Italian Risotto: From Carnaroli Rice to Quick Italian Classics

Italian Risotto: From Carnaroli Rice to Quick Italian Classics

Risotto is one of Italy’s most comforting dishes. Creamy, simple and full of flavour, it can be made slowly from scratch or enjoyed in just a few minutes when you need something quick.

The secret to a good Italian risotto starts with the rice. Carnaroli and Arborio are two of the best-known varieties for risotto, while saffron, porcini mushrooms, truffle and cheese can transform a simple bowl of rice into something special.

At PUTIA, we’ve brought together a selection of Italian rice and risotto products, from traditional rice for cooking at home to quick Italian risottos ready for busy evenings.

🍚 The right Italian rice for risotto

When making risotto from scratch, choosing the right rice makes a difference.

Curtiriso Carnaroli – a classic Italian risotto rice

Curtiriso Carnaroli Rice 1kg is a great choice for traditional homemade risotto.

Carnaroli is particularly appreciated for its ability to absorb stock and flavours while keeping its grains firm and al dente. This makes it ideal for classic Italian recipes such as Risotto alla Milanese, mushroom risotto, seafood risotto and truffle risotto.

Curtiriso comes in two convenient 500g vacuum packs, making it easy to keep fresh in your Italian pantry. 

Shop Curtiriso Carnaroli Rice 1kg →⁠

Acquerello Carnaroli – for something special

For those looking for a more premium Italian Carnaroli rice, there is Acquerello.

Acquerello Riso Carnaroli is aged for at least one year at Tenuta Colombara in Piedmont. The rice is designed to maintain its structure during cooking, making it particularly suitable for creamy risotto while keeping the grains beautifully al dente. 

It is a beautiful choice for a special Italian dinner at home, whether you are preparing saffron risotto, seafood or a more delicate recipe.

Shop Acquerello Carnaroli Rice 500g →⁠

Curtiriso Arborio – an Italian pantry staple

Arborio rice is another classic choice for Italian risotto.

Curtiriso Arborio has the large, pearly grains traditionally associated with risotto and is perfect for absorbing the flavours of your stock, vegetables, cheese and other ingredients.

Keep a pack in the cupboard and you have the starting point for countless homemade Italian rice recipes.

Shop Curtiriso Arborio Rice 1kg →⁠

💛 Risotto alla Milanese and the flavour of saffron

Few Italian risottos are as recognisable as Risotto alla Milanese.

Its beautiful golden colour comes from saffron, giving the dish its distinctive aroma and delicate flavour.

Cannamela Saffron

If you are making your own saffron risotto, Cannamela Risodoro Saffron is an easy pantry essential.

The pack contains three individual 0.1g sachets, making it convenient to add the right amount to your recipe. 

Shop Cannamela Saffron Sachets →⁠

And if you want the flavour of Risotto alla Milanese without preparing the whole dish from scratch, Gallo offers a quick alternative.

Gallo Risotto Milanese

Gallo Risotto Milanese 250g brings the classic saffron flavour to the table in a convenient format.

It is part of the Riso Gallo Bontà Pronte range and is designed for a quick Italian meal when you don’t have time to prepare a traditional risotto from the beginning. 

Shop Gallo Risotto Milanese →⁠

🍄 Porcini, truffle and four cheese

Not every risotto needs to take a long time.

The Riso Gallo Risotto Perfetto range is ideal when you want an Italian meal with minimal preparation.

Gallo Risotto ai Funghi Porcini

Earthy, comforting and full of mushroom flavour, Gallo Risotto ai Funghi Porcini 175g is a simple way to enjoy a classic porcini mushroom risotto at home.

Shop Gallo Risotto ai Funghi Porcini →⁠

Gallo Risotto al Tartufo

For something a little more indulgent, Gallo Risotto al Tartufo 175g brings together Italian rice and the distinctive flavour of truffle.

It’s a great option for a quick truffle risotto when you want something that feels a little more special.

Shop Gallo Risotto al Tartufo →⁠

Gallo Risotto ai Quattro Formaggi

Creamy and comforting, Gallo Risotto ai Quattro Formaggi 175g is made for those evenings when you want a rich and cheesy Italian meal.

Serve it on its own or finish it with a little freshly grated Parmigiano for an extra creamy result.

Shop Gallo Risotto ai Quattro Formaggi →⁠

These four Gallo risotto varieties — Milanese, porcini, truffle and four cheese — are currently listed in PUTIA’s range. 

🥄 An Italian shortcut: porcini cooking cream

There are times when you want to make your own risotto but still want a little help with the flavour.

Chef Parmalat Panna ai Funghi Porcini is a creamy Italian cooking cream infused with porcini mushrooms. It can be used in risotto, pasta, meat dishes and other Italian recipes. 

Add it towards the end of your risotto for a creamy mushroom finish, or use it to create a quick creamy porcini rice dish.

Shop Chef Parmalat Panna ai Funghi Porcini →⁠

🖤 Italian rice beyond risotto

Italian rice isn’t only for traditional risotto.

Riso Gallo Black Wholegrain Rice is grown and processed in Italy and has a naturally dark colour from the outer bran layer. It can be used for rice salads, side dishes, grain bowls and creative rice recipes. 

It can also make an interesting risotto nero, especially if you want to put something different on the table.

Shop Riso Gallo Black Wholegrain Rice →⁠

🇮🇹 Which Italian rice should you choose?

There isn’t one rice for every occasion.

Curtiriso Carnaroli is a practical choice for traditional homemade risotto.

Acquerello Carnaroli is a more premium option when you want to make dinner feel special.

Curtiriso Arborio is a versatile Italian pantry staple.

And if you’re short on time, Riso Gallo’s ready risottos make it possible to enjoy familiar Italian flavours with much less preparation.

Whatever you choose, good Italian rice gives you plenty of possibilities — from Risotto alla Milanese and porcini risotto to truffle, four cheese and seafood recipes.

At PUTIA, we select Italian food for real life: ingredients for cooking from scratch, Italian classics for busy evenings, and products that bring a little taste of Italy to your kitchen in the UK.

Enjoy La Dolce Vita in the UK. 🇮🇹