Olive Garden Herbed Risotto

Elevate your home-cooked meals with this creamy and indulgent Olive Garden Herbed Risotto, a restaurant-worthy dish that’s perfect for any occasion. This classic Italian-inspired recipe features tender Arborio rice simmered to perfection in a rich broth, infused with dry white wine for depth, and finished with freshly grated Parmesan cheese for a luxuriously creamy texture. A medley of fresh herbs—parsley and thyme—adds a burst of aromatic flavors, while a hint of optional lemon zest adds a bright, zesty twist. With just 10 minutes of prep and simple step-by-step instructions, this elegant side dish is surprisingly easy to prepare yet impressive enough to serve at dinner parties. Whether paired with grilled chicken, seafood, or enjoyed on its own, this herbed risotto is a comforting, flavor-packed crowd-pleaser your family and friends will adore.

Nutriscore Rating: 64/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:35 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1.5 cups Arborio rice
• 6 cups Chicken or vegetable broth
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 2 tablespoons Unsalted butter
• 1 medium Yellow onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves Garlic, minced
• 0.5 cups Dry white wine
• 0.75 cups Parmesan cheese, grated
• 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon Fresh thyme, chopped
• 0.5 teaspoons Salt
• 0.25 teaspoons Black pepper
• 1 teaspoon Lemon zest (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Heat the chicken or vegetable broth in a medium saucepan over low heat and keep it warm throughout the cooking process.

Step 2

In a large, heavy-bottomed skillet or saucepan, heat the olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat.

Step 3

Add the finely chopped onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until it becomes translucent.

Step 4

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.

Step 5

Add the Arborio rice to the skillet and stir to coat the grains with the oil and butter mixture. Cook for about 2 minutes, allowing the rice to become slightly toasted.

Step 6

Pour in the dry white wine and stir continuously until the wine is mostly absorbed by the rice.

Step 7

Begin adding the warm broth one ladleful (about 1/2 cup) at a time to the rice. Stir frequently and allow the liquid to be mostly absorbed before adding the next ladleful. Repeat this process until the rice is creamy and tender, about 20-25 minutes.

Step 8

Once the rice is cooked to your desired creaminess, remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter and the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and combined.

Step 9

Mix in the fresh parsley, thyme, salt, and black pepper. If desired, add the lemon zest for a bright flavor boost.

Step 10

Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve the herbed risotto immediately, garnished with additional fresh herbs and Parmesan if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	2108 grams (2108.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1336

Total Fat 74.10g	95%
Saturated Fat 31.30g	157%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.70g
Cholesterol 122mg	41%
Sodium 7384mg	321%
Total Carbohydrate 109.10g	40%
Dietary Fiber 4.00g	14%
Total Sugars 9.50g
Protein 42.70g	85%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 831mg	64%
Iron 3mg	16%
Potassium 713mg	15%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 52.3%

Protein: 13.4%

Carbs: 34.3%