Creamy Farro Risotto (Vegetarian)

vegetable farro risotto recipe with cream, carrots, thyme, and spices

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Creamy Farro Risotto (Vegetarian)

This creamy farro risotto recipe is a wonderful side dish and loaded with vegetables cooked slow in a creamy sauce. It's simple, hearty, and a fantastic one-pot side dish.

Cook Time1

Total Time1

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American, Italian

Diet: Vegetarian

Servings: 3/4-cup servings

Calories: 218kcal

Author: Kelly Jensen

Equipment

Large Saucepan

Ingredients

2 tablespoons butter
1 onion sliced
2 carrots
3 stalks celery chopped
4 cloves garlic
1 teaspoon thyme or herbs de Provence
½ teaspoon each salt and pepper
1.5 cups dried farro
4 cups vegetable broth
1 lemon zested and juiced
1 cup half and half

Instructions

In a large saucepan, heat the butter over medium heat. Add the sliced onion, carrots, and celery and saute for 7 to 8 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften.
Stir in the garlic, thyme, salt, and pepper and cook for 2-3 minutes more.
Add the farro and lightly toast it for a few minutes. Pour in 2 cups of the vegetable broth, and stir. Cover the pan, and cook for 8 minutes until most of the liquid has been absorbed, stirring occasionally.
Remove the lid and pour in the remaining 2 cups of vegetable broth, add the lemon zest and juice to the farro
Cover again and cook for another 8-10 minutes until the liquid has been absorbed,
Pour in the half and half, and continue cooking for another 5 minutes. Serve hot, garnished with extra thyme and lemon zest if preferred.

Video

Notes

Additions and Substitutions

If you wanted to use herbs de Provence or Italian seasonings instead of the thyme, you could add those in as good substitutes and still have the same great flavor.

For an Italian twist, you can finish the dish with freshly grated or shaved Parmesan or Romano cheese. For a vegetarian version, make sure you get a Parmesan cheese that does not have rennet in the ingredients, which is an animal byproduct.

You could also finish the dish with fresh parsley or stir in other vegetables like sliced mushrooms, roasted bell pepper or sugar snap peas for a bright twist.

Nutrition