Instant Pot Lemon Asparagus Parmesan Risotto
This creamy, flavorful risotto is effortlessly prepared in an Instant Pot, combining tangy lemon, tender asparagus, and rich Parmesan cheese. A quick and satisfying dish, it’s perfect for a restaurant-quality meal at home with minimal effort.
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 4 tbsp (½ stick) salted butter
- 2 large shallots diced
- 1 lb asparagus tough ends trimmed, stalks cut into bite-size pieces, tips separated
- 3 cloves garlic minced or pressed
- ½ cup dry white wine
- Juice of 2 lemons plus optional zest for garnish
- 2 cups arborio rice
- 4½ cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 tsp seasoned salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese plus more for topping
- ¼ cup heavy cream or half-and-half
Instructions
- Sauté the Aromatics: Set the Instant Pot to Sauté (More/High setting). Add the vegetable oil and butter, allowing it to melt and bubble slightly.
- Cook Shallots & Asparagus: Stir in the shallots and cook for about 2 minutes until softened. Add the asparagus stalk pieces (reserve the tips) and garlic, sautéing for another 2 minutes.
- Deglaze with Wine & Lemon: Pour in the white wine and lemon juice, stirring well to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom. Add the arborio rice and continue stirring for 1 minute to coat the grains.
- Add Seasonings & Broth: Stir in the broth, seasoned salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning, making sure nothing sticks to the bottom.
- Pressure Cook: Secure the lid, set the valve to sealing, and select Manual/Pressure Cook (High Pressure) for 6 minutes. Once done, perform a quick release.
- Steam the Asparagus Tips: While the risotto is cooking, place the asparagus tips in a microwave-safe bowl with 1 tbsp water, cover with plastic wrap, and microwave for 1 minute. Keep covered until needed.
- Finish & Serve: Once the Instant Pot is open, stir in the steamed asparagus tips, grated Parmesan cheese, and heavy cream. Let it sit for 2 minutes until thickened. Garnish with extra Parmesan and lemon zest, if desired. Serve warm.
Notes
- For extra creaminess, stir in an additional tablespoon of butter after pressure cooking.
- Make it vegetarian by using vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
- Customize it with mushrooms, peas, or even cooked shrimp for added protein.
- No wine? Substitute with an extra ½ cup of broth and a little more lemon juice for acidity.
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