Traditional stovetop risotto demands constant attention, endless stirring, and perfect timing. But what if you could achieve that same creamy, restaurant-quality texture without standing over the stove for 30 minutes? This Instant Pot Parmesan risotto delivers all the luxurious comfort of classic risotto with a fraction of the effort. The pressure cooker transforms simple ingredients into a silky, flavorful side dish that’s sophisticated enough for dinner parties yet simple enough for busy weeknights.
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Table of Contents
Why This Recipe Works
The Instant Pot’s sealed environment creates the perfect conditions for risotto. The constant pressure and even heat distribution allow the arborio rice to release its starches gradually, creating that signature creamy texture without continuous stirring. Adding dry vermouth and quality Parmigiano-Reggiano elevates the flavor profile, while the chicken broth provides a savory foundation that makes this dish irresistible.
Ingredients
- Butter – Creates a rich base and helps sauté the aromatics to perfection
- Shallots – Provide sweet, mild onion flavor that’s more refined than regular onions
- Garlic – Adds aromatic depth and savory complexity to the base
- Medium grain or arborio rice – Contains high starch content essential for creamy texture
- Dry vermouth or dry white wine – Deglazes the pot and adds sophisticated flavor depth
- Chicken broth – Forms the flavorful liquid base that the rice absorbs
- Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese – Delivers rich, nutty flavor and creamy finish
- Salt – Enhances all flavors and balances the richness
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
Here’s some helpful information and options for substituting risotto ingredients:
Rice for Risotto
To make this pressure cooker risotto, you can use arborio or medium-grain rice. Both kinds of rice have a lot of starch, making the dish creamy.
Medium-grain rice isn’t the most common type sold at your average grocery store, but it is sold there. Read the label. This recipe is not suited to long-grain rice. If you have long-grain rice, try my rice pilaf.
Wine for Risotto
I use vermouth in this Instapot risotto recipe, but you can use dry white wine like Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, or Sauvignon Blanc. Julia Child often substituted Vermouth for white wine.
Vermouth is dry, and since it is fortified, it won’t oxidize once opened like white wine. I always keep a bottle on hand for cooking. You can find vermouth, where wine is sold. It will be near other fortified wines, such as sherry or marsala.
I also use shallots in this recipe. If you can’t find shallots, you can substitute chopped white onion—it’s up to you.
How to Make Parmesan Risotto in an Instant Pot
- Place the Instant Pot on sauté, add butter, and when the butter has melted, add the shallots.
- Sauté the shallots until they have become translucent.
- Add garlic and sauté until the garlic becomes fragrant.
- Add rice and stir until the rice is coated with the melted butter.
- Cook rice for about 1 minute.
- Add half of the vermouth and stir to combine with rice.
- When the rice has absorbed the vermouth, add the remaining Vermouth, chicken broth, half of the cheese, and salt. Stir to combine thoroughly.
- Place the lid on the Instant Pot and cook for 8 minutes on high pressure.
- Turn the valve to release naturally, or you can quickly release the pressure.
- Add the remaining cheese before serving.
You can garnish it with chopped fresh parsley or fresh thyme.
What to Serve With Parmesan Risotto
As mentioned above, serve this risotto with rosemary chicken, scallops, or shrimp proteins. It’s also an excellent match for baked pork chops, salmon, or veal.
If you want to enjoy a vegetarian meal, try making it with vegetable broth instead and enjoying it with stuffed portobello mushrooms. The combination is simply irresistible!
Any of the proteins listed above can be served with the risotto and other sides like air fryer asparagus, steamed peas, or sauteed mixed vegetables for a complete, hearty meal.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
- Refrigerator Storage: Store in airtight containers for 3-5 days. Risotto will thicken as it cools.
- Reheating Method: Reheat gently on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring in additional broth or cream to restore creamy consistency. Cover and stir occasionally to distribute heat evenly.
- Microwave Option: Cover with a damp paper towel and microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between intervals to prevent hot spots.
Instant Pot Cooking Tips
It’s not unknown why an Instant Pot does not seal sometimes. When this happens, I make a quick evaluation. Do I need something to come to pressure, or can I wait for it to cook longer?
I either leave it alone (just cook it longer) or carefully remove the lid and check that there is about a cup of liquid in the pot. If not, I add more liquid. Then I carefully look at the silicone seal (sometimes the silicone ring slips), ensure it is in the correct position, and see if the pot will come to pressure.
Find more advice on fixing common Instant Pot problems.
I hope you enjoy this recipe!
Are you interested in the Instant Pot? You can check out the Instant Pot Stainless Steel 6-in-1 Pressure Cooker with Mini Mitts
on Amazon.
Great Instant Pot Recipes
- Mulligan Stew
- Instant Pot Italian Sausage
- Instant Pot Shredded Chicken
- Instant Pot French Onion Rice
- Instant Pot Beef Stew without Mushy Vegetables
- Instant Pot Macaroni and Cheese
Favorite Rice Recipes
- Cajun Rice
- Easy Broccoli Rice Casserole
- French Onion Rice Casserole
- Japanese Fried Rice Recipe
- Chipotle Mexican Grill White Rice
- Spanish Rice Casserole with Ground Beef
Be sure to check out my easy Instant Pot recipes and the best side dishes to make for dinner.
Instant Pot Parmesan Risotto Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 cup finely chopped shallots or white onions
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 1/3 cups medium-grain rice or arborio rice
- 1 cup dry vermouth or dry white wine, divided
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 2 ounces fresh Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese , divided
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Place the Instant Pot on saute, add butter, when the butter has melted add shallots. Saute the shallots until they have become translucent. Add garlic and saute until the garlic becomes fragrant. Add rice, stir until the rice is coated with the melted butter. Cook rice for about 1 minute. Add half of the vermouth. Stir the vermouth in, it will be absorbed into the rice. When the vermouth has been absorbed add the remaining Vermouth and chicken broth. Add 1 ounce of Parmesan cheese and salt, stir in the cheese and salt into the liquid. Place the lid on the pressure cooker.
- Cook for 8 minutes on high, you can set this manually. After the rice has finished cooking you can either allow it to release naturally, or you can manually release the pressure. Before serving add the remaining cheese.
Stephanie, is an Instant Pot the same as a Pressure Cooker?
Yes, it’s a name brand. Check it out on Amazon. I love mine!
Risotto is one of my favorite dishes. I definitely want to try and make this recipe. Love the idea of adding parmesan.
I hope you enjoy the rice!
Risotto is one of my favorite comfort foods. I always make mine with arborrio rice because it’s got such great plump grains.
This looks good. I’m wondering if my kids would like it? I bet they would.
My kids didn’t care for this particular recipe for risotto. It was too heavy on the vermouth. I’d half the quantity and let the cheese speak a bit more.
I keep seeing posts about the Instant Pot. I’m going to have to get one!
I feel like cheering for this post. I love my instant pot and risotto! Such a win here
I just made Risotto for my sister and her friends! It was so delicious! I want to try your recipe.
Ok, I will bite. Where the heck would one go and buy a Instant pot?
I normally make rice over the stove but I pull it off the heat and let it sit while it cooks.
Amazon!! They are amazing!! I just got mine on Black Friday and I’m hooked!!
I got mine and another for a gift from Bed Bath Beyond due to the coupon factor and their amazing return policy IF I use and it breaks etc down the road it’s replaced. LOVE MINE but I went with the Fagor Brand- it’s virtually same but heats up quicker / all made in the USA / has an optional stainless steel pot which I prefer for searing meat. It’s the BESt new invention on cooking! Has several safety features too!
I have never heard of an Instant Pot! Effortless risotto though? Sign me up! 🙂
I love risotto but hate having to sit and stir for 40 minutes. Love the ease of this recipe.
I definitely need to look into getting an instant pot because this looks amazing! Thanks so much for the tips on the risotto. Can’t wait to try it!
Mmm risotta is a favorite of mine. I need to pick up an instant pot!
Where is the recipe?
If you click on Print Recipe, it comes right up…
I made an error in the code. It is back now, I apologize for my error.
it is there now, I am sorry I had an error in my code.
It is on the webpage.
This might be a tasty rice dish but sorry, it’s not risotto. Risotto should be creamy which can only be obtained by stirring the arborio (or carnaroli rice is even better!) to the point that it must be served in a bowl. This rice dish is not even close. Standing over the stove stirring is the only way to get there. Instant Pot is awesome and works well but not for risotto.
Again, thank you for sharing your opinion. I think we personally have divergent opinions when making rice in an Instant Pot. I did use a medium, not a long grain rice for this recipe. Medium grain rice is similar to carnaroli. I look forward to more of your comments in the future, it sounds like you know a lot about cooking.
I adore a true risotto, and sometimes I don’t mind stirring and day dreaming for a creamy dish of this. For goodness sake, making it in my beloved Instant Pot is something I intend to do.Who cares if this isn’t the authentic way? Thanks for sharing this recipe. I’m making this one, as soon as our freaky Indian Summer weather is gone.
The recipe does not show up on this page!
Agreed there is no actual recipe just discussion about the recipe!!!
It is there now.
I am new to the world of home cooking. You got my curiosity up. What is an Instant Pot. My family thinks I am A great cook since I started using your recipes. Thank you
Go on Amazon and look at them. I have cooked our last 5 dinners in mine. Last night I had Jumbalaya on the table in 15 min. I love my Instapot. I also have made chili, chicken in wine, Carne Guisada and a soup. So quick! Love my Instapot.
Thank you very much Jim. I am sure you are a great cook before you starting coming to my website. http://www.instantpot.com will give you all of the information you need about this awesome cooking pot. It sautes, pressure cooks, makes rice, makes homemade yogurt, and acts as a slow cooker.
Sounds great! Where’s the recipe ??
It’s there now. I am sorry I had an error that prevented the page from loading.
Love my instant pot!!!!
Cook all sorts of rice dishes in it all the time including different risottos. I have successfully used the medium grain rice instead of the arborio rice.
Thanks for this recipe.I plan on makin it soon.
Can you adapt this using other than a pressure cooker
So I think you can use the typical technique for this rice, with a couple of modifications. One, use arborio rice. Then simply saute the shallots and garlic over medium heat. Add the rice, cook for about 1 minute. Then add in the liquid about a half a cup at a time stirring constantly. until all of it is incorporated. Check for doneness, this will take about 20 minutes before all of the liquid is absorbed. Let me know if these directions make sense.
I use my Zohrushi bread machine to make mine in. Perfect every time!
Now that’s an awesome idea!