Ingredients
Roasted Butternut Squash
- 1 pound butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and cut into 1/2 inch cubes (about 4 cups)
- 2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Risotto
- 6 cups bone broth (or chicken stock)
- 3 Tablespoons butter
- 1 large shallot, minced (about 1/2 cup)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 cups Arborio rice
- 1/2 cup dry white wine (or dry vermouth)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 teaspoons chopped fresh sage
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Roast the Butternut Squash: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with foil. Toss the cubed butternut squash with olive oil and season well with salt and pepper. Spread the squash in a single, even layer on the baking sheet. Roast for 25-30 minutes, tossing once halfway through, until the squash is tender and lightly caramelized. Remove from the oven and set aside.
- Simmer the Broth: While the squash roasts, bring the bone broth to a gentle simmer in a medium saucepan. Keep it warm on low heat throughout the risotto cooking process.
- Sauté Shallot and Garlic: In a wide, heavy-bottomed pot, melt the butter over medium-low heat. Add the minced shallot and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened and translucent. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to brown the garlic.
- Toast the Rice: Add the Arborio rice to the pot with the shallots and garlic. Stir constantly as you cook the rice for 1 minute. This toasts the rice slightly, helping to develop a nutty flavor and improving texture.
- Deglaze with Wine: Pour in the white wine and stir continuously until the liquid is fully absorbed by the rice, about 1 minute. This adds brightness and complexity to the dish.
- Cook the Risotto: Add approximately one-third of the roasted butternut squash cubes to the pot now. Then, ladle in about 1/2 cup of the warm broth. Stir briskly and continuously until the broth is mostly absorbed. Repeat this process, adding the broth one ladle at a time and stirring often, allowing the rice to slowly soak up the liquid. Continue this for 20-25 minutes, until the rice is tender but still has a slight bite and the mixture is creamy.
- Finish the Risotto: Gently fold in the remaining roasted squash, grated Parmesan cheese, and chopped fresh sage. Season the risotto with salt and pepper to taste. Stir well to combine all the flavors.
- Serve and Enjoy: Spoon the creamy, comforting risotto into bowls and serve immediately while warm. The mix of roasted squash and fresh herbs provides a perfect balance that celebrates autumn.
Notes
- You can substitute vegetable broth for bone broth to make this dish vegetarian-friendly.
- If you don’t have white wine, use dry vermouth or simply replace with additional broth.
- Be sure to stir the risotto constantly as it cooks to develop a creamy texture and prevent sticking.
- Fresh sage is recommended for the best flavor, but you can use dried sage if fresh is unavailable—reduce quantity by half.
- Leftover risotto can be refrigerated for up to 2 days and reheated with a splash of broth to loosen it.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: Italian