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This Garlic Shrimp Risotto is a take on a classic Italian recipe. It’s made with fragrant arborio rice sautéed in onions and garlic, simmered in fish stock, and topped with delicately seasoned shrimp.

You may also like my pumpkin risotto recipe that’s perfect during the fall.

top view of shrimp and rice risotto in a black skillet
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Rich, creamy risotto has always been a favorite among foodies. But who has the time to cook it from scratch? Well, I am here to show you how simple and easy it can be to whip up an easy garlic and shrimp risotto recipe that will become a weeknight dinner go-to.

Few things scream “comfort food” more than a hearty risotto. This shrimp risotto with garlic is among one of the best risotto recipes if I do say so myself! All you need are some simple ingredients like Arborio rice, a few spices, garlic cloves, fresh parsley leaves, broth, salt & pepper, shrimp, and parmesan cheese to make this creamy dish!

Recipe summary

  • This risotto recipe is for seafood lovers. Shrimp is served on top of the arborio rice, which has been cooked in fish stock.
  • You’ll love this recipe if you’re looking for a complete meal. Asparagus and parsley are great additions to a risotto, but risotto may be made with practically any vegetable.
  • Making your risotto will save you a lot of money. A restaurant-quality dinner can be made at home with this creamy garlic shrimp risotto.
close up view of shrimp risotto in a pan

Ingredients For Shrimp Risotto

These are just a list of ingredients for you to see if you have on hand to make this recipe. Full measurements are listed further down below in the recipe card.

ingredients to make shrimp risotto.
  • olive oil, divided – you may use any oil of choice like avocado oil
  • Medium raw shrimp – it is best to use raw shrimp instead of the pre-cooked shrimp.
  • seasonings: smoked paprika and Italian seasoning
  • Kosher salt and ground black pepper
  • yellow onion: or you can use white sweet onions
  • garlic cloves: do use fresh garlic cloves
  • arborio rice – I prefer this rice for risotto, you may also use Carnaroli
  • fish broth – or you may use vegetable broth
  • Parmesan cheese – use freshly grated parmesan cheese if you can, Store-bought alaos works
  • parsley

How To Make Shrimp Risotto

  • Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the shrimp in a single layer and sprinkle with the seasonings. Cook undisturbed for 2 minutes, then flip and continue to cook until pink and fully opaque, around 1-2 minutes more. Set aside on a plate.
sauteed shrimp in a black skillet for risotto
  • Heat the remaining oil in the same skillet. Saute the onion and garlic for 3-4 minutes over medium heat.
  • Add the rice and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute.
  • Pour over two cupfuls of broth. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until most of the liquid has been absorbed.
broth being poured over seasoned rice in a skillet to make risotto
  • When the liquid is reduced, go ahead and add another cup of broth at a time;
  • Once all the broth is absorbed, the rice will be plump and creamy. Remove from heat and stir in the parmesan and parsley.
  • Serve the risotto topped with cooked shrimp. Sprinkle some lemon juice from the lemon garnishes and enjoy.
top view of creamy risotto in a black skillet

What to Serve with Risotto

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Substitutions & Additions

  • Broth: You may use Chicken or vegetable stock. The stock will give the risotto a more robust taste than the broth.
  • Rice: You may substitute Arborio rice with Carnaroli rice or sushi rice. The taste and the texture will not be the same.
  • Protein: For those who aren’t a fan of shrimp, you may easily substitute chicken breast for the meat in this dish.
  • Veggies: If you’re making a garlic shrimp risotto, you can add peas, spinach, broccoli, asparagus, carrots, mushrooms, or tomatoes.
  • Cheese: I prefer parmesan but other similar cheeses can be used.
  • Herbs: This recipe goes well with fresh herbs like basil or chives.
top view risotto topped with shrimp with lemon granishes

Storing and reheating

  • You may store Risotto in an airtight container in the refrigerator for three to five days. Unless there are any leftover shrimp, the risotto will be kept for about two days in the refrigerator.
  • Risotto can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months, and it freezes really well.
  • As the meal sits in the refrigerator, the sauce will thicken. Adding additional stock or water to the rice while reheating will help to loosen it up. You’ll want to use the stovetop for this and stir constantly while you’re reheating. Add splashes of stock in as needed.
side shot of risotto topped with sauteed shrimp and lemon garnishes

Frequently asked questions

How do I know when my risotto is done?
Is risotto supposed to be sticky?
Do you wash arborio rice for risotto?
What can I add to risotto to make it taste better?
What is the secret to a good risotto?

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5 from 53 votes

Easy Garlic Shrimp Risotto

By: Rena
Servings:
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 30 minutes
Total: 40 minutes
top view risotto in black skillet topped with shrimp in a black skillet with 3 lemon wedges to garnish
An easy to make and delicious risotto recipe that's simple, packed with flavor, and loaded with shrimp.
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Equipment

  • non stick skillet
  • Sharp Chef's knife
  • cutting board
  • Cheese Grater

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • 1 pound medium raw shrimp
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • Kosher salt and ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 yellow onion, diced
  • 3-4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 cup arborio rice
  • 4-5 cups low-sodium fish broth, hot
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup chopped parsley

Instructions

  • Heat 1 tablespoon of the 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the 1 pound medium raw shrimp in a single layer and sprinkle with the seasonings (1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning, and Kosher salt and ground black pepper). Cook undisturbed for 2 minutes, then flip and continue to cook until pink and fully opaque, around 1-2 minutes more. Set aside on a plate.
  • Heat the remaining oil in the same skillet. Saute the 1 yellow onion (diced) and 3-4 garlic cloves (minced) for 3-4 minutes over medium heat.
  • Add the 1 cup arborio rice and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute.
  • Pour over two cupfuls of the 4-5 cups low-sodium fish broth. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until most of the liquid has been absorbed.
  • Once the liquid is reduced, repeat the cooking process, by adding a cup of broth at a time.
  • Once all the broth has been used, the rice should be plump and creamy. Remove from heat and stir in the 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese and 1/4 cup chopped parsley.
  • Serve the risotto topped with cooked shrimp.

Notes

  • Broth: You may use Chicken or vegetable stock. The stock will give the risotto a more robust taste than the broth.
  • Rice: You may substitute Arborio rice with Carnaroli rice or sushi rice. The taste and the texture will not be the same.
  • Protein: For those who aren’t a fan of shrimp, you may easily substitute chicken breast for the meat in this dish.
  • Veggies: If you’re making a garlic shrimp risotto, you can add peas, spinach, broccoli, asparagus, carrots, mushrooms, or tomatoes.
  • Herbs: This recipe goes well with fresh herbs like basil or chives.

Nutrition

Calories: 392kcalCarbohydrates: 49gProtein: 24gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 154mgSodium: 2364mgPotassium: 282mgFiber: 3gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 971IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 235mgIron: 3mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Tried this recipe?Mention @healthyfitnessmeals or tag #healthyfitnessmeals!

About Rena Awada

Hi, I’m Rena! Welcome to my blog. I am here to help you prepare delicious, light, fresh meals that your whole family will love!

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5 from 53 votes (40 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




27 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    The dish was delicious! My husband commented, “you can make this anytime!” I substituted chicken broth since it was the only broth I had available. That was my only substitution. I felt the amount of each ingredient was perfect. Oh, and I loved that in your notes you had optional additions to the dish.

  2. 5 stars
    Best ever! Accidentally used hot paprika. Oops! Wiped most off the cooked shrimp and added zest of a lemon and juice of half to the shrimp then mixed them in at the end with parm and parsley. Outstanding! Just a hint if heat at back of tongue. Will make this many times over. May try going with the suggested Smokey pap though

  3. 5 stars
    Love it. Made it several times. I add a bit of white wine after sautéing the rice as the first liquid add. Cook until absorbed. Then do the stock.
    I also take all the shrimp shells and cook them in chicken stock for 10 minutes on simmer then strain into a measuring cup to make sure you still have enough stock then pour back into the pot and keep warm before cooking the rice dish. Makes a seafoody chicken stock.

  4. 5 stars
    SOOOO worth it guys!!! I only used half a giant onion. I also used half chicken stock low sodium and half chardonnay while cooking the risotto. Thank you for the recipe!!!

    1. 5 stars
      I did the same, and added mushrooms and peas! Terrific! Just keep stirring and adding liquid and you can’t go wrong! Ty for this!
      Simply delicious!
      Oh, I squirted some fresh lemon juice over the top , sprinkled with shredded parm and fresh basil sliced thinly! So good!

  5. 5 stars
    Thanks For Sharing this Amazing Recipe. My Family Loved It. I will be sharing this Recipe with my Friends. Hope They will like it.

      1. 5 stars
        The Best Ever !!!!! My husband is still raving. He is calling me Chef. Thank you for sharing this recipe. I will be preparing this often