This easy and creamy Slow Cooker Pumpkin and Cherry Tomato Risotto is the perfect hearty meal for any day. With tender pumpkin, sweet tomatoes, and a rich, cheesy finish, it’s simple to prepare and full of flavor. You can easily swap in common ingredients to make it your own!
Jump to Recipe Print RecipeRecipe Ingredients
- 1.4 litres (49 fl oz) good-quality vegetable stock
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 brown onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, crushed or finely chopped
- 400 g (14 oz) peeled pumpkin (winter squash) flesh, cut into 1–2 cm (½–¾ inch) dice
- 440 g (15½ oz/2 cups) arborio rice
- 200 ml (7 fl oz) white wine, extra stock or water
- 250 g (9 oz) cherry tomatoes
- 20 g (¾ oz) butter, chopped
- 50 g (1¾ oz/½ cup) finely grated parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons coarsely chopped flat-leaf (Italian) parsley, to serve
How To Make Slow Cooker Pumpkin And Cherry Tomato Risotto
- Prepare the stock: Bring the stock to the boil in a small saucepan, then remove from the heat.
- Cook the base: Heat the oil in the insert pan of a slow cooker or a frying pan over medium-low heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook, stirring, for 3 minutes. Add the pumpkin and cook for 5 minutes.
- Transfer to slow cooker: Return the insert pan, if using, to the slow cooker, or transfer the mixture to the slow cooker. Cover and cook on high, stirring occasionally, for 1 hour.
- Add rice and liquid: Add the rice, wine, hot stock, and tomatoes. Season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper and stir to combine. Cover and cook for 35–45 minutes until the rice is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
- Finish and serve: Stir the butter and three-quarters of the parmesan through the risotto until creamy and combined. Season to taste with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Serve with the parsley and extra parmesan scattered over.
Recipe Tips
- Use hot stock: Make sure the stock is hot when adding it to the rice to help the risotto cook evenly and absorb the flavors better.
- Stir occasionally: Stir the risotto every 10-15 minutes while cooking to ensure it doesn’t stick and cooks evenly.
- Add liquid gradually: If the risotto seems dry, add a little extra hot stock or water to help it become creamy and tender.
- Season as you go: Taste the risotto as it cooks and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper to get the perfect balance of flavors.
- Finish with fresh parmesan: Don’t skip the final step of adding parmesan; it makes the risotto extra creamy and flavorful.
Recipe FAQs and Variations
Can I use a different type of squash?
Yes, butternut squash or acorn squash can be great alternatives if you can’t find pumpkins.
Can I make this risotto without wine?
Absolutely! You can replace the wine with extra stock or water for a non-alcoholic version.
Can I add other vegetables?
Feel free to add vegetables like spinach, peas, or mushrooms to make the dish even more colorful and nutritious.
Can I use brown rice instead of arborio?
Brown rice works, but it will need more liquid and a longer cooking time to become tender.
How can I make this dish vegan?
Omit the butter and parmesan, and use plant-based cheese or nutritional yeast for a dairy-free version.
Check out More Recipes:
- Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Pittas
- Slow Cooker Potato, White Cheese And Prosciutto Gratin
- Slow Cooker Pork Tenderloin With Pineapple-ginger Glaze
Slow Cooker Pumpkin And Cherry Tomato Risotto
Course: DinnerCuisine: ItalianDifficulty: Medium6
servings15
minutes2
hours594
kcalThis easy and creamy Slow Cooker Pumpkin and Cherry Tomato Risotto is the perfect hearty meal for any day. With tender pumpkin, sweet tomatoes, and a rich, cheesy finish, it’s simple to prepare and full of flavor. You can easily swap in common ingredients to make it your own!
Ingredients
1.4 litres (49 fl oz) good-quality vegetable stock
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 brown onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, crushed or finely chopped
400 g (14 oz) peeled pumpkin (winter squash) flesh, cut into 1–2 cm (½–¾ inch) dice
440 g (15½ oz/2 cups) arborio rice
200 ml (7 fl oz) white wine, extra stock or water
250 g (9 oz) cherry tomatoes
20 g (¾ oz) butter, chopped
50 g (1¾ oz/½ cup) finely grated parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons coarsely chopped flat-leaf (Italian) parsley, to serve
Directions
- Prepare the stock: Bring the stock to the boil in a small saucepan, then remove from the heat.
- Cook the base: Heat the oil in the insert pan of a slow cooker or a frying pan over medium-low heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook, stirring, for 3 minutes. Add the pumpkin and cook for 5 minutes.
- Transfer to slow cooker: Return the insert pan, if using, to the slow cooker, or transfer the mixture to the slow cooker. Cover and cook on high, stirring occasionally, for 1 hour.
- Add rice and liquid: Add the rice, wine, hot stock, and tomatoes. Season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper and stir to combine. Cover and cook for 35–45 minutes until the rice is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
- Finish and serve: Stir the butter and three-quarters of the parmesan through the risotto until creamy and combined. Season to taste with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Serve with the parsley and extra parmesan scattered over.
Nutrition Facts
6 servings per container
- Amount Per ServingCalories594
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat
12g
19%
- Saturated Fat 5.25g 27%
- Cholesterol 19mg 7%
- Sodium 463.5mg 20%
- Total Carbohydrate
101.75g
34%
- Dietary Fiber 4.25g 17%
- Sugars 5.75g
- Protein 10.75g 22%
* The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
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