risotto
Americannoun
noun
Etymology
Origin of risotto
First recorded in 1850–55; from Italian, derivative of riso “rice”; see rice
Explanation
Risotto is a tasty dish made of short-grained rice that's cooked very slowly while hot broth is gradually added. You might see risotto on the menu at your favorite Italian restaurant. Risotto is starchy, rich, and flavorful, usually served warm with grated Parmesan cheese and a swirl of olive oil on top. Making risotto isn't difficult, but it does involve a lot of stirring over a relatively long period of time. A basic risotto recipe includes butter, onion or shallot, a little white wine, the short rice that's also called risotto (from the Italian riso, or "rice"), and savory broth. Buon appetito!
Vocabulary lists containing risotto
World Cuisine - Introductory
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World Cuisine - Middle School and High School
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Measuring Up
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The plate that my pea risotto was served on was much larger than the serving of risotto itself.
From Salon • Jun. 3, 2026
A plate of risotto was among the first images shown on the video board in the countdown video as the ceremony approached, followed by the picturesque snowy peaks of the Dolomites.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 6, 2026
They include the stars of the rice world - risotto, basmati and sushi.
From BBC • Sep. 27, 2025
Instead of plating a large piece of chicken with sweet potatoes and rice on the side, transform those same ingredients into a sweet potato risotto with chicken.
From Salon • Mar. 30, 2025
They ate tiny lamb chops and a mushroom risotto.
From "Genuine Fraud" by E. Lockhart
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
