What Is Arborio (short-grain) rice and How Can I Use It?

Wondering what to do with arborio (short-grain) rice? This guide covers how to pick it, cook it, store it, and swap it — with 64 recipes to put it to work.

Nutrition

Where found

Arborio (short-grain) rice is usually found in the rice & beans section or aisle of the grocery store or supermarket.

Food group

Arborio (short-grain) rice is a member of the Cereal Grains and Pasta US Department of Agriculture nutritional food group.

How much does arborio (short-grain) rice weigh?

Related

Cereal Grains and Pasta

Recipes using arborio (short-grain) rice

There are 64 recipes that contain this ingredient.

Prosciutto & Green Pea Risotto

Creamy prosciutto and green pea risotto finished with Parmesan, fresh basil, and a splash of cream. Salty cured ham and sweet peas make this Italian rice dish rich and satisfying.

Paella with Shellfish & Lemon Aspen Fruits

Paella with shellfish and served with lemon aspen fruits

Butternut Squash & Shiitake Mushroom Risotto

Creamy arborio rice risotto with roasted butternut squash, earthy shiitake mushrooms, and Parmigiano-Reggiano. A low-fat, vegetarian comfort dish that's worthy of a dinner party.

Wild Mushroom Risotto

Creamy wild mushroom risotto made with shiitake and white mushrooms, Arborio rice, white wine, and finished with Mascarpone and Parmesan. Pure Italian comfort for two.

Baked Creamy Rice Pudding

Creamy, smooth and light. It's an easy yet delicious pudding that ends the meal with an abundance of joy.

VLF Burgers

Very low-fat burgers, no oils or fats of any sort in these vegan brown rice burgers packed with fiber and veggies.

Yemista Me Lahano (Stuffed Cabbage Leaves)

Tender cabbage leaves wrapped around seasoned beef, rice, and a whisper of cinnamon, simmered until melt-in-your-mouth soft and drizzled with tangy avgolemono sauce. Greek comfort food at its finest.

Risotto Primavera

Risotto primavera packs spring vegetables into creamy arborio rice: green beans, peas, asparagus, artichokes, carrots, and tomatoes folded in stages, finished with butter and Parmigiano. The garden in a bowl.

Rice & Spinach Soup (Minestrina Di Riso E Spinaci)

Minestrina di riso e spinaci is an Italian rice and spinach soup with Arborio rice, garlic, onion, and Parmigiano-Reggiano. A light, brothy Italian soup where the rice adds body without heaviness.

Risotto with Mozzarella & Hot Pepper Flakes

Risotto with mozzarella, Kalamata olives, sun-dried tomatoes, and red pepper flakes. A creamy Italian rice dish with Mediterranean flavors and two cheeses.

Pumpkin Risotto

Pumpkin risotto with roasted pumpkin puree, saffron, white wine, shallots, and fresh sage stirred into creamy arborio rice. A stunning fall side dish.

Butternut Squash Soup with Honey & Roasted Barley Risotto

Butternut squash soup with honey and a roasted barley risotto center, a restaurant-plated autumn soup where creamy risotto sits in the middle of a pool of silky squash soup. Elegant fall entertaining in a bowl.

Risotto with Sausage

Italian sausage risotto with Arborio rice, beef broth, white wine, and Parmesan. Slow-stirred until creamy with browned sausage folded through every bite.

Kalamaria Parayemista

Kalamaria Parayemista: Greek stuffed squid filled with cinnamon-spiced rice, tomato, and chopped tentacles, then braised in white wine until tender. A traditional Greek meze.

Red Chile Risotto Clams

Clam risotto with red chile powder, Roma tomatoes, and bell peppers finished with Parmigiano-Reggiano. Arborio rice cooked in homemade clam broth for deep seafood flavor.

Potato & Rice Soup

Potato and rice soup builds a savory Italian-style broth with diced potatoes, shredded carrots, tomato paste, and arborio rice, finished with grated Parmesan and black pepper.

Gingered Rice

Ginger-infused rice made by frying fresh minced ginger in oil before simmering with short-grain rice. A fragrant, simple side dish that pairs with stir-fries, curries, and grilled meats.

Koushari (Lentils Macaroni & Rice in Oil)

Egyptian koushari layers brown lentils, elbow macaroni, and fried rice tossed with tomato puree and crispy ta'leya onions. Egypt's beloved street food, vegetarian and filling.

Kid's Paella

Kid-friendly paella: chicken drumettes, bacon, saffron rice, and peas in a single pan. A gentler introduction to Spanish flavors that still delivers that signature golden, crackling bottom.

Whitefish with Leek Risotto

Oven-baked risotto cooked in clam juice with anchovies and herbs, topped with flaky whitefish and silky leeks, then drizzled with a lemony Dijon vinaigrette. No stirring required.

Red Wine Risotto

Incredibly rich, red wine flavor infused into the rice perfectly with the tomato and cheese. Typically from Northern Italy, choose a Pinot Noir or any other good Italian drinking wine.

Potato & Rice Soup (Patata E Risi)

Patata e risi, an Italian potato and rice soup with carrots, tomato paste, and Parmigiano-Reggiano. A hearty one-pot soup simmered in chicken broth and finished with grated cheese.

Breakfast Risotto

Breakfast risotto made with Arborio rice slowly stirred with warm apple juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, milk, and raisins. Creamy, warm-spiced porridge-meets-risotto, served with brown sugar at the table.

Sweet Risotto with Exotic Bananas

Baked sweet risotto with arborio rice, ripe bananas, brown sugar, cinnamon, and creme de cacao. A creamy, hands-off rice pudding dessert that bakes covered for one hour.

Risotto with Shrimp, Tomatoes & Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto

Shrimp risotto with fresh Roma tomatoes and sun-dried tomato pesto stirred into creamy arborio rice. White wine-glazed shrimp spooned on top to finish.

All 64 recipes