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Pumpkin Cauliflower Risotto

This low carb pumpkin risotto is made with cauliflower rice! It's comforting, filling, and perfect for a cold Fall or Winter day.

Low Carb Pumpkin Risotto with Cauliflower Rice - a delicious and warming comfort food recipe

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So I've thought for AGES about making a low carb risotto that uses cauliflower rice. I tried an Instant Pot version a while ago but there was WAY too much liquid, and I never got around to trying it again.

But with the huge influx of pumpkin recipes that September brings – I finally got around to trying a low carb risotto – with pumpkin!

So I've seen high-carb risotto recipes that use cubes of pumpkin. But I've used pumpkin puree here for two reasons. Firstly – when I decided to make it, pumpkins weren't available in stores yet.

And secondly, while pumpkin is not a high carb ingredient, it's not low carb either, so it's not like I needed a lot of it. Just a little scoop. Not worth cutting up a fresh pumpkin!

So it's the convenient option for sure. But don't worry – it tastes like you spent all day making it. I just know you're going to love this warming and comforting pumpkin cauliflower risotto!

Update: And if you do, you might also like my low carb seafood risotto with cauli rice!

How to Make a Low Carb Pumpkin Cauliflower Risotto

To start this delicious low carb pumpkin risotto, melt some butter in a large saucepan. Add some olive oil and riced cauliflower (you can buy this pre-riced or check out my tutorial on how to make cauliflower rice).

Add some onion powder and sauté for 5 minutes, stirring often.

Low Carb Pumpkin Risotto with Cauliflower Rice - a delicious and warming comfort food recipe

Add some chicken broth (or vegetable broth, if you prefer), and some canned pumpkin puree. Make sure you buy 100% pumpkin – not pie filling!

Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Continue to cook until the liquid has reduced and the cauliflower is tender.

Add dried thyme, heavy cream, and shredded Parmesan, and stir to mix. Taste for seasoning and salt and pepper as necessary – like a homemade soup I usually find it needs a lot, but it depends on the broth that you have used.

Divide the risotto between the serving bowls, and garnish with fresh chopped parsley.

Low Carb Pumpkin Risotto with Cauliflower Rice - a delicious and warming comfort food recipe

So. A quick note about serving size. This recipe is really filling – and definitely serves more than two, especially with a side salad. But it isn't quite enough for four people – and it isn't really the kind of dish you'd serve as an appetizer anyway.

So a yield of three servings is about right. That still puts it at 10g net carbs – which is too high for you keto people, I'm afraid.

So plan to share this luxurious risotto with your significant other – and keep the last third for yourself to enjoy the next day for lunch!

Low Carb Pumpkin Risotto with Cauliflower Rice - a delicious and warming comfort food recipe
Low Carb Pumpkin Cauliflower Risotto

Low Carb Pumpkin Cauliflower Risotto

Yield: 3 Servings
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes

This low carb pumpkin risotto is made with cauliflower rice! It is comforting, filling, and perfect for a cold day.

Ingredients

  • 2 tbs butter
  • 1 tbs olive oil
  • 12 oz riced cauliflower
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 8 fl oz chicken broth, or vegetable broth
  • 1 cup pumpkin puree
  • ½ tsp dried thyme
  • 2 tbs heavy cream
  • ½ cup shredded Parmesan
  • salt and pepper
  • fresh parsley, to garnish

Instructions

  1. Melt the butter in a large saucepan. Add the olive oil, cauliflower, and onion powder and sauté for 5 minutes, stirring often.
  2. Add the chicken broth, and pumpkin puree. Bring to the boil, then reduce to a simmer. Continue to cook until the liquid has reduced and the cauliflower is tender, about 8-10 minutes.
  3. Add dried thyme, heavy cream, and shredded Parmesan, and stir to mix. Taste for seasoning and salt and pepper as necessary.
  4. Divide the risotto between the serving bowls, and garnish with fresh chopped parsley.

Notes

10g net carbs per serving (one third of the whole recipe)

Nutrition Information
Yield 3 Serving Size Third of the recipe
Amount Per Serving Calories 272Total Fat 21gSaturated Fat 10gCholesterol 45mgSodium 665mgCarbohydrates 14gNet Carbohydrates 10gFiber 4gSugar 5gProtein 9g

Bryan

Saturday 29th of September 2018

Pumpkin season always gets me excited because of all the different recipes I come across. I've never thought of a pumpkin risotto though! I definitely need to give this recipe a try

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