In the spirit of Fall, we're making slow cooker pumpkin risotto recipe. Rich, creamy and dairy free (unless you add Parmesan).

And best of all, it's a super easy risotto to make.

Slow Cooker Pumpkin Risotto

If you have ever made risotto before, you know that it can be pretty labor intensive standing over the stove stirring and slowly adding your liquid in intervals.

In this slow cooker pumpkin risotto recipe from my good friend Mike (aka @omgchampagne), you just dump in your ingredients and walk away.

It doesn't get easier than that. While the cooking time is 2 1/2-3 1/2 hours (see important note in recipe), the prep work is virtually non-existent. Simply throw everything in the crock pot and let it do its magic.

The pumpkin is the star of this easy risotto. It gives a great hit of orange color to the plate and is perfect for a main or side dish.

Pumpkin is also very high in Vitamin A for added nutrition. Make sure you use canned pumpkin or pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling.

It's best to serve the slow cooker pumpkin risotto right away as the longer you let it sit around, the less al dente it becomes.  Serve with a salad and some roasted pumpkin seeds on the side. Or as one of the vegetarian Thanksgiving side dish recipes on your buffet table.

Tailor To Your Taste

  • If you want to get fancy, you can add some sauteed mushrooms and onions to the mixture before turning on the crock pot.
  • Garnish the risotto with parsley, chives or fried sage
  • Add Parmesan cheese, stirring it directly into the risotto when complete or sprinkled on top.

Other risotto recipes you might like

  • pumpkin risotto recipe (instant pot)
  • lemon risotto with grilled vegetables (instant pot)

slow cooker pumpkin risotto in bowl garnished with parmesan cheese p

Slow Cooker Pumpkin Risotto Recipe

In the spirit of Fall, we're making slow cooker pumpkin risotto. Rich, creamy and dairy free (unless you add Parmesan).  And best of all, so easy to make.

Prep Time 5 mins

Cook Time 3 hrs 30 mins

Course: Main Course, Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Servings: 5 -6

Prevent your screen from going dark

  • 1 can of Pumpkin (398 ml) or pumpkin puree Not pumpkin pie filling!
  • 1 1/4 cup Arborio Rice
  • 4 Garlic Cloves, minced
  • 1/4 cup White Wine
  • 1/4 cup Olive Oil
  • pinch Salt & Pepper
  • 3 1/2 cups Vegetable Broth (or chicken broth)
  • 1/3 cup Parmesan Cheese, grated (optional)
  • garnish: chopped parsley, chives or fried sage

  • PREP: Put all ingredients (except Parmesan cheese) into slower cooker and give it a stir (put in the vegetable broth last without stirring it).

  • COOK RISOTTO: Put the slow cooker on the high setting and let it cook for 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 hours. (Note 1)

  • FINISH: When finished, stir in your Parmesan cheese if using and serve right away. The longer it sits around, the less al dente it will become.

Slow Cooker Times:  We've tried this recipe with different slow cookers and the times varied from 2 to 4 hours (the longer time included a couple of peaks under the lid). As with all slow cookers, every time you lift the lid, you add 30 minutes or more of cooking time). So don't peak!

Nutrition values are estimates and don't include the optional Parmesan cheese and garnishes.

Nutrition Facts

Slow Cooker Pumpkin Risotto Recipe

Amount Per Serving

Calories 296 Calories from Fat 99

% Daily Value*

Fat 11g 17%

Saturated Fat 2g 13%

Sodium 660mg 29%

Potassium 56mg 2%

Carbohydrates 43g 14%

Fiber 1g 4%

Sugar 2g 2%

Protein 3g 6%

Vitamin A 382IU 8%

Vitamin C 1mg 1%

Calcium 4mg 0%

Iron 2mg 11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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