Published: · Modified: by Aida
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Leek risotto with ground beef is a great harmony of flavors and textures. This one-pan dish is the definition of a comfort meal, and a great way to include this superfood into your diet. Shall we?
Jump to:
- Background
- Ingredients
- Instructions
- Recipe FAQs
- Handling
- Great Side Soups
- Thoughts?
- Leek Risotto with Ground Beef
- More Recipe 💙
Background
Leek risotto is a great, versatile dish. (If leeks are new to you, once you try them, you'll start using this onion-like vegetable regularly!) Plus, adding ground beef to it makes this already hearty dish even more filling.
The leeks, when cooked down to softness, meld seamlessly with risotto ingredients, especially the soft rice. As the risotto simmers, ground beef infuses its juices into the vegetables and rice, resulting in a phenomenal texture and taste.
Since leek risotto is a one-pan dish, it's a complete meal in itself. However, if you want to make it even more flavorful, add an appetizer such as this tasty salad, a slice or two of homemade bread, or both.
Ingredients
Here's what you need to make the leek risotto.
- Leeks: two stalks (stems) are enough, three if you're adventurous.
- Ground Beef: any fat composition will work. Substitute with ground pork, chicken, and/or turkey.
- Additional Vegetables: onion, garlic, and tomatoes.
- Rice: look for round-grained rice like Arborio. Avoid long-grained rice.
- Herbs and Seasonings: paprika, ground pepper, parsley, and bouillon. Substitute bouillon with stock powder or Vegeta.
- Butter: real butter only. Substitute with ghee, lard, and/or oil.
Instructions
Below are the easy steps for making the leek and ground beef risotto.
Step 1. Heat butter. Add onion and garlic and simmer.
Step 2. Add meat and simmer. Add veggies and simmer.
Step 3. Add rice, seasonings, and water. Simmer for 35-40 more minutes.
Recipe FAQs
What are leeks like?
Leeks have a mild, onion-like flavor, although less pungent. They're slightly sweet, and have a delicate herbal undertone. Think of them as a milder combination of onions and scallions.
What pairs well with leeks?
You can pair leeks with almost anything. Here are some ideas:
- Ground or minced meat (beef, pork, chicken, turkey);
- Other vegetables (mushrooms, potatoes, tomatoes, onions);
- Grains (rice, quinoa, etc.);
- Seasonings (oregano, parsley, rosemary, thyme);
- Broths and liquids (vegetable, beef, chicken broth, white wine, etc.);
- Dairy (cheeses like Parm and feta, heavy cream, etc.).
Handling
Serve: serve leek risotto with ground beef warm to hot along with bread and salad.
Store: store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Reheat: reheat using your preferred method.
Great Side Soups
Here are some soups that go great with the ground beef leek risotto:
- Simple Potato Soup Recipe [Stovetop, Few Ingredients]
- 10-Minute Egg Drop Soup Recipe (Without Cornstarch)
- Mushroom Soup Without Cream
- Beef Noodle Vegetable Soup [Instant Pot, Stovetop]
P.S. Here are a few more leek gems I found around.
Thoughts?
If you make today'sleek risotto recipe with ground beefandlike it, please consider leaving a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5-star) rating. This will help others find the recipe more easily!
You can also leave a comment, I read EVERY one! Finally, if IG is more your thing, consider tagging us@balkanlunchbox.
Prijatno, Dobar Tek, and Bon Appetit!
Leek Risotto with Ground Beef
Aida
A flavorful fusion of tender leeks and hearty beef in a comforting rice dish.
5 from 4 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 55 minutes mins
Total Time 1 hour hr
Course Main Course
Cuisine Bosnian, Croatian, Montenegro, Serbian
Servings 4
Calories 1385 kcal
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter or oil, ghee, or lard
- 1 yellow onion medium, minced
- 1-2 garlic cloves minced
- 12-14 ounces ground beef
- 1-2 tomatoes skinned and diced, or canned tomatoes
- 2-3 leek stalks (stems) sliced into rounds
- ½ cup rice round grain
- 1 bouillon cube or 1-2 tablespoons Vegeta, or 1-2 tablespoons stock powder
- 1 tablespoon red paprika
- ground pepper to taste
- 3 tablespoons parsley minced
Instructions
In a larger pan heat butter over medium. Add onion and garlic and simmer 2-3 minutes.
Add meat and simmer for 5 minutes, while breaking up the meat and stirring. Add tomatoes and leeks and simmer for another 10 minutes.
Add rice, seasonings, and water and continue simmering. Simmer for about 40 minutes, or until rice is warm and most of the water evaporates, while occasionally stirring.
Serve leek risotto with ground beef warm to hot along with bread and salad. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat using your preferred method.
Video
Notes
Nutritional information is a rough estimate.
Nutrition
Serving: 1of 4Sugar: 17.4gFiber: 15.5gPotassium: 3137mgCholesterol: 425mgCalories: 1385kcalFat: 71.3gProtein: 125.9gCarbohydrates: 66.5gIron: 80mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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Reader Interactions
Comments
Ejla says
Making this tonight, pretty excited.
Reply
Aida says
Did you like it?
Reply
Ejla Foco says
This was a hit! Making again tonight. 🙂
Reply
Aida says
Nice! Glad you liked it. 🙂
Dawn Conklin says
I have never cooked with leeks before, but I am sure I have had them in something at some point. Glad you decided to eat leeks again and share this, it looks delicious 🙂
It's funny how something can turn us away from a food for so long. For me it was veal. I got really sick one night as a kid and we had veal for dinner that night. It took me years to try it again - and I still barely eat it!
Reply
Aida says
Dawn, this risotto is really a great way to do leeks as they don't overpower the dish.
I know what you mean about food aversions. I had the same thing with milk, and cannot stand it to this day.Reply
Martin says
Very tasty
Simple to make
Will definitely go on repeat listReply
Aida says
Thanks Martin, glad you like.
Reply
Maddie says
This was such a comforting dish to come across. Thanks for sharing!
Reply
Aida says
Anytime. Glad you like it Maddie!
Reply
Carolyn Haas says
Yummy! I made half of the recipe for two of us and it was perfect. Used hot Hungarian paprika and that gave a nice little kick!
Reply
Aida says
Nice! We love Hungarian paprika too, it's the best. Thanks for letting us know recipe worked when halved, it'll be helpful to other readers.
Reply
Jasna says
Thank you for the very yummy recipe. I never liked leek before I made this recipe. My granddaughter (3 years ) loves this. I need to make always for herReply
Aida says
Aw Jasna, thanks for letting us know! Kisses for the little one.
Reply
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