Easy Pumpkin Risotto

What type of rice should I use for risotto?

When cooking risotto recipes, it’s best to stick to short-grain and starchy rice varieties like arborio, carnaroli, and vialone nano. These types of rice tend to absorb more broth than other varieties, helping you make perfect risotto dishes packed with creaminess. 

I personally love using arborio rice when cooking this pumpkin risotto recipe. On top of being the easiest risotto rice to find, it also yields very creamy and delicious risotto dishes.

❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe

There are over a dozen things to love about this easy pumpkin risotto recipe, but let’s focus on the three main highlights of this autumnal dish.

• It’s more visually appealing than traditional risotto recipes. Thanks to the striking orange color the pumpkin brings, this side can easily snatch the attention away from the main dish on your table. 
• This pumpkin recipe is a unique seasonal delight. So, if you want to surprise your friends or family with a dish that shouts autumn or Halloween, this recipe is the way to go. 
• It’s definitely a comfort food. The combined creamy texture and savory notes of this risotto feel like a warm hug on a cold night. 

Planning to use homemade pumpkin puree for this recipe? Then, don’t let the pumpkin seeds go to waste and whip up some delicious and healthy Cinnamon Roasted Pumpkin Seeds instead.

🥘 Ingredients

All of the ingredients you’ll need to make this absolutely delicious dish can easily be found at your local grocery. 

• Arborio rice: I honestly think this is the best rice for risotto as its starchy grains provide a very creamy texture. 
• Butter: You may use either salted or unsalted butter, but I prefer using unsalted as it makes controlling the saltiness of the dish easier. 
• Onion: This ingredient serves as the aromatic base of the pumpkin risotto. 
• Garlic: Freshly minced garlic improves the savory notes and aroma of this side dish. 
• Pumpkin puree: I used homemade pumpkin puree for this recipe, but you can absolutely opt for canned pumpkin puree if that’s more convenient. 
• Poultry seasoning: This seasoning’s subtle spices, such as sage leaves and thyme, complement the taste of the puree. 
• Salt and pepper: This classic seasoning combo is essential to bring out the flavor of other ingredients.
• Chicken broth: I prefer using my own chicken stock, but you can also use store-bought broth.
• Heavy whipping cream: This is essential to bring out the creaminess of the risotto.
• Grated parmesan cheese: You’ll need this to add nutty, cheesy, and salty flavors to the pumpkin. I usually grate my cheese at home, but store-bought grated cheese will also work well.

See recipe card for complete list of ingredients and quantities.

🔀 Substitutions

Arborio rice: As mentioned earlier, you can also make risotto creamy and delicious using Carnaroli and Vialone nano rice.

Butter: If you prefer a lighter dish or simply ran out of butter, you can use the same amount of olive oil instead of butter.

🌈 Variations / Options / Add-Ins

My favorite part about this savory pumpkin risotto is that it’s easily customizable. Here are some of my go-to variations of this dish. 

• Milder-flavored Risotto: If your kids prefer milder flavors, you can reduce the amount of garlic and poultry seasoning you use for this recipe. 
• Vegan Pumpkin Risotto: To make this recipe vegan, use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth, coconut milk instead of heavy cream, and vegan butter instead of regular butter.
• Bacon Frenzy: You can stir in some crispy bacon bits when you add the parmesan cheese to add a smoky and meaty accent to your creamy pumpkin risotto. 

If you appreciate this creamy pumpkin risotto, you’ll definitely love this Pumpkin Butternut Squash Soup that also boasts comforting creaminess, warmth, and flavor.

🥄 Equipment Needed / Helpful Tools

Here are the pieces of equipment you’ll need to prepare this risotto. 

• Stockpot or Dutch Oven: You’ll need either of these tools to ensure ample space and even heat distribution for cooking the risotto. 
• Stirring spoon: This tool is necessary as you’ll need to stir this risotto constantly to achieve a creamy consistency. 
• Measuring cups and spoons: Accurate measurements are essential to make this recipe taste as delicious as it’s designed to be.

🔪 How to Make Easy Pumpkin Risotto

Once you’ve prepared your tools and ingredients, just follow these extremely simple steps to cook pumpkin risotto that’s guaranteed to taste delicious. 

Step 1: Toast the rice 

Add the rice you’ve prepared to the stockpot or Dutch oven. Then, over medium heat, toast the rice for about 5 minutes until fragrant. 

Make sure to stir occasionally, and after the 5 minutes are up, remove the rice from the stockpot or Dutch oven. 

Step 2: Sauté the onion and garlic

Melt butter in the stockpot and proceed to sauté the minced onion for 3 to 4 minutes while stirring constantly. Once the onion has turned golden, add the minced garlic to the pot and cook while stirring for 1 minute. 

Step 3: Add the rice back

Add the toasted rice you’ve set aside back to the stockpot or Dutch oven. 

Step 4: Incorporate the pumpkin and seasoning

Stir in the pumpkin puree and seasonings. Cook them for 1 to 2 minutes while stirring. 

Step 5: Simmer with broth

Add 2 cups of broth to the stockpot and increase the heat to medium-high. When the broth simmers, reduce the heat and continue cooking until the broth is absorbed.

Step 6: Gradually add more broth 

Add more broth, ½ cup at a time. Allow the broth to be fully absorbed by the rice before adding another increment, and continue doing so until the risotto reaches the desired consistency. 

Step 7: Add the final touches

Incorporate the heavy whipping into the pot and cook it for 2 minutes. After that, stir the parmesan cheese into the cooked risotto and remove the dish from the heat.

Step 8: Plate and serve

Transfer the pumpkin risotto onto serving plates and let everyone enjoy a very comforting side dish. Garnish with crispy bacon, sage, or your favorite toppings, if desired. 

👩‍🍳 Pro Tips

• Make sure to add the broth gradually to achieve a creamy texture. 
• Don’t overcook the risotto, or else it will have a pudding-like consistency. It should still have some grains you can bite into when you finish cooking.
• Stir the risotto throughout the process. This also contributes to achieving the creaminess risottos are best known for.

❓ Recipe FAQs

🙏 Pairing

These are my favorite dishes to serve with Easy Pumpkin Risotto: