Baked Risotto With Lemon, Peas & Parmesan
This Baked Risotto With Lemon, Peas & Parmesan offers a creamy, comforting dish enhanced with bright citrus notes and tender peas. Baked in the oven for effortless hands-off cooking, it achieves the perfect risotto creaminess without constant stirring. Ideal for a cozy dinner or impressing guests, this vegetarian recipe combines pantry staples with fresh flavors for a satisfying and elegant meal.
- Author: Lina
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian, Gluten Free
Grains & Liquids
- 1 ½ cups Arborio rice
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- ½ cup white wine (optional; can be replaced with broth)
Produce
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- Zest of 1 fresh lemon
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1 cup frozen peas
Dairy & Fats
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Seasonings
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Prepare the Aromatics: Heat butter and olive oil together in a large oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and minced garlic, sautéing gently until softened and fragrant to create a rich flavor base.
- Toast the Rice: Stir in the Arborio rice, coating each grain thoroughly with the buttery mixture. Toast for about 2 minutes until the rice edges look slightly translucent to help unlock the creamy texture.
- Deglaze and Add Liquids: Pour in the white wine (if using) and stir constantly until it reduces slightly. Then add the vegetable broth, lemon zest, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir well to combine, then cover the skillet with a lid or foil.
- Bake the Risotto: Place the covered pan in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) and bake for about 30 minutes, until the rice is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed. Halfway through baking, gently stir to ensure even cooking.
- Add Peas and Cheese: Remove the pan from the oven and fold in the frozen peas, lemon juice, and grated Parmesan cheese. The residual heat will warm the peas and melt the cheese, creating a luscious creamy texture.
- Final Seasoning and Serve: Taste the risotto and adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or lemon juice if desired. Serve hot with extra Parmesan cheese sprinkled on top for a perfect finishing touch.
Notes
- Use high-quality vegetable broth for enhanced flavor.
- Toasting the rice before baking is essential for creamy risotto.
- Keep the dish covered while baking to trap steam and cook the rice evenly.
- Freeze extra Parmesan cheese for future use; it freezes well.
- Stir gently after baking to maintain creamy texture without breaking rice grains.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 9 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
Keywords: baked risotto, lemon risotto, peas risotto, parmesan risotto, creamy risotto, vegetarian risotto, easy risotto, oven risotto