Butternut Squash Risotto

By
Omid Roustaei
Headshot of Omid Roustaei in kitchen wearing a striped apron
Omid Roustaei
Omid Roustaei is an Iranian-American psychotherapist, recipe developer and culinary instructor, who is passionate about healthy and improvisational cooking, often incorporating Persian influences.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 01/21/23
Tested by
Diana Chistruga
Tested by Diana Chistruga
Diana is a food photographer, stylist, and prop stylist from Moldova and currently based out of Mallorca, Spain.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
butternut squash risotto in bowls

The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 50 mins
Total: 65 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Yield: 4 cups
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
310 Calories
15g Fat
34g Carbs
7g Protein
×
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 310
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 15g 19%
Saturated Fat 6g 32%
Cholesterol 26mg 9%
Sodium 1249mg 54%
Total Carbohydrate 34g 12%
Dietary Fiber 4g 15%
Total Sugars 6g
Protein 7g
Vitamin C 20mg 101%
Calcium 177mg 14%
Iron 2mg 11%
Potassium 504mg 11%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

When I think of risotto, words such as rich, creamy, and satisfying come to mind. The thought of risotto conjures up images of a steamy and aromatic bowl of rice that is perfect on its own but equally good accompanied by other vegetables or sources of protein. But what exactly is risotto?

What Is Risotto?

Risotto is Italian rice dish with arborio rice as the base, and various other vegetables and flavorings incorporated. Arborio rice is a variety of short-grain white rice that is named after the region of Italy where it was originally cultivated. It is naturally high in starch, which serves an important function in creating the distinctive, creamy texture of this dish.

The addition of butternut squash to risotto offers satisfying and playful sweet and savory flavors. While most of the squash pieces will maintain their texture, some of the squash will naturally break down. The end result is a brightly-colored dish that is exceptionally creamy. 

What To Serve With Risotto

Risotto can be served as a main course, alongside a salad such as this refreshing citrus salad, or to accompany a protein. Roasted chicken, grilled steaks, pan-seared scallops, and shrimp are perfect accompaniments to risotto, but be sure to moderate the quantity unless you’re really hungry! Cooked chickpeas or fresh fava beans offer a great vegetarian protein alternative

Tips for Making Risotto

Be Patient

One key feature of a properly cooked risotto is patience, meaning that this is definitely not a dish to make when you are in a hurry or impatient. A typical risotto preparation will take at least 45 minutes and requires your attention for the duration of the cooking process. Cooking risotto is a great counterbalance to our fast-paced world: an opportunity to slow down, be mindful, and be in awe of how these tiny hard grains are transformed into something so soft, creamy, and inviting. 

Use Hot Broth

Risotto is cooked slowly and in stages, with the addition of small amounts of hot broth to create the much desired creamy texture. Using hot broth expedites the cooking process and allows for the rice to cook properly and more efficiently.

Don't Forget To Stir-- But Not Too Much


It may be hard to believe, but the key technique used to develop the signature creamy texture of risotto is the simple stir! Stirring allows the rice grains to rub against each other and release some of the natural starch back into the dish. 

While it is absolutely necessary to stir frequently, it is equally important not to over-stir. Over-stirring could result in too much starch being released into the dish, resulting in a porridge-y consistency. As a general rule, stirring every 30 seconds allows the rice to release the right amount of starch while preventing the rice from sticking to the bottom of the pot. 

It's one of those comforting and warming fall dishes that requires little effort but offers so much in return! The sweet and tender butternut squash makes a great team with the salty parmesan cheese. The sage took this creamy risotto to another level and added another layer of flavor." —Diana Chistruga

Butternut Squash Risotto/Tester Image
A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

  • 4 1/2 cups low-sodium vegetable broth or chicken broth

  • 1 medium butternut squash, about 1 pound

  • 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil

  • 2 large shallots, minced (about 1/2 cup) shallots

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1 teaspoon minced fresh sage leaves, divided

  • 1 cup arborio rice

  • 1/2 cup dry white wine

  • 1/2 teaspoon fine salt, plus more to taste

  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

  • 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    butternut squash risotto ingredients gathered

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

  2. Heat the broth in a medium saucepan on medium heat until it simmers. Reduce the heat to low, cover and continue to simmer.

    broth heating in medium saucepan

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

  3. Meanwhile, using a sharp, heavy chef’s knife, cut off both ends of the squash. Peel the squash using a vegetable peeler, scoop out the seeds, and cut the squash into 1/2 inch cubes.

    peeled and cubed butternut squash on cutting board

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

  4. Heat the oil in a Dutch oven or other heavy-duty pot on medium heat. When the oil shimmers, add the shallots and sauté until translucent and aromatic, about 2 minutes.

    large dutch oven over heat with garlic

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

  5. Add the garlic, 1/2 teaspoon of minced sage leaves, and diced squash. Continue to sauté on medium heat for 6 to 8 more minutes, stirring occasionally.

    cubed butternut squash in dutch oven over heat

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

  6. Add the rice, stirring frequently, until the rice is lightly toasted, 1 to 2 minutes.

    rice added to dutch oven with squash

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

  7. Add the wine and cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the wine is absorbed into the squash and rice mixture, about 3 minutes.

    wine added to dutch oven with risotto rice and butternut squash

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

  8. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add salt, pepper, and 1/2 cup of the vegetable broth, stirring every 30 seconds, until the broth is absorbed into the rice. Continue by adding 1/2 cup of broth at a time, again stirring every 30 seconds, until the broth has been absorbed. This step should take about 45 to 50 minutes, until the squash is soft and creamy and the rice cooked through, but still al dente.

    ingredients for butternut squash risotto cooking with lid off

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

  9. Remove the risotto from the heat, and stir in the butter and Parmesan cheese.

    cooked butternut squash risotto in dutch oven removed from heat

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

  10. Garnish with the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of minced sage leaves and serve hot.

    butternut squash risotto in bowls with minced sage leaves to garnish

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

Recipe Tips

  • Wine can be eliminated and replaced by more broth or water. 
  • While store-bought vegetable or chicken broth is convenient, home-prepared broth can add that extra depth to the dish.  
  • The freshly grated Parmesan or Pecorino Romano that is added at the very end should be of the best quality, offering a special salty and nutty flavor and adding extra creaminess. 
  • Risotto will thicken as it sits, so it is best served immediately after preparation.

Variations

  • Risotto is highly versatile and can be prepared plain on its own or mixed with a medley of other vegetables such as asparagus, sweet potatoes, delicata squash, mushrooms, peas, or fava beans. 
  • Explore additional flavorings such as saffron, thyme, rosemary, parsley, or lemon zest to liven up the risotto. A handful of lightly toasted nuts can also add a special crunch to contrast with the creamy risotto. If you are feeling creative, consider topping the dish with fried sage leaves or crispy fried shallots. 

How To Store

Store leftover risotto in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 1 month. Reheat in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a small amount of broth or water to help with rehydration and bring some creaminess back to the dish.