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Creamy Pumpkin Risotto Recipe

Pumpkin risotto is a quick and easy recipe for a great Fall comfort food that celebrates the delicate goodness of pumpkin.

risotto with pumpkin scoop in the spoon

TABLE OF CONTENTS

What is Risotto?

Risotto is a traditional Italian dish with a creamy and rich rice-based preparation.

It is typically made by slowly cooking short-grain rice, such as Arborio or Carnaroli, in a flavorful broth until it reaches a creamy consistency.

Creamy & Easy Pumpkin Risotto

It may seem difficult to prepare a delicious risotto, but it is not.

Just a few steps that, if followed, will make you cook the best risotto you have ever made in your life.

The result will be a perfectly cooked and creamy risotto. 

Creamy & Easy Pumpkin Risotto in a plate garnished with  basil

Ingredients

These are the main ingredients you need for this risotto

Scroll down to the printable recipe card for the step-by-step directions and measurements. 

Pumpkin: I always prefer fresh pumpkin when I prepare my risotto.

However, if you want to make this risotto outside of pumpkin season, you can also use canned pumpkin.

Different types of pumpkin can be used to prepare pumpkin risotto. Below, I talk more about this.

Risotto rice: A perfect risotto requires rice that holds its cooking well, absorbs the seasonings very well, and releases the right amount of starch and “creams” while keeping the grains well intact and separated. 

Wine: Use dry white wine. Deglazing with wine serves to give it a unique flavor.

Broth: It is the liquid used for cooking rice.

I use homemade vegetable broth, but vegetable stock or beef or chicken broth is good.

Butter: The ingredient that is used for the mantecatura. It gives a fantastic creaminess.

Parmesan cheese: It absolutely must not be missing in the preparation of this risotto. 

Onions: Use golden onions. I love their rich flavor. You can substitute shallots, which have a milder flavor.

Olive oil: Use extra virgin olive oil. Will need very small amounts of oil, just to sauté the onion.

What pumpkin to use in pumpkin risotto?

types of pampkins

Butternut squash:  Shaped like a bell, its smooth pale orange skin can recognize it. The yellow/orange pulp is firm but tender when cooked.

It has a nutty aftertaste flavor and is very sweet. It is perfect for making butternut squash soup or risotto. I used this pumpkin in this recipe.

Delica Pumpkin:  It has green skin with whitish streaks, and is compact and slightly flattened in shape. Its yellow-orange pulp is dense and floury, with a sweet flavor tending toward chestnut or hazelnut.

Priest’s Hat Pumpkin or Berrettina Pumpkin: It is recognizable by its shape. It has a rind between homogeneous sage green and gray, broadly ribbed.

Its pulp is dense and also free of filaments and therefore very starchy with a sweet flavor.

Hokkaido pumpkin: It calls for sweetness, intense and particularly close to that of chestnuts, so warm and enveloping.

For risotto it is perfect, and do you know a secret?

The peel is also 100% edible; you can put it in the risotto.

The Best Rice for Risotto

Among the various types of rice, our preference is for Vialone nano, Arborio, and Carnaroli, varieties with different characteristics but all very suitable.

Arborio: Its good cooking hold makes it ideal for preparing any rice dish, including traditional risotto.

Carnaroli: One of the best-known rices, it has very large, tapered grains that absorb seasonings perfectly and excellent cooking firmness.

Vialone nano: This is a high-quality rice type with low stickiness, high texture, and high amylose content.

The grains are medium and round, remain very compact, and grow a lot in the cooking process.

How To Make This Creamy Pumpkin Risotto

Step 1 

Prepare the vegetable broth. In a large pot, bring water to a boil with a carrot, some celery, and an onion.

 Let it boil for at least 20-30 minutes, and then turn the heat down to low to keep it hot.

As a substitute, you can use ready-made broth.

Step 2  

Peel and cut the squash into not-too-large squares. Chop the onion.

Step 3 

 In a large pan with a drizzle of olive oil, soften the onion over low heat.

Add the pumpkin and a ladle of broth when the onion is soft.

cook the pumpkin until soft

And cook until the pumpkin is soft. When the pumpkin is cooked, blend half and set aside.

This is the secret to a super creamy risotto.

Step 4 

In the same pan with the pumpkin, toast the rice at medium heat for 2-3 minutes

After the rice is toasted, deglaze with the wine and let it evaporate before adding the broth.

Step 5

Add the broth a bit at a time and stir very often with a wooden spoon.

cook risotto with broth

Follow the cooking time given in the rice package.

When the cooking is finished, add the blended pumpkin.

Turn off the flame and manteca the risotto with butter and parmesan cheese.

add homemade pumpkin puree to the risotto
manteca the risotto with butter and parmesan

As a final step, enjoy your creamy risotto.

creamy pumpkin risotto

Tips For The Best Results – What Is The Secret To A Good Risotto?

Always toast the rice. This ensures that the grain holds well and is sealed so that it does not flake during cooking.

Keep the broth hot: Pouring it cold would cause the rice to suffer heat shock and stop cooking,

Stirring: Stir the risotto constantly throughout the cooking process.

Always taste while cooking: Although there are directions for cooking times, they are never totally reliable.

The only way to check if the rice is cooked is to taste it without looking at the clock.

Do NOT rinse the rice. You risk removing starches.

Variations 

You can add ingredients to make an even more delicious risotto.

Add some protein: Add some pancetta or Italian sausage to the risotto.

Pumpkin and gorgonzola: They are a perfect combination if you love bold and intense flavors.

Crunchy twist: Add a crunchy element such as toasted hazelnuts, roasted pumpkin seeds or crispy sage leaves.

Vegan Pumpkin Risotto: Use vegan parmesan cheese and vegan butter to make the vegan version.

What To Serve With Butternut Squash Risotto

For me, risotto is a main course, a one-dish meal, usually served alone, just like pasta.

But it can be served as a side dish with almost any meat.

Great with these delicious crispy chicken cutlets, but also accompanied by a salad is a great combination.

For those with a sweet tooth, serve this ricotta pielemon posset brûlée, no bake pumpkin pie or pumpkin mousse to keep the pumpkin theme going!

Store and Reheat

Risotto can be stored in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. Before storing, allow it to cool completely.

To reheat on the stovetop, scoop the risotto into a saucepan and add a few tablespoons of water or broth.

Heat over medium heat, stirring frequently, until hot and creamy.

You may need to add extra liquid if it seems dry.

I do not recommend freezing the risotto.

FAQ’s

Do you cover risotto while cooking?

No, you don’t have to cover it with the lid. Cooking risotto is different, as it simmers until the liquid is fully absorbed.

Do I have to use arborio rice for risotto?

Another rice good for making risotto is Vialone Nano and Carnaroli.

Can you make risotto without wine?

Yes, 100%. Replace it with an extra cup of broth.

Can I make risotto with water instead of stock?

Yes. It will give it less flavor, but it can be done.

Do you cook risotto on high or low heat?

Risotto should be cooked on a low heat.

What happens if you add all the water to risotto at once? 

The broth should be added a few ladles at a time to be gradually absorbed by the rice grains.

Why?

Only then will the grains release the starches well, making the risotto creamy and bound.

Can you make risotto with regular rice?

You can technically make risotto with regular rice besides arborio or carnaroli, but the texture won’t be as creamy.

Creamy Pumpkin Risotto Recipe

Pumpkin Risotto pintarest

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Creamy Pumpkin Risotto Recipe

pumpkin risotto in a plate

The most delicious pumpkin risotto to make this season!

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Homemade broth 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour

Ingredients

  • 1 small Onion
  • 9 oz Pumpkin, peeled and diced
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 4 1/4 cups Broth
  • 1 cup Rice (Carnaroli rice, or Arborio or Vialone Nano)
  • 1/2 cup Dry White Wine
  • Salt & Black pepper to taste
  • 1 cup Parmigiano Reggiano cheese
  • 2 tablespoons Butter

Instructions

  1. Begin by making a flavorful vegetable broth. Sauté carrots, celery, and onion in olive oil until softened. Add water and simmer for 30 minutes. Strain and keep the broth warm.
  2. Dice pumpkin and onion. 
  3. In olive oil, cook onion over low heat until translucent. Add cubed pumpkin and a ladle of broth. Cook until the pumpkin is tender, about 10 minutes, adding more broth if needed.
  4. Transfer half the pumpkin to a blender. Add a ladle of broth and puree until smooth. Set pumpkin puree aside.
  5. In the same pot, toast arborio rice for 2-3 minutes to release starch. Add white wine and cook until evaporated.
  6. Begin adding broth ladle by ladle, stirring frequently, until rice is almost tender, about 15-18 minutes.
  7. Remove from heat and stir in pumpkin puree. Add butter and Parmesan cheese and "manteca" all together.
  8. Let the risotto rest for a few minutes off the heat before serving. 

Notes

"Mantecare" is an Italian culinary term that refers to the final step in making risotto or pasta dishes. It involves vigorously stirring or "mantecando" the dish after the heat has been turned off and adding a final ingredient, typically butter and grated cheese.

During the mantecatura process, the constant stirring helps to emulsify the remaining liquid, butter, and cheese, resulting in a creamy and glossy texture creamy texture.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

2

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 748Total Fat: 39gSaturated Fat: 18gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 18gCholesterol: 89mgSodium: 2020mgCarbohydrates: 59gFiber: 2gSugar: 13gProtein: 31g

Nutrition is automatically calculated by Nutritionix - please verify all nutrition information independently and consult with a doctor or nutritionist for any and all medical and diet advice.

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Julia

Friday 29th of September 2023

The risotto was so creamy and delicious. I loved being able to incorporate the pumpkin squash into this dish for an added touch of autumn flavor. Thank you for the recipe!

Angie

Tuesday 3rd of October 2023

I'm so glad to hear you enjoyed the pumpkin risotto! Risotto is such a comforting dish, and adding pumpkin squash is the perfect way to capture those cozy autumn flavors.

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