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Summer Zucchini Risotto

July 24, 2023 By Patricia 18 Comments

Summer Zucchini Risotto is an easy-to-make, stick-to-your-ribs dish that includes summer’s bounty of zucchini! I know it’s hot out and risotto seems like a cold weather dish, but try it! I mean, how many zucchini breads can you make?

You'll love this amazing Summer Zucchini Risotto dish that's creamy and filling!

I’m here to tell you how great it is to serve Summer Zucchini Risotto, even on a warm night! Zucchini are all over the place right about now, and sure…you could make zucchini bread with the abundance from your garden, but this hearty dish is like pure comfort.

Don’t get me wrong. I love zucchini bread (and Zucchini-Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting) but try this main dish. My sister shared her recipe with me after digging it up again from her files. I’m glad she did!

Summer Zucchini Risotto

Risotto is creamy and filling, and I love adding the zucchini (and a touch of spinach) to the mix. This meatless dish is amazing served with a favorite salad on the side. I used my risotto leftovers for a yummy lunch dish: I added some of my leftover salmon from the night before and stirred it, cold, through the rice dish after I reheated it.

There are dishes out there that get a reputation for being hard to make and then…poof! People are missing out on great dishes to make at home. Think cheesecake, scallops, soufflé, or baking bread.

I’ll admit that cheesecake intimidates me, but I have a great No Bake Blackberry Cheesecake Parfait recipe  that tastes pretty amazing (I have a strawberry-banana version, too)! 

I’ve read a million times about how hard it is to make risotto because you have to constantly stir the pot and your arm gets really tired. Don’t worry about your arm! You’ll be fine, I promise.

What is Arborio Rice

  • Arborio rice is a short-grain, Italian rice used to make risotto.
  • It’s a starchy rice that’s pearl-like in color and a little oval-shaped.
  • When you cook Arborio rice the starch is released and that adds to risotto’s creaminess.
  • Don’t rinse it before cooking with it to make your risotto.
  • Do you need to use Arborio rice to make risotto? Not necessarily, but it’s one of the best, most traditional options.

Why all the stirring?

When you’re prepping this Summer Zucchini Risotto recipe, you’ll have your fair share of stirring (you want that creaminess, don’t you? Stirring helps to distribute that creaminess throughout the dish.).

You’ll also need to add the 4 cups of broth to the mix one ladle at a time. After you add each portion of broth, you stir the risotto to incorporate the liquid. You also let it sit for a moment or so before adding the next ladle. It’s quite easy, actually.

Keep in mind that you won’t be able to walk away from the skillet when you make risotto, but the required cooking is far from an injury-inducing activity!

Don’t wait for summer to end before you make this creamy, dreamy Summer Zucchini Risotto. Give it a try. There’s nothing to stress over!

Patricia - Grab a Plate

Serves Serves 4

Summer Zucchini Risotto
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5 based on 7 review(s)

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Ingredients

  • 4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1/2 yellow onion, diced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1 cup Arborio rice
  • 1/2 cup dry white wine
  • 2 medium-sized zucchini, grated, liquid squeezed out after shredding
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, more for serving
  • 1/4 cup chopped spinach

Instructions

  1. Heat the broth in a medium-sized pan and keep it on a low setting until ready to use.
  2. In a large skillet over medium heat, add the 2 tablespoons olive oil. When hot, add the onion and cook for several minutes until it begins to soften.
  3. Add the black pepper, red pepper and garlic. Stir and cook for about 30 seconds.
  4. Add the Arborio rice and stir around the skillet, cooking for just a few minutes.
  5. Add the white wine and simmer, stirring often, until the wine is absorbed.
  6. Add the vegetable broth, one ladle at a time, stirring until each addition of the liquid is incorporated.
  7. Cook until the rice is al dente, cooked tender with just a bit of heartiness to it, stirring constantly.
  8. Turn off the head and add the butter and stir. Next add the zucchini, spinach, and Parmesan cheese and stir to combine.
  9. Taste and adjust the seasoning. Serve warm with Parmesan cheese and black pepper sprinkled over the top.
7.8.1.2
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https://www.azgrabaplate.com/summer-zucchini-risotto/

Filed Under: Dinner, Lunch, Recipes, Vegetarian Tagged With: Italian recipes, main dish recipes, Meatless Monday recipes, rice dishes, risotto, risotto recipes, summer risotto recipe, vegetarian main dish recipes, Zucchini, zucchini recipes

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Comments

  1. Beth says

    July 25, 2023 at 1:46 pm

    My garden is absolutely full of zucchini! I'm going to be making this as soon as they're ready to pick. It looks delicious!
    ★★★★★
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      July 25, 2023 at 6:43 pm

      Awesome! It's the perfect way to use up those zucchini. thank you!
      Reply
  2. Amanda says

    July 25, 2023 at 7:10 pm

    What a perfect side dish to go with so many summer dishes. Thank you for sharing!
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      July 26, 2023 at 7:06 am

      Thanks, Amanda! So great for the season!
      Reply
  3. Erin | Dinners, Dishes and Dessert says

    July 25, 2023 at 8:26 pm

    Looks absolutely fantastic! Can't wait to try this!
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      July 26, 2023 at 7:06 am

      Thanks so much! I hope you enjoy it!
      Reply
  4. Elizabeth says

    July 27, 2023 at 7:46 am

    Every summer I look for new recipes to use up zucchini, and this one is a winner! This dish has excellent flavor and I like the little bit of heat from the red pepper flakes.
    ★★★★★
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      July 28, 2023 at 7:35 am

      Thanks so much, Elizabeth!
      Reply
  5. Justine says

    July 27, 2023 at 7:46 am

    So delicious, creamy and easy! A great way to use that summer zucchini harvest!
    ★★★★★
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      July 28, 2023 at 7:34 am

      Thanks, Justine! Yes...I love the creaminess, too!
      Reply
  6. Liz says

    July 27, 2023 at 8:20 am

    This risotto was perfect for summer! Great way to use my garden zucchini. Loved it!
    ★★★★★
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      July 28, 2023 at 7:34 am

      Thank you, Liz! Glad you enjoyed it!
      Reply
  7. Liza says

    July 27, 2023 at 8:48 am

    What a delightful risotto recipe. This time of year I'm always looking for new ways to use zucchini, and this easy, flavorful risotto is a new favorite!
    ★★★★★
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      July 28, 2023 at 7:34 am

      Thanks, Liza! Yes, it's a great way to use summer's zucchini!
      Reply
  8. Nikki says

    July 27, 2023 at 8:48 am

    What fresh and vibrant flavors in this summer risotto. I'm looking forward to trying it.
    ★★★★★
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      July 28, 2023 at 7:33 am

      Thanks, Nikki! I hope you like it!
      Reply
  9. Sandra says

    July 28, 2023 at 9:43 am

    This is such an amazing new way to enjoy zucchini!! Thanks for the recipe!
    ★★★★★
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      August 7, 2023 at 1:11 pm

      Thanks, Sandra!
      Reply

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I'm Patricia

Welcome to Grab a Plate!

Growing up surrounded by my Italian family it was always, "grab a plate" whenever anyone came to visit. Food was always a celebration, even everyday meals, and I like it that way. I try to make each meal memorable with my recipes for mainly meatless, mostly healthy, and easy-to-make dishes (with sweet treats in between).

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