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    Home » Risotto

    Italian Tomato Risotto (Risotto al Pomodoro)

    Published: Aug 8, 2023 · Modified: Jun 17, 2025 by Silvana Nava · This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe

    Tomato risotto is a traditional dish of Italian home cooking. It's a very easy, but tasty and flavorful dish. Risotto al pomodoro is an excellent recipe for family lunches or quick dinners because the ingredients are usually already in the pantry.

    Rice, peeled tomatoes, vegetable broth, basil and parmigiano reggiano cheese, all quality Mediterranean products. This is a recipe that we often make for everyday meals, just like spaghetti al pomodoro.

    tomato risotto - 4

    There is no specific recipe for making this risotto. As with all traditional dishes, each family has its own variations and preferences, depending on the availability of products at home and the season.There are those who use tomato passata, those who use peeled tomatoes, and those who use fresh tomatoes.

    There are also those who use tomato sauce from fresh tomatoes already seasoned with garlic, onion and various spices for a richer and more flavorful taste. Finally, there are those who use vegetable broth and those who use meat broth for a more substantial dish.

    The common element of all the different versions is the quality of the products. First of all, the rice must be a rice suitable for making risotto. And not all rices are! Use Carnaroli or Arborio (do not use precooked or parboiled rice!).

    The broth must also be homemade with fresh ingredients.

    Finally, the tomato, the main ingredient of the recipe, in whatever form you want to use it, must be of the best quality, flavorful and fragrant. We prepared the tomato risotto with peeled San Marzano tomatoes, flavored with lots of fresh basil.

    The procedure is the typical one for the preparation of risotto. In this regard, you can take a look at our guide on how to cook a perfect risotto!

    Let's go step by step with our tips on how to make this delicious tomato risotto (risotto al pomodoro)!

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Storage
    • Variations
    • Curiosities
    • Recipe Card

    Ingredients

    tomato risotto - 6

    Prep Time: 5 Min | Cook Time: 20 Min | Servings: 4

    • 350 g (¾ pound) of Carnaroli or Arborio rice
    • 1 small onion
    • 400 g (~1 pound) San Marzano peeled tomatoes. We recommend Pomodoro San Marzano dell'Agro Senese - Nocerino D.O.P. by Sapure'
    • 1 liter (~4 cups) of vegetable broth made with our recipe
    • 30 g (¼ stick) of unsulted butter
    • 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil
    • 3 tablespoons of grated Parmigiano Reggiano
    • 10 fresh basil leaves + more for decoration

    Instructions

    tomato risotto recipe step 1A

    Step 1) - To make tomato risotto, first prepare a vegetable broth with carrots, onions, celery, potatoes and various flavorings (see our recipe). You can also prepare the broth 1 or 2 days in advance and store it in the refrigerator.

    When it's ready, put the broth on low heat and let it simmer while you wait to use it. The broth should be hot.

    Now chop the onion finely.

    tomato risotto recipe step 2A

    Step 2) - Pour the extra virgin oil into a large saucepan. Sauté the chopped onion over a low heat for about 2-3 minutes, until it becomes glassy. Be careful not to let the onion burn or the risotto will become bitter.

    Once the onion is golden, add the rice and toast over medium heat for a few minutes, stirring occasionally.

    tomato risotto recipe step 3A

    Step 3) - Add a ladle of hot vegetable broth and stir.

    Now add the peeled tomatoes with all their juice.

    tomato risotto recipe step 4

    Step 4) - Mash the tomatoes with the wooden spoon so that they are crushed as much as possible.

    Stir well and add another ladle of broth.

    COOKING: Cook the tomato risotto over medium heat, without a lid, stirring occasionally. Carnaroli rice cooks in 18 minutes from toasting. We recommend that you TASTE the risotto to check if it's done. If it's too dry, add a little broth. Adjust salt to taste.

    tomato risotto recipe step 5

    Step 5) - When almost cooked, add the chopped basil.

    tomato risotto recipe step 6

    Step 6) - Remove the saucepan from the heat. Add the butter and grated Parmigiano Reggiano and stir.

    MANTECATURA: This step is called Mantecatura. As with all risottos, the moment of mantecatura is crucial. When cooked, the risotto must be "soft", not too dry, when you remove it from the heat. So add butter and Parmigiano. Stir and serve.

    Serve the Tomato Risotto hot garnished with a few whole basil leaves.

    tomato risotto - 1

    YOU MUST ALSO TRY:

    • Risotto alla Milanese
    • Risi e Bisi | Authentic Venetian Rice and Peas
    • Creamy Italian Mushroom Risotto | Risotto ai Funghi

    Storage

    Like all risotto recipes, tomato risotto should be eaten immediately, warm and creamy.

    If you have leftovers, you can store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2 days. We don't recommend freezing it.

    TIP: With the leftover tomato risotto, you can make rice croquettes, such as TOMATO ARANCINI. Add one egg and half a tablespoon of flour to the leftover risotto (of course it depends on the amount of risotto, use about 180 g/6 ounces). Form small balls and roll them in the breadcrumbs. Fry in plenty of vegetable oil.

    Variations

    • FRESH TOMATOES: In this recipe, we used canned peeled San Marzano tomatoes. But you can use fresh tomatoes, especially in summer when they are at their peak. All you have to do is peel them. Here is how to do it! Use cluster or San Marzano tomatoes. The tomatoes have to be very ripe. Soak them in boiling water for two minutes so that the skin comes off easily. Then peel them. You can also use cherry or grape tomatoes. They are really small, but so much tastier! We recommend soaking them in boiling water for a few minutes. Then put them in a food mill and puree the tomatoes. With this tomato passata you can make a very tasty tomato risotto!
    • TOMATO PASTE: Often, especially when using fresh tomatoes, a little tomato paste is added. This gives the risotto more color and flavor.
    • HERBS: You can also customize the risotto with herbs of your choice, such as parsley or thyme, or by adding some spices, such as black pepper or chili.
    • TOMATO RISOTTO WITH BURRATA: Tomato and Burrata Risotto is one of the easiest risotto recipes to make and one of the tastiest! To make it, simply add burrata cheese to the center of the hot and creamy tomato risotto and serve. That's it! The Burrata gives the dish that extra touch and makes it even more delicious and creamy. The combination of tomato risotto and burrata is so delicious that many celebrity chefs have added this dish to their menus, elevating a classic comfort food dish to gourmet status. If you cannot find burrata, opt for stracciatella or mozzarella, shredded finely. For more information about burrata read "Burrata: History, Making, and Perfect Pairings"
    tomato risotto - 5

    Curiosities

    "Riso al Sugo" vs "Risotto al Pomodoro"

    Risotto al pomodoro (tomato risotto), like all risotto recipes, is a typical first course from Northern Italy. That is, a creamy dish made by adding broth little by little and finally making the "mantecatura".

    In Southern Italy, on the other hand, there is a recipe called "riso al sugo" (rice with tomato sauce), which is really only similar in appearance. You boil the rice like a normal pasta dish and then season it with tomato sauce.

    In Italy, rice is a food of the northern plains, while pasta and tomato sauce are more typical of southern Italian cuisine.

    Tomato risotto can be seen as a recipe that combines the traditions of both areas.

    tomato risotto - 2

    Recipe Card

    STEP BY STEP PHOTOS ABOVE!Have a look at my step-by-step photo instructions, variations and tips. That way, you can get it perfect the first time you try it!
    tomato risotto recipe

    Italian Tomato Risotto (Risotto al Pomodoro)

    Silvana Nava
    Tomato risotto is a traditional dish of Italian home cooking. It's a very easy, but tasty and flavorful dish. Risotto al pomodoro is an excellent recipe for family lunches or quick dinners because the ingredients are usually already in the pantry.
    Rice, peeled tomatoes, vegetable broth, basil and parmigiano reggiano cheese, all quality Mediterranean products. This is a recipe that we often make for everyday meals, just like pasta with tomato sauce.
    5 from 2 votes
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    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 20 minutes mins
    Total Time 25 minutes mins
    Course Risotto
    Cuisine Italian
    Servings 4
    Calories 460 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 350 g rice ¾ pound, Carnaroli or Arborio
    • 1 onion small
    • 400 g tomatoes ~1 pound, San Marzano peeled
    • 1 liter vegetable broth ~4 cups
    • 30 g butter ¼ stick, unsulted
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil extra virgin
    • 3 tablespoons Parmigiano Reggiano grated
    • 10 leaves fresh basil + more for decoration

    Instructions
     

    • Prepare a vegetable broth with carrots, onions, celery, potatoes and various flavorings. You can also prepare the broth 1 or 2 days in advance and store it in the refrigerator. When it's ready, put the broth on low heat and let it simmer while you wait to use it. The broth should be hot.
    • Chop the onion finely.
    • Pour the extra virgin oil into a large saucepan. Sauté the chopped onion over a low heat for about 2-3 minutes, until it becomes glassy. Be careful not to let the onion burn or the risotto will become bitter.
    • Once the onion is golden, add the rice and toast over medium heat for a few minutes, stirring occasionally.
    • Add a ladle of hot vegetable broth and stir.
    • Now add the peeled tomatoes with all their juice.
    • Mash the tomatoes with the wooden spoon so that they are crushed as much as possible.
    • Stir well and add another ladle of broth.
    • Cook the tomato risotto over medium heat, without a lid, stirring occasionally. Carnaroli rice cooks in 18 minutes from toasting. We recommend that you TASTE the risotto to check if it's done. If it's too dry, add a little broth. Adjust salt to taste.
    • When almost cooked, add the chopped basil.
    • Remove the saucepan from the heat. Add the butter and grated Parmigiano Reggiano and stir.
      MANTECATURA: This step is called Mantecatura. As with all risottos, the moment of mantecatura is crucial. When cooked, the risotto must be "soft", not too dry, when you remove it from the heat. So add butter and Parmigiano. Stir and serve.
    • Serve the Tomato Risotto hot garnished with a few whole basil leaves.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 100gCalories: 460kcalCarbohydrates: 80gProtein: 9gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 19mgSodium: 1112mgPotassium: 387mgFiber: 3gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 1645IUVitamin C: 16mgCalcium: 89mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword tomato risotto recipe
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    Comments

    1. Adeline says

      May 31, 2025 at 7:39 am

      5 stars
      Wonderful recipe! It is so delicious, thank you so much!

      Reply
    5 from 2 votes (1 rating without comment)

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    Barbara & Silvana

    CIAO! Barbara & Silvana here! We are the authors of these amazing Italian recipes. Living in Italy, they are part of our culture, tradition and everyday life. And we want to share them with you all, straight from Italy! Learn more about us! Read our story!

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