Easy Baked Pumpkin Risotto Recipe
This Easy Baked Pumpkin Risotto recipe offers a creamy, flavorful, and effortless dish that combines roasted pumpkin’s natural sweetness with the rich texture of Arborio rice, baked to perfection in the oven. Ideal for cozy dinners and any occasion, it requires minimal hands-on time and simple ingredients while allowing easy customization for vegan and other dietary preferences.
- Author: Emily
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
- Diet: Gluten Free
Core Ingredients
- 1 cup Arborio rice
- 2 cups fresh pumpkin, peeled, diced, and roasted
- 4 cups vegetable or chicken broth
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (plus extra for roasting pumpkin)
- 1/4 cup white wine (optional)
- 1–2 teaspoons fresh sage or thyme, chopped
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Prepare the Pumpkin: Peel and dice fresh pumpkin into small cubes. Toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper, then roast at 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes until tender and slightly caramelized.
- Sauté Aromatics: While pumpkin roasts, heat butter and olive oil in a pan. Gently sauté finely chopped onion and minced garlic for about 5 minutes until translucent and fragrant.
- Combine Ingredients in Baking Dish: In a baking dish, stir together Arborio rice, sautéed onion and garlic, roasted pumpkin, broth, and white wine if using. Ensure everything is well combined, then cover tightly with foil.
- Bake the Risotto: Place the covered dish in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) and bake for 35-40 minutes until the rice is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed. Remove from oven and let it rest, covered, for 5 minutes.
- Finish with Cheese and Herbs: Remove foil, stir in grated Parmesan cheese and fresh sage or thyme. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Serve warm.
Notes
- Use fresh or high-quality broth for the best flavor.
- Let the risotto rest covered after baking for creamier texture.
- Keep the baking dish covered to trap steam and prevent drying out.
- Arborio rice is essential for the creamy texture; avoid substituting with other types of rice.
- Add fresh herbs at the end to maintain their bright flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: pumpkin risotto, baked risotto, easy risotto, autumn recipes, creamy risotto, vegetarian risotto, vegan risotto option