Creamy Dreamy Prawn Risotto Recipe: A Cozy Italian Classic

Crafting a delectable prawn risotto brings pure culinary magic to your kitchen.

Creamy arborio rice transforms into a luxurious canvas for succulent seafood.

Mediterranean coastal traditions inspire this elegant dish that whispers comfort and sophistication.

Professional chefs and home cooks alike celebrate its simple yet remarkable flavors.

Tender prawns dance amid perfectly cooked grains, creating a symphony of texture and taste.

Rich parmesan and delicate herbs provide depth and complexity to every sumptuous bite.

Fresh ingredients make all the difference in this classic Italian masterpiece.

You’ll want to savor each spoonful and share this incredible recipe with everyone.

Why Prawn Risotto Feels Like a Fancy Treat

• Create Gourmet Magic at Home: Transform your kitchen into a professional restaurant with this restaurant-quality prawn risotto that sounds complicated but comes together surprisingly smoothly.
• Master Impressive Cooking Skills: Learn the elegant technique of slowly building risotto layers, which teaches you professional cooking methods while creating a luxurious meal that looks like you trained in culinary school.
• Perfect for Seafood Lovers: Combines succulent prawns with creamy rice, delivering a sophisticated dish that satisfies seafood cravings with rich, complex flavors that feel indulgent yet balanced.
• Quick Weeknight Dinner Solution: Delivers a fancy-looking meal in under an hour, making it ideal for impressing family or unexpected guests without spending hours in the kitchen.

Ingredients for Creamy, Flavorful Prawn Risotto

• Prawns: Succulent seafood that brings a delicate and sweet flavor to the risotto.
• Arborio Rice: A creamy, short-grain Italian rice perfect for creating a rich and smooth risotto texture.
• Chicken Stock: A flavorful liquid that helps cook the rice and adds depth to the dish.

• Onion, Garlic: Foundational ingredients that provide a robust and aromatic base for the risotto.
• Parmesan Cheese: A sharp and salty cheese that adds a luxurious creaminess to the dish.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the overall flavor profile.

• White Wine: Adds a subtle acidity and complexity to the risotto's flavor.
• Olive Oil, Butter: Cooking fats that contribute richness and help develop flavors.
• Lemon Zest, Parsley: Fresh ingredients that bring brightness and herbal notes to the dish.
• Heavy Cream: Optional ingredient that can make the risotto even more creamy and indulgent.

How to Cook Prawn Risotto Without Stress

Step 1: Sauté Aromatic Base

Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add onions and cook until they become soft and translucent.

Toss in garlic and continue cooking until its fragrance fills the kitchen.

Step 2: Toast Creamy Rice

Add arborio rice to the pan, stirring to coat each grain with oil.

Cook for a short moment until the rice looks slightly translucent and starts to smell nutty.

Step 3: Deglaze with Wine

Pour white wine into the pan, letting it simmer while continuously stirring.

Allow the liquid to be mostly absorbed by the rice, creating a rich flavor foundation.

Step 4: Build Risotto Slowly

Warm chicken stock and gradually add to the rice, one ladle at a time.

Stir frequently and wait for each addition to be absorbed before adding more. This process takes about 18-20 minutes and ensures a creamy, perfectly cooked texture.

Step 5: Prepare Succulent Prawns

In a separate pan, melt butter over medium-high heat. Add prawns and cook until they turn beautiful pink, about 2-3 minutes per side.

Season with salt and pepper for enhanced flavor.

Step 6: Finish Risotto Luxuriously

• Parmesan cheese
• Lemon zest
• Heavy cream

Season with salt and pepper to balance the flavors.

Step 7: Combine and Serve

Gently fold cooked prawns and chopped parsley into the risotto. Plate immediately and garnish with extra lemon zest and fresh parsley for a bright, elegant presentation.

Top Tips for Perfectly Creamy Prawn Risotto

• Toast arborio rice before adding liquid to enhance its nutty flavor and prevent mushiness.
• Use warm stock when adding to risotto, as cold liquid disrupts the cooking process and leads to uneven texture.
• Select fresh, high-quality prawns for the best taste and ensure they are not overcooked to maintain tender, juicy texture.
• Add Parmesan cheese at the end of cooking to prevent separation and maintain smooth, creamy consistency.
• Stir risotto constantly but gently to release rice starches, creating a luxurious, creamy dish without becoming gluey.

Delicious Ways to Switch Up Prawn Risotto

• Mediterranean Seafood Risotto: Replace prawns with a mix of calamari, mussels, and clams, adding saffron and diced tomatoes for a rich, coastal flavor profile.
• Spicy Asian Prawn Risotto: Incorporate ginger, red chili flakes, and coconut milk, garnishing with chopped cilantro and a drizzle of sriracha sauce for heat.
• Truffle Prawn Risotto: Enhance the risotto with white truffle oil, wild mushrooms, and aged Pecorino Romano cheese for an elegant, earthy variation.
• Green Herb Prawn Risotto: Blend fresh basil, spinach, and dill into the risotto, creating a vibrant green color and herbaceous undertone with lemon-marinated prawns.

Pairing Suggestions for Prawn Risotto Dinners

• Complement Crisp White Wine: Choose a zesty Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio that matches the prawn's delicate flavor and cuts through the creamy risotto's richness.
• Enhance with Lemony Side Salad: Create a light arugula salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette to complement the risotto's citrus notes and provide a fresh, peppery contrast.
• Pair with Crusty Garlic Bread: Serve warm, buttery garlic bread to soak up the creamy risotto sauce and add a delightful textural crunch to the meal.
• Balance with Chilled Seafood Starter: Prepare a light ceviche or shrimp cocktail appetizer to set the stage for the prawn risotto, building anticipation with similar seafood flavors.

How to Store Prawn Risotto Without Losing Creaminess

• Refrigerate: Store leftover prawn risotto in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Cover the surface with plastic wrap to prevent drying out.
• Reheat on Stovetop: Warm gently in a pan over low heat, adding a splash of chicken stock or water to restore creamy texture. Stir frequently to prevent sticking and break up clumps.
• Microwave Method: Place risotto in a microwave-safe dish, sprinkle a little stock or water on top, cover loosely, and heat in 30-second intervals. Stir between intervals to distribute heat evenly.
• Freezing: Not recommended due to rice and prawns losing texture and becoming mushy when thawed. Fresh preparation is always best for this delicate dish.

Questions About Prawn Risotto, Answered

• What type of rice is best for this risotto?

Arborio rice is ideal because it has high starch content that creates the creamy texture essential for authentic risotto, releasing its starches slowly during constant stirring.

• Can I use frozen prawns instead of fresh?

Yes, frozen prawns work perfectly. Just ensure they are completely thawed and patted dry before cooking to prevent excess water and achieve proper searing.

• How do I know when the risotto is perfectly cooked?

The rice should be tender but still have a slight firmness (al dente) in the center, with a creamy consistency that flows slowly when spooned onto a plate, not too thick or runny.

• Is white wine necessary for this recipe?

White wine adds depth and complexity to the flavor, but if unavailable, you can substitute with additional chicken stock or use a splash of dry vermouth for similar results.

Prawn Risotto Recipe

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4.6 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 35-40 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Culinary magic happens when Italian prawn risotto dances with creamy Arborio rice and succulent seafood. Rich coastal flavors merge seamlessly, promising you a Mediterranean escape on a single plate.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Seafood Base:

• 1 lb (500g) prawns, peeled and deveined

Grains and Rice:

• 1 1/4 cups (250g) arborio rice

Primary Flavor Ingredients:

• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 cup (125 milliliters) dry white wine
• 4 cups (1 liter) chicken stock, warmed
• 1/4 cup (60 grams) Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Zest of 1 lemon
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1/4 cup heavy cream (optional)

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Instructions

1. Warm olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium heat, gently sautéing onions until translucent and softened, approximately 3-4 minutes. Introduce minced garlic and allow aromatics to develop for an additional minute.
2. Incorporate arborio rice, carefully coating each grain with oil, toasting for 1-2 minutes until edges become slightly transparent and emit a nutty fragrance.
3. Deglaze the pan with white wine, stirring constantly until liquid reduces and rice absorbs the delicate wine essence.
4. Progressively introduce warm chicken stock, one ladle at a time, stirring methodically and allowing rice to absorb liquid before adding subsequent portions. Maintain this rhythm for 18-20 minutes, monitoring rice’s texture to achieve a creamy consistency with a gentle resistance when bitten.
5. Simultaneously, prepare prawns in a separate skillet, melting butter over medium-high heat. Sear prawns for 2-3 minutes per side, seasoning with salt and pepper until they transform into a vibrant pink hue and reach perfect doneness.
6. Finalize risotto by folding in Parmesan cheese, bright lemon zest, and optional heavy cream. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to enhance flavors.
7. Gently integrate cooked prawns and freshly chopped parsley into the risotto. Plate immediately, garnishing with additional lemon zest and parsley sprigs for a sophisticated presentation.

Notes

• Choose high-quality arborio rice for creamy, authentic risotto texture that absorbs liquid perfectly.
• Always warm the chicken stock before adding to rice to maintain consistent cooking temperature and prevent rice from becoming tough.
• Stir risotto constantly but gently to release rice starches, creating that signature smooth and luxurious consistency without breaking grains.
• For gluten-free version, replace regular chicken stock with gluten-free alternative and ensure Parmesan cheese is certified gluten-free.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 2g
• Sodium: 800mg
• Fat: 18g
• Saturated Fat: 7g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 50g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 25g
• Cholesterol: 150mg