Simple Magic: Butternut Squash Orzo Risotto Recipe That Wows

Butternut squash orzo risotto converts ordinary pasta into a creamy, comforting culinary adventure that whispers autumn’s warmest flavors.

Silky strands of orzo dance with velvety squash, creating a harmonious blend of textures that captivates the palate.

Hearty yet elegant, this dish bridges rustic home cooking with sophisticated technique, inviting diners into a world of nuanced comfort.

Mediterranean influences shine through each carefully balanced spoonful, promising a delightful departure from traditional rice-based risottos.

Rich, golden hues suggest the depth of flavor waiting to unfold on your plate.

Nutty undertones and subtle sweetness weave together, promising a meal that satisfies both hunger and imagination.

Smooth, luxurious, and unexpectedly simple, this recipe will become your new cold-weather companion.

Butternut Squash Orzo Risotto That’s Creamy and Cozy

• Roast and Infuse Flavor: The butternut squash gets beautifully caramelized in the oven with smoky paprika and garlic powder, creating deep, rich flavor layers that transform ordinary orzo into an extraordinary dish.
• Creamy Comfort with a Twist: This risotto-style orzo delivers luxurious creaminess from blended goat cheese and roasted squash, offering a sophisticated yet comforting eating experience that feels both gourmet and homey.
• Textural Symphony: Crispy toasted hazelnuts provide a delightful crunch against the silky smooth orzo, while reserved roasted squash pieces add rustic texture, making every single bite interesting and complex.
• Quick Weeknight Gourmet: With just 35 minutes total cooking time and straightforward techniques, this recipe proves anyone can create restaurant-quality meals without spending hours in the kitchen or requiring advanced culinary skills.

What Goes Into This Velvety One-Pot Dish

Main Ingredients:

Butternut Squash: A sweet, nutty vegetable that provides rich flavor and creamy texture to the risotto.

Orzo: A small, rice-shaped pasta that creates a risotto-like consistency with a delicate texture.

Vegetable Broth: Provides liquid and depth of flavor for cooking the orzo.

Dairy and Cheese:

Goat Cheese: Adds creamy tanginess and helps create a smooth, rich sauce.

Butter: Provides richness and helps with toasting hazelnuts.

Aromatics and Garnish:

Onion: Creates a flavor base and adds sweetness to the dish.

Garlic Powder: Adds subtle, concentrated garlic flavor.

Parsley: Fresh herb that brings brightness and color to the final dish.

Hazelnuts: Adds crunch, nutty flavor, and textural contrast.

Seasonings and Oils:

Olive Oil: Used for roasting squash and sautéing ingredients.

Fleur de Sel: Delicate sea salt that enhances overall flavor.

Smoked Paprika: Provides a smoky, complex flavor to the roasted squash.

Salt and Pepper: Basic seasonings to balance and enhance the dish’s flavors.

Honey: Helps caramelize and sweeten the toasted hazelnuts.

How to Simmer Orzo into Risotto-Like Bliss

Step 1: Prepare Roasted Butternut Squash

• Olive oil
• Fleur de sel
• Garlic powder
• Smoked paprika

Spread on parchment-lined baking tray and roast for 25 minutes until golden and tender.

Step 2: Create Orzo Base

Heat olive oil in a deep pan. Sauté onions until soft and translucent. Add orzo and stir for 1 minute.

Step 3: Simmer Orzo

Pour vegetable broth to cover orzo. Season with salt and pepper. Simmer on low heat, stirring frequently for 7-8 minutes. Add more broth as needed to maintain creamy consistency.

Step 4: Toast Crunchy Hazelnuts

• Olive oil
• Butter
• Hazelnuts
• Honey

Cook until hazelnuts turn golden and caramelized, about 3 minutes.

Step 5: Blend Creamy Squash Sauce

Combine most roasted squash pieces with goat cheese and hot water. Blend until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.

Step 6: Combine and Finish

Stir squash-cheese sauce into orzo. Cook on medium heat until well incorporated and creamy.

Step 7: Serve and Garnish

• Reserved roasted squash pieces
• Toasted hazelnuts
• Freshly chopped parsley

Enjoy your luxurious butternut squash orzo!

Tips for Butternut Squash That’s Sweet and Soft

• Roast Strategically: Cut squash into uniform cubes to ensure even caramelization and prevent burning during roasting.
• Stir Consistently: Keep stirring the orzo while cooking to prevent sticking and achieve a creamy, risotto-like texture.
• Control Liquid Levels: Add vegetable broth gradually, allowing each addition to absorb before pouring more to maintain perfect consistency.
• Toast Nuts Carefully: Watch hazelnuts closely when caramelizing with honey to prevent burning and achieve a golden, crispy finish.
• Blend Smoothly: Use hot water when mixing squash and goat cheese to create a velvety, lump-free sauce that coats the orzo beautifully.

Storing Orzo Risotto Without Losing Its Creaminess

• Refrigeration: Transfer leftovers to an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Cover the container tightly to prevent moisture loss and maintain flavor.
• Reheating: Warm gently in a saucepan over medium-low heat, adding a splash of vegetable broth to restore moisture. Stir frequently to prevent sticking and ensure even heating. Alternatively, microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval to distribute heat evenly.
• Freezing: Not recommended for this dish, as orzo and creamy sauces tend to separate and lose texture when frozen and thawed. Best enjoyed fresh or refrigerated within a few days of preparation.

Delicious Pairings to Round Out the Plate

• Complement Creamy Richness: Pair this butternut squash orzo risotto with a crisp, unoaked Chardonnay that cuts through the dish's richness and enhances its creamy texture.
• Balance Nutty Sweetness: Serve alongside a light arugula salad with a tangy vinaigrette to contrast the honey-glazed hazelnuts and provide a fresh, peppery counterpoint.
• Elevate Flavor Depth: Add a glass of dry Riesling with slight minerality to highlight the smoky paprika and roasted squash notes while cleansing the palate between bites.
• Enhance Vegetarian Comfort: Match with a bright, herbal wheat beer that echoes the parsley garnish and complements the creamy goat cheese undertones.

Spin-Offs to Explore with Different Veggies

• Pumpkin Patch Remix: Swap butternut squash with roasted sugar pumpkin, keeping the same spice profile and creamy texture for an autumnal comfort meal.
• Mediterranean Magic: Replace goat cheese with feta, add sun-dried tomatoes and fresh oregano for a Greek-inspired version that brings coastal flavors to the dish.
• Vegan Velvet Embrace: Substitute goat cheese with cashew cream, use plant-based butter, and swap honey for maple syrup to create a completely dairy-free and plant-powered adaptation.
• Spicy Southwest Spin: Incorporate roasted green chiles, swap smoked paprika for chipotle powder, and top with crispy pepitas instead of hazelnuts for a vibrant, zesty alternative.

Butternut Squash Orzo Risotto Recipe

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4.7 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Butternut squash orzo risotto combines Italian comfort with autumn’s warmest flavors. Creamy parmesan-kissed pasta mingles with roasted squash, creating a luxurious dish you’ll crave through crisp seasonal evenings.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 300 grams (10.6 ounces) butternut squash, cubed
• 150 grams (5.3 ounces) orzo pasta
• 100 grams (3.5 ounces) fresh goat cheese
• 30 grams (1.1 ounces) shelled hazelnuts, roughly chopped

Seasonings and Spices:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 drizzle of olive oil
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 pinch fleur de sel
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 teaspoon honey

Aromatics and Additional Ingredients:

• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 500 milliliters (16.9 fluid ounces) vegetable broth
• Fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 knob of semi-salt butter

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) using convection mode, preparing a baking tray lined with parchment paper.
2. Carefully peel the butternut squash, creating uniform 1-inch cubes for even roasting.
3. In a mixing bowl, toss squash cubes with olive oil, sea salt, garlic powder, and smoked paprika until evenly coated.
4. Spread seasoned squash cubes on the prepared baking tray, ensuring they are not overcrowded for optimal caramelization.
5. Roast squash in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, turning halfway through to achieve golden edges.
6. Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat, sautéing finely chopped onions until translucent and soft.
7. Add orzo to the pan, stirring continuously for 1-2 minutes to lightly toast the pasta and enhance its nutty flavor.
8. Gradually pour vegetable broth over the orzo, ensuring it covers the pasta completely, and season with salt and black pepper.
9. Reduce heat to low, allowing the orzo to simmer and absorb liquid, stirring frequently to prevent sticking for 8-10 minutes.
10. In a separate small skillet, melt butter with olive oil, then add chopped hazelnuts and honey.
11. Toast hazelnuts for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly until they turn golden brown and become fragrant.
12. Remove approximately two-thirds of the roasted squash and combine with goat cheese and hot water in a blender.
13. Purée the mixture until smooth and creamy, seasoning with additional salt and pepper to taste.
14. Fold the squash-cheese sauce into the cooked orzo, stirring until thoroughly incorporated and heated through.
15. Plate the risotto, garnishing with reserved roasted squash cubes, honey-glazed hazelnuts, and freshly chopped parsley.

Notes

• Roast squash ahead of time to intensify its natural sweetness and develop deep, caramelized flavors that will elevate the entire risotto.
• Stir orzo constantly during cooking to prevent sticking and achieve a creamy, restaurant-quality texture that mimics traditional risotto.
• Blend most of the roasted squash with goat cheese to create a luxurious, silky sauce that binds the dish together with rich, tangy notes.
• Toast hazelnuts with honey for a golden, crunchy topping that adds unexpected sweetness and textural contrast to the creamy orzo.
• Use vegetable broth strategically, adding gradually to ensure each orzo grain absorbs maximum flavor and maintains a perfectly al dente consistency.
• Choose fresh parsley as a final garnish to introduce a bright, herbaceous element that cuts through the dish’s richness and provides a fresh finish.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Roasting
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 380 kcal
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 450 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Trans Fat: 0.2 g
• Carbohydrates: 35 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 15 g
• Cholesterol: 35 mg