Butternut Squash Risotto Recipe | Vegan + Gluten Free (2024)

Medically reviewed by Abbey Sharp, Registered Dietitian (RD), BASc.

This butternut squash risotto recipe is a perfect gluten free holiday recipe that will be sure to satisfy all of your friends and family!

Every year for Thanksgiving, I feel like I am frantically trying to figure out what I’m going to make for dinner. Can you relate?

Often times, I got a bit of a mixed crowd. I have people who are gluten free and people who are vegetarian, so my stuffing and turkey are both no-nos. So to satisfy all dietary preferences one of my go-to’s to complete my Thanksgiving spread is this vegan risotto with butternut squash. So whether you are a meat eater or vegan, this butternut squash risotto recipe is sure to be the standout of your holiday spread.

Key Ingredients

How to MakeThis Recipe

Step 1: In a medium pot, add two tablespoons of oil over medium low heat. Add the onion and cook slowly until golden brown, about 5-6 minutes. Remove and set aside in a bowl.

Step 2: Add the remaining tablespoon of oil to the pot and cook the garlic, ginger, sage and rosemary over medium high heat. Add in the rice and stir.

Step 3: Reduce heat to medium low and add in the wine. Stir until the wine has evaporated. Then slowly start to ladle in the broth and stir constantly until all of it is absorbed.

Step 4: Add cashews to a high speed blender and puree. Add in milk, thawed squash, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt and pepper and puree until very smooth.

Step 5: Once the rice is cooked, stir in the cashew cream, along with the remaining frozen squash, chard and cooked caramelized onion. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.

Expert Tips

I also add in lots of big bold cool-weather flavours like caramelized onions, sage, rosemary, ginger and swiss chard. It’s almost too pretty too eat. Almost being the key word here, of course.

Oh, and to make itseemlike there’s a little parmesan cheese on top, I dust a little bit of pulverized cashews that I processed into a powder in the food processor or blender.

This butternut squash risotto recipe also takes some short cuts from the store like frozen butternut squash. So while it’s elegant enough for your holiday party, it is so simple you can pull it off on a weeknight.

Recipe FAQs

More Thanksgiving Recipes You Might Like

Need more recipes like this butternut squash risotto recipe to impress your fam at the next event? Check out some of my favorites below!

• Stuffed Acorn Squash with Wild Rice, Apples and Caramelized Onions

• Pecan Pie (Vegan)

So tell me – what recipes are on your list for the holiday season?

Have you tried making this vegan risotto with butternut squash? Let me know down in the comments below!