Craving the most popular Italian rice dishes instead of pasta or pizza? We’ve gathered plenty for you, so hang on.
Italian cuisine brings you a wonderful variety of rice dishes to enjoy, allowing you to experience different flavors, ingredients, and textures in your meals.
Italians really emphasize using fresh, high-quality ingredients, and this applies to their rice dishes as well. The kind of rice they use, along with herbs, vegetables, cheeses, and meats, all come together to create the incredible taste and quality of each dish.
Italian rice dishes are super versatile and great for all sorts of occasions. Whether you’re in the mood for a cozy and comforting meal or something fancier and gourmet, these dishes are perfect. They work well for both your everyday meals and those extra special moments.
A lot of these dishes have deep-rooted traditions, often following tried-and-true recipes honed over centuries. Different regions in Italy boast their own special rice creations, influenced by local ingredients and cultural influences.
These dishes often bring about feelings of comfort and nostalgia, reminding us of family gatherings and cherished homemade meals. This emotional connection is what truly sets these rice dishes apart.
13 Most Popular Italian Rice Dishes
While Italian rice dishes aren’t as staple as pasta or pizza in Italy, due to the country’s rich cuisine, anything is possible. In fact, Lombardy is considered the country’s rice bowl, and Italy is the largest rice-producing country in Europe.
So, how would you like your rice?
Rice in Italy – “riso” in the Italian language – comes in various varieties and colors. Some of the most common types include white rice such as arborio, badlo, carnaroli, lotus, and volano. Colored varieties are called riso violet, riso orange, and Riso di Baraggia Biellese e Vercellese, which is brown rice.
With all these rice varieties, there are those best suited for specific Italian dishes. So, here are the most popular Italian rice dishes you’re sure to love trying!
1. Risotto
A dish said to originate from the Lombardy region, the most popular Italian rice dish is definitely risotto.
The best risotto is when the rice is cooked al dente, rich in cream, and neither too soft nor too dry. The secret to achieving this is consistency in cooking and using the perfect ingredients, especially the type of rice itself.
Short-grain rice such as carnaroli or arborio is the best choice for risotto as it is stickier and creamier when cooked. For the broth, you can choose between chicken, fish, or beef combined with butter, saffron, onion, and Parmesan. Your risotto is ready to be served!
But that’s not all risotto is about, as this dish has a wide array of versions, too. From the famous risotto alla Milanese with beef marrow as the special ingredient, to the seafood special risotto called risotto ai frutti di mare, or the risotto ai funghi porcini with specially added porcini mushrooms, the list goes on…
2. Risi e Bisi (Rice and Peas)
Risi e bisi, or rice and peas, is another popular Italian rice dish you should try.
Vialone nano rice is best for this dish; when mixed with your favorite stock, peas, and butter, risi e bisi will be ready to serve as a standalone course.
Whether risi e bisi falls between a risotto or a soup dish, it is undeniable that this simple yet nutritious dish is a must-try when you visit Italy. If not, why not cook it at home?
Risi e bisi is a spring time specialty in Venice, served best during the St. Mark’s feast every 25th of April. This Venetian rice and peas dish is a comforting blend of risotto and soup – perfect for those cozy moments!
3. Arancini (Rice Balls)
In case you have risotto leftovers, they won’t go to waste, as arancini will save the day. These “little oranges,” arancini, are one of the most popular Italian dishes from Sicily that will boost your appetite.
Made from scratch with risotto, rice balls are formed, stuffed with mozzarella cheese, meat ragù, and peas, coated with breadcrumbs, deep-fried until golden brown, and your crunchy arancini is hot and ready to be served.
On the island of Sicily, this dish symbolizes freedom, mobility, and a warm welcome. It is also one of the most popular street foods in Italy.
4. Supplì
Another popular Italian rice dish, called supplì, comes from the region of Lazio in Central Italy. Supplì is smaller than arancini and is often found in pizzerias as an antipasto.
Similar to arancini, supplì is a risotto ball rolled in breadcrumbs and deep-fried, with mozzarella and tomato sauce inside. The mix of the crispy outside and the gooey inside, plus the yummy flavors from the cheese and sometimes ragù, all come together to make a really tasty treat that lots of people enjoy.
The term “supplì” is derived from the French word “surprise.” When Napoleon and his soldiers conquered Rome, they were surprised by the stuffed mozzarella cheese inside the rice ball.
5. Tiella di Riso (Rice Casserole)
What was once considered a peasant’s dish has now become one of the most popular Italian dishes, known as tiella di riso, or simply tiella. This recipe originates from the region of Puglia and is said to be the counterpart of the Spanish paella.
Tiella is a baked rice dish that consists of layered sautéed onions, rice, tomatoes, potatoes, and mussels. It is topped with breadcrumbs, pecorino, and parsley. However, tiella is not limited to mussels alone. Various versions of this humble dish also incorporate other seafood such as octopus and shrimp.
In Gaeta, Lazio, tiella is transformed into a pocket-style sandwich.
6. Budino di Riso (Rice Pudding)
For a rice dish best paired with your favorite tea, coffee, or even wine, budino di riso is the most popular Italian dish you should pick.
This sweet pudding originated in Tuscany, with other versions being made into short crust cupcake pastries.
Rice, such as carnaroli or arborio, is the best choice for your sweet budino di riso. Just mix it with milk, eggs, butter, and either cinnamon or lemon for an exciting aroma. For the pastry version, sugar is sprinkled on top and it’s ready to be served.
“Budino” means “pudding” in Italy, and budino di riso might be a simple rice pudding, but in Italy, it is Grandma’s favorite dish to serve for the family.
7. Insalata di Riso (Rice Salad)
For a uniquely popular Italian rice dish, try the insalata di riso. Enjoy this traditional cold salad, especially in the summer, during picnics or family outings at the beach.
Insalata di riso is crafted from boiled and al dente seasoned long-grain rice, along with carrots and peas. It’s combined with pickled vegetables, cooked ham, mushrooms, peppers, black olives, artichokes, and olive oil.
Adding a slice of egg gives you an extra protein boost. After a little time in the chiller, your delicious Italian rice salad is ready to be savored.
8. Pomodori Ripieni di Riso (Stuffed Tomatoes with Rice)
If you’re into a vegan and gluten-free version of one of the most popular Italian rice dishes, look no further than the best pomodori ripieni di riso in town.
This flavorful traditional Italian rice dish from Rome is anything but ordinary and requires some extra effort in preparation, but the results will definitely be worth it.
When making pomodori ripieni di riso, start by filling a hollow tomato with a mixture of arborio rice, garlic, pecorino cheese, pepper, herbs, olive oil, and salt. Then, seal the tomato with its sliced top, creating a pot-like shape. Place slices of potatoes beside the tomatoes and bake until everything is cooked to perfection.
You’ll get to savor the delightful combination of savory rice within a tomato “pot.”
In essence, pomodori ripieni di riso presents a dish where tomatoes are stuffed and baked with rice, creating a mouthwatering treat.
9. Sartù di Riso
For an amazing taste of baked rice, sartù di riso must be the perfect example.
Often served during special occasions and even mistaken for a birthday cake, this popular Italian rice dish is a Neapolitan classic.
Sartù di riso is indeed a timbale, except that it’s made with a dome-shaped rice instead of pasta.
Together with breadcrumbs, the cooked rice — either carnaroli or abrorio — is pressed onto the buttered walls of the pan, serving as the base and cover. Ingredients such as meatballs, boiled peas, sliced eggs seasoned with black pepper, and cheese are layered inside the pan and poured with ragù sauce, ready to be baked.
Interestingly, in the timballo version of this baked rice dish, it is flipped upside down, revealing the dome-like shaped rice cake. Once sliced, you can enjoy the mouthwatering sartù di riso.
The name of this Italian rice dish comes from sor tout, a Neapolitan phrase meaning “cover everything.” This describes how the breadcrumbs cover the timbale, like a cloak.
10. Torta di Riso (Rice Cake)
While most cakes are made of flour, the most popular Italian rice dish, torta di riso, is a rice cake. Can you imagine blowing out candles on a rice cake for your birthday? After trying torta di riso, you might just consider it.
Since torta di riso is a rice cake, in the Emilia-Romagna region, a famous version called torta degli addobbi is a must-try. It is a flavorful rice cake composed of rice, milk, eggs, almond nuts, and citrus flavors such as orange or lemon, along with their peels as part of the ingredients. It’s topped with almond liqueur.
This oven-baked dish is best cooked until golden brown and sliced like a pie.
Torta degli addobbi is mostly served during religious festivals, like in Bologna.
11. Fritelle di Riso (Rice Fritters)
While many popular fried Italian rice dishes are stuffed and lean towards a savory flavor, fritelle di riso is more focused on the sweet aspect of the rice itself.
You can find these common sweet rice fritters at carnivals, especially on the 19th of March during St. Joseph’s Day. In fact, they are even called “Frittelle di San Giuseppe” and are a renowned treat in Tuscany.
Making fritelle di riso is quite simple, akin to making your own pancakes. Just cook arborio rice in milk and sugar, then combine it with eggs and flour before deep-frying it in bite-sized portions. Roll the fritters in sugar before serving.
Some variations of fritelle di riso include added ingredients such as raisins, rum, or citrus zest to enhance the flavor.
12. Riso e Salvia (Rice and Sage)
A traditional food from Lombardy, riso e salvia is also one of the most popular rice dishes in Italy. This time, it’s not only made with one variation of Italian rice, but two short-grain types: either carnaroli or arborio, or nano vialone, as long as the rice is cooked creamy and al dente.
This simple, comforting Italian sage rice dish is made by adding rice to sautéed sage leaves in butter and cooking until al dente. It’s then topped with chopped scallions, bits of butter, and grated cheese, and served hot in a bowl.
Riso e salvia pairs best with either meat or grilled fish dishes.
13. Minestra di Riso (Rice Soup)
Minestra di riso is a warm and comforting soup that’s made from rice, vegetables, flavorful broth, and sometimes meat.
Just like traditional recipes, just a few ingredients are needed to create the perfect blend of flavors for minestra di riso. It is cooked in a flavorful meat broth using beef, chicken, or veal. Bones are usually added to create a thicker broth due to collagen. Aromatic ingredients such as garlic, onion, celery, and carrot are then added to the rice with a bit of oil, then topped with parsley for a finishing touch to soup.
This Italian rice dish brings back memories of grandma’s kitchen with its comforting warmth. Made from simple ingredients, it’s the perfect comfort food to enjoy when the weather gets chilly.