Butternut Squash Risotto

It is now squash season, and I love cooking with all varieties. I particularly enjoy butternut, as it is my favourite! So here’s a season recipe I love, a creamy vegetable and butternut squash risotto!

4 servings

Ingredients

• 10 ml (2 teaspoons) olive oil
• 275 g (2 cups) butternut squash, cut into small dices
• 5 ml (1 teaspoon) brown sugar
• 1.25 ml (1/4 teaspoon) cinnamon
• 0.625 ml (1/8 teaspoon) nutmeg
• ½ large onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, chopped
• 250 ml (1 cup) arborio rice, dry
• 750 ml (3 cups) low-sodium vegetable broth
• 1 sweet red pepper, diced
• 250 ml (1 cup) portobello mushrooms, diced
• 1 litre (4 cups) fresh spinach
• 190 ml (3/4 cup) light ricotta cheese
• 80 g (1 cup) parmesan cheese
• 30 ml (2 tablespoons) fresh basil, chopped
• Salt and pepper, to taste 

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. On a baking sheet covered with parchment paper, mix 1 teaspoon of olive oil with the squash, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Add salt and pepper and bake for about 20 minutes or until the squash is cooked.
3. In a saucepan, heat 1 teaspoon of olive oil over medium heat, add the onion, and cook for 5 minutes. Add the garlic and rice, and cook for another minute. Add salt and pepper.
4. Add the broth ½ cup at a time, stirring frequently. Add broth when the rice has absorbed all the liquid. The risotto should be ready in 20 to 25 minutes.
5. When there is only 8 minutes left before the squash is cooked, add the sweet red pepper and mushrooms on the baking sheet, and mix thoroughly. Add salt and pepper.
6. Once the risotto is ready, add spinach, ricotta, parmesan, and the vegetable mix.
7. Serve with fresh basil.

You may also like these other recipes with butternut squash :

• Moroccan Stew with Chickpeas, Squash, and Raisins
• Butternut Squash Soup with Pumpkin Seed Oil

Nutritional values per serving: 437 calories | 60g carbohydrates | 19g proteins | 15g fat | 5g fibers

Enjoy your butternut squash risotto!

Butternut Squash Risotto is a post from Nautilus Plus. The Nautilus Plus blog aims to help people in their journey to fitness through articles on training, nutrition, motivation, exercise and healthy recipes.
Copyright © Nautilus Plus 2014