This Easy French Onion Risotto is like the fanciest hamburger helper you’ve ever had. Ground beef, caramelized onions, arborio rice, beef broth, and a little wine are cooked slowly before getting doused in cheese.
Easy French Onion Risotto
Risotto gets a bad name sometimes because it takes time and patience to do well. Don’t let that scare you off, though. It is worth it, and it is a great recipe to get the kids involved with too if they are into that kind of thing.
This particular French Onion Risotto recipe first appeared on The Speckled Palate, which was the blogger that I was given as a part of our Freaky Friday Blog Exchange.
Erin is one of my very favorite bloggers in this business, and one peek at her website and you will see why.
Not only is she kind and genuine and makes everyone around her a little bit happier just by spending some time with her, but girlfriend can COOK, and she also gets down with the cocktails too. Oh, and she’s also got all the love for French Onion everything like me. (Look for a whole list of our French Onion love-fest down below!)
Some notable recipes you will definitely not want to miss of Erin’s:
Try our other Ground Beef Recipes too!
What kind of rice do you use for risotto?
There’s only one kind of rice to use for risotto, as far as I’m concerned. I have tried a pretty fabulous wild mushroom risotto in London at the Borough market made from farro, it isn’t what I’d choose when I’m craving risotto.
Arborio rice can be found in most major super markets these days, and when all else fails there is always Amazon too. I’ve got a link in the recipe card if you want to hit the easy button and order some.
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Tips for making the best risoto
Risotto is easy once you’ve got the hang of it. Here are some key tips to make sure your French Onion Risotto is as good as it possibly can be.
Take your time!
Risotto is not a dish that you can whip up in 20 minutes, even though it is, at its core, a simple rice dish. French onion risotto is no exception, either. It adds caramelized onions to the mix, which are a labor of love in and of themselves.
So, be patient, expect this to take an hour-ish standing over the stove, and don’t send me angry emails at minute 50. You’ve been warned!
Ingredients matter.
Use good ingredients.
You’ll notice here I’m using ground sirloin in the recipe. Also, use wine that you’d be okay offering to guests. If you won’t drink it, don’t cook with it.
More fabulous French Onion recipes!
Instant Pot French Onion Beef Stroganoff
A delicious change-up to the classic beef stroganoff, this French Onion Beef Stroganoff is delicious!
Instant Pot French Onion Burgers and Gravy
This hearty and filling dish is cooked in the Instant Pot in just 30 minutes! Burgers with fresh onions, and simple ingredients that make a burger into a favorite fall meal.
French Onion Stuffed Meatballs
Cheesy stuffed meatballs baked and loaded with caramelized onions. French Onion Stuffed Meatballs are the ultimate fall and winter comfort food!
French Onion French Dip Chuck Roast
This easy French Onion French Dip Chuck Roast sandwich is a family favorite, and the best way I've ever had a french dip! Your whole family will love it!
French Onion Dip
Homemade french onion dip is made with copious amounts of caramelized onions, garlic, and a combination of cream cheese and sour cream as a base.
French Onion Soup
Hearty French Onion Soup is full of delicious caramelized onions, wine, and stock. Topped with a crusty toasted baguette and aged swiss cheese melted on top.
Steak Bruschetta with French Onion Marmalade
Steak Bruschetta with French Onion Marmalade makes the perfect party appetizer! This meat, cheese and oniony starter is great for sharing.
French Onion Steak Pasta
Transform the comforting soup into a meaty pasta dish. The creamy, cheesy pasta recipe is great for dinners, at-home date night or entertaining friends.
Instant Pot French Onion Soup
Warm up with Instant Pot French Onion Soup! Made in the electric pressure cooker before finishing in the oven, this hearty soup is hard to beat.
French Onion Biscuits
Sky high French Onion Biscuits are the perfect savory bread to serve alongside dinner, a holiday meal or even Thanksgiving! So fluffy, flavorful and cheesy!
Instant Pot French Onion Meatloaf
Looking for a comforting meal for the whole family? Instant Pot French Onion Meatloaf adds a flavorful kick to any dinner!
French Onion Poutine
French Onion Poutine makes a delicious appetizer for your next gathering! This twist on the classic incorporates caramelized onions, beef, thyme and gruyere.
French Onion Bruschetta
Wow party guests, friends and family with creamy, cheesy French Onion Bruschetta! The creamy caramelized onions and cheese pair beautifully for a party. #ad
What is Freaky Friday?
Freaky Friday is a group of bloggers that do a seasonal recipe swap. Michaela, from An Affair From the Heart, organizes this fun event every season, and is another site you will want to check out!
Want to read the rest of the Freaky Friday posts? Me too! Here are some links so you can follow along with the whole crew.
- An Affair from the Heart – Blueberry Banana Bundt Cake
- Aunt Bee’s Recipes – The Best Ever Chicken Gyros
- Bowl Me Over – Alabama White BBQ Sauce
- Hostess at Heart – Old Fashioned Lemon Icebox Pie
- House of Nash Eats – Smoked Spatchcock Chicken
- Lemoine Family Kitchen – Lemon Cream Cheese Blueberry Kolaches
- Lemon Blossoms – Lemon Poke Cake
- Life, Love & Good Food – Healthy Greek Coleslaw
- Sugar Dish Me – Coconut Macadamia Nut Ice Cream
- Take Two Tapas – Cherry Cupcakes with Mint
- The Speckled Palate – Pepperoni Pizza Dip
- West Via Midwest – Buffalo Cheese Dip: Easy Party Dip
French Onion Risotto
Delicious arborio rice is cooked slowly with beef broth and white wine before getting heaps of seasoned ground beef and caramelized onions stirred in. Then, you toss in some milk and parmesan cheese and serve hot, cheesy, and delicious.
Ingredients
- 1 lb. ground sirloin
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 large sweet onions, halved and sliced vertically
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 ½ cups Arborio rice
- 3 1/2 cups beef stock
- 1 /2 cup dry white wine
- 1 cup whole milk
- 2 cups shredded parmesan cheese (do not use grated parmesan in the green can. Fresh parm only. You can also use provolone, mozzarella, gruyere, etc.)
- 6 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- In a large Dutch oven, brown the ground sirloin over medium-high heat, and season well with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. When no more pink remains, remove from the pan and set aside.
- Place the butter and onions in the Dutch oven over medium to medium-low heat. Properly caramelizing onions takes a long time, so be patient and don't rush it! The slower you go, the deeper the flavor. Plan on 35-45 minutes. When the onions are done, set them aside.
- Place the olive oil and the arborio rice in the Dutch oven over medium heat. Stir and cook for 5-6 minutes, or until the rice is slightly browned.
- Combine the beef stock and the white wine.
- Start adding in the beef stock/wine mixture a little at a time, stirring continuously, and when all of the stock you added cooks into the rice, add a little more. Slow and steady wins the race! Rushing risotto is why homemade risotto isn't usually the best risotto you've ever had.
- Once all of the liquid is incorporated into the rice, and it is soft but still has a slight bite to it, remove the rice from the heat. Stir in the ground beef and onions, milk and cheese, and allow it to melt.
- Sprinkle with parsley and thyme and serve hot!
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 580Total Fat: 28gSaturated Fat: 13gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 106mgSodium: 1179mgCarbohydrates: 29gFiber: 1gSugar: 9gProtein: 38g
Nutrition data provided here is only an estimate.
Nicole Johnson
Nicole Johnson, a self-taught expert in grilling and outdoor cooking, launched Or Whatever You Do in 2010. Her blog, renowned for its comprehensive and creative outdoor cooking recipes, has garnered a vast audience of millions. Nicole's hands-on experience and passion for grilling shine through her work. Her husband, Jeremiah Johnson, also plays a pivotal role in recipe development, adding his culinary flair to the mix. Together, they form a dynamic duo, offering a rich and varied outdoor cooking experience to their followers.
Jen
Sunday 5th of November 2023
Do you use hot broth/wine? Usually, when I make risotto, the liquid is heated? Thanks!
Jen
Tuesday 7th of November 2023
@Nicole Johnson, thanks! Making tonight. Can’t wait to try it!
Nicole Johnson
Sunday 5th of November 2023
I did not when I made this dish, but you certainly can. I've started using hot liquids as well with risotto. I will say - it turned out great using room temp liquid so I'm not sure how much it actually matters. ;)
Zach
Friday 9th of September 2022
You forgot to put in when to add the wine.
Nicole Johnson
Sunday 11th of September 2022
I sure did! I corrected that. It should get added to the beef broth and then slowly incorporated into the risotto. Thanks for catching that!
Brandi Burgess
Friday 24th of July 2020
French Onion anything is my favorite. This is going on my menu this week!
Amy Nash
Monday 20th of July 2020
This risotto is so savory and fantastic! I used to be intimidated by risotto but once I got over that I find it's such a fantastic thing to make at home!
Jennifer Stewart
Sunday 19th of July 2020
As if you could make risotto even better? I was wrong! This totally changes my risotto game like no other!