Though it's traditionally a dinner food, risotto can be enjoyed in the morning, too! This recipe for Breakfast Risotto combines bacon, eggs, and cheese for the ideal way to start your day.
(This Breakfast Risotto recipe was originally published in June 2013, but has been updated with new photos and copy.)
If you live in a place where the seasons distinctly change, do you find that the drop in morning temperature directly correlates to how difficult it is for you to get out of bed in the morning?
The struggle has been real for me in a way that I never noticed before. Though I am certain that 50% of my struggle is due to the cold and 50% of it is due to the fact that my dog literally spoons me in the morning and makes it incredibly difficult for me to get out of bed.
I'm so comfy and cozy and warm and cannot bear the thought of leaving that cocoon. And then when I try, I literally cannot get out of bed without picking my dog up and moving her myself. She will not budge and would probably stay snuggled up all day if I let her. I simultaneously love it and hate it.
The upside to my late wake-ups is that I'm learning I need far less time in the morning to get ready than I once thought.
I am generally a big fan of leaving myself plenty of time in the morning, so I can sip my coffee and leisurely get ready and mentally prepare for my day. But warmth has trumped that pretty much every morning the last couple weeks and I'm totally OK with that.
In any event, no matter how early I get out of bed, I always wait until I get to work to eat breakfast and have never been the kind of person who is standing at the stove at 6:00 a.m. poaching eggs and frying bacon. But I do love cooking big breakfasts on the weekends and then packing leftovers to enjoy during the week.
And this recipe for Breakfast Risotto is the BEST for leftovers. So, you can totally make it during a nice relaxing weekend and then enjoy it all week long.
How to Make Breakfast Risotto
You're probably over there all like, "risotto?? for breakfast??" And all I will respond with is, "yes." And then I'll obviously give you the recipe and urge you to make it and stop asking so many questions. Just trust.
The bacon and cheddar and poached egg on top make it 100% justifiable as a breakfast food.
Start by cooking chopped bacon in a large saucepan until it's nice and crispy and then remove with a slotted spoon to a paper towel-lined plate. Leave about 2 tablespoon of oil in the pan and drain the rest. Set aside.
While bacon is cooking, pour chicken broth into a medium saucepan, bring to a boil, and then lower to a simmer. Leave simmering.
Put garlic in pan with the bacon grease and let cook for about 30 seconds to a minute over medium heat.
Add arborio rice to pot and cook for about one minute, until it's translucent around the edges.
Pour white wine in, stir, and take care to scrape the brown bits from the bottom of the pan. Let cook until wine is completely absorbed.
If you want to skip the wine step, you can (but it does add a little acidity and cut down on the richness of the dish... Plus, it all burns off in the cooking process!)
Add ½ cup chicken stock in, stir, and let broth absorb. Continue to add broth into rice ½ cup at a time, stirring, and letting absorb.
While risotto is cooking, poach your eggs (or see below to learn how to poach eggs ahead of time if you're making this risotto in advance).
When all of the chicken broth has been incorporated into the risotto, stir in the chopped bacon, scallions, parmesan cheese, cheddar cheese, salt, and pepper.
And serve in bowls topped with a runny poached egg.
Realistically, I'm not going to be eating risotto for breakfast every day, but on a particularly cold morning when I'm craving a filling and satisfying, stick-to-your-ribs kind of dish, this is it.
Side note that I've always hated the term "stick to your ribs" as it's kind of a disturbing visual, but I also feel like it's the best way to describe risotto on a cold morning.
Plus, the bacon and poached egg will provide a little protein and you won't be hungry again 30 minutes after you eat a bowl of breakfast risotto, which I'm pretty sure is what the term "stick to your ribs" means.
How to Poach Eggs Ahead of Time
Now, if you're thinking, "well, sure I can make this ahead of time, but what about that poached egg? I'll have to forfeit that if I make that in advance, right?" I will tell you no!! You don't!
One of the best skills you can learn is to make a batch of poached eggs in advance.
Just poach the eggs like you normally would, but undercooking by about a minute (especially if you want the yolks to be runny). Make sure the whites are set.
Immediately place in an ice bath to shock them and stop them from cooking and then store in a container of water in your fridge for up to two days.
Then you can either add the eggs to simmering water to heat when you're ready to eat.... Or just pop in the microwave for a few seconds. And you're all ready to enjoy a nice runny yolk on top of your breakfast risotto.
Yes, you can enjoy poached eggs on a random Tuesday when you got out of bed 20 minutes after your alarm went off and have been running from meeting to meeting ever since.
If I've said it once, I've said it a million times, but risotto is so easy to make and not at all scary like some would lead you to believe.
I was going to say I can do it in my sleep, but if I actually could, I suppose that would mean I'd be enjoying this for breakfast every single day (and man, I'd feel so productive when I woke up in the morning if I always had a big batch of risotto ready to go).
It seems weird to recommend coffee with risotto, but man a steaming cup of coffee and hot bowl of breakfast risotto is the most dreamy way to start a 35-degree day.
The only way it would be better is if I were enjoying it while still snuggled in bed with my dog. And perhaps if my dog actually served it to me.
But considering Winnie won't even move an inch to let me get out of bed, I don't really see that happening.
Oh, I should also mention that this breakfast risotto also makes the perfect dinner risotto if you're in a breakfast for dinner kind of mood. Is that confusing? Basically, eat this any time of day and you'll be happy.
Have you ever had risotto for breakfast?
More Fun Breakfast Ideas
I love making and enjoying breakfasts that are unique and outside the box, like this breakfast risotto. Here are a few more of my favorite fun breakfast recipes!
- Piña Colada Bircher Muesli
- Cinnamon Toast Crunch Granola
- Hummus Breakfast Bowls
- Bubble Waffle Banana Split Tacos
- Coconut Chia Dragon Fruit Smoothie Jars
- French Toast BLTs
- Bacon and Egg Croissant Boats (from Honest Grub Honest Foodie)
- Mini Pancakes Cereal (from Ramona's Cuisine)
📖 Recipe
Breakfast Risotto with Bacon and Poached Egg
Ingredients
- 6 strips bacon
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup arborio rice
- ¼ cup dry white wine*
- 4 large eggs
- 2 tablespoon vinegar, for poaching egg
- 6 scallions, chopped
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
- ½ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Chop bacon into bite-sized pieces and put it in a large saucepan over medium heat.
- Cook the bacon until it's nice and crispy and remove with a slotted spoon to a paper towel-lined plate. Leave about 2 tablespoon of oil in the pan and drain the rest. Set aside.
- While bacon is cooking, pour chicken broth into a medium saucepan, bring to a boil, and then lower to a simmer. Leave simmering.
- Put garlic in pan with the bacon grease and let cook for about 30 seconds to a minute over medium heat.
- Add arborio rice to pot and cook for about one minute, until it's translucent around the edges.
- Pour white wine in, stir, and take care to scrape the brown bits from the bottom of the pan. Let cook until wine is completely absorbed (see notes section if you prefer not to use wine).
- Add ½ cup chicken stock in, stir, and let broth absorb.
- Continue to add broth into rice ½ cup at a time, stirring, and letting absorb.
- While risotto is cooking, poach eggs by filling a large saucepan with high sides with water and vinegar and bringing to a simmer over medium heat.
- Crack each egg into a little bowl and then slowly pour the eggs into the simmering water, one at a time.
- Turn off the heat of the stove and let the eggs cook for about 4 minutes.
- Remove eggs from water to a paper towel-lined plate. See notes section if you want to poach your eggs ahead of time.
- When all of the chicken broth has been incorporated into the risotto, stir in the chopped bacon, scallions, parmesan cheese, cheddar cheese, salt, and pepper.
- Serve risotto in individual bowls with poached eggs on top.
Notes
- Wine helps balance out the richness of this dish, but if you prefer not to use wine in your breakfast (it all cooks out!), you can skip this step.
- To poach eggs in advance: Poach like normal, but undercook by about a minute (especially if you want runny yolks) and then shock eggs in an ice bath. Let them sit in a container of water in your fridge for up to two days. When ready to eat, with warm in simmering water or pop them in the microwave for a few seconds.
Jen says
I love risotto but never thought to make it for breakfast!
Karen says
This looks amazing. I bet you could make it ahead of time and reheat it throughout the week (obviously not the egg part though!); risotto usually reheats well!
I am so making this. Maybe with a sunny side up egg, which I have perfected, poached eggs, not so much!
Leah | So, How's It Taste? says
Risotto is one of my top favorite dishes. And anything topped with a runny egg will get a vote from me. I so wish I could eat this for breakfast every morning!
Bianca @ Confessions of a Chocoholic says
This reminds me of one of my favorite breakfasts when I lived in the Philippines: bacon, egg, and garlic rice! I'd probably eat two (or more) servings too!
Emily says
Shut. Up. This is brilliant. I adore this idea and am salivating over this right now. Such a great idea. Well done!
Ashley Bee (Quarter Life Crisis Cuisine) says
I love risotto! It doesn't work with my low-carb diet, but perhaps a quiona version would work...
Shannon says
oh yes, with crispy bacon and a runny egg-- YUM!
Deanna Segrave-Daly says
OK - you just blew my mind with this dish - I love risotto and have been trying to use different grains for breakfast but never thought risotto. Pining!!
Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl says
This looks so good, I sure wish I was eating this for breakfast instead of Corn Flakes, hehehe. Thanks for sharing, pretty dish!
Gia Grossman says
I think a breakfast like this is always a good idea. What's not to love??
Cathy Pollak ~ Noble Pig says
Ah vacation..we took our BIG vacay over Spring Break...in Oregon you need to leave in the Spring to get warm!! I will now live vicariously through you!
What a lovely breakfast you have here...I love.
Victoria says
Love risotto any time of day! I actually have used leftover risotto to make risotto cakes and then topped them with poached eggs for breakfast, but making the risotto with breakfast already in mind is a great idea (and getting the heaviest meal out of the way first thing in the morning is too!). Delish!
Erin @ The Spiffy Cookie says
Risotto for breakfast? Love it!
Barbara says
That looks marvelous! Never thought about risotto for breakfast. Think I'll skip the wine part, but the rest is perfect!
Jess @ Sweet Athena says
Risotto for breakfast- woah, mind blown. I am sometimes not that big a fan of breakfast (gasp!), but I'm pretty sure I would love to eat this savory dish in the morning.
Odetta says
Time for breakfast right now and I wish this was on my table. I'd definitely make enough for the week and eat it every day!
Velva says
Delightful breakfast! Enjoy the time away relaxing and sipping cocktails. Look forward to the post-vacation post.
Velva
Susan says
I would have ever thought to make risotto for breakfast! Love this! Your poached eggs are perfect.
Emily @ A Cambridge Story says
If only every morning allowed for a leisurely risotto breakfast. Love this idea! Wonder if would work on a savory oatmeal...
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Dawn says
Just made this with added crumbled turkey sausage. Absolutely wonderful - THANK YOU!
Lily says
Just had this at a restaurant and was looking for a similar recipe, thank you! Looks delish!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
Risotto is my absolute favorite! I've never had a breakfast version before, so I've got to try this. Such a great idea, Sue!
Jersey Girl Cooks says
Mmmnnn, breakfast risotto! I love this and anything topped with a poached egg is even better!
Karly says
So genius. This looks absolutely delicious! Cannot get over that runny yoke.... yum!
Tandy | Lavender and Lime says
Not sure about rice for breakfast but I could eat a bowl of that right now, it looks so good. And I did not know you could keep poached eggs in the fridge. Might have to try that some time.
Ann says
I’m surprised after making this for years, I’m the first to review this recipe. I always come back to this recipe as soon as the weather gets a little chilly. You want to feel satiated well into lunch time, start your day out with this. This is what my husband calls a gut sticker because it just fills you up and it’s so hearty and delicious. I only make it around winter time because we were putting in pounds eating this constantly. Delish!!!