Baked Risotto Recipe with Parmesan and Peas

Name: Baked Risotto with Peas and Parmesan
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 55 min
Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups Arborio rice; 5 cups chicken broth or stock (simmering hot); 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (plus more for serving); 1/2 cup dry white wine or additional chicken broth or stock; 3 tablespoons unsalted butter (diced); 2 teaspoons kosher salt; 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper; 1 cup frozen green peas (thawed)

by Laura Fuentes

August 21, 2017
updated Jul 6, 2023

4.93 from 55 votes

How to make an easy risotto with parmesan cheese and peas and how to get your picky eaters to eat it! Plus, it makes a terrific leftovers-for-lunch idea.

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Love risotto but don’t have the patience or time to stand over the pot and stir continuously for 20 min? This easy, baked risotto recipe with grated Parmesan and peas is a hands-free version of the classic that yields a delicious weeknight meal.

It’s everything you love about the classic stovetop risotto: a creamy texture, cheesy flavors… and the only stirring involved happens when you add in grated Parmesan and greens peas!

You can serve it as the main dish with a side salad or next to your favorite entrees like pan-seared chicken or baked salmon. This baked risotto is an easy dinner idea the entire family will enjoy, and the oven does all the work.

large bowl of risotto with cheese and peas

What is Risotto

Risotto is an Italian rice dish that’s gradually cooked with broth until it becomes thick and creamy. Many recipes also include cheese, butter, and even white wine, but that’s an optional ingredient in this recipe and can be replaced with additional broth.

Is Baked Risotto Easy to Make?

This risotto is very simple to make because the oven does all the work. The rice and broth slowly cook in the oven until it reaches that al dente, creamy texture risotto is known for, almost like mac and cheese, but rice instead of pasta.

If you make risotto the traditional way, on the stove-top, it can take up to 45 minutes and lots of stirring. This is because the broth, or cooking liquid, is added in batches, just enough for the rice to soak it up before more liquid is added.

Is Risotto Healthy?

This risotto is a wholesome recipe because it’s made at home, and we have control over what goes into the rice. Compared to risotto made at a local restaurant, I can guarantee this recipe uses less butter and cheese, but that doesn’t mean it lacks any delicious flavors.

closeup of small white bowl filled with risotto and peas

Ingredients for Parmesan & Peas Risotto

Here’s everything needed to make this Baked Parmesan & Peas Risotto:

Arborio rice: it’s important to use Arborio in risotto. It has a high concentration of a particular starch that makes risotto thick and creamy.
chicken broth or stock: either broth or stock will add more flavor and works with the starch to thicken the consistency.
grated Parmesan: you can use any aged cheese but Parmesan is what I regularly have on hand.
white wine: wine adds a delicious depth of flavor but it can be swapped for additional chicken broth.
butter: makes everything taste better.
salt & pepper: for good measure.
frozen green peas: added in at the last minute and gives the dish a bright pop of color.

How to Make Simple Risotto in the Oven

This easy risotto recipe does require a small amount of stirring, but that’s at the very end. Otherwise, the oven does all the heavy lifting:

Here’s how to make creamy baked risotto:

Get the oven hot
Preheat the oven to 350.
Grab a Dutch-oven
Combine the rice and chicken stock inside an oven-safe pot, such as a Dutch oven. Cover with the lid and bake for 45 minutes until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is al dente.
Once the rice is creamy
Remove the pot from the oven and place it on the stove over medium heat.
Add the good stuff
To the rice, stir in the remaining broth, cheese, white wine (if using), butter, and seasonings. Stir continuously until the rice is thickened and ultra-creamy.
Add the veggies
Stir in the green peas and remove from heat.
Time to eat!
Grab a bowl, dish up some risotto, sprinkle with extra Parmesan, and enjoy!

You can also watch how this recipe is made step-by-step in the video below:

What to Serve with Parmesan & Peas Baked Risotto

This Parmesan and pea risotto can be a stand-alone meal or a delicious side to cooked meats like steak, fish, and seafood.

Here are some delicious recipes serve the risotto with:

Roasted Chicken
Honey Baked Chicken Drumsticks
Honey Baked Salmon (instead of the zoodles)
Caramelized Brussels Sprouts with Bacon
Easy Roasted Fall Vegetables

You’ll find more simplified and delicious recipes like this easy oven risotto inside the MOMables Classic Dinner Meal Plan.

Each week features family-favorite recipes made with fresh ingredients, a done-for-you shopping list, and an organized meal-prep guide to keep the cooking simple.

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Can you Make Baked Risotto Ahead?

Baked Risotto is at it’s best when it’s made fresh, but you can cook this recipe ahead and reheat it throughout the week for a quick side dish or meal. Here’s how to make risotto ahead and reheat it with best results:

Prepare the risotto in the oven until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is ‘al dente’.
Remove the Dutch oven from the oven and allow the rice to cool down to room temperature before refrigerating for up to 3 days.
When ready to eat, reheat the risotto on the stove-top using an additional ½ cup of liquid along with the broth or white wine.
Cook until the rice is creamy.
Stir in the butter, seasonings, cheese, and green peas.

Check out this post for more delicious, family-favorite meals that you can prep ahead and reheat for dinners and lunches throughout the week.

Baked Risotto with Peas and Parmesan

Laura Fuentes

4.93 from 55 votes

How to make an easy risotto with parmesan cheese and peas and how to get your picky eaters to eat it! Plus, it makes a terrific leftovers-for-lunch idea.

Servings: 4 -6

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 50

Total Time 55

Ingredients

1 ½ cups Arborio rice
5 cups chicken broth or stock, simmering hot
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
½ cup dry white wine or additional chicken broth or stock
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, diced
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 cup frozen green peas, thawed

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350F.
Place Arborio rice and 4 cups of the chicken stock inside a 5-qt Dutch oven (cast iron pot). Cover and bake for 45 minutes, until most of the liquid is absorbed and the rice is al dente. Remove pot from oven and place on cooktop.
Add remaining chicken stock, Parmesan cheese, white wine, butter, salt, and pepper into the pot. Stir continuously to break down the start of the risotto for 2 to 3 minutes, until the rice has thickened and is creamy.
Add the green peas and stir for about a minute or until the peas are heated through. Serve with additional Parmesan cheese, if desired.

Equipment

Dutch Oven

Nutrition

Serving: 1 bowlCalories: 519kcalCarbohydrates: 79gProtein: 23gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 28mgSodium: 1551mgPotassium: 584mgFiber: 4gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 580IUVitamin C: 15mgCalcium: 230mgIron: 6mg

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Baked Risotto Recipe with Parmesan and Peas