This Shrimp Risotto recipe is an immensely comforting, impressive, restaurant quality dish baked in the oven for foolproof, easy risotto every time!
This Shrimp Risotto recipe is unbelievably creamy, garlicky, warm, and comforting, loaded with succulent, pan-seared shrimp, caramelized shallots, sun-dried tomatoes and fresh herbs. Itโs restaurant quality for special occasions (hello Valentineโs Day) but easy enough for every day thanks to the 100% foolproof oven method that will blow your mind! This recipe is also extremely versatile โ add any veggies you like, more or less butter, cream, cheese etc. This Shrimp Risotto also reheats beautifully (unlike traditional rice), so itโs the meal that keeps on giving! Serve it up with pear salad or Caesar salad and garlic bread for a crave-worthy feast.
I am pretty obsessed with luxurious risotto, especially because it can be baked in the oven! If you also love its velvety creaminess, don’t miss Baked Butternut Squash Risotto, Greek Chicken Risotto, Parmesan Risotto, Mushroom Risotto or Pumpkin Risotto.
How to Make Shrimp Risotto Video
WHY YOUโLL LOVE this shrimp risotto recipe
If youโve been living a risotto-less life โ stop the insanity!ย This Shrimp Risotto is unbelievably creamy, velvety, savory and salty, replete with butter, Parmesan, sun-dried tomatoes and basil โ just try and stop at one spoonful!ย
The oven baked risotto method will blow your mind! The risotto begins on the stovetop but is finished in the oven for risotto that doesnโt require constant stirring, adding ladlefuls of broth, or babysitting.
Oven risotto is extremely forgiving โ even more forgiving than traditional rice AND tastes just as good as stovetop risotto, in my opinion.ย
It’s special occasion worthy.ย Impress everyone with this lazy yet lavish recipe worthy of Valentineโs Day, Motherโs Day, Fatherโs Day, birthdays, entertaining, etc., that is far less expensive than dining out.
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It cooks in one pan โ which means cleanup is a breeze!ย ย This also means you reap the rewards of building layers of complex flavor in one skillet from the seared shrimp to the toasted rice, sautรฉed aromatic shallots, garlic, and sun-dried tomatoes.
This recipe is incredibly flexible.ย ย Swap the sun-dried tomatoes for fresh or omit them altogether, add spinach or your favorite veggies, lighten it up with evaporated milk instead of heavy cream, add more or less garlic, Parmesan, etc.
Whatโs the Best Rice for Making Risotto?ย
The secret to making restaurant quality, creamy, risotto at home is using Arborio rice. Arborio rice is a high starch, rounded, short-grain rice, which of course, is naturally gluten free. When cooked, the grains become creamy and chewy due to the high starch content, without becoming gluey or mushy.ย
Where can I buy it? Almost every grocery store carriesย Arborio rice.ย It is often found in a plastic container alongside the other rice varieties. ย I useย Rice Selectย which is also sold in bulk onย Amazon. You can also purchase smaller quantities of other brands onย Amazon.
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Can I use a different rice? You may use carnaroli rice, which is dependable and difficult to overcook, but it can only be found at specialty markets. However, other than Arborio and carnaroli, you may NOT use any other types of rice or your risotto will be mushy instead of creamy (see FAQs for details).
What You Will Need to make Shrimp Risotto
This Shrimp Risotto recipe looks and tastes gourmet but is easy to make with easy-to-find ingredients. In addition to the Arborio rice, you will need the following (full recipe with measurements in the recipe card at the bottom of the post):
What Shrimp Should I use?
The star of this Shrimp Risotto recipe is the shrimp, so make sure to choose the best.ย Hereโs what to look for:
Purchase raw, deveined shrimp.ย Look for shrimp that is raw (not precooked), peeled and deveined.ย Buying prepared shrimp saves you TONS of time and makes prep a snap!
Purchase wild caught shrimp.ย ย ย Look for wild caught shrimp verses farm-raised for the best flavor and texture.
Use large shrimp,ย 26-30 count (which means there are 26-30 shrimp in a pound).ย Larger shrimp stay super juicy and boast a more appealing texture.ย Their longer cooking time allows for that golden, coveted crust without overcooking the shrimp. You can still make this recipe with smaller, medium shrimp if thatโs all you have on hand, just make sure not to overcook them.
Frozen shrimp is awesome!ย Frozen shrimp is frozen shortly after itโs caught which means itโs frozen at peak freshness.ย Frozen shrimp is also more economical than fresh and is easy to keep stocked, just make sure to thaw it before cooking.ย
how to thaw shrimp
There are two options for thawing your shrimp:
Easy Thaw:ย The easiest way to thaw your shrimp is in the refrigerator overnight. Simply remove one-pound frozen shrimp (if itโs more than a one-pound package) to a covered bowl and let the shrimp thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
Quick Thaw:ย Place the frozen shrimp in a colander, then place the colander in a large bowl. Fill the bowl with cold tap water and let it sit for 10 minutes.ย After 10 minutes, replace the water with new cold tap water and submerge the shrimp again. ย Let the shrimp sit an additional 10- 20 minutes.ย If the shrimp isnโt completely thawed, repeat.
hOW TO MAKE Shrimp Risotto
Youโll notice this isnโt your average Shrimp Risotto recipe. Instead of cooking the risotto on the stovetop โ which involves continual stirring and additions of broth โ it’s made in the oven for an easy foolproof recipe! Here’s an overview of how to make it (full recipe in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post):
- Step 1: Season the shrimp. In a large bowl, whisk together 1 tablespoon oil from sun-dried tomato jar, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt and pepper. Add the shrimp and turn to coat.
- Step 2: Cook the shrimp. Working in two batches, cook the shrimp in a large Dutch oven for about 2 minutes per side, just until the shrimp are opaque; transfer to a plate using a slotted spoon. You’ll notice I used a shallow braiser in the photos/video, but I suggest a larger Dutch oven, so you have plenty of room to vigorously stir the risotto at the end, without it spilling over.
- Step 3: Toast the rice. Next, melt some butter in those delicious shrimp drippings. Sautรฉ the shallots for a couple minutes, then add the rice and sun-dried tomatoes and stir until well coated with butter and edges begin to look translucent, about 3 – 4 minutes. Add garlic and red pepper flakes and sautรฉ an additional 30 seconds.
- Step 4: Add broth and seasonings. Add the chicken broth and all seasonings. Turn heat to high and bring to a simmer. When it starts to simmer around the edges, cover the pot and transfer it to the oven.
- Step 5: Bake. Bake the risotto for 15-18 minutes or until the Arborio rice is al dente.
- Step 6: Stir vigorously. Remove the rice from the oven and add some cubed butter and Parmesan cheese. Stir vigorously until the butter and cheese are melted (this releases starch and makes the risotto creamier). Lastly, stir in the heavy cream (if using) and fresh basil. Top with cooked shrimp.
- Step 7: Adjust consistency. Stir in heavy cream or additional chicken broth if desired for an even creamier/saucier risotto. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste (I add both).
WHAT IS THE CORRECT CONSISTENCY OF RISOTTO?
The rice in Shrimp Risotto should be on the softer side of al dente โ slightly firm but not crunchy.ย The risotto should be saucy but not soupy โ more like porridge. If your risotto is too crunchy but the broth is gone, simply add more broth and cook until the risotto is al dente. If your risotto is too thick, stir in additional chicken broth at low heat until it reaches the desired consistency and texture. You can also stir in additional heavy creamy for extra decadence.
We love this Shrimp Risotto recipe with a Caesar Salad and Garlic Bread. It is also delicious with any of the following:
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Although leftover risotto is delicious, the shrimp is the juiciest and best eaten as soon as itโs prepared. As such, you can prepare the risotto portion of this recipe ahead of time, taking care not to overcook without the shrimp, and then make the shrimp when you’re ready to serve.
How do I reheat shrimp risotto?
Shrimp Risotto will thicken in the refrigerator due to the starch in the rice, but you can easily thin it out to and restore it to its freshly-made glory.ย To reheat risotto:
1. Add risotto and a splash of chicken broth, water or heavy cream to the pan.
2. Heat over medium heat until warmed through, stirring often.ย
3. If the risotto is still thick, stir in additional liquid one tablespoon at a time. You can also add additional butter and salt to taste as the salt will mellow when refrigerated.
4. Reheat the shrimp separately in a skillet over medium-low until warmed through.
How long is shrimp risotto good for?
Itโs hard to imagine there would be any leftovers of this decadently delicious Shrimp Risotto recipe, but Iโm always excited when there is! ย To store risotto, transfer it in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for three to four days.
can i freeze risotto?
Risotto is best eaten fresh or refrigerated, never frozen. Freezing risotto will change its texture โ the risotto wonโt be as firm or creamy. If you arenโt a stickler for perfect risotto, then make sure you let the risotto cool completely before freezing to help preserve some of the texture.
Shrimp Risotto FAQS
Risotto (from the Italian word for rice, โrisoโ) is a northern Italian rice dish slow cooked in a broth until delectable creamy consistency โ it is essentially creamy rice but NOT mushy rice.ย ย
Risotto is often associated with gourmet restaurants, but it is actually the epitome of Italian home cooking and very simple to prepare. In fact, most Italians will tell you risotto should require no more than 18 minutes to make!
The traditional technique for making risotto calls for stirring small amounts of warmed broth into a large pot of rice a little at a time, allowing the rice to absorb the liquid then stirring in some more. This method has given home cooks the impression that risotto is too time consuming to make at home BUT my oven version solves all that and the risotto emerges every bit as heavenly without all the babysitting.ย
Risotto is a type of rice dish; not all rice is risotto but all risotto is rice. Rice can be any variety of rice and prepared in any preparation. Risotto, on the other hand, should only be made with high starch short grain rice โ either Arborio or carnaroli โ and cooked in broth to create a creamy rice dish.
The rice is named after the town of Arborio in Piedmont Italy.
Arborio rice is traditionally called for in risotto recipes because it is a short-grained, starchy rice that, when cooked, the rounded grains become creamy and chewy due to the high starch content without becoming gluey or mushy.
While it is good practice to rinse most rice before cooking it to eliminate extra starch, do NOT rinse Arborio rice โ we WANT the extra starch to create creamy shrimp risotto. Some of the starch is released while cooking and once again while vigorously stirring. This starch adds body and creaminess to the risotto and gives it the characteristic velvety consistency.
Risotto is more forgiving than rice but it can be overcooked, so be sure to check the risotto for doneness after 15 minutes. If the rice is not al dente, then continue to bake just until the softer side of al dente.ย
Color:ย ย Raw shrimp starts offย translucent gray and turns pink and opaque withย some pink and bright red accents as it cooks.ย You will want to remove the shrimp from the skillet as soon as it is fully opaque without any gray left.ย Look at the crevice in the back of the shrimp where the vein was removed.ย When the base of this crevice becomes opaque, the shrimp is done.
Shape:ย You can also check the shape of your shrimp but this is not as good of an indicator as color.ย As shrimp cook, their muscle contract which cause them to curl into a โCโ shape.ย As soon as the shrimp begin to curl, they are usually done cooking.ย If they are left to curl into an โOโ shape, they are usually overcooked.
Looking for more Risotto Recipes?
Parmesan Risotto
Mushroom Risottoย ย
Greek Chicken Risotto
Parmesan Spinach Risottoย
Pumpkin Risottoย
Butternut Squash Risottoย
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Shrimp Risotto
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Ingredients
SHRIMP
- 1 pound large shrimp (26-30 ct.), peeled and deveined
- 2 tablespoons oil from sun-dried tomatoes jar, divided
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp EACH garlic powder, onion powder, salt
- 1/4 tsp EACH pepper, paprika
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
RISOTTO
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 1/2 cups Arborio rice, don't rinse (DONโT USE DIFFERENT RICE)
- 1 shallot, chopped
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 4 1/2 cups low sodium chicken broth, warmed
- 1/2 tablespoon dried parsley
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 tsp EACH dried oregano, pepper
ADD LAST
- 1/2 cup low sodium chicken broth
- 3 tablespoons butter, cubed
- 1/2 cup freshly shredded Parmesan cheese, or more to taste
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/4-1/2 cup heavy cream (may sub evaporated milk)
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, minced (may sub ½ tablespoon dried)
Instructions
SHRIMP
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
- In a large bowl, whisk together 1 tablespoon oil from the sun-dried tomato jar, 1 tablespoon lemon juice and all of the shrimp seasonings. Add the shrimp and turn to coat.
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 tablespoon sun-dried tomato oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
- Working in two batches, add the shrimp in a single layer and cook just until opaque, about 2 minutes per side; transfer to a plate using a slotted spoon. Repeat. You can remove the tails once cool enough to handle if desired.
RISOTTO
- Add a drizzle of oil to the shrimp drippings if they look dry. Melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Add shallots and sautรฉ 2 minutes. Add the rice and sun-dried tomatoes and sautรฉ until the shallots are tender and the edges of the rice begin to look translucent/toasted, about 3-4 minutes. Add garlic and red pepper flakes and sautรฉ an additional 30 seconds.
- Add 4 ยฝ cups warm chicken broth, dried parsley, oregano, salt and pepper. Increase heat to high and bring to a simmer. When it starts to simmer around the edges, cover, and transfer to the oven.
- Bake for 15-18 minutes or until the rice is on the softer side of al dente (taste at 15 minutes, and bake longer as needed).
COMBINE
- Remove the pan from the oven and stir in ยฝ cup chicken broth, 3 tablespoons cubed butter, Parmesan cheese and lemon juice. Stir vigorously until the the butter and cheese are melted (this releases the starch and makes it creamier).
- Stir in desired amount of heavy cream and the fresh basil. Stir in additional heavy cream or chicken broth if desired for an even creamier/saucier risotto.
- Top with shrimp or stir the shrimp directly into the risotto. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste (I add both).
Video
Notes
- Arborio rice: This is a MUST for risotto, otherwise, your dish will be mushy instead of creamy.ย Almost every grocery store carriesย Arborio rice; otherwise, you can purchaseย it on Amazon. I use Rice Select which is sold in bulk on Amazon.
- Correct pot: You’ll notice I used a shallow braiser in the photos/video, but I suggest a larger Dutch oven so you have plenty of room to vigorously stir the risotto at the end without it spilling over.
- Adjust consistency: The rice in Shrimp Risotto should be on the softer side of al dente โ slightly firm but not crunchy.ย The risotto should be saucy but not soupy โ more like porridge. If your risotto is too crunchy but the broth is gone, simply add more broth and cook until the risotto is al dente. If your risotto is too thick, stir in additional chicken broth or heavy cream until it reaches the desired consistency and texture.ย
- Recipe variations:ย See the post of ideas!
- Storage:ย Store leftover in an airtight container in the refrigerator for three to four days.
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Leave a Review, I Always Love Hearing From You!
Pauline Gudas says
I have never made risotto until last night. This recipe is AMAZING. The directions were well written and easy to follow. My husband said it was the best risotto he has ever eaten. Next time I will add mushrooms and peas
Jen says
YAY, I love hearing that Pauline, thank you so much!
Ginny says
This was a total hit with my family, including my 8 year old son! Very well doneโI followed the recipe without any variation and it was incredible. Thank you so much for sharing โค๏ธ
Jen says
You are so welcome, Ginny! I am so pleased this was such a hit! Thank you for your great review!
Nancy says
Your recipes are always so delicious. Yet again, this was a dinner hit!
Thank you,
Nancy
Jen says
Thank you Nancy! I’m so glad you loved this!
Sara says
This was absolutely decadent. Thank you for the delicious recipe! My husband and I loved it.
Jen says
Thank you so much! I’m glad you both enjoyed it!