Caprese Risotto

This caprese risotto is a comforting and easy dish made with bite-sized tomatoes and fresh mozzarella that is perfect for any time of year! Ready in just under an hour, this delicious homemade dish has all the best flavors of caprese turned into a warm risotto meal.

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If you've never made risotto at home before, then I think you'll surprised at how easy the cooking process is and how it leads to the most amazing and creamy caprese risotto dish! While it takes a little bit of time for the arborio rice to cook, the whole dish is still ready in under an hour making it a perfect weeknight or weekend dinner. Between the tomatoes, the fresh mozzarella, and some basil, this risotto has all the flavors of a classic caprese salad. In this recipe we also use Pure Flavor Tiki Tomatoes™ which are the absolute prettiest color, which gives this risotto an orange shade! Not only are the Pure Flavor Tiki Tomatoes™ so unique in color, but these fresh cherry tomatoes also add the best texture and taste to this risotto.

This recipe is also so great for any time of year, whether you're looking for a warm and comforting winter recipe, or you have some great summer tomatoes on hand. The Pure Flavor Tiki Tomatoes™ are fresh and juicy tomatoes, so they make this recipe the best caprese winter option if you're looking for the taste of summer during the cooler months. This Italian rice dish is the most delicious creamy arborio rice recipe which would be perfect as a main meal, first course, or side dish. If you love risotto then you'll want to try this one out as we've added it to our list of favorite risotto recipes!

If you're looking for another Pure Flavor tomato recipe perfect for any time of year, then you'll love our Cheesy White Bean Tomato Bake, and if you're looking for another dish with all the caprese flavors that also uses burrata cheese, be sure to try our Pesto Gnocchi Roasted Tomato Salad.

Jump to:

• Why You'll Love this Risotto Recipe
• Ingredients for the Risotto
• Step by Step Instructions for the Caprese Risotto
• Tips for Making this Dish
• FAQs
• Storing and Freezing
• 📖 Recipe

Why You'll Love this Risotto Recipe

• It's a warm and comforting meal. This delicious risotto recipe is so perfect for the cooler months when you're craving a comforting homemade meal.
• The tomatoes are so stunning and have the best flavor! Using Pure Flavor Tiki Tomatoes™ makes this recipe extra special because they add the prettiest color, cook down so well while also leaving a great texture to this creamy risotto, and add such a bright and fresh flavor!
• It has all the classic caprese flavors. If the all-time trio of tomato, mozzarella, and basil is one of your favorite combinations too then you will love this rendition!

Ingredients for the Risotto

This risotto recipe has many of the ingredients of a traditional risotto along with some additions which make it the perfect caprese variation.

• Chicken broth - Used to cook the risotto until it's tender. You could also use chicken stock or vegetable broth or vegetable stock instead. I recommend using unsalted chicken broth and salting the risotto on your own.
• Butter - I would recommend using unsalted butter but salted works fine too.
• Onion - Adds some great flavor to the risotto, just make sure to finely chop it so that it softens fairly quickly. I also recommend using a yellow onion.
• Garlic - Just a little so it's not overpowering.
• Pure Flavor Tiki Tomatoes™ - The star in this recipe! These colorful fresh tomatoes add both texture and flavor to this risotto, and I love topping the finished dish with some additional halves to add some extra color!
• Arborio rice - This short grain rice is the kind used to make risotto. I typically am able to find it in most grocery stores, and it's usually either in the pasta section or Italian jarred food section.
• White wine - I would recommend using a dry white wine such as pinot grigio, but if you have something like a drier sauvignon blanc that would also work well too!
• Kosher salt - Make sure to test the risotto once you add the parmesan cheese and add more salt if needed. Since risotto is pretty mild-flavored, make sure not to under-salt this dish!
• Black pepper - I love including some black pepper for additional flavor. 
• Parmesan - Freshly grated parmesan adds some additional flavor and creaminess.
• Fresh mozzarella - Fresh mozzarella cheese is mixed into the risotto which also adds cheesiness and the caprese aspect! The pearl size works great and they hold their shape a bit which makes for the most delicious and cheesy bites.
• Basil - Fresh basil makes for the prettiest garnish, and if you wanted to you could also mix some chopped basil into the risotto.
• Olive oil - Optional, but a drizzle on top of the finished dish is a nice touch!

See recipe card below for quantities.

Step by Step Instructions for the Caprese Risotto

Although risotto does involve some stirring time, the whole recipe is done in under an hour and I think you'll agree is totally worth the extra couple of minutes!

Step 1: Warm the chicken broth. Bring broth to a simmer in a medium pot then keep warm over low heat.

Step 2: Cook the onion, garlic, and tomatoes, then add the arborio rice. In a dutch oven or large saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and saute for 5-7 minutes until softened. Add in the Pure Flavor Tiki Tomatoes™ and cook for 5-7 minutes or until they begin to soften and burst. Add in the arborio rice and continue stirring for 1-2 minutes until the rice begins to turn translucent.

Step 3: Add the wine. Pour in the wine and simmer until reduced and mostly absorbed, about 3-5 minutes.

Step 4: Cook the arborio rice with the broth. Add ½ cup of the warm broth to the pot at a time, stirring constantly over medium low heat until the broth is absorbed. Repeat until all broth is used and rice is cooked through but still firm, about 20-25 minutes.

Step 5: Finish the risotto. Stir in remaining butter and the salt, pepper, parmesan, and fresh mozzarella. Stir until well incorporated then remove from heat.

Step 6: Plate and garnish the risotto. Top with additional halved tomatoes, fresh mozzarella pearls, and basil. Drizzle with olive oil and enjoy immediately.

Tips for Making this Dish

• Keep the broth warm but make sure it doesn't simmer the whole time otherwise it will begin to evaporate and you might not have enough to fully cook the risotto. Once the rice is cooked either all or a majority of the stock or broth will be used. If you do run out of broth and don't have more before the rice is cooked, a little water can also be used.
• Make sure to try and constantly stir the risotto as this will ensure the rice evenly absorbs the broth, it will cook without anything sticking to the bottom of the dutch oven or saucepan, and it will have a creamy consistency! You'll want to continue cooking until the arborio rice is cooked through but still slightly firm and pourable.
• If you wanted to you could also add a drizzle of balsamic glaze or vinegar to the finished dish along with the basil leaves!

FAQs

Storing and Freezing

The risotto can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days and reheated on the stove with some additional chicken broth if it is too thick.

I don't recommend freezing this recipe as the texture of the arborio rice will change in the freezer.

If you make this recipe we would absolutely love if you left a star review and/or comment! Also, make sure to tag us on Instagram @doublethespoonfuls so we can see what you create.

📖 Recipe