Easy Risotto with Ham Recipe – Perfectly Yummylicious!

Guido Pedrelli
Guido Pedrelli
Italian Cuisine Expert and Food Blogger
Guido Pedrelli
Guido Pedrelli, the mastermind behind Nonna Box, has honed his culinary expertise for decades, inspired by family feasts in Emilia-Romagna. Mentored by his restaurateur nonna, he mastered Italian classics and furthered his skills with professional culinary studies in desserts and gelato making from Mec3. Today, he shares this rich legacy and authentic recipes through Nonna Box.
Expertise: Italian cuisine, Pasta, Pizza, Pastry, Dessert

One of the distinct features of traditional Italian cooking is the high quality of the ingredients used in every dish. Risotto with ham, particularly prosciutto, is a great example of this. Not only will you get a lovely looking risotto, but also a poignantly flavorful dish with the prosciutto’s sweet delicate flavor. But before we proceed to the delicious recipe, let’s find out more about this savory Italian meat.

What is Prosciutto made of?

Like most kinds of salami, prosciutto is made of pork. However, the meat used in making prosciutto is the lean hind leg or thigh (or as other call it, “ham”) part of the animal.

Pancetta or bacon, on the other hand, makes use of the belly part. Aside from the fact that they come from different animal parts, pancetta also needs to be cooked before consumption.

Prosciutto

Now if you’re looking for high quality gourmet prosciutto, specifically Prosciutto di Parma, make sure it is made in Italy.  This ham is only produced in the province of Parma, in the Emili-Romagna region in Italy. Moreover, it is made under strict quality control procedures and only uses high quality ingredients. It also only uses specially bred pigs so you’re sure to get only the highest quality ham.

Basically, there are two kinds of prosciutto from Italy. One is called prosciutto cotto, which is cooked ham, while the other is called prosciutto crudo, which is raw or uncooked. Prosciutto crudo, although raw, is perfectly safe to eat since it has undergone the curing process.

 

Why cook with Prosciutto di Parma?

This Italian ham will not just add some delicious savory flavor to your risotto, it is also a great source of protein, iron, zinc, niacin, and vitamin B12.

So yes, contrary to what many health-conscious people may claim, there are some health benefits you can get from eating ham. However, much like everything else in life, moderation is the key. This is because prosciutto is also high in saturated fat and sodium, which may be reason enough not to consume this meat every day.

Remember, everything in moderation.

 

Easy Risotto with Ham Recipe

So how do you turn those Italian grain into a yummy plate of Risotto with Ham? Read the recipe below to find out.

Risotto with ham

Risotto with ham

This risotto with ham recipe is simple to make and delicious to taste. Try it!
5 from 7 votes
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Course: Risotto
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 893kcal

Ingredients

  • 300 grams Arborio rice
  • 1 onion chopped
  • 1 tablespoon of butter
  • 6 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 celery chopped (optional)
  • 1 carrot chopped (optional)
  • 4 cups of chicken or ham broth
  • 1 cup yellow corn optional
  • 2 cups of hams cubed
  • 1/4 cup white wine
  • 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese
  • salt & pepper to taste

Instructions

  • In a pan, melt the butter and add carrots and celery. Cook for about 8 to 10 minutes. Set aside.
  • In a saucepan, put the extra virgin olive oil in medium heat and toast the rice for a couple of minutes.
  • Next, add the white wine and cook for a few minutes or until the wine has all but evaporated.
  • Then, add 1 cup of broth. When the broth has almost evaporated, add another cup. Repeat until you have added all the broth and the rice has softened.
  • Add the carrots, celery, corn, and ham cubes.
  • Put salt and pepper to taste.
  • Lower the heat and slowly add the Parmesan cheese.
  • Serve the dish immediately.
Calories: 893kcal | Carbohydrates: 94g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 42g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Cholesterol: 59mg | Sodium: 1939mg | Potassium: 710mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 2780IU | Vitamin C: 19.7mg | Calcium: 182mg | Iron: 5.8mg
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Important thing to remember when cooking with Parma ham, add it at the last minute so you don’t overcook it. If you overcook it, the ham’s flavor will be compromised and the meat will become tough.

Buon appetito!

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