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A creamy Butternut Squash Risotto served on a white plate, garnished with basil, parmesan, and pine nuts, with a melon in the background.
Layla

Creamy Butternut Squash Risotto with Sage

This comforting butternut squash risotto is a perfect vegetarian main course, featuring tender roasted squash, creamy Arborio rice, and fragrant fresh sage, all finished with a generous amount of Parmesan cheese. It's an elegant and satisfying dish ideal for fall and winter.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 450

Ingredients
  

For the Roasted Butternut Squash:
  • 1 butternut squash approx. 2 lbs, peeled, deseeded, and diced into 1/2-inch cubes
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
For the Risotto:
  • 6 cups vegetable broth warm
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1 medium yellow onion finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 1/2 cups Arborio rice
  • 1/2 cup dry white wine e.g., Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc
  • 1/4 cup fresh Parmesan cheese grated, plus more for serving
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1/4 cup fresh sage leaves finely chopped, plus a few whole leaves for garnish
  • to taste Salt
  • to taste black pepper

Equipment

  • Large pot or Dutch oven
  • Baking Sheet
  • Wooden Spoon
  • Saucepan

Method
 

Prepare the Butternut Squash
  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Toss diced butternut squash with 1 tbsp olive oil, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp pepper on a baking sheet. Roast for 20-25 minutes, or until tender and slightly caramelized, flipping halfway through. Set aside.
Start the Risotto Base
  1. While the squash roasts, gently heat the vegetable broth in a small saucepan over low heat. Keep it warm throughout the cooking process.
  2. In a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, heat 2 tbsp olive oil and 1 tbsp butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  3. Add the Arborio rice to the pot with the onions and garlic. Stir continuously for 2-3 minutes until the edges of the rice grains become translucent, but not brown.
  4. Pour in the white wine and stir until it is completely absorbed by the rice, about 2-3 minutes.
Cook the Risotto
  1. Begin adding the warm vegetable broth, one ladleful (about 1/2 cup) at a time, stirring constantly. Wait until each ladleful of broth is almost fully absorbed by the rice before adding the next. This process usually takes about 20-25 minutes. The rice should be creamy and al dente (tender with a slight bite in the center).
Finish and Serve
  1. Once the risotto has reached the desired consistency and the rice is cooked, remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the roasted butternut squash, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 2 tbsp unsalted butter, and the chopped fresh sage. Stir vigorously to incorporate, creating a creamy texture.
  2. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper as needed. Let the risotto rest for 2 minutes, covered, before serving. Garnish with additional Parmesan cheese and a few whole sage leaves, if desired.

Notes

For the creamiest risotto, ensure your vegetable broth is always warm before adding it to the rice, and stir frequently. Do not rinse the Arborio rice before cooking, as the starch is essential for the creamy texture. If you prefer a richer flavor, you can use chicken broth instead of vegetable broth.