Creamy Italian Pumpkin and Sage Risotto
A luscious risotto infused with sweet pumpkin purée and fragrant fresh sage, perfect for a cozy Italian dinner. This italian-inspired rice & grains ready in about 40 minutes pairs Arborio rice, pumpkin purée, chicken or vegetable broth, warmed for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups Arborio rice
- 1 cup pumpkin purée
- 5 cups chicken or vegetable broth, warmed
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 1 medium shallot, finely chopped
- 1 clove garlic clove, minced
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 tbsp fresh sage leaves, chopped
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- to taste salt
- to taste black pepper
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil and 1 tbsp unsalted butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add 1 medium finely chopped shallot and 1 minced garlic clove, sautéing for 3 minutes until translucent and fragrant.
- Step 2: Stir in 1 1/2 cups Arborio rice, cooking for 2 minutes until the grains are well coated and slightly toasted.
- Step 3: Pour in 1/2 cup dry white wine and cook, stirring constantly, until the wine evaporates and the rice absorbs the liquid.
- Step 4: Begin adding 5 cups warmed chicken or vegetable broth one ladle at a time, stirring frequently and allowing the rice to absorb the broth before adding more. Continue for about 18 minutes until the rice is creamy and tender but still with a slight bite.
- Step 5: Stir in 1 cup pumpkin purée, 2 tbsp chopped fresh sage, and the remaining 2 tbsp unsalted butter. Cook for 2 more minutes.
- Step 6: Remove from heat and mix in 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and black pepper to taste before serving immediately.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Creamy Italian Pumpkin and Sage Risotto take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (10 min prep + 30 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Creamy Italian Pumpkin and Sage Risotto?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep arborio rice from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Creamy Italian Pumpkin and Sage Risotto?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Creamy Italian Pumpkin and Sage Risotto for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Creamy Italian Pumpkin and Sage Risotto?
Italian rice & grains like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
