5-Ingredient Shrimp Risotto

  • Level: Easy
  • Yield: 4 to 6 servings
  • Total: 1 hr 25 min
  • Active: 1 hr
This shrimp risotto uses the shrimp shells and tails to create a flavorful stock that will infuse into the rice as it cooks! The bright lemon combined with the homemade stock and peppery arugula creates a taste that’s so bold, you’ll never believe it only took 5 ingredients to make!
Advertisement

Ingredients

1 pound large shell-on shrimp, peeled, deveined and chopped into 1-inch pieces, shells and tails reserved

6 cloves garlic  

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper 

1 to 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 

1 1/2 cups arborio rice 

1/2 cup lemon juice (from 3 lemons) 

1 cup packed baby arugula, roughly chopped  

1 tablespoon lemon zest (from 1 lemon) 

Directions

  1. Put the shrimp shells and tails, 3 cloves of garlic, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in a medium saucepan. Cover with 7 cups of water and bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes.
  2. Strain the shrimp broth into a large liquid measuring cup. Discard the shells and garlic. You should be left with 6 cups of broth. If the broth reduced more, just supplement with a little extra water to yield 6 cups. Add the broth back into the empty saucepan and keep warm over low heat.  
  3. Heat a large straight-sided skillet or braiser over medium-high heat. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil until shimmering. Add the chopped shrimp and sprinkle with a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the shrimp are pink, about 5 minutes. Meanwhile, thinly slice the remaining 3 cloves of garlic and set aside. Transfer the cooked shrimp to a plate and set aside.  
  4. Reduce the heat to medium low and add 1 tablespoon of oil if the skillet is too dry, then add the sliced garlic. Cook, stirring frequently, until fragrant and just starting to soften, about 1 minute. Stir in the arborio rice until coated with the oil. Add the lemon juice and cook, stirring occasionally, until it has been mostly absorbed, about 2 minutes.  
  5. Ladle 1 cup of the warm stock into the rice and cook, stirring gently without stopping, until the rice has absorbed the liquid, 2 to 3 minutes; you will know it's time to add more stock when you move the rice aside and no liquid pools in the center. 
  6. Repeat this process, adding more stock a ladleful at a time, until the rice is al dente and creamy, 20 to 25 minutes. If you run out of broth before the risotto is at its desired doneness, add some water.  
  7. Stir in the arugula, shrimp and half of the lemon zest and cook until the arugula wilts slightly.  
  8. Serve topped with the remaining lemon zest.

Let's Get Cooking!

Sign up for the Recipe of the Day newsletter to receive editor-picked recipes,tips and videos delivered to your inbox daily. Privacy Policy

Thanks for subscribing to the Recipe of the Day newsletter. Check out all our other great newsletters from Easy Recipes, Healthy Eating Ideas and Chef Recipe Videos.

We're sorry, there was an error signing you up. Please try again later.

Advertisement

Sabina R.

I’ve made this twice now and comes out delicious every time! So easy and yummy. I keep the shrimps whole instead of cutting them. What a great recipe for a quick weekday dinner.

See All Reviews