This is proof that bacon makes everything better – even already delicious and creamy risotto! Try this risotto with bacon and brussels sprouts if you love rich flavors, parmesan cheese and general easy dinner awesomeness.
Can I tell you something? Yes? Ok, here goes. I’m tired. Oh, you know that already? Mmmk, let me think about something else. Right, I got it. Let’s talk about bacon!
Bacon and Brussels Sprouts.
Right here in this big bowl of gloriously cheesy and creamy rice, also known as risotto. Aaah, you get me every single time.
You are just too good to be truuue, can’t take my eyes off of you…
Any more risotto lovers out there? Come and sing along with me! (Please do or else I feel like a total idiot for singing over food…)
And did you recognize the picture by the way? I used in in my post about food photography. Huh, what is that? You’ve been dying for me to tell you the recipe? Oh I just knew we are friends ♥
Speaking of friends… This dinner was completely inspired by a friend. One of my best friends actually. He is ace.
Wanna know why? Because one winter, while I was working in a pub and he was working as a chef (well, he still is which makes him even more awesome because… FOOD!), he brought me soup all. the. time.
He would cook it and vacuum it into a big plastic bag and then bring it to me. How amazing is that? Soup rocks. Friends who bring me soup rock even more.
And friends who bring me bacon and brussels sprout soup rock the most. Without a doubt.
Now I thought I’d use his idea of a bacon and brussels sprout liaison to create an amazing risotto.
And seriously guys, it is nothing short of amazing. You will want to lie face down into your plate, that’s about how good all those tasty things are all mixed together.
Just LOOK at it! It’s so beautiful with all the green sprouts and little crunchy bits of bacon all mixed in. And don’t forget to top it all off with a good portion of Parmesan cheese. No risotto should ever be without his one true love.
And please don’t ever use plain short grain rice, use real arborio risotto rice. You can actually order really good one on Amazon!*, so there’s no excuses 😉
Anything else would be a crime you should go to food prison for.
Uuuuhm, food prison? Riiiiiight… I should stop talking for now and just give you the recipe. Here it is. Please stay friends with me, even if I ramble incoherently. Thank you ♥
Risotto with Bacon and Brussels Sprouts
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 1 onion. chopped
- 1 cup arborio rice
- 1/3 cup white wine
- 3 cups hot broth
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese grated
- 2 tablespoons cold butter
- 8 slices bacon cut into strips
- 4 cups brussels sprouts quartered
Instructions
- In a large skillet heat the oil over medium high heat. Add the onion and cook for 2-3 minutes or until starting to soften. Add the rice and continue cooking for 1-2 minutes until the rice turns slightly translucent. Deglaze with the white wine.
- Add a few ladles of broth until the rice is just covered. Reduce to a simmer and cook, stirring often, until most of the broth has been absorbed. Repeat this process until all the broth has been used up or until the rice is done. This should take 15-20 minutes.
- In a separate frying pan cook the bacon until crispy while the rice is cooking. Add the brussels sprouts and continue cooking until done, about 8-10 minutes.
- To finish the risotto, stir in the Parmesan cheese and the cold butter. Serve topped with the bacon and brussels sprouts.
Notes
Nutrition (this is an estimate)
* I make a commission for purchases made through these links.
Cat Manning
This is such an easy, beautiful meal. The flavor combinations are divine. Try this. Seriously. It’s so. Good.
Nora
Thank you so much for your kind words, Cat! I’m so glad you enjoyed the risotto. It’s one of my favorites!
Karen
Would this still work without the cheese? I would also love the recipe for the soup 🙂
Nora
Hi Karen, yes! Absolutely. If you have cashew or almond butter on hand, just stir a few spoonfuls into the risotto at the end. This will give it similar creaminess as the cheese. And I don’t think there’s a recipe for the soup, sad face 🙁 ! Hope that helps 🙂
Samantha
I want to make this dish with a few of my friends this week but was unsure of a few things.
When you say, ‘Heated Broth’ – What kind of broth? Chicken? Beef? is it interchangeable? What would you suggest.
Please let me know so I can make this dish!
Nora
Hi Samantha, I usually use chicken broth to make risotto. In this particular recipe I’d recommend chicken, but you can really use whatever you have on hand. It would even work with just hot water, but it would be a little bland. The most important thing is to make sure the broth is hot (not boiling).
Hope you’ll like the recipe!
Melissa
I made this today and my husband and I loved it. My first time making a risotto which I’ve heard isn’t always easy. Your instructions were very clear and that made it easy. Thanks!
Nora
I’m so happy to hear this Melissa! Glad you liked it!
Mark
This was so easy. My first risotto, and I couldn’t be happier, or more proud of myself. THANK YOU.
Nora
I’m so happy to hear this Mark! Thank YOU for trying and reporting back!
[email protected] The Gastronomic Bong
I loveeee risotto. . And bacon and brussels sprouts.. omg i love everything about this dish.. its looks so so good. So delicious. . Big yummmm!! 🙂
Nora
Thank you Arpita!! 😀
Rebecca @ figs and pigs
Beautiful photos and you make brussel sprouts look super delicious!
Nora
Thank you so much Rebecca!
Sippitysup
How could you be tired with a plate of food like that? I feel positively energized just thinking about that deliciousness. GREG
Nora
Thank you Greg – I guess the sleepless nights are just really catching up with me 😉
Debbie | Lunching Daily
This looks delicious. I’ve been looking for new brussels sprout recipes. I’ll try this for sure. P.S. Singing and cooking go hand in hand around here, especially to keep the little ones happy while preparing lunch:)
Nora
Awww that’s so cute 🙂 Mine is still (mostly) happy just being carried while I’m cooking! Let me know if you get round to trying this 🙂
Sarah | Broma Bakery
Just made risotto on Sunday. Wish I had had this recipe to spice things up! Brussels sprouts are my fave!
Nora
Oh no, I was just too late! 🙂 I agree, Brussels sprouts are a really cool vegetable – and terribly underrated!
Olivia @ Olivia's Cuisine
Can’t wait to try this. I love risottos! 🙂
Nora
Me too 🙂 Let me know if you get round to trying it!
Helen @ Scrummy Lane
This is one of those recipes that leaves me wishing that I’d thought of it! Brussels and bacon go so well together, of course, so they seem like the perfect risotto addition. Got to try this one!
Nora
They really are amazing together! Let me know if you get around to trying it 🙂
Liz @ Tip Top Shape
True friends bring you soup. Or booze. One of the two! lol
This risotto looks GOOD!!! And I was totally singing along with you during the post 😉
Nora
Haha, true that 😀 Yay thanks for singing along! Now I feel a little less dorky 😉
Jess @ whatjessicabakednext
This risotto sounds amazing! Love the flavours, delicious!
Nora
Thank you Jess!