A complete meal, with its own luxurious sauce.
Risotto may require a little more time and effort than regular rice, but it is well worth it. For this recipe butternut squash and mushrooms roast in the oven while the risotto is cooking. These are mixed in once the rice is perfectly cooked, along with herbs and Parmesan, to create an exquisite meal all-in one.
Risotto with Butternut Squash, Mushrooms, and Sausage
Risotto is a wonderful addition to the home cooks repertoire—once you know the method it is endlessly customizable. For the effort I want my risotto to be a full meal (with it’s own luxurious sauce of course), so for this recipe I’ve included veg that’s been crisped in the oven and also sausage. Enjoy as is and then use it as a springboard for your own risotto creation.
Ingredients
- 8 oz (2 cups) butternut squash cut into 1-inch cubes
- 4 oz cremini mushrooms cut in half
- 1 tbsp rosemary
- 4 leaves sage chopped
- Kosher salt and Pepper
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 3-4 cups chicken broth
- 2 chicken sausages sliced into rounds
- 1 shallot chopped
- 3/4 cup Arborio rice
- 1/4 cup dry white wine
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan
- 1/2 cup parsley leaves chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°. In a large bowl combine butternut squash, mushrooms, rosemary, half of the sage, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp pepper, and 1 tbsp olive oil. Transfer to a sheet pan and bake for 30 minutes, tossing halfway though.
- Meanwhile add 4 cups broth to a saucepan and heat to a simmer over medium heat. Adjust heat as needed to maintain a simmer.
- Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large heavy pot over medium heat. Add sausage and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 2-3 minutes until browned. Remove to a plate.
- Add another 1 tbsp olive oil, shallot, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp pepper to the pot and cook, stirring often, until softened, about 1-2 minutes. Add Arborio rice and cook for 2-3 minutes while stirring. Pour wine into the pot and stir until it is mostly absorbed, scraping any bits stuck to the bottom of the pan.
- Add broth to pot 1/2 cup at a time, still on medium heat and stirring often. Add more broth once most of the last addition has been absorbed. After about 15 minutes or when 3 cups broth have been added start checking to see if the rice is cooked (it should be al dente), if not continue to add more broth as needed. With the final addition also add in mushrooms, squash, sausage, remaining sage, most of the parsley, and Parmesan cheese. The risotto should not hold form, add more broth if needed. Divide amongst bowls and top with remaining parsley.
Notes
Precut butternut squash will save a lot of prep time. Use whatever flavor chicken sausage you like.
