This light-tasting, healthy spring risotto is the perfect way to welcome spring! It’s made with fresh, seasonal veggies, such as asparagus, zucchini and sweet peas. The nontraditional method of preparing this risotto means it requires less attention (i.e., standing at the stove, constantly stirring) and makes for a lighter, fresher flavour.
Risotto is a staple meal in our home, most often during the winter months when we crave hearty, comforting meals. Having said that, rice dishes, including risotto, lend well to fresher and lighter renditions, such as this healthy spring risotto.
The combination of crunchy peas, earthy asparagus and sweet zucchini mixed with salty capers, rich tomato paste, and aromatic spices makes for a delicious, healthy meal that is packed with flavour.
If you love this recipe, you’ll want to check out these other healthy risotto recipes;
Tex-Mex Risotto
Shrimp Sweet Pea Risotto
Minty Pea and Prosciutto Rice Salad
Italian Rice Salad
I do not see in this recipe the amount of rice to use! It just says 1/2 cup rice cooking water…??
Don’t know how I missed that! Thanks! I just added it 😉
I love Risotto! This recipe looks and sounds amazing! Thanks for sharing.
Thank you!
Risotto is one of my favourite dishes. I love mushroom risotto and it’s a big comfort food during the winter months- so delish! This version looks fantastic too and I love your photos!
Thanks for the compliments on the photography! 😉
I love risotto!! This looks light and colorful and perfect for spring!!
I haven’t eaten a good risotto in a long time. I’ve actually never cooked one… always ate at a restaurant. I may have to try this recipe and do this for the first time.
You’ll be amazed at how easy it is to make…and how expensive it is in restaurants (when really it’s a very low-cost meal!).
We love pasta but I’m not sure if we’re already tried risotto. 🙂 Thank you for the recipe.
It’s worth a try!
I am another one who has never made risotto before! I could definitely do it after seeing this recipe. Looks good!
It might be a good idea to start with this recipe, which is quicker and easier than the traditional method. I sometimes make risotto this way when I want a lighter tasting meal!
I have never made risotto and ironically, I am watching Hell’s Kitchen right now and you know how picky Chef Ramsey is about this! This is a lovely recipe I would like to give a try.
Yes, I do! I know he would say my risotto isn’t creamy enough however, I firmly believe, to each his own, lol! I do actually prefer my risotto with a less creamy consistency! Sorry Chef Ramsey ;-(
I really like the look and ingredients for this recipe. I love that asparagus is included here – never had that in risotto before.
I love asparagus in risotto! Actually, I’m almost always add either mushrooms or asparagus by default 😉
Thanks for sharing this recipe. This dish looks really good. I need to start eating more healthy.
This looks so pretty and delicious. I love fresh green veggies added to just about anything!
Thank you!
That looks great. I’ve never had risotto, but this recipe seems easy enough to follow. Maybe I can try this for my family.
I love risotto…it’s like a blank canvas, you can add anything to it!
This risotto looks amazing! Unfortunately, my daughter is allergic to peas so I don’t cook anything with it for our family.
Could you substitute with edamame? Otherwise, you can just leave them out!
I am always looking for recipes that involve lots of veggies! I am looking to eat more healthy, so this risotto recipe is perfect for me!
That looks yummy and healthy. Haven’t tried making risotto yet. I always makes rice dishes though. Thanks for sharing this recipe.
This is a cross between a simple rice dish and risotto…it might be worth a try!
This looks so good. It has been a long time since I have had risotto. I cant even remember the last time I have made it.
It really is a staple in my home…I make it at least 2-3 times a month. The best part are the leftovers!!
Ah for most people that is a side dish, but I’m a vegetarian and that one dish alone would make me happy the rest of my life! 🙂 I live in a house full of carnivores (and they’re proud of that, ha!) so it’d make a good side dish here too. 😉
We are in the exact same boat! I’m not a big meat eater so dishes like these are perfect mains for me! Actually, I serve this as a main to the family!
What a delicious risotto recipe. I like that you added asparagus and peas. It adds a nice crunch
Exactly, especially the peas!
I so enjoyed the steps to putting this together – I can’t eat pasta, although I love it – but…the other pieces of your recipe are WOW for me! Thank you 🙂
Is it due to gluten issues? I hardly ever eat (gluten-based) pasta so I do make a lot of rice dishes!
Yum! What great pics. This looks like a tasty recipe. This is something I am pretty sure my kids would really enjoy! Looks super good!
As long as they like fresh veggies (which mine do sometimes, and sometimes not, lol!), then they should love this!
I’m allergic to peas so I may have to change ’em to carrots or something else, but I must say this looks really good. I love risotto and I’m just excited to make this one for dinner this week.
Really? I’ve never heard of this! You can just omit them…or maybe add edamame beans?
You always have such mouth watering pictures accompanying your recipes. I want to try this today…and lucky for me, I have all the ingredients. 🙂
Thanks Tami! That means a lot coming from you…my pics are nowhere near as stunning as yours!
Peas and asparagus are usually not my favorite combination, but you definitely make it look good. I’ve actually never had risotto before so now I’m very curious to try it out.
You could also substitute with another veg, such as eggplant!
It looks delicious and healthy too. I haven’t tried risotto yet and I want to try one because I am now craving by looking at the photos you shared. Thanks for sharing the recipe too.
I love a nice risotto and this recipes sounds super yummy!
The risotto looks like it has great texture. I’ve always loved a simple veggie risotto.
Risottos can be very heavy, depending on the ingredients you use…this one is definitely light!
Looks delicious lady! I think B might actually enjoy this…
Nice! Please let me know if you try it 😉
This looks delicious! I’ve never tried risotto because of the standing at the stove stiring idea. I might have to try this!
I’ve actually made it so often that it’s no longer stressful! I know exactly how much broth to add at a time (2-3 ladles) so I can walk away for 5-7 minutes at a time! I know you’re supposed to add the broth very slowly however, with two little ones running around you sometimes have to cut corners 😉
That looks really delicious. I’ve never had vegetable risotto before but after viewing your ingredients and photos, I’m sure I’d love it. I’ll try it sometime and see how the family enjoys it. We love veggies of all sorts.
You could add any veggies! I usually add a variety of different mushrooms (we love them!) but switched it up this time with seasonal veggies!
Thanks so much for sharing this! I love vegetable risotto, and this is a wonderful take on an old favorite.
Thanks! It’s definitely a bit easier to make!