The ubiquitous mushroom risotto has been the bane of vegetarians eating out for years, as it was traditionally the only meat-free option on the menu; little more than an afterthought.

Times have changed, however, and there are now huge amounts of vegetarian dishes on offer in restaurants – but that doesn't mean vegetarian risottos should be confined to the annals of time. This collection of vegetarian risotto recipes shows just how versatile the beloved Italian rice dish can be.

The Costardi Brothers are the kings of risotto, and their Risotto with garlic and chilli is a masterclass in minimalism. Try Emanuele Scarello's Risotto with egg yolk, liquorice powder and green asparagus for something more adventurous, or Rosanna Marziale's creamy Risotto San Marzano for a striking yet simple dish.

Of course, many risottos contain Parmesan cheese, which contains animal rennet, but this can easily be swapped out for a vegetarian Italian hard cheese instead. Take a look at our full collection of risotto recipes here which, with a tweak or two, can easily be made vegetarian.