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Pumpkin Risotto

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Posted by:

Erin Lynch

|

Updated:

October 11, 2026

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4.97 from 120 votes

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pumpkin risotto pinterest image.
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This creamy pumpkin risotto with goat cheese and dried cranberries is rich, cozy and perfect for an elegant fall dinner or vegetarian Thanksgiving.

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Overhead shot of pumpkin risotto in bowl with goat cheese & cranberries

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5 stars
So good!

This was my 2nd time making risotto, and I think I am officially hooked.

I was skeptical about the dried cranberries at first- but oh my goodness, the whole bite – when you get goat cheese, cranberry, and risotto – is absolutely amazing.

Even the leftovers were great.

A wonderful autumnal dish. Will definitely be making again.

–

Charlize

While some people may have a pumpkin obsession, my obsession generally lies with risotto. Like my Lemon Mascarpone Risotto, Beet Risotto and Grilled Shrimp Risotto.

Not only do I like eating risotto, but I thoroughly enjoy the process of making it – Mainly because I get to stand over a hot stove when it’s freezing cold outside. Freezing cold = 60 degrees and below in my book.

The process of making risotto is easy, but it does take some babysitting because you need to “feed” the risotto. We’re feeding the risotto with a ladle full of stock time after time, letting it fully absorb between each addition.

This recipe takes about 20 minutes from start to finish, and it’s a full evolution. The risotto starts as hard grains of rice, then it becomes more plump, and then, through all the stirring and the feeding, it takes on the most incredible creamy texture that’s tasty on it’s own, but also totally customizable with any ingredients of your choosing.

Pumpkin Risotto with Goat Cheese and Dried Cranberries in bowl with a Barolo wine pairing.

This is the most amazing fall risotto. The pumpkin and dried cranberries just call out Thanksgiving to me. Plus, I’m making this risotto totally meat free, meaning that it would be a perfect option to serve for a vegetarian Thanksgiving.

The creamy pumpkin lends a rich, earthy flavor to the mix, the goat cheese adds tang and creaminess, and the dried cranberries give zing and add their beautiful color to the dish.

PS… This dish would also be delicious with some of this crispy prosciutto crumbled on top!

How to make ahead and reheat

  • To store: Keep any leftover risotto in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • To reheat: Place the leftovers into a pan with a bit of extra broth and heat over medium heat until warmed through.

Here’s a full post with my tips on how to reheat risotto.

Pumpkin Risotto with Goat Cheese and Dried Cranberries in bowl - Close up shot.

Serving suggestions

  • Easy Arugula Salad
  • Thanksgiving Salad
  • Sauteed Spinach
  • Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad
  • Vegan Caesar Salad
  • Shaved Fennel Salad
  • MORE → 35+ EASY sides for risotto!

What’s your favorite pumpkin dish or product of the season? I’d love to hear in the comments below.

Erin’s wine pairings for pumpkin risotto

  • Barolo has a firm tannins and great body that will cut through the creaminess of this dish.
  • With its buttery notes, Chardonnay pairs nicely with the creamy risotto and pumpkin.
  • Bubbles are always fun – Especially for a special occasion. Try Cava, Prosecco or Champagne.

More risotto recipes

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  • Caprese Tomato Risotto
  • Seared Scallops with Lemon Tarragon Risotto
  • Shrimp Risotto
  • Creamy Chicken Risotto
  • Beet Risotto with Goat Cheese
  • Mushroom Risotto with Truffle Mousse

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Overhead shot of pumpkin risotto in bowl with goat cheese & cranberries

Full Recipe

Pumpkin Risotto

This Pumpkin Risotto with Goat Cheese and Cranberries is a perfect fall comfort food. It’s rich and creamy and perfect for an elegant weeknight meal. Or try serving this to your vegetarian guests at Thanksgiving.
4.97 from 120 votes
Print Pin
Serves 4 people
Created by Platings and Pairings
Prep Time: 5 minutes mins
Cook Time: 30 minutes mins
Total Time: 35 minutes mins

Ingredients

  • 4 cups bone broth (or chicken broth or vegetable stock)
  • 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
  • 2 tablespoons butter (unsalted )
  • 1 shallot (minced)
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme (chopped )
  • 1 1/2 cups arborio rice
  • 1 teaspoon white wine vinegar
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese (grated )
  • 1/4 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley (chopped )
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
  • Fresh ground black pepper
  • 1 cup goat cheese (crumbled )
  • 1/2 cup dried cranberries

Instructions

  • In a medium saucepan, whisk together 4 cups bone broth and 1 cup canned pumpkin puree over medium heat. Bring to a simmer and reduce the heat to low. Cover and keep warm.
  • Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large dutch oven or saucepan over medium heat. Once the foaming subsides, add 1 shallot (minced) and 1 teaspoon kosher salt. Cook until softened, 2-3 minutes. Add the 1 teaspoon fresh thyme and 1 1/2 cups arborio rice and cook for one minute longer.
  • Add the 1 teaspoon white wine vinegar and a ladle of warm broth/pumpkin mixture and cook, stirring occasionally, until the liquid has evaporated. Add another ladle of broth, and continue cooking until evaporated again. Continue cooking, adding a ladle of broth at a time, and allowing to absorb in between each addition. Cook until the rice is done, but has a bite to it, it should be creamy in texture, and will take about 20-25 minutes.
  • Mix in 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, half of the parsley, and 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Top with the remaining parsley, 1 cup goat cheese and 1/2 cup dried cranberries. Serve immediately.

Notes

How to make ahead and reheat
  • To store: Keep any leftover risotto in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • To reheat: Place the leftovers into a pan with a bit of extra broth and heat over medium heat until warmed through.
  • Here’s a full post with my tips on how to reheat risotto.

Nutrition

Calories: 478kcal | Carbohydrates: 78g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 26mg | Sodium: 867mg | Potassium: 219mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 9815IU | Vitamin C: 3.1mg | Calcium: 155mg | Iron: 4.3mg
Did you make this recipe?Mention @platingsandpairings or tag #platingsandpairings!
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4.97 from 120 votes (100 ratings without comment)

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116 responses

  1. Catherine @ Ten Thousand Hour Mama
    September 28, 2016

    Pumpkin spice everything gets all the glory in the fall, but I love savory pumpkin – like this recipe – too. The combo with the feta and cranberries sounds delicious!

    Reply
    1. Erin
      September 29, 2016

      I’m with you Catherine – I love savory pumpkin. Although, pumpkin pie does me in every time too…

      Reply
    2. Lauren
      October 15, 2020

      Is the Parmesan cheese and butter necessary for this recipe? I’m lactose intolerant but this sounds sooo good. I presume you could swap the butter for olive oil?

      Reply
      1. Erin
        October 16, 2020

        Hi Lauren – You can leave out the cheese and butter. The olive oil will work for sauteing! I would cut it down to 1 Tbsp though. Hope that helps!

        Reply
  2. Tiffany
    September 28, 2016

    This looks delicious, Erin! I love risotto and this one looks like it needs to made this weekend! xo Tiffany http://www.parsnipsandpastries.com

    Reply
    1. Erin
      September 29, 2016

      Thank you Tiffany!!! I hope you get a chance to try it out soon!

      Reply
  3. Mary
    September 28, 2016

    5 stars
    There are basically two kinds of people. The pumpkin haters and the pumpkin EVERYTHING people. I love to see you embracing the inevitable of this flavorful season! 😉 And I love the combination of flavors you have here! Canned pumpkin puree is pretty darn bland, but I love how you sweetened it up with the cranberries and add the tang from the goat cheese! Also, this would be an awesome starter course for Thanksgiving!!! Yum!

    Reply
    1. Erin
      September 29, 2016

      It’s time to start thinking about Thanksgiving 🙂 It’s just about a month away now – Hard to believe!

      Reply
  4. Karen @ Seasonal Cravings
    September 28, 2016

    I can’t believe I’ve never made pumpkin risotto – it looks so good and I love the flavors you’ve got going on in here! Perfect for a cool fall night.

    Reply
    1. Erin
      September 29, 2016

      Thanks Karen – I’d definitely consider this risotto a fall comfort food!

      Reply
  5. Kankana
    September 29, 2016

    I too have a pumpkin risotto up on my blog and looking at yours, I am absolutely drooling. The color came out so rich and adding those cranberries … so very interesting!

    Reply
    1. Erin
      September 29, 2016

      Thanks Kankana! Your version looks absolutely drool-worthy as well!

      Reply
  6. Marlynn @ UrbanBlissLife
    September 29, 2016

    I’ve got risotto on the menu in the weeks coming up too — love standing over the warm stove while the weather is crisp outside too! This risotto looks so ideal for Thanksgiving. What a beautiful dish!

    Reply
    1. Erin
      September 30, 2016

      Thank you Marlynn – Cheers!

      Reply
  7. Antonia Benitez
    September 30, 2016

    To be honest Erin, it’s been a week since I’ve cooked a proper meal, but I feel like you may have inspired me to get out to this funk and hop on the seasonal bandwagon! Thanks so much for sharing this delicious recipe 😀

    Reply
    1. Erin
      September 30, 2016

      Of course Antonia – I hope you enjoy!

      Reply
  8. Monica Louie
    October 3, 2016

    This sounds like the perfect side dish for Thanksgiving! Something different, yet festive. Yum!

    Reply
    1. Erin
      October 5, 2016

      Thanks Monica – I think that it would be fantastic for Thanksgiving!

      Reply
  9. Heather
    October 22, 2016

    5 stars
    Made this tonight for dinner and it was delicious! I am NOT a pumpkin sweets girl so the fact that this was savory was perfect. So warm and comforting!

    Reply
    1. Erin
      October 24, 2016

      I’m so glad you liked it Heather – Thanks for commenting!

      Reply
  10. Karissa
    October 27, 2016

    This risotto recipe sounds AMAZING. Love the addition of goat cheese! This is totally going on my vegetarian Thanksgiving menu 🙂

    Reply
    1. Erin
      October 27, 2016

      Thanks Karissa 🙂 I think this dish is fantastic for a veggie-friendly Thanksgiving! I made it with my vegetarian dad in mind…

      Reply
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Hi, I’m Erin!

Can I pour you a glass of wine? Let’s have some fun in the kitchen! Maybe some pasta? A juicy steak? I’ve got loads of yummy, easy recipes for you! Because cooking should feel as comfy as your favorite yoga pants. ♥

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