If you love comforting Fall dishes, then you’ll also enjoy our Roasted Turkey with Butter Herb Rub and Old Fashioned Apple Dumplings! Both would pair great with this risotto as a main dish and a dessert. Or try serving it with sausages and roasted asparagus for another fantastic flavor combination! Years ago I had a friend who told me that she made risotto “all the time”. I felt like it was an intimidating thing to attempt as a home cook and pestered her about it, always getting the somewhat aloof reply that “it was easy” and she just “followed the directions on the box”. I thought she was hiding some kind of risotto secret from me until we realized she was confusing arborio rice used to make risotto with orzo pasta! When I finally learned how to make risotto, I was kicking myself for not trying it earlier! It’s actually not difficult to achieve incredible risotto at home and saves paying an arm and a leg for it at a fine dining restaurant. And if I’m honest, I’m always let down be risotto at most restaurants after making it myself at home! My other favorite risotto is a roasted garlic and mushroom risotto. We love to serve this Butternut Squash Risotto with sausages and asparagus for a hearty fall dinner. It’s a versatile little dish that can be dressed up or dressed down depending on how fancy you want your meal to be. Serving it with crispy fried sage, fresh arugula, or chopped parsley really makes a world of a difference in flavors and appearance as well!
What is butternut squash risotto?
Butternut squash risotto is a simple and easy to make rice dish that combines risotto rice (Arborio rice) and a fresh chunked butternut squash. Using simple ingredients like chicken stock, onion, garlic, and dry white wine you can get a very flavorful meatless entree or side dish with little effort.
Butternut Squash Risotto Ingredients
Chicken stock: Water and bullion or vegetable stock could also be used. It’s important to warm the stock first so you aren’t adding cold liquid to your risotto, which will slow down the cooking process and won’t absorb as well.Butternut squash: An autumn squash that stars in this recipe. You can buy it whole and do the peel and prep yourself, or save time and buy it precut into chunks from the store. Olive oil: Used to help saute the veggies and to coat the butternut squash for roasting.Salt and pepper: Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper are simple seasonings to help pack some flavor into every bite.Butter: Used to saute the veggies, it adds a richness and depth of flavor as well.Onion: Diced onion, once cooked down will add a little texture, sweetness, and savory flavors in every wonderful bite.Arborio rice: Also known as risotto rice, this white grain once cooked down will give a creamy and slightly firm chew in every bite. (Similar to oatmeal texture).Dry white wine: This is completely optional, but recommended. It adds a wonderful flavor to the dish, but even without it, the risotto still tastes great. Parmesan cheese: Adding a little saltiness, savoriness, and cheesy goodness we all love in risottos!Topping: Chopped arugula, chopped parsley, or even fresh sage over the top help to add flavor and color to this rice dish.
How to Make Butternut Squash Risotto
What to serve with butternut squash risotto?
If you want some suggestions of what goes with butternut squash risotto, my favorite thing is to add is sliced, smoked sausage. You could smoke your own or purchase consider someand sautee it, roast it, or grill it. But really, this risotto goes great with any meaty main like Smoked Chicken, or Pan-Seared Lamb Chops.
Do I have to peel butternut squash before roasting?
Yes, we are roasting already cut chunks of butternut squash on a baking sheet. This means that they should be free of all peeled skin and seeds prior to being cut into cubes.
Can you freeze butternut squash risotto?
I don’t recommend freezing risotto because the texture is always a little drier and more grainy after being thawed and reheated. It’s best to store leftovers in the fridge for up to a few days and reheat in the microwave rather than freezing and reheating.
More Fall Favorite Recipes Like This
Brined TurkeyPumpkin SnickerdoodlesCrispy Baked Sweet Potato FriesHomemade Slow Cooker Apple Cider3-Layer S’mores CakeApple CrispCreamy Leftover Turkey Wild Rice SoupFresh Green Bean Casserole
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