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    Watch What U Eat > Italian Recipes

    Butternut Squash Quinoa Risotto

    Published: Sep 28, 2017 · Modified: May 31, 2022 by Watch What U Eat · This post may contain affiliate links · 5 Comments

    JUMP TO RECIPE
    Roasted Butternut Squash Risotto Recipe | This risotto is prepared using quinoa & fresh roasted mashed butternut squash. A flavorful & delicious meal to serve as a side or a main dish. #butternutsquash #risotto 

    Creamy roasted butternut squash risotto with quinoa is an amazingly simple and delicious meal that you can make any day. A perfect healthy meal as a side or main dish.

    butternut squash and quinoa risotto in a dutch oven with mixing spatula.
    Jump to:
    • Recipe Background / Inspiration
    • How to Make Roasted Butternut Squash Risotto With Quinoa?
    • Helpful Tips:
    • Serving Suggestion!
    • Recipe Variations:
    • More Italian Inspired Dishes To Try
    • 📖 Recipe

    Recipe Background / Inspiration

    These days butternut squash is in abundance (seasonal effects). And whenever I visit our local grocery store I find these cute squashes staring at me. As if they are calling me to take them home.  And why not? They are the ones after pumpkins to rule the fall season in terms of food. Right?

    And you guessed it right. Today's recipe is all about using butternut squash. If you love its creamy-slightly sweet taste after they are fully cooked then you will definitely love this roasted butternut squash risotto with quinoa. I made it using healthy whole grain i.e quinoa instead of traditional white Arborio rice. This means it is nutritious with full of wholesomeness.

    raw whole butternut squash

    How to Make Roasted Butternut Squash Risotto With Quinoa?

    This quinoa risotto is very easy to prepare. Peel and cut butternut squash into small pieces. Then cook them in preheated oven until they are nice and tender.

    Meanwhile, cook onions and garlic in little oil in a dutch oven on medium heat. Then add quinoa, white wine vinegar, vegetable broth, and salt to taste. Cook everything till quinoa is well done. Now add mashed roasted butternut squash, parmesan cheese, and some fresh parsley. Keep adding water until you get to the desired consistency. Find step-by-step instructions on the recipe card below.

    butternut squash peeled and cut into bite size pieces and layered in a baking sheet.
    butternut squash pieces in a baking sheet after baking is over.

    Helpful Tips:

    • Purchase butternut squash that is firm, without dents, and as even in size as possible. It will make peeling and cutting the squash much easier. Also, if you cut the squash into small pieces, they will take less time to cook.
    • Serve this risotto while it is still warm to enjoy its perfect creamy texture.
    • To use leftover risotto the next day, add some water, reheat and mix until it regains its fresh creamy texture.

    Serving Suggestion!

    • To turn this healthy quinoa risotto into a complete meal, serve it on the side of stir-fried vegetables or garlic basil chicken or low-fat chicken parmesan, etc. 
    • Also, this risotto goes very well with this shrimp in tomato sauce.
    roasted healthy butternut squash quinoa risotto served with shrimp in tomato sauce in a serving bowl with serving spoon.

    Recipe Variations:

    • Rice risotto: You can use Arborio rice instead of quinoa to make authentic rice risotto. Make sure to cook the rice perfectly. Adjust the amount of vegetable broth or water accordingly.
    • Vegan Risotto: Use dairy-free parmesan cheese to make this risotto vegan-friendly. It tastes equally delicious even without adding parmesan cheese.
    • You can also use chicken broth instead of vegetable broth according to your preference.
    roasted healthy butternut squash quinoa risotto in a serving bowl with serving spoon.

    More Italian Inspired Dishes To Try

    • Healthy Lemon Chicken Soup With Orzo
    • Healthy Zucchini Flatbread
    • Healthy Garlic Kale Pasta
    • Healthy Pizza Recipe
    • Brouse All Italian Recipes

    📖 Recipe

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    Roasted Butternut Squash Risotto With Quinoa Recipe (Video)

    This butternut squash risotto is prepared using quinoa and fresh roasted mashed butternut squash. A flavorful and delicious meal to serve as a side or a main dish
    Course: Main Dish,Side Dish
    Cuisine: Italian Inspired
    Prep Time 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time 20 minutes minutes
    Total Time 30 minutes minutes
    Servings :4
    Calories :321kcal
    Author:Swati Kadam Gulati

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    Equipment

    • Large Baking Sheet
    • Sharp Knife (10% Code: WATCHWHATUEAT)

    Ingredients

    • 2 lb butternut squash
    • 1 cup quinoa
    • 3 cup vegetable broth
    • 1 cup water or more
    • 2-3 garlic cloves finely chopped
    • 1 medium onion diced
    • ¼ cup parmesan cheese
    • 2 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
    • salt and pepper

    Instructions

    Roasting Butternut Squash

    • Preheat oven at 400F.
    • Peel and cut butternut squash into 1" pieces.
    • Mix squash pieces with some salt, pepper and spread evenly on baking tray.
    • Bake the squash for about 25-30 min until they are nice and tender. Once done, cool slightly and mash the pieces using the back of a wooden spatula.

    Quinoa Risotto Base

    • Meanwhile, heat oil in a dutch oven on medium heat. Add garlic and cook for about 30-40 sec.
    • Then add onions and cook until translucent.
    • Add quinoa and saute for 2-3 min. Then add vegetable broth and bring the mixture to boil.
    • Season with salt and simmer on low heat for 15-18 min.
    • Now add mashed roasted butternut squash and mix to combine.
    • Cook further for 4-5 min. Keep adding water until it gets to the desired consistency.
    • Add parmesan cheese and fresh parsley to garnish. Serve warm

    Notes

    1. Do not mash the squash to a fine puree. Keep them as little chunks so that they are visible and add color to the risotto.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 321kcal
    Tried this recipe?Tag us on Instagram @watchwhatueat or tag #watchwhatueat! OR leave us a comment & rating below. Your feedback is very important to us.
    « 15-Minute Easy Garlic Shrimp In Tomato Sauce
    Super Juicy Garlic And Herb Roasted Whole Chicken With Delicious Gravy »
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    About Watch What U Eat

    We are Swati and Tushar, our passion for food and cooking has now led us to share some healthy, tasty recipes and the benefits of eating certain ingredients with the goal of inspiring you to eat well and live well.

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Slowestuff says

      November 24, 2023 at 8:01 am

      We made your roasted cauliflower with the butternut squash quinoa for a vegan option for Thanksgiving this year! Loved it and that marinade for the cauliflower was SO good!

      Reply
    2. tachira wiltshire says

      October 09, 2017 at 12:07 pm

      This looks so good , my daughter would love this she is simply in love with squash

      Reply
    3. Leigh says

      October 09, 2017 at 11:00 am

      Oh I love this healthier take on risotto!! Can't wait to try it, perfect time of year for butternut squash.

      Reply
    4. Bryan Carey says

      October 02, 2017 at 12:41 pm

      I do like butternut squash, so I am sure I will like this. I also appreciate that you include nutritional information- definitely helpful!

      Reply
    5. Alexandria says

      October 02, 2017 at 12:23 pm

      YUM! I love butternut squash. This looks delicious.

      Reply

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    Hi, we are Swati and Tushar! Our passion for food and cooking has led us to write this blog focusing on healthy recipes to eat well and live well!

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