I received product samples from sponsor companies to aid in the creation of the #PumpkinWeek recipes. All opinions are mine alone.
Pumpkin is not just for sweets, pies, and baked goods. My Pumpkin Parmesan Risotto with Bacon is savory, smokey, salty, herby, earthy, and hearty. Packed with flavor from white wine, Parmesan, sharp, cheddar, and pumpkin. This is one indulgent and delicious risotto!

Oh, how I love risotto. It is one of my go-to dishes when I see it on a menu. I love it as a side and as a main dish! One of the things I like the best about risotto is the versatility. I have made so many different types of risotto, and I am always reassured knowing that it is a dish that allows for a lot of adaption and personalization.
This recipe is a little different because I stir pumpkin puree right into the risotto. I also ad bacon, sharp cheddar, and Parmesan. This risotto is so decadent and creamy. It is certainly rich enough to enjoy as an entree, but it is the perfect side for a simple grilled pork tenderloin or oven roasted chicken.
Risotto needs a little love as you make it, and some people will say that is is not a weeknight dish. I typically disagree because it cooks in one pan and is typically ready in 30-minutes. To me that is weeknight friendly. Sure, it required a little more stirring, but keep the protein simple and it is an excellent option. However, it is equally an impressive dish to make for a dinner party- like I said versatile!
Pumpkin Drinks:
Dairy Free Iced Coconut Pumpkin Spice Latte from Frugal & Fit
Easy Pumpkin Frappuccino from The Bitter Side of Sweet
Pumpkin Bubble Milk Tea from Daily Dish Recipes
Pumpkin Pie Milkshake from Seduction In The Kitchen
Pumpkin Pie Smoothie from Sweet Beginnings
Pumpkin Spice Red Sangria from Love & Confections
The Best (and Easiest) Vegan Pumpkin Spice Latte from The Baking Fairy
Pumpkin Breakfasts & Baked Goods:
Air Fryer Pumpkin Spice Donut Holes from Blogghetti
Overnight Pumpkin French Toast with Pecan Praline Topping from Food Above Gold
Pumpkin Granola from It Bakes Me Happy
Pumpkin Spice Cinnamon Roll from Seduction In The Kitchen
Pumpkin Waffles from 4 Sons R Us
Pumpkin Waffles with Orange Cream Cheese from My Sweet Zepol
Snickerdoodle Pumpkin Bread from Strawberry Blondie Kitchen
Savory Pumpkin Recipes:
Pumpkin and Cheddar Pierogies from A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures
Pumpkin and Sausage Tacos from Our Good Life
Pumpkin Broccoli Cheddar Soup from The Crumby Kitchen
Pumpkin Mac and Cheese from Cindy's Recipes and Writings
Pumpkin Mac and Cheese from For the Love of Food
Pumpkin Parmesan Risotto with Bacon from Cheese Curd In Paradise
Pumpkin Desserts:
Layered Pumpkin Cheesecake Pie from Palatable Pastime
Mini Pumpkin Pie Hand Pies from The Beard and The Baker
Pumpkin Butter Cupcakes from The Spiffy Cookie
Pumpkin Cookies and Cream Ice Cream from Karen's Kitchen Stories
Pumpkin Creme Brûlée from Jen Around the World
Pumpkin Gingersnap Cheesecake from The Redhead Baker
Pumpkin Honey Bun Cake from Family Around the Table
Pumpkin Pie Bars from Everyday Eileen
Pumpkin Pie Cheesecake Brownies from Big Bear's Wife
Pumpkin Pie Dipped Oreos from The Mandatory Mooch
Pumpkin Spice Snickerdoodles from Creative Southern Home
Spiced Pumpkin Pecan Bundt Cake with Maple Glaze from Shockingly Delicious
One of the sponsors of #PumpkinWeek is Cabot Cheese. I opted to use their Seriously Sharp Cheddar Cheese. I wanted a nice sharp cheese to offset some of the richness of this risotto. I loved the sharp flavors from the cheese, and it made my risotto so beautiful and so creamy! Cabot Cheese is an award winning and in business since 1919- their products are delicious and they have a large variety of products.
The beautiful hand-crafted wooden spoon pictured is compliments of our sponsor Dixie Crystals. Dixie Crystals allowed us to choose a few things for this event, and when I found this beautiful hand-crafted risotto spoon! I knew that it had to be mine. I love the design, and I will show you more fun goodies I found for #PumpkinWeek as the week goes on!
What do I need to make Pumpkin Parmesan Risotto with Bacon?
- Butter
- Olive Oil
- Onion
- Bacon
- Arborio rice
- White wine (or use extra chicken stock)
- Chicken stock
- Fresh sage
- Parmesan cheese
- Sharp cheddar cheese
- Black pepper
- Risotto Spoon
- Skillet
- Cheese grater
Frequently Asked Questions?
Where can I find Arborio rice?
It is typically located by the other rice at the grocery store, but sometimes I find it in the natural foods section.
I don't drink- what can I use in place of wine?
The wine can be subbed for extra chicken stock.
Can I use coconut oil in place of the olive oil and butter?
Yes! The flavor might be a little nuttier, but it will be delicious
My risotto is not absorbing the liquid- what do I do?
Your heat is likely not height enough. Turn it up slightly till you see a different.
Can I make risotto in advance?
I typically say no because the liquid gets absorbed, and it gets a bit thick for my liking.
Looking for more delicious pumpkin treats?
Instant Pot Pumpkin Cinnamon Applesauce
[easy-image-collage id=9514]Pumpkin Parmesan Risotto with Bacon
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 ½ tbsp butter
- ½ white onion, diced
- 6 slices of bacon, chopped
- 1 cup arborio rice
- ⅔ cup dry white wine
- 4 cups chicken stock
- ½ cup pumpkin puree
- 3 sage leaves, diced fine
- ½ cup grated sharp cheddar cheese
- ⅓ cup granted Parmesan cheese
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add olive oil and butter to pan; swirl to coat.
- Add onions and bacon; cook 4-5 minutes till bacon is crispy and onion tender. Stir in rice, and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly.
- Increase heat to medium-high and add wine and stir. Add stock ½ cup at a time, stirring constantly until each portion of stock is absorbed before adding the next. With the last portion of stock stir in the pumpkin and sage.
- Remove from heat and add the cheddar and Parmesan.
- Season with black pepper.
PRIZE #1 DIXIE CRYSTALS
Dixie Crystals is giving one winner a Marble Rolling Pin and Board Set.
Since 1917, Dixie Crystals® has been the South’s choice for high-quality sugar and sweeteners. For generations, Dixie Crystals has been at the heart of family traditions and celebrations. Our pure cane, non-GMO sugar products guarantee that treasured family recipes will turn out right every time. Bake with love and Dixie Crystals.
PRIZE#2 SWEETS & TREATS
PRIZE#3 TORANI
We believe in flavor for all and opportunity for all. In the beginning, Rinaldo and Ezilda Torre visited family in Lucca, Italy. They returned home to San Francisco with handwritten recipes, which they used to create authentic flavored syrups. Needless to say, the syrups we’re a hit. A lot has happened since then, but our belief has remained the same: Flavor for All, Opportunity for All. It means that not only are the products we make inclusive and approachable, but so is our success. We believe everything starts with people, and the only way to truly succeed is to succeed together. Today, you can use more than 100 of our naturally flavored syrups, sauces and beverage bases in coffees, sodas, teas, smoothies, cocktails and more.
PRIZE#4 CABOT CREAMERY CO-OPERATIVE
Cabot is giving one winner a gift box of assorted Cabot cheeses.
The farm families that own Cabot Creamery Co-operative love what they do. And they’ve been doing it for a long time—every single day since 1919. Almost 100 years later, we’re proud of our thriving farms, strong communities, and happy, healthy cows that produce the rich, buttery milk that we use to make Cabot’s award-winning cheese and dairy products. We like to think those awards mean we’re doing something right. Of course, you’re a big part of this too. If you love eating our cheese as much as we love making it, then we’ll get to keep doing what we do for generations to come.
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Lisa Kerhin
Wait...bacon, Parmesan, and pumpkin in this risotto?! You got me now! YUM
Kallee
I love savory pumpkin recipes. I bet the bacon really makes this amazing
Dorothy Reinhold
I am finding so many creative pumpkin dishes. This sounds delicious!
Byron Thomas
Because everything is better with bacon, right? 🙂 I've never mastered the art of risotto. I think I'm just too impatient, to be honest. I will certainly give your version a try though. The bacon will help increase my level of patience. Ha!
Karen
I am loving seeing savory recipes today! This looks amazing
Natalie
I never tried pumpkin risotto before. But now i must. This looks absolutely delicious. So creamy and flavorful. I'm saving this recipe to give it a try next week. I bet my family will love it too.
Ashley
We love this risotto! It's so creamy and delicious.
Amanda
What a great risotto recipe! This is so perfect for the fall and would be a lovely Thanksgiving side dish for something different. Thanks for sharing!
Jaida ~ Sweet Beginnings
I love a good risotto AND savory pumpkin dishes, so this sound like a perfect fall dish for me!
Jeannette (Jay Joy)
You can just tell that the flavors of the Pumpkin Parmesan Risotto with Bacon just jump out at you. I would love to explore this savory, smokey, salty, herby taste. And BACON? I mean, yes please. I had homemade pumpkin ravioli before and I thought I was in heaven!
Christie
I've made carbonara and gnocchi. I can't wait to try this risotto!
Cindy Kerschner
I love rice dishes! Pumpkin with a bit of bacon sounds so good!
Sue Lau
I don't usually go for risotto but would not turn this one down!