Creamy Garlic Butter Mushroom Risotto – A Fancy Meal for Under $3

If you’ve ever wanted to feel like a gourmet chef while spending less than $3, this Creamy Garlic Butter Mushroom Risotto is for you! It’s rich, creamy, and packed with umami goodness, yet uses simple, budget-friendly ingredients that turn a basic dish into something extraordinary.

Unlike traditional risotto, which often calls for expensive cheeses and wines, this version keeps things cheap and easy without sacrificing flavor. Whether you’re cooking for yourself or impressing guests, this dish proves that luxury doesn’t have to come with a high price tag!

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🌟 Why You’ll Love This Recipe

✔ Gourmet on a Budget – Fancy taste, cheap ingredients!
✔ Rich, Creamy, & Comforting – Ultimate restaurant-quality dish at home.
✔ One-Pot Wonder – Minimal cleanup, maximum flavor.
✔ Easy to Customize – Add protein, swap mushrooms, or make it vegan.
✔ Great for Meal Prep – Tastes even better the next day!

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🛒 What You’ll Need

This budget-friendly risotto uses simple pantry staples for a rich, creamy dish.

Main Ingredients:

✅ ¾ cup arborio rice (or white rice as a budget swap!) 🛒 Best rice options for risotto
✅ 8 oz mushrooms (white, cremini, or baby bella)
✅ 1 small onion, finely chopped
✅ 3 cloves garlic, minced
✅ 2 tbsp butter (or olive oil for a dairy-free option)
✅ 2 ½ cups vegetable broth (or water + bouillon for a cheaper alternative)
✅ ½ cup milk (or plant-based milk)
✅ ¼ cup Parmesan cheese (optional but recommended!)
✅ ½ tsp salt
✅ ½ tsp black pepper
✅ ½ tsp dried thyme or oregano

💡 Want extra flavor? Swap milk for heavy cream or stir in a spoonful of cream cheese!

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👩‍🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Sauté the Mushrooms & Aromatics

1️⃣ In a large skillet, melt 1 tbsp butter over medium heat.
2️⃣ Add sliced mushrooms and cook for 5-6 minutes, until golden brown.
3️⃣ Stir in onions & garlic, cooking until fragrant (2 minutes).
4️⃣ Remove half of the mushrooms and set aside for garnish.

💡 Pro Tip: Let mushrooms brown without stirring too much—this enhances their deep, earthy flavor!

Step 2: Toast the Rice

5️⃣ Add remaining 1 tbsp butter to the pan.
6️⃣ Stir in arborio rice and let it toast for 2 minutes, coating it in the garlic butter mixture.

Step 3: Gradually Add Broth

7️⃣ Pour in ½ cup of broth, stirring until absorbed.
8️⃣ Continue adding broth ½ cup at a time, stirring frequently.
9️⃣ Repeat until the rice is creamy & tender (about 20 minutes total).

💡 Why Stir? The constant stirring releases starch from the rice, creating a naturally creamy risotto without needing heavy cream!

Step 4: Finish with Creaminess

🔟 Once rice is tender, stir in milk, Parmesan, salt, and pepper.
🔟 Cook for 2 more minutes, until rich and creamy.

🔥 Want extra richness? Stir in a spoonful of butter or a dash of cream at the end!

Step 5: Serve & Enjoy!

🔟 Spoon risotto onto plates and top with reserved mushrooms.
🔟 Garnish with extra Parmesan or fresh herbs if desired.

💡 Pair with a simple salad or garlic bread for a complete meal!

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💰 Cost Breakdown (Estimated per Serving)

Ingredient	Cost
Arborio Rice (¾ cup)	$1.00
Mushrooms (8 oz)	$1.50
Onion & Garlic	$0.50
Butter & Broth	$0.50
Milk & Parmesan	$0.50
Total Cost:	$3.00 (~$1.50 per serving!)

💡 Want to save more?
✔ Use white rice instead of arborio—it won’t be as creamy, but still works!
✔ Buy bulk mushrooms & freeze extras.
✔ Skip Parmesan or use nutritional yeast for a dairy-free option.

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🍽️ Serving Suggestions

This rich, creamy risotto pairs beautifully with:

🥗 Side Salad – Easy homemade dressings
🥖 Garlic Bread – Quick homemade garlic bread
🍷 Budget Wine Pairing – Best affordable wines

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❓ Common Questions

Can I Use Regular Rice Instead of Arborio?

Yes! White rice or jasmine rice works, but it won’t be quite as creamy.

👉 Best rice options for risotto

What’s the Best Cheese for Risotto?

✔ Parmesan – Classic & sharp.
✔ Mozzarella – Extra creamy but mild.
✔ Nutritional Yeast – Perfect for a dairy-free option.

Can I Make This Vegan?

Yes! Use olive oil instead of butter and swap milk for oat milk or almond milk.

How Do I Store & Reheat Leftovers?

• Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
• Reheat: Add a splash of broth or milk when reheating to keep it creamy.

👉 How to store & reheat risotto properly

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🔗 Related Budget-Friendly Recipes

If you love cheap, cozy, and delicious meals, check out:
➡ Caramelized Onion & Mushroom Pasta – A Fancy Meal for $3
➡ One-Pot Spicy Cajun Chicken & Rice – Fast, Cheap & Delicious!
➡ The Best Cheesy Baked Ziti – Cheap, Easy, and Delicious!

🔗 Want more budget meal ideas?
Check out The 50 Grocery Challenge – Can You Eat for a Week on This Budget?.

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🌟 Final Thoughts: Fancy, Comforting & Affordable!

This Creamy Garlic Butter Mushroom Risotto proves that luxurious meals don’t need a luxury price tag. With simple, cheap ingredients, you get rich, creamy, and satisfying flavors—all for under $3!

🔥 Tried this recipe? Drop a comment below & let us know your favorite risotto add-ins!

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