Pumpkin Risotto

Servings

4 servings

Prep

10 min prep

Prep

35 min cook

This is the ultimate fall dish: pumpkin risotto. It’s cozy, warm; it’s a creamy risotto with savory pumpkin, crispy bacon, and a hint of Parmesan. It’s like a French onion soup meets pumpkin, meets Alfredo pasta. It hits every single note.

Enjoy this with a warm drink, and you’re all set for a perfect autumn dinner. Here’s how to make the pumpkin risotto.

Before you start:

Don’t skip the bacon: The crispy bacon adds a savory, smoky bite that complements the richness of the pumpkin.
Use hard apple cider: It adds a subtle sweetness that pairs beautifully with the pumpkin flavor.
Add a Parmesan rind: If you have one on hand, it adds extra depth of flavor to the risotto as it simmers.

Dinner

Lunch

Pumpkin Risotto

4 servings

10 min prep

35 min cook

Ingredients

1 cup Arborio rice
1 cup pumpkin puree
1/4 cup fresh parsley chopped
4 slices bacon chopped
1/2 cup grated Parmesan plus Parmesan rind, optional
1 cup cooked roasted chicken shredded
1 small onion finely sliced
2-3 cloves garlic minced
4-5 cups chicken broth as needed
1/2 cup hard apple cider or white wine
1 tbsp butter
Black pepper to taste

Directions

In a large stockpot, cook the bacon over medium heat until crispy, then remove and set aside.
In the same pot, add the sliced onions and garlic to the bacon fat and sauté until softened and fragrant, about 3-5 minutes.
Stir in the pumpkin puree and parsley, allowing everything to mix well.
Pour in the hard apple cider (or white wine) to deglaze the pot and prevent sticking.
Add the Arborio rice and a cup of chicken broth. Stir to combine and season with black pepper.
Gradually add more chicken broth as needed, stirring often, until the rice absorbs the liquid and becomes creamy. This should take about 20-25 minutes.
As the risotto thickens, stir in the grated Parmesan and the rind (if using) for extra salty, cheesy goodness.
Add a tablespoon of butter to finish and give the risotto a silky texture.
To serve, plate the risotto and top with crispy bacon, shredded roasted chicken, extra Parmesan, and fresh parsley.