Imagine a rich, velvety risotto that practically cooks itself, filling your kitchen with mouthwatering Italian aromas without hours of constant stirring. This Slow Cooker Italian Sausage Risotto is your ticket to restaurant-quality comfort food with minimal effort. Perfect for busy home cooks who crave gourmet flavors but don't have hours to spend at the stove, this recipe transforms humble ingredients into a luxurious meal that will have everyone asking for seconds.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 4 hrs
Total Time: 4 hrs 10 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 lb Italian sausage
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup Arborio rice
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup parmesan cheese, grated
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish
Instructions
- Remove Italian sausage from casings and break into small pieces.
- In a large slow cooker, brown the sausage on the sauté setting or in a separate skillet over medium-high heat until no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add chopped onions to the sausage and cook until onions become translucent and slightly softened, approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Stir in minced garlic and cook for an additional 30-45 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn.
- Transfer the sausage, onion, and garlic mixture to the slow cooker if not already using one.
- Add Arborio rice to the slow cooker, stirring to coat the rice with the meat and onion mixture.
- Pour chicken broth over the rice and sausage, ensuring all rice is submerged.
- Cover and cook on low heat for
- 5-4 hours, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- When rice is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid, stir in grated parmesan cheese.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste, adjusting seasoning as needed.
- Let risotto rest for 10 minutes to allow it to thicken slightly.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving.
- Serve hot and enjoy your creamy slow cooker Italian sausage risotto.
Tips
- Choose the Right Rice: Arborio rice is crucial for authentic risotto texture. Its high starch content creates that signature creamy consistency.
- Don't Skip Browning: Taking time to brown the sausage and sauté the onions builds deep, complex flavor foundations.
- Stir Occasionally: While slow cookers are hands-off, give your risotto a gentle stir every hour to prevent rice from sticking and ensure even cooking.
- Cheese Matters: Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best melting and flavor. Pre-grated cheese can be less creamy.
- Rest is Best: Letting the risotto rest for 10 minutes after cooking allows it to thicken and develop a perfect consistency.
- Customize Your Risotto: Feel free to add vegetables like peas or spinach in the last hour of cooking for extra nutrition and color.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 620kcal
Carbohydrates: g
Protein: 33g
Fat: g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 105mg
