Indulge in the cozy embrace of autumn with this Butternut Squash Fall Risotto, perfectly harmonized with the bold tang of sharp blue cheese. This creamy delight is tailored to warm up your chilly fall nights, offering a comforting experience that eases you into the colder months.
For this fall risotto, you can use the popular butternut squash, acorn or leftover pumpkin carvings you just carved with the kids. Generally, winter squashes are sweet and need an excellent contrasting element to balance. Sharp blue cheese, being spicy and sharp, will balance perfectly with the sweet and smooth squash, turning this dish into a dynamic and well-balanced one.
Blue Cheese Types
Well, there is a whole world of blue cheeses, some made of sheep, goat, cow or a mix of milk. The general rule for blue cheese is the more blue veins, the more potent it is. Personally, I’m a big Roquefort fan, which I use for this risotto, but a smooth Gorgonzola would be fantastic, too! If you go with Gorgonzola, it’s a safe bet, ultra-creamy and softer than most blue cheese, especially the Dolce type, which would still complement this fall risotto to perfection! But if you are a blue cheese lover, go ahead and choose your favourite one. So, I will leave you with this article about the varieties of blue cheeses to choose from.
Black Pepper
The importance of this particular ingredient cannot be overlooked—don’t hold back! Generously sprinkle freshly cracked black pepper over the butternut squash risotto. Its bold, peppery kick balances the squash’s natural sweetness, making each bite more flavorful and satisfying. Freshly cracked is always a bonus!
Plating
Serve with some extra pumpkin seeds for a welcome crunch to this smooth dish. I also like adding extra blue cheese to showcase its beauty on top. Plus, a last freshly cracked black pepper touch is the most welcomed.
Other Fall Dishes
Squash and Blue cheese Fall Risotto
Ingredients
- 1 l vegetable broth (or chicken broth)
- 500 g arborio rice (or bomba)
- 500 g butternut or acorn squash (cut into cubes)
- 100 g blue cheese (Gorgonzola )
- 100 ml white wine
- 1 yellow onion
- 1 garlic clove
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- thyme (*optional)
- salt and pepper
Topping
- pumkin seeds (*optional)
Instructions
- Drizzle olive oil on the squash, add salt and roast in the oven at 180°C (350F°) for 25-30 minutes until soft.
- Blend the butternut squash in the food processor or mash it with a masher.
- Add the onion to soften in a big pan with olive oil and salt at medium-high heat for 5 minutes or until soft.
- Preheat the broth in a separate pot.
- Add some more olive oil, chopped garlic, and arborio rice to the pan, and toast the rice grains until they get translucent.
- Bring the heat to medium-high heat, add the wine and deglaze the bottom of the pan.
- While constantly moving the risotto with a wooden spoon, add the broth one ladle at a time and let the rice cook (this makes it creamy, as it should be) for about 20 minutes.
- Mid-cooking, add the mashed butternut squash and thyme.
- Add the blue cheese (keep some for decoration), and check the seasoning (black pepper).
- Let cover for 2 minutes to absorb the leftover liquid and serve.
Notes
Nutrition
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12 Comments
Ooh this sounds lovely. I’m a great fan of blue cheese myself and it sounds like a great way to spruce up the mellow sweetness of the squash!
You should try it if you are into blue cheese. I’m a blue cheese lover also and find it hard to incorporate it in recipes because of it’s powerful taste, but in this dish, it’s simply irresistable. Hope you’ll try!
Looks and sounds delicious. I used to hate blue cheese. But that hatred has turned to fondness over the years. Never tried it with squash!
Thanks for the comment Julia!
I’m a blue cheese fan. I’m also a butternut squash fan and I use pepper like there is no tomorrow! This looks like an incredible combination. Must try! Pinning.
Thanks Elaine!
I have been planning to make a butternut squash risotto for such a long time, but I somehow never got around doing it… What a great idea to add blue cheese! This will be added to my mental list 😉
Mental list;) on mine its your kaiserschmarrn
Challenge accepted 😉 let’s see who ticks her item off first 😉
It’s on!
Can’t wait to try this recipe as soon as possible!
It s addictive… be careful;)