Name: Easy Lemon Pea Risotto in Rice Cooker Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1 medium shallot, diced; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 1 ½ cups Arborio rice; 4 cups vegetable broth (divided); 2 tablespoons butter; ¼ teaspoon salt; Pinch black pepper; Zest and juice of one lemon; 1 cup frozen peas; 2 oz grated Parmesan cheese

There’s nothing quite like the fresh zing of lemon paired with tender peas in a creamy risotto, made effortlessly in your rice cooker. This Easy Lemon Pea Risotto in Rice Cooker Recipe is a total game-changer for busy days when you want comfort food without the fuss.

A white bowl filled with creamy risotto mixed with bright green peas, showing a soft and slightly sticky texture from the cooked rice. The peas are scattered evenly throughout the risotto, giving a fresh pop of color against the pale, rich rice. The bowl rests on a white marbled surface with some grated cheese and a whole garlic bulb placed nearby, along with a small glass bowl of uncooked rice and a white rice cooker partially visible in the background. The overall scene is bright and clean, focusing on the simple, comforting dish. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Easy Lemon Pea Risotto in Rice Cooker Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Easy Lemon Pea Risotto in Rice Cooker Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Easy Lemon Pea Risotto in Rice Cooker Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Seriously, this risotto nails the perfect balance of creamy, zesty, and fresh—and the best part? Your rice cooker does the majority of the work. I love how it makes risotto approachable, even on hectic nights.

Effortless Cooking: Your rice cooker handles the stirring and timing, freeing you up for other tasks.
Lemon Brightness: The lemon zest and juice add a fresh pop that lifts the whole dish beautifully.
Comfort in a Bowl: Creamy, cheesy, and full of tender peas, it’s the kind of meal that feels like a hug.
Customizable: Easy to tweak with herbs, extra veggies, or your favorite cheese for added flair.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient plays a key role in making this risotto both creamy and fresh-tasting. Stocking up on quality Arborio rice and fresh lemon will make a noticeable difference, and frozen peas keep things easy without sacrificing flavor.

Flat lay of a medium shallot, peeled and diced, four whole uncracked garlic cloves, a small mound of Arborio rice, a few tablespoons of butter on a white ceramic dish, a small white bowl filled with clear vegetable broth, coarse salt crystals and a small pile of ground black pepper on a white plate, a fresh lemon sliced in half with visible zest and juice droplets on a white saucer, a small white bowl of bright green peas, a small white bowl heaped with grated Parmesan cheese, all arranged with perfect symmetry in balanced proportions, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Shallot: Adds a mild, sweet onion flavor that gently aromatizes the dish.
Garlic: Boosts savory depth and complements lemon’s brightness wonderfully.
Arborio rice: The star of risotto, its high starch content creates that signature creamy texture.
Vegetable broth: Slowly cooked into the rice for flavor and moisture; using homemade or low-sodium broth improves taste.
Butter: Adds richness and helps meld flavors together smoothly.
Salt & black pepper: Basic seasoning that balances the lemon and cheese.
Lemon zest and juice: Essential for that fresh zing that brightens each bite.
Frozen peas: Sweet, tender, and easy to toss in at the end—no defrosting needed.
Parmesan cheese: Adds salty, umami depth and creamy body to the risotto.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I often play around with this Easy Lemon Pea Risotto in Rice Cooker Recipe by adding fresh herbs like basil or thyme for an extra layer of flavor. Feel free to customize with whatever veggies or cheeses you love.

Variation: Once, I stirred in roasted asparagus tips right before serving, and it made for a really lovely spring-inspired twist.
Dairy-Free Option: Try swapping butter for olive oil and Parmesan for nutritional yeast to keep it creamy but vegan-friendly.
Protein Boost: Adding cooked shrimp or shredded chicken after cooking turns this into a hearty, well-rounded meal.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Easy Lemon Pea Risotto in Rice Cooker Recipe

A close-up view of a white rice cooker filled with creamy risotto mixed with bright green peas evenly spread throughout the dish. The risotto has a soft, slightly sticky texture with light yellowish-white rice grains blending with the peas. The rice cooker is placed on a white marbled surface, with two whole garlic and shallot bulbs slightly blurred in the background on the same surface. On the bottom left corner, there is a small grater with a chunk of pale yellow cheese next to it. A white cloth with green stripes is partially visible on the right side of the frame. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Prep and Combine the Base Ingredients

Start by dicing your shallot and mincing the garlic—these little flavors are the foundation. Toss the shallots, garlic, Arborio rice, 2 ½ cups of vegetable broth, butter, salt, and pepper right into your rice cooker pot. Give it a good stir so everything’s evenly mixed and ready to absorb that broth.

Step 2: Let the Rice Cooker Work Its Magic

Set your rice cooker to the white rice setting if it has one—mine doesn’t, so I just press “cook.” The rice cooker will slowly cook and hydrate the rice while releasing all those amazing flavors without you needing to babysit the pot. This usually takes about 25-30 minutes total.

Step 3: Add Lemon, Peas, and Parmesan

Once your rice cooker switches to warm or finishes cooking, stir in the lemon zest, lemon juice, frozen peas, Parmesan cheese, and any extra broth if the risotto looks a little thick. The residual heat will perfectly warm the peas and melt the cheese without overcooking anything.

Step 4: Serve It Up

Spoon your risotto into bowls and garnish with extra Parmesan or fresh herbs if you like—basil and chives are my favorites. It’s best enjoyed immediately for that creamy texture that risotto is famous for.

Top Tip

From my experience making this Easy Lemon Pea Risotto in Rice Cooker Recipe multiple times, a few small tweaks fixed what could have been a bland or uneven dish and made it truly spectacular.

Use Fresh Lemon Zest: Adding fresh zest really brightens the risotto without making it sour.
Add Broth Gradually: If the risotto gets too thick once cooked, stir in more warm broth to loosen it up and keep the creamy texture.
Don’t Overcook Peas: Toss in frozen peas at the end so they retain their sweet snap and vibrant color.
Stir Well Before Cooking: Ensuring everything is mixed evenly upfront helps the flavors meld and prevents clumps of dry rice.

How to Serve Easy Lemon Pea Risotto in Rice Cooker Recipe

Garnishes

I like to sprinkle an extra handful of Parmesan on top along with freshly chopped parsley or basil. A drizzle of good olive oil or a few twists of cracked black pepper also elevate the dish just before serving.

Side Dishes

Pairing this risotto with a simple green salad, grilled asparagus, or garlic-roasted mushrooms makes a light yet satisfying meal. It also works beautifully alongside a crisp white wine to brighten the palate.

Creative Ways to Present

For a dinner party, I’ve served this risotto in small ramekins topped with edible flowers or microgreens to make it feel special. You could also swirl a dollop of ricotta or mascarpone on top for a lovely creamy contrast.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The risotto firms up when chilled, so I usually add a splash of broth or water when reheating to bring back the creamy texture.

Freezing

Risotto doesn’t freeze as well as some dishes because reheating can make it gummy, but you can freeze in small portions if you like. Just thaw overnight in the fridge and gently warm with broth to loosen it up.

Reheating

Reheat gently on the stove or in a microwave, stirring in a little extra broth or water to prevent drying out. This helps restore the lovely creamy consistency that makes risotto so comforting.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use another type of rice for this risotto?

Arborio rice is best for risotto because it releases starch while cooking, making the dish creamy. Using other rice types like jasmine or basmati won’t give you that same texture, so I’d recommend sticking with Arborio for this recipe.

Do I have to stir the risotto during cooking in the rice cooker?

One of the beauties of this Easy Lemon Pea Risotto in Rice Cooker Recipe is that the rice cooker does all the stirring internally. You just combine your ingredients and let it cook, so you can skip the traditional, time-consuming stirring step.

Can I make this recipe vegan?

Absolutely! Swap the butter for olive oil and use a vegan Parmesan alternative or nutritional yeast instead of cheese. Just remember that the cheese adds umami and creaminess, so nutritional yeast is a good stand-in to keep the flavor balanced.

What if my rice cooker doesn’t have different settings?

No worries! Simply use the regular cooking function on your rice cooker. Just keep an eye the first time you try it so you know approximately how long it takes to cook the risotto perfectly with your specific model.

Final Thoughts

This Easy Lemon Pea Risotto in Rice Cooker Recipe quickly became one of my absolute favorites—it combines the comfort of creamy risotto with the ease of one-pot cooking and so much freshness from the lemon and peas. I hope you give it a try when you want a dish that feels special but took minimal effort. Trust me, your rice cooker will thank you!