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How to Make Risotto in the Instant Pot

This Instant Pot Parmesan Lemon Risotto makes a deliciously savory risotto that requires no fuss and very little effort. You can easily serve this bright, flavorful Instant Pot Risotto any busy weeknight. Bonus: this happens to be gluten-free and vegetarian. 

instant pot risotto recipe instant pot parmesan lemon risotto

May is an awesome month here in the Twin Cities, but along with the gorgeous weather comes the insane flurry of activities. We are suddenly in the thick of daily baseball, soccer, swim, and more soccer. Plus scout camps and piano and violin. We are hardly ever home, which is probably why my succulent is dying. [I thought they didn’t need much water? I’m so confused.]

I’ve said this before, but I truly never imagined I’d turn into that crazy mama. I always envisioned us sitting down to a homemade meal every night, with the entire family happily eating together with zero bickering. Definitely no scarfing down PBJ’s in the car while rushing to the soccer field. I was an awesome parent before I had kids 😉

And this on-the-go lifestyle, Friends, is why my Instant Pot has earned a special space in the kitchen. It is pressure cooking magic. I literally made this Instant Pot Parmesan Lemon Risotto on a particularly hectic weeknight. This Instant Pot risotto is fuss-free, easy, and fast.

Who would have thought risotto could happen on a hectic Thursday night?

instant pot risotto recipe instant pot parmesan lemon risotto

How to make Risotto in an Instant Pot:

If you’ve made risotto before, you know it’s normally rather fussy. Risotto generally requires a bit of elbow grease and time. However, the Instant Pot levels the playing field for busy home cooks and lets us enjoy dishes like risotto with minimal effort.

There are only 2 steps to this Instant Pot risotto recipe: sauté and pressure cook. You’ll sauté chopped onions until aromatic and then stir in the rice. Toss in the remaining ingredients and set the pressure cooker for just 8 minutes. Yes, 8 minutes.

Let the Instant Pot do its natural release thing, while you go about your business. Once the natural release is done, the risotto is ready. Bonus: You only have one pot to clean.

instant pot risotto recipe instant pot parmesan lemon risotto

Why this Instant Pot Parmesan Lemon Risotto is awesome:

  • It’s savory, satisfying, and full of flavor
  • It goes well alongside any vegetables or protein you want to serve it with
  • No fussing, standing over the stove, or constant stirring
  • It’s super easy and even faster than normal rice

Here’s to carpooling around town while still eating risotto. Enjoy 🙂

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Did you make this?

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A Pot Parmesan Lemon Risotto

Instant Pot Parmesan Lemon Risotto

4.70 from 20 ratings
This Instant Pot Parmesan Lemon Risotto makes a deliciously savory risotto that requires no fuss and very little effort. You can easily serve this bright, flavorful Instant Pot Risotto any busy weeknight. Bonus: this happens to be gluten-free and vegetarian.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 8 minutes
Total Time: 13 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Author: Amy Dong

Ingredients  

  • 2 cups dry Arborio rice, rinsed and drained well
  • 2 TB salted butter
  • ¼ cup chopped onion
  • 1 ½ tsp kosher salt, plus more to taste
  • ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste
  • 3 ¾ cups regular strength chicken or vegetable broth, depending on whether its to be vegetarian
  • 2 TB freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • Garnishes: freshly chopped chives and grated lemon zest

Instructions

  • Set Instant Pot to sauté mode and add butter until melted. Add onions and stir until tender, 1-2 min. Add drained rice to melted butter and stir for 2 minutes. Add salt, pepper, broth, and lemon juice; stir to combine well.
  • Secure lid and set to pressure cook for 8 minutes. Allow Instant Pot to do its natural release. Once natural release is completed, carefully remove lid and stir in parmesan while "fluffing" the rice. Add salt and pepper to taste, if needed. Serve immediately, with chives or lemon zest for garnish, if desired.

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories: 262kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 16mg | Sodium: 1100mg | Potassium: 63mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 421IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 153mg | Iron: 2mg
Course: rice, Side Dish
Cuisine: Italian

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Coconut Rice

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52 comments

    • Aditi

    Love all your recipes. I’m going to try this risotto this weekend as soon as I have all the ingredients!

    • Chastity

    This is a great on the go dish, it’s very hearty too. I am not a fan of peanut butter sandwiches. Kids need a good meal to get them through the day. And this is great for anyone to enjoy!

    • empowerandhelp

    You really have some nice recipes here, glad to run into this one

    • Kelsey

    Yum! Looks so good!

    • Tiffany Yong

    Risotto is definitely not a dish I will ever think to be “instant” and fuss free… But thanks to your recipes, I always get to see and feel that it’s not that unattainable!

    • Holly

    Oh, this looks super yummy. I will definitely have to try this. I love trying new recipes!!

    • Indu

    This risotto looks so delish. More so for me being a vegetarian dish. And now with recipe at hand I can certainly try too, though not a good cook.

    • Elizabeth O

    This looks like a gorgeous meal for a nice sunny day. I like that it can be vegetarian but is also simple and quick to make. Definitely one to try out.

    • Helen Claire Little

    Yummy, this looks perfect for summer! Will try it!

    • Brittany Colasuonno

    I have to get an instant pot!! This looks so good

    • Amanda Martin

    Ok 1) love my instant pot, such a time saver! 2) this sounds soooooo yummy!!

    • Czjai Reyes-Ocampo

    This looks sooo good! I have to try your recipe! 🙂

    • alainamonster

    I really love risotto! And this instant pot Parmesan risotto looks really amazing. I really have to look into getting one of these instapot soon.

    • Brittany Anglemyer

    I am not a huge rice fan, However my parents are. This seems like something they would really enjoy, i will be sharing it with them.

    • Daisy

    Wow this recipe looks absolutely delicious and so easy to make! Definitely pinning this to make for my family to enjoy!!

    • Ithfifi Williams / IthinityBeauty

    This looks so delicious and so good for the warmer months when you don’t want to eat anything too heavy. Looks like a fab weekday meal, I’ll be trying this one!

    • Nicole

    This checks so many boxes for me, I love this recipe! I especially love that I can make it in my pressure cooker. Thanks for posting this, I will be making it very soon.

      • Susan
      • 5 stars

      Risotto doesn’t get any easier than this. I loved it!

        • chewoutloud

        So happy you enjoyed this, Susan!

    • Harriet

    I have everything on the ingredients list, think I will whip with up for dinner. Thanks

    • Lori Geurin

    I’m always looking for more delicious recipes to try with my instant pot and this looks like a definite keeper! Thanks!

    • Leigh Suznovich

    Ok, I really need an instant pot. This looks so delicious, risotto is my complete weakness!!

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