This rich and creamy bacon risotto recipe with sweet peas and savory Monterey Jack cheese is a fancy but easy dinner for any occasion.
Servings : 6servings
Prep Time 10 minutesmins
Cook Time 30 minutesmins
Total Time 40 minutesmins
Ingredients
6slicesbacon
1smallyellow onion,finely diced
2 to 3clovesgarlic,minced
1½cupsArborio rice or white long grain rice
3cupschicken broth,divided
1cupheavy cream
15ouncescan sweet peas,rinsed and drained
salt and freshly ground black pepper,to taste
½cupshredded monterey jack cheese
Instructions
Place the bacon in a large frying pan and cook over medium-high heat for 5 minutes or until as crispy as desired, turning once.
Remove bacon, drain on paper towels, and crumble it; set aside. Do not discard bacon drippings.
Add the chopped onions to the same frying pan and cook them in the bacon grease until softened, stirring occasionally, about 3 minutes.
Add the garlic and rice; continue to cook until the rice is translucent, stirring frequently.
Pour in one cup of the chicken broth; stir and cook until almost all the liquid is absorbed.
Pour in one more cup of the broth and continue to stir and cook until all liquid is absorbed.
Repeat the same process with the remaining chicken broth while continuously stirring.
Once the liquid has been absorbed, pour in half of the heavy cream and continue to cook, stirring frequently until all the liquid is absorbed.
Pour in the rest of the cream, stir until two-thirds of the liquid is absorbed.
Stir in the peas and continue to cook for another 2 to 3 minutes or until heated through.
Remove from heat and season generously with salt and pepper. Taste and adjust if needed.
Stir in the shredded cheese and crumbled bacon, and serve.
Notes
Continuous stirring is crucial for risotto—it helps release the rice's starch, giving it that signature creamy texture and ensuring even cooking. A little effort goes a long way toward that perfect, velvety risotto.
Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients and tools used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed info.
Course: Main, Main Course, Side Dish/Dinner
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: bacon and pea risotto, bacon risotto recipe, pea and bacon risotto