Steak Gorgonzola Alfredo Risotto is inspired by the copycat Olive Garden restaurant pasta recipe. The risotto is filled with spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, Parmesan cheese, cream, and Gorgonzola (blue cheese) and then topped with steak.
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If you are looking for an authentic risotto, you might want to leave now. I am all about combining new flavors and dishes together for something delicious. And this risotto definitely is delicious, but there are also a few things that happen that are definitely NOT authentic to risotto. Like cream for the alfredo sauce.
I am OBSESSED with risotto and once I figured out a great base recipe, watch out! I have been on a risotto kick ever since, making as many fun flavors as possible. This alfredo risotto is inspired with one of the all-time most popular recipes on this site, Copycat Olive Garden Steak Gorgonzola Alfredo. This pasta dish was something I loved to eat and they have since discontinued it, so I am glad that I can bring the dish to your homes! And this Steak Gorgonzola Alfredo Risotto is a great way to use the same flavors in a new recipe. Find more of our risotto recipes here! And find more steak gorgonzola recipes here!
Does the rice type really matter?
Yes! Arborio rice is high in starch and as this starch is released in the cooking process, it gives risotto the creamy texture. Arborio is also a short grain which means it stays a little firm and chewy. You want risotto to have just a little bite or texture to it and not be soggy or too soft. You can find arborio rice at most grocery stores. I like to get mine online in bulk here.
Do I really need to stir it that much?
In my opinion, yes. Some people say that they do not notice a difference and just let the rice sit there and cook in all of the liquid at once. But I DO notice a difference. The stirring and gradually adding of the liquid definitely makes the risotto creamier. Grab a glass of wine or a friend and hang out with your risotto for a bit, stirring as it cooks. Yes, you can go back and forth to the pot stirring every few minutes, but the best ever risotto I made was when I was constantly stirring.
Can I just use my canned Parmesan instead?
The quality of Parmesan in this dish is extremely important. The cheese is a primary flavor and so you want to use ingredients that taste good as it will just make the dish better. If you use that pre-ground, cheese in a can stuff, it will not taste as good. You get out of it what you put into it! I love to buy wedges of Parmesan Reggiano cheese and use one of my favorite tools, a food processor, to shred the brick and then I keep it in my refrigerator in plastic bags so that I always have fresh, quality cheese shredded on hand. If you make healthier and higher-quality foods easier to access, you will use them more often.
This risotto is filled with the same add-ins as the pasta, with spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, and gorgonzola crumbles. You can easily sub the gorgonzola for blue cheese. Add as much or as little of each as you want! The restaurant version has balsamic vinegar on the steak, and the vinegar acid cuts the richness of everything (just like the tomatoes do). I also like to drizzle the risotto with a little balsamic glaze!
Delicious Italian risotto recipes with unique flavors One of my favorites, this Roasted Leek and Brie Risotto is packed with creamy cheese and mild leeks. Caprese Pesto Risotto is mixed with basil pesto and topped with a mixture of basil, tomatoes, and mozzarella cheese. This Zucchini Corn Risotto with Parmesan Cheese is surprisingly light with fresh garden flavors. Sausage, Tomato, and Roasted Garlic Parmesan Risotto is a rich tomato based risotto with lots of flavor. Spinach Artichoke Risotto uses the same classic flavors of the popular dip in a rice recipe. A cheesy Balsamic Caprese Risotto is mixed with mozzarella cheese, tomatoes, and basil that have been marinated in balsamic.Risotto Recipes
Roasted Leek and Brie Risotto
Caprese Pesto Risotto
Zucchini Corn Risotto with Parmesan Cheese
Sausage, Tomato, and Roasted Garlic Parmesan Risotto
Spinach Artichoke Risotto
Balsamic Caprese Risotto
Steak Gorgonzola Alfredo Risotto
Ingredients
- 1 pound steak
- salt
- black pepper
- 1 Tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 6 Tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 Tablespoons red onion finely diced
- 1 1/2 cups arborio rice
- 1 cup white wine
- 6 cups chicken stock or vegetable stock
- 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/3 cup sundried tomatoes sliced or diced
- 3/4 cup frozen chopped spinach
- 4 ounces gorgonzola crumbles (or blue cheese) (approximately 3/4 cup)
- balsamic glaze optional
Instructions
- Season the steak with salt and pepper on both sides.
- Heat a large skillet over medium high heat.
- When the pan is hot, add the steak and cook on both sides until you reach your desired doneness. The exact time you need to cook the steak will vary with how well done you want it in addition to how thick it is.
- Transfer the steak to a plate. Brush the steak with balsamic vinegar if desired. Cover and set aside to rest.
- While the steak is cooking, start the risotto. Place the stock in a small pot and heat over medium low. You want the stock to be warm when adding it to the risotto so that the temperature change does not affect the rice.
- In a large pot, melt 3 Tablespoons of the butter over medium heat. When melted, add the red onion. Cook until the onion is translucent but not yet browning, approximately 3-5 minutes.
- Add the rice and stir. Continue cooking to slightly toast the rice until it is just starting to show a little brown color, approximately 3-5 minutes.
- Add the white wine to the pot. Cook until the rice is almost dry, where most of the wine has been absorbed.
- Add one cup of stock to the rice. Stir continuously until most of the stock has been absorbed. Repeat this process 1/2 cup of stock at a time until the rice is cooked thoroughly. You want the rice to have just a little bit of bite left so that it is not completely mushy. Depending on your rice, you may need more or less stock for the right consistency so start tasting the rice after 4 cups.
- When your rice is cooked, remove the pot from the heat. Add the rest of the butter, the Parmesan cheese, gorgonzola, frozen spinach, and sun-dried tomatoes (the spinach will warm up in the risotto). It is important to do this before adding salt and pepper because the cheese is salty. Stir to combine.
- Taste the risotto and season with additional spinach, gorgonzola, tomatoes, salt, and pepper as desired. Garnish with toasted pine nuts if desired for an extra crunch. Slice or chop the steak and serve on top, or mix in. Serve immediately. Drizzle with balsamic glaze if desired.
Wowzer. That steak and gorgonzola alfredo sounds like one rich, delicious meal. Just the kind of thing my husband would like. I think I will try this recipe for Valentine’s day. Thanks!
We love making risotto and I am always looking for new risotto ideas. So much flavor in this recipe. And gluten-free! 🙂
Made this for supper tonight. It tastes great! But remind me never to make it again for the kids… they are not too fond of gorgonzola The only thing I did different was I used fresh spinach instead of frozen, and I burnt my arm with hot chicken broth part way through (which was not in the directions).
Haha I am so glad you liked it, Kristin! Gorgonzola can definitely just be sprinkled on top as needed for those that love it and it will taste like regular alfredo for the rest 🙂 So sorry you got burned!
Came out amazing! I’d recommend using a balsamic glaze
Yum! Don’t skip the balsamic glaze – ties everything together!
So delicious! Loved it
My husband said I can make this again lol!
Question – is this something that can be made ahead of time? I have a dinner party tomorrow night but need to make it tonight. Will it still be OK?
Hi Annie,
Risotto tastes best day of but it does still taste good the next day! Just be sure to add some water or stock when reheating as it will thicken when chilled. I would do this in a large pot over medium low heat on the stove.
I would try to make the steak day of but if not, undercook and do not cut until ready to serve.
I hope they love it!
The flavor is awesome ! but I would use fresh spinach next time because the frozen made the risotto runny… will make again
Perfect! Husband said it looked like the Olive Garden dish