
Why I love this zucchini risotto recipe
Update: I’ve updated this recipe to be dairy free as of April 2018. I have written the original dairy-based alternatives in the recipe notes section for anyone who would like to make the original recipe. The original text from this post follows:
On the nights that my husband has a hockey game, he is usually gone by 4 or 5 p.m. which leaves me alone for dinner. I usually just make a peanut butter and jelly to bring with me to the game or I eat whatever leftovers we have in the fridge. Sometimes, I’m in the mood for something a little more substantial, and this is usually my go-to.
It’s a great way to use up that one last zucchini you have in the fridge. Plus, it can be a full meal for just one or two people. It’s also a great side dish for four. Since zucchini is plentiful this time of year, I thought now would be a good time to share tasty little dish.

Here’s what you’ll need to make it
Please don’t be intimidated by this dish. In fact, risotto is one of the simplest things to make. It’s so easy, I promise. I’ve made it so many times, I don’t need to use a recipe anymore.
It’s just a matter of taking your time and letting each liquid addition absorb before moving on. And, all that stirring releases the starches from the rice, making it unbelievably creamy.
Adapting this recipe to be dairy free was actually pretty simple. Since I usually start my risotto off with olive oil, rather than butter, I only had to remove the pecorino cheese from the recipe.
I swapped a tablespoon on nutritional yeast, an extra pinch of salt and about 1/4 cup of water for it.

How to make zucchini risotto
Sauté the onion. Heat a large skillet *affiliate link to medium high. Add the olive oil and onion. Sauté until the onion is soft, stirring as often as you need to prevent sticking.
Add the rice. Add the rice and stir to coat in the oil. Let the rice cook until it absorbs any excess oil.
Add the liquids. Starting with the wine, add 1/2 cup of liquid at a time. For each addition, let the rice simmer and absorb all of it before adding the next 1/2 cup.
Stir in zucchini. While the rice cooks, shred the zucchini with a box grater. When all the broth has absorbed, add the zucchini to the pot and all it to cook. Liquids will come out of the zucchini, so let them get absorbed, too.
Season and serve. Before serving, stir in the nutritional yeast (you can also use vegan parmesan) and adjust the seasoning with salt & pepper, to taste.
FAQS and tips for making vegan risotto
Typically risotto has parmesan or some type of grated cheese in it, and sometimes melted butter. But, you don’t need dairy to make a creamy risotto. The starches released while you’re cooking creates a beautifully creamy texture for vegan risotto.
Yes. You can use vegetable stock in place of chicken for risotto. It’s a great way to make any risotto vegetarian or vegan.
You definitely don’t want to rinse risotto before cooking it. That would remove the starches, and make your risotto less creamy.

More zucchini recipes:
- Creamy zucchini soup
- Zucchini muffins
- Chocolate zucchini muffins
- Potage aux legumes (creamy vegetable soup)
- Chicken and vegetable coconut curry
- Minestrone soup
This zucchini risotto would be a great side for:
- Pan fried lamb chops recipe
- Pecan crusted salmon
- Osso buco
- Stuffed pork chops
- Roast pork loin with fennel & apples


Zucchini Risotto
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Sides
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This easy, zucchini risotto recipe has no cheese and is naturally gluten free (used GF broth). It’s a great summer side dish. Serve it with grilled chicken or shrimp for a healthy dinner, or have it on its own for a delicious vegan meal.
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced (about 1/2 – 3/4 cup)
- 1 1/2 cup arborio rice
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 4 cups vegetable or chicken broth
- 2 small zucchini, grated
- 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast (or 2–3 tablespoons vegan parmesan)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large frying pan over medium heat.
- Sauté onion until translucent and add rice, allowing it to absorb any remaining oil.
- Pour the white wine into the pan and allow it to absorb.
- Add broth – a 1/2 cup at a time – allowing each addition be fully absorbed before adding the next, stirring frequently.
- Once broth is incorporated, stir in shredded zucchini. Allow any liquids from the zucchini to absorb into the rice.
- Stir in nutritional yeast and stir to incorporate.
- Before serving, season with salt & pepper, to taste.
Notes
*To make the original dairy-based version of this recipe, use 2 – 3 tablespoons grated pecorino or parmesan cheese.
Keywords: dairy free, vegan, gluten free, egg free, vegetable, vegetarian, rice, risotto, zucchini
Last Updated on July 24, 2020 by Melissa Belanger