bring broth to a gentle simmer.
    • In a large nonstick pan or pot, heat olive oil and butter to medium.
    • Add the diced onion and sweat until translucent.
    • Next, add the dry arborio rice (do not rinse it) and stir to combine.
    • Toast the rice with the onions for about 1 minute, then de-glaze the pan by adding the wine and using your wooden spoon to gently scrape the bottom of the pan.
    • Continue stirring and cooking until the wine is almost entirely evaporated.
    • Use a ladle or measuring cup to add about ¼ - ⅓ cup of hot broth into the risotto, then continue to stir on medium-low heat until almost entirely absorbed.
    • Continue this process until you have used all of the broth and/or until the rice is cooked all the way through.
    • Once the risotto is cooked all the way through, season with salt and pepper.
    • Add the goat cheese while the pan is still warm and stir to combine.
    • The cheese may thicken the risotto, so you may want to add a bit more broth to loosen it up.
    • Serve hot and garnish with more pepper and/or fresh herbs.

    Video

    Notes

    • I used a marinated goat cheese, which is slightly firmer and has a touch more flavor, but any plain or herbed goat cheese is fine here!
    • I suggest using a light colored broth, either a light vegetable (or dilute if too dark) or chicken broth.
    • Be sure to continue stirring during the entire cooking process as it releases the starches in the rice and makes the end texture creamier.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 585kcal | Carbohydrates: 46g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 31g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 54mg | Sodium: 1068mg | Potassium: 161mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 1429IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 133mg | Iron: 4mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @LegallyHealthyBlonde or tag #LegallyHealthyBlonde!

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    Hi, I'm Emily! I am the classically trained chef-recipe creator behind Legally Healthy Blonde. I love fancy pasta, a good martini, and cooking impressive meals for myself and friends! I created LHB to share my passion of cooking and entertaining with everyone! If you love feel-good food that looks & tastes impressive, you're in the right spot!

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