Creamy Garlic Butter Mushroom Risotto ā€“ A Fancy Meal for Under $3

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If youā€™ve ever wanted to feel like a gourmet chef while spending less than $3, this Creamy Garlic Butter Mushroom Risotto is for you! Itā€™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 youā€™re cooking for yourself or impressing guests, this dish proves that luxury doesnā€™t have to come with a high price tag!


šŸŒŸ Why Youā€™ll Love This Recipe

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


šŸ›’ What Youā€™ll Need

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

Main Ingredients:

āœ… Ā¾ cup arborio rice (or white rice as a budget swap!) šŸ›’ Best rice options for risotto
āœ… 8 oz mushrooms (white, cremini, or baby bella)
āœ… 1 small onion, finely chopped
āœ… 3 cloves garlic, minced
āœ… 2 tbsp butter (or olive oil for a dairy-free option)
āœ… 2 Ā½ cups vegetable broth (or water + bouillon for a cheaper alternative)
āœ… Ā½ cup milk (or plant-based milk)
āœ… Ā¼ cup Parmesan cheese (optional but recommended!)
āœ… Ā½ tsp salt
āœ… Ā½ tsp black pepper
āœ… Ā½ tsp dried thyme or oregano

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


šŸ‘©ā€šŸ³ Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: SautƩ the Mushrooms & Aromatics

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

šŸ’” Pro Tip: Let mushrooms brown without stirring too muchā€”this enhances their deep, earthy flavor!

Step 2: Toast the Rice

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

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Step 3: Gradually Add Broth

7ļøāƒ£ Pour in Ā½ cup of broth, stirring until absorbed.
8ļøāƒ£ Continue adding broth Ā½ cup at a time, stirring frequently.
9ļøāƒ£ Repeat until the rice is creamy & tender (about 20 minutes total).

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

Step 4: Finish with Creaminess

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

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

Step 5: Serve & Enjoy!

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

šŸ’” Pair with a simple salad or garlic bread for a complete meal!


šŸ’° Cost Breakdown (Estimated per Serving)

IngredientCost
Arborio Rice (Ā¾ 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!)

šŸ’” Want to save more?
āœ” Use white rice instead of arborioā€”it wonā€™t be as creamy, but still works!
āœ” Buy bulk mushrooms & freeze extras.
āœ” Skip Parmesan or use nutritional yeast for a dairy-free option.


šŸ½ļø Serving Suggestions

This rich, creamy risotto pairs beautifully with:

šŸ„— Side Salad ā€“ Easy homemade dressings
šŸ„– Garlic Bread ā€“ Quick homemade garlic bread
šŸ· Budget Wine Pairing ā€“ Best affordable wines


ā“ Common Questions

Can I Use Regular Rice Instead of Arborio?

Yes! White rice or jasmine rice works, but it wonā€™t be quite as creamy.

šŸ‘‰ Best rice options for risotto

Whatā€™s the Best Cheese for Risotto?

āœ” Parmesan ā€“ Classic & sharp.
āœ” Mozzarella ā€“ Extra creamy but mild.
āœ” Nutritional Yeast ā€“ 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.

šŸ‘‰ How to store & reheat risotto properly


šŸ”— Related Budget-Friendly Recipes

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

šŸ”— Want more budget meal ideas?
Check out The 50 Grocery Challenge ā€“ Can You Eat for a Week on This Budget?.


šŸŒŸ Final Thoughts: Fancy, Comforting & Affordable!

This Creamy Garlic Butter Mushroom Risotto proves that luxurious meals donā€™t need a luxury price tag. With simple, cheap ingredients, you get rich, creamy, and satisfying flavorsā€”all for under $3!

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

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