RISOTTO with ZUCCHINI and ground meat, a creamy first course easy to prepare, perfect for the whole family’s lunch, a recipe with simple and tasty ingredients.
The idea for this risotto with zucchini and ground meat came to me one day when I had little time and a lot of hunger. In the fridge: a couple of fresh zucchini, some leftover ground meat, onion, and a pack of rice to finish. And so a simple risotto with zucchini and meat was born, perfect for family lunches or when you want something tasty without spending hours in the kitchen.
It’s a complete, balanced dish suitable for all seasons. With a few ingredients, you create a creamy zucchini risotto that captivates both adults and children. And the well-browned ground meat adds that extra touch that makes it super tasty.
The beauty of this first course with zucchini is that you can customize it: if you have some cooked ground meat left over, feel free to use it! If you only have zucchini to finish, it still works. It’s one of those easy first courses with meat that solves lunches and dinners without stress.
Furthermore, it is also perfect for those looking for recipes with zucchini and ground meat to take to work or for a quick lunch: it can be prepared in advance and heated without losing flavor!
Join me in the kitchen today for risotto with zucchini and meat
- Difficulty: Very easy
- Cost: Very cheap
- Preparation time: 10 Minutes
- Portions: 2 People
- Cooking methods: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: Spring, Summer and Fall
Ingredients
- 5.6 oz Carnaroli rice
- 1 zucchini
- 5.3 oz mixed ground meat
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 clove garlic (or 1/2 onion)
Steps
In a saucepan, sauté the garlic or chopped onion in a drizzle of oil.
Add the ground meat and let it brown for a few minutes.
Add the zucchini cut into small cubes and let it flavor for 5 minutes.
Add the rice and toast it for a couple of minutes, then add the tomato paste.
Continue cooking the risotto by adding a little broth at a time or hot water, stirring often.
After about 15-17 minutes, when the rice is al dente and creamy, adjust the salt and if you like, stir in a knob of butter or some grated Parmesan.
Bon appétit
If you like the recipe click on the stars at the end of the article. THANK YOU!
RISOTTO with ZUCCHINI and ground meat
Extra tips
For a more intense flavor, brown the meat with garlic or onion before adding it to the risotto.
A handful of Parmigiano Reggiano or a knob of butter at the end of cooking gives a perfect creaminess.
If you want to make it even more flavorful, add a pinch of nutmeg or grated lemon zest.
Want a light version? Use brown rice and white meat.
News: subscribe to my WhatsApp channel
FOLLOW ME ON TELEGRAM ENABLE NOTIFICATIONS
FOLLOW ME ON TIKTOK
FOLLOW ARTE IN CUCINA ON INSTAGRAM
FAQ RISOTTO with ZUCCHINI and ground meat
Can I use ground chicken or turkey?
Yes! White meat makes the dish lighter but equally tasty. You can also use mixed meat.
Can I use regular rice?
It’s better to use risotto rice like Carnaroli or Arborio, but in an emergency, regular rice is fine: just keep an eye on the cooking and add liquid slowly.
Can it be made in advance?
Yes, but risotto is always best freshly made. If leftovers remain, reheat with a spoonful of broth or water to restore its creaminess.
Can I make it vegetarian?
Sure! Just omit the meat and add more zucchini, maybe a creamy cheese at the end to give it volume.
Can it be frozen?
Yes, but rice tends to become a bit softer. It’s better to consume it within 2 days, kept in the fridge in an airtight container.
