Roasted Tomato Creamy Risotto

This hearty roasted tomato risotto transforms simple ingredients into a luxurious Italian-inspired meal that rivals restaurant versions. The slow-roasted cherry tomatoes develop deep, caramelized flavors that infuse the creamy arborio rice with unforgettable richness.

I first created this risotto when trying to impress my Italian neighbor with a plant-based dish. She asked for the recipe and now serves it at her own dinner parties claiming it's better than her grandmother's traditional version.

Ingredients

• Fresh cherry tomatoes: their natural sweetness concentrates beautifully when roasted creating pockets of intense flavor throughout the risotto
• Arborio rice: the high starch content is absolutely essential for achieving that signature creamy risotto texture
• Nutritional yeast: this magical ingredient provides a cheesy richness without any dairy making the dish decadently satisfying
• Fresh basil: the aromatic brightness cuts through the richness and elevates the entire dish with its distinctive Italian character
• Vegetable broth: choose a high quality brand or make your own as this forms the flavor foundation of the entire dish
• Yellow onion and garlic: these aromatics create the essential flavor base that no proper risotto can be without

Step-by-Step Instructions

Roast The Tomatoes:

Preheat oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Halve the cherry tomatoes and arrange them cut side up before drizzling with olive oil and seasoning with salt and pepper. Roast for 20-25 minutes until they develop gorgeous caramelized edges and begin to shrivel slightly. This concentrates their natural sweetness and creates incredible depth of flavor.

Create The Aromatic Base:

While tomatoes roast heat remaining olive oil in a heavy bottomed pot over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook for 4-5 minutes until translucent and beginning to soften. Add minced garlic and continue cooking for another 30-60 seconds until fragrant but not browned. This aromatic foundation infuses the entire dish with savory notes.

Toast The Rice:

Add arborio rice to the pot and stir continuously for 1-2 minutes. You want each grain coated in oil and slightly toasted which helps maintain its structure during cooking. The rice should become slightly translucent around the edges while the center remains opaque. This crucial step prevents mushiness later.

Begin The Broth Addition:

Keep your vegetable broth warm in a separate pot. Add approximately half a cup of warm broth to the rice and stir gently but consistently. Wait until almost all liquid is absorbed before adding the next half cup. The rice should always be slightly soupy but never swimming in liquid. This slow addition process takes patience but develops the creamy texture that defines perfect risotto.

Continue Broth Additions:

Maintain this rhythm of adding broth stirring and waiting for absorption for approximately 18-22 minutes. Test rice occasionally by tasting a grain it should be tender but with a slight firmness at the center. The finished texture should be creamy and flowing not stiff or sticky.

Incorporate Roasted Tomatoes:

When rice reaches the perfect al dente texture fold in the roasted tomatoes with any juices from the baking sheet. These concentrated flavor bombs will infuse the entire risotto with their caramelized sweetness.

Add Finishing Ingredients:

Stir in nutritional yeast which will melt into the hot risotto creating a velvety richness. Fold in most of the fresh basil reserving some for garnish. Allow everything to marry together for 1-2 minutes off heat. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed.

Rest And Serve:

Let the risotto rest for 3-5 minutes before serving which allows the flavors to fully develop and the texture to reach perfection. Divide between warmed bowls and garnish with remaining fresh basil for a beautiful presentation.

My absolute favorite part of this recipe is watching the cherry tomatoes transform in the oven. The first time I made this risotto I nearly ate all the roasted tomatoes before they made it into the dish they become almost candy like with concentrated sweetness. Now I always roast extra tomatoes to snack on while I stir the risotto.

Perfect Consistency Secrets

The ideal risotto should flow gently when spooned onto a plate not stand rigidly or appear soupy. This perfect consistency comes from patience during the cooking process. Always keep the heat at medium low to prevent rapid evaporation and allow proper starch release. If your risotto becomes too thick just before serving stir in an additional splash of warm broth to loosen it to the perfect velvety texture. The final dish should ripple slightly when the plate is gently tapped.

Make Ahead Options

While risotto is famously best served immediately after cooking there are ways to prepare components ahead of time. The roasted tomatoes can be prepared up to two days in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. You can also prepare the risotto base through the toasting of the rice step then cool and refrigerate. When ready to serve simply continue with the broth additions. For completely prepared leftover risotto transform it into crispy risotto cakes by forming patties and pan frying them until golden on both sides.

Seasonal Variations

Summer creates the perfect opportunity to use heirloom cherry tomatoes in rainbow colors for stunning visual impact. In fall try incorporating roasted butternut squash alongside the tomatoes for added sweetness and nutritional boost. Winter risotto benefits from stirring in sautéed hearty greens like kale in the final minutes of cooking. Spring calls for adding tender asparagus tips or fresh peas in the last five minutes of cooking for bright seasonal flavor.

Common Questions About This Recipe

→ What type of tomatoes work best?

Cherry tomatoes are ideal for their sweetness and ability to caramelize beautifully in the oven.

→ How do you achieve creamy risotto texture?

Stirring Arborio rice slowly with warm broth lets the rice release starch, resulting in a luxurious, creamy consistency.

→ Is nutritional yeast necessary?

Nutritional yeast gives a savory, cheesy depth, especially in dairy-free preparations, but it can be swapped for Parmesan if preferred.

→ Can the dish be stored and reheated?

Yes, though best served fresh, leftovers can be reheated gently with extra broth to restore creaminess.

→ What can be added for more protein?

Stir in white beans for an extra protein boost and subtle Mediterranean flair.