Mushroom & Thyme Risotto for One — A Solo Comfort Classic

Risotto has a bit of a rep. People think it’s fussy, dramatic, and requires you to stand there stirring for hours like you’re starring in a French arthouse film. But let’s be real — it’s just rice, broth, and a few good ingredients. And when you make it Plan4One style, it’s a warm, earthy, perfectly portioned dinner that’s totally doable on a weeknight.

This Mushroom & Thyme Risotto is rich, comforting, and made for solo diners who want a little luxury with their leftovers-free lifestyle. It’s full of flavour, completely vegetarian, and easy to adapt.

🍚 Why This Risotto Works for One

At Plan4One.com, we’re all about:

✅ Recipes that don’t waste food or time
✅ Dishes that feel a little bit special
✅ Ingredients you can find at any Aussie supermarket
✅ Meals that don’t leave you with a week’s worth of leftovers

This solo risotto is:

Made with just ¼ cup of arborio rice
Naturally vegetarian (and totally customisable)
Creamy without needing actual cream
Simple enough for a weeknight, fancy enough for a night in with a wine and your best playlist

🍄 Mushroom & Thyme Risotto (Single Serve)

Prep + Cook Time: 35 minutes
Serves: 1
Effort Level: Medium (you’ll need to stir, but that’s part of the charm)

🛒 Ingredients

¼ cup arborio rice
100g mushrooms, sliced (button, Swiss brown, or mixed — your call)
1 garlic clove, minced
1 cup vegetable stock (plus a little extra, just in case)
½ tsp fresh or dried thyme
1 tsp olive oil or butter
Salt & pepper to taste
Optional: grated parmesan, splash of white wine, fresh parsley

👩‍🍳 How to Make It

1. Sauté the Mushrooms & Garlic

Heat olive oil or butter in a small saucepan or deep frying pan over medium heat.
Add the sliced mushrooms and cook for 4–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden and soft.
Add the minced garlic and thyme. Stir for another minute until fragrant.

2. Add the Rice

Stir in the arborio rice and cook for 1–2 minutes so it absorbs all those lovely mushroomy flavours.
Optional: Add a small splash of white wine here and let it cook off for extra flavour.

3. Add the Stock (Gradually!)

Pour in about ¼ cup of warm veg stock and stir until it’s mostly absorbed.
Continue adding stock, a splash at a time, stirring gently and letting the liquid absorb before adding more.
This process takes about 20–25 minutes. You’re looking for the rice to become tender and creamy but still slightly firm in the centre.

💡 Plan4One Tip: If your rice is still a bit too firm and the stock’s all gone, just add a splash of water to finish it off.

4. Taste & Finish

Once the rice is tender and the texture is nice and creamy, season with salt and pepper to taste.
Optional but highly recommended: Stir through a teaspoon of grated parmesan and top with fresh parsley or a little cracked pepper.

🥄 Serving Suggestions

Serve your risotto in a warm bowl, maybe with a glass of wine or a slice of sourdough on the side. Dim the lights. Pretend you’re in Florence. You’ve earned it.

💚 Why It’s Good for You

This humble bowl of rice isn’t just delicious — it’s also:

Packed with B vitamins, selenium, and fibre from the mushrooms
Great for gut health and immunity
A perfect vegetarian dinner for one
Low in saturated fat and adaptable for gluten-free diets

You’ll feel full, satisfied, and comforted — without needing to lie on the couch like a potato.

🧊 Got Leftovers?

Unlikely, since this makes one perfect portion. But if you double it for tomorrow’s lunch:

Store it in an airtight container in the fridge
Reheat gently in a pan with a splash of water or stock to loosen it up

🧽 Dishes? What Dishes?

Okay, yes — you’ll need a pan and a spoon. But that’s about it. No blenders. No oven trays. Just a simple, one-pan meal with restaurant vibes and weeknight effort levels.

🎯 Final Thoughts

This Mushroom & Thyme Risotto is solo comfort food at its best — earthy, aromatic, and totally satisfying. If you’ve never made risotto before, this is a great place to start. If you have? You’ll love how little mess and fuss this version involves.

Simple. Nourishing. Designed for one.

💌 Want More Recipes Like This?

If you love warm bowls of goodness that don’t make 17 serves, we’ve got loads more just like this on Plan4One.com. Subscribe for fresh weekly recipes — no spam, just smart solo cooking that actually makes sense.