This Brussels Sprout and Bacon Risotto is proof that bacon makes everything better – even already delicious and creamy risotto! Try this recipe if you love rich flavors, parmesan cheese and Italian favorites made at home.
Risotto is one of my favorite meals of all time – and it’s the dish my husband stole my heart with when we were dating. Risotto is actually quite easy to make once you get the hang of it! Here, you’ll be combining the creamy Italian favorite with fall-inspired Brussels sprouts and bacon.
How to make risotto
Making risotto at home isn’t hard at all, if you follow a few key steps. The important thing to know is this: Risotto isn’t supposed to be overcooked rice – it’s rice cooked al-dente (with a bite) that sits in a creamy, starchy sauce.
The risotto should also not be claggy/sticky, but more soupy and “run away” on the plate.
Key steps for the perfect risotto
- Cook the onion: First, you sauté the onion in olive oil until it has softened (otherwise your risotto will taste of raw onion later). Use a skillet or a heavy-bottomed pot to make your risotto.
- Sauté the rice: This is one of the most important parts of risotto! Add the rice to the onion and sauté while stirring constantly, until the rice looks translucent. This helps the starch to release into a creamy sauce later.
- Deglaze the pan: Pour the white wine into the pan, scraping any browned bits off the bottom. To keep your risotto from tasting too much of raw alcohol, make sure to simmer the dish until almost all of the wine has evaporated.
- Cook the risotto: To cook the risotto, keep ladling hot broth (just pour chicken broth into a saucepan, bring to a boil once and then keep it warm over medium-low heat on the stove) over the rice so it’s JUST covered. Simmer gently until the rice has absorbed almost all of the broth you added, then ladle on more broth. Continue like this until the rice is done, about 20 minutes.
- Cook the bacon and Brussels sprouts: Do this while the risotto simmers. Just cook the bacon in a medium skillet until crispy, then add the quartered Brussels sprouts and sauté until crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.
- Finish the risotto: Once the rice is done, take it off the heat. Stir the grated parmesan and butter into the risotto, then serve immediately with the bacon and Brussels sprouts.
Risotto FAQ’s:
Rice varieties that are used to make risotto are Italian, short-grain and higher in starch.
The most popular is Arborio, while other varieties called Carnaroli, Vialone, Nano, and Baldo are a little harder to find.
I prefer steering clear from wines labelled as “cooking wine”, because they usually have unnecessary additives – that being said, cooking wine works perfectly fine in this dish.
If you’re going to use a regular wine, definitely pick a dry one. Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc or Zinfandel are all great choices. You may use Chardonnay, but only unoaked. This goes for all types of wine when it comes to cooking – oaked wines turn bitter during cooking.
Risotto is gluten free (as rice is gluten-free), as long as you use all certified gluten free ingredients. It’s ESPECIALLY important to check your chicken stock!
I do not recommend freezing risotto, because it changes the texture a lot.
If you have leftovers, it’s better to refrigerate them for up to 2 days.
Reheat:
- in the microwave for 4-5 minutes.
- on the stove in a skillet in little cakes until crispy on the outside
- on the stove in a small saucepan with a little extra chicken broth added until creamy
However you reheat the risotto, make sure it’s steaming hot all the way through before serving.
Serving suggestions
Since this is a pretty fall/winter inspired dish, we love this with a side of greens dressed in white balsamic vinaigrette, with a slice of Lemon Pound Cake for dessert.
PS If you try this recipe, please leave a review in the comment section and add a star rating in the recipe card – I appreciate your feedback! Follow along on Pinterest, Facebook or Instagram. Sign up for my email list, too!
Risotto with Bacon and Brussels Sprouts
Recipe details
Ingredients
For the Risotto:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 onion finely diced
- 2 cups risotto rice we prefer Arborio
- ½ cup dry white wine
- 6 cups hot chicken broth
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese grated
- 2 tablespoons cold butter
For the Bacon & Brussel Sprouts:
- 8 slices bacon diced
- 2 bags (12-oz) fresh brussel sprouts quartered
Instructions
Make the Risotto:
- Sauté the aromatics: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the oil, then add the onion and cook for 2-3 minutes or until starting to soften. Add the rice and continue cooking for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until the rice turns slightly translucent.
- Deglaze: Pour the white wine into the skillet, scraping any browned bits off the bottom of the pan. Simmer until almost all of the liquid is gone (this should only take a couple of minutes).
- Cook risotto: 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.
Cook Bacon and Brussel Sprouts:
- In a separate frying pan cook the bacon until crispy while the risotto is cooking. Add the brussels sprouts and continue cooking until crispy and tender, about 8-10 minutes.
Finish Risotto:
- To finish the risotto, take it off the heat. Stir the Parmesan cheese and the cold butter into the rice. Serve topped with the bacon and brussels sprouts.
Cat Manning says
This is such an easy, beautiful meal. The flavor combinations are divine. Try this. Seriously. It’s so. Good.
Nora says
Thank you so much for your kind words, Cat! I’m so glad you enjoyed the risotto. It’s one of my favorites!
Karen says
Would this still work without the cheese? I would also love the recipe for the soup 🙂
Nora says
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 says
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 says
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 says
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 says
I’m so happy to hear this Melissa! Glad you liked it!
Mark says
This was so easy. My first risotto, and I couldn’t be happier, or more proud of myself. THANK YOU.
Nora says
I’m so happy to hear this Mark! Thank YOU for trying and reporting back!
Arpita@ The Gastronomic Bong says
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 says
Thank you Arpita!! 😀
Rebecca @ figs and pigs says
Beautiful photos and you make brussel sprouts look super delicious!
Nora says
Thank you so much Rebecca!
Sippitysup says
How could you be tired with a plate of food like that? I feel positively energized just thinking about that deliciousness. GREG
Nora says
Thank you Greg – I guess the sleepless nights are just really catching up with me 😉
Debbie | Lunching Daily says
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 says
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 says
Just made risotto on Sunday. Wish I had had this recipe to spice things up! Brussels sprouts are my fave!
Nora says
Oh no, I was just too late! 🙂 I agree, Brussels sprouts are a really cool vegetable – and terribly underrated!
Olivia @ Olivia's Cuisine says
Can’t wait to try this. I love risottos! 🙂
Nora says
Me too 🙂 Let me know if you get round to trying it!
Helen @ Scrummy Lane says
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 says
They really are amazing together! Let me know if you get around to trying it 🙂
Liz @ Tip Top Shape says
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 says
Haha, true that 😀 Yay thanks for singing along! Now I feel a little less dorky 😉
Jess @ whatjessicabakednext says
This risotto sounds amazing! Love the flavours, delicious!
Nora says
Thank you Jess!