Arborio rice is a short-grain, high-starch rice. The starch is released when it cooks, resulting in a creamier, chewier texture than you'd get from long- and medium-grain rice varieties (u003ca href=u0022https://amzn.to/3TFF4zXu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopener nofollowu0022u003etry these onesu003c/au003e). You can substitute carnaroli rice (my absolute favorite for making baked rice or risotto is u003ca href=u0022https://amzn.to/3XCi45Zu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopener nofollowu0022u003ethis riceu003c/au003e because it's super-creamy!)