Learn how to make leftover risotto cakes using this easy recipe. These risotto cakes are stuffed with cheese and pan-fried for a quick appetizer or side dish using repurposed leftovers.
Risotto. Is there a more decadent-tasting, creamy rice side dish? I’m not sure there is. It took awhile for me to consider it something that can be made at home for times other than special occasions because, I mean, don’t you have to stir your arm off or else it fails miserably?
As it turns out the answer to that question is no. Every time I make smoked salmon risotto with feta (sometimes I leave out the smoked salmon) I’m reminded by how it doesn’t require a crazy amount of effort. As long as you keep it moving so that the risotto on the bottom of the pot doesn’t stay there for too long and stick, you’re golden.
However once you’ve (thoroughly) enjoyed freshly-made risotto, what’s the deal with leftovers? I’m a humongous fan of leftovers, which we have often as we’re a household of two here, but risotto is one of those dishes that tends to lose a little something in the reheating process. I’ve found the texture isn’t as soft and creamy, which is a major selling point of risotto in the first place.
So! Making leftover risotto cakes is a super quick and easy way to repurpose these leftovers without running into any of the texture concerns reheating risotto brings about. Plus you get to enjoy risotto in a totally different – yet totally satisfying – way.
The risotto cakes you see in these pictures were made using a super shortcut – boxed risotto! It piqued my interest at the supermarket and was on sale to boot, so I gave it a whirl. It definitely got creamy and nipped my risotto craving in the bud. I used a flavor from this brand and added a quarter-cup of frozen peas towards the end of the recipe. In a head-to-head battle I’d choose homemade risotto, but it was a surprisingly delicious option for those times you’re feeling like a shortcut.
Anyway, I was left with one cup of leftover risotto, which I made into four risotto cakes. Scale this recipe up or down depending on how much you have left over.
First of all there’s no reheating necessary – just form the patties with cold, straight-from-the-fridge risotto. Then there’s the optional step of stuffing them with cheese. Use your preferred variety! You’ll want to press a small cube into the center of each risotto cake and then work the risotto over to cover it well so it doesn’t melt out when you pan fry them. The risotto will be sticky, so the cakes should hold together well.
After these leftover risotto cakes are dipped in egg and coated in an equal mixture of Italian-seasoned and panko breadcrumbs you’re all set to pan fry. They only take a few minutes per side, and are ready to eat right when they’re done. The coating becomes crisp and golden brown, with a melted cheese center that most certainly qualifies these risotto cakes as comfort food. You’ll want to make risotto much more often knowing you’ll have these leftover risotto cakes to look forward to!
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How to Make Leftover Risotto Cakes
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs
- 2 tbsp panko breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 1 cup leftover risotto
- 1" cube mozzarella cheese, cut into 4 cubes (optional)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Add Italian and panko breadcrumbs to a shallow bowl and stir together.
- Beat the egg in a separate shallow bowl.
- Form the risotto into four equal 1/4-cup patties. Place a 1/2" cube of cheese into the center of each one, and then work the risotto over it to enclose it in the middle.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet set over medium heat. Place risotto cakes in the skillet and let cook for 2-3 minutes, or until the bottoms reach a golden-brown color. Flip and repeat for the other side. Serve while warm.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is provided as an estimate. As it can vary due to many factors (brands used, quantities, etc.), we cannot guarantee its accuracy.
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