• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Life
  • Parenting
  • Natural Living
  • Travel
  • Fitness
  • Book

Happy Healthy Mama

You are here: Home / Recipes / Dinner Recipes / Barley Risotto with Butternut Squash

November 28, 2016 Dinner Recipes

Barley Risotto with Butternut Squash

Pin303
Share13
Tweet
Yum11
327 Shares

Barley Risotto Butternut SquashYou know those recipes you have that you turn to when you need something you know is going to taste fantastic, yet isn’t too hard, and will be pleasing to most? Meet Barley Risotto with Butternut Squash. This is one of those dishes you’ll want to make over and over because it’s perfect for so many occasions. It’s easy enough to be a weeknight dinner (trust me–this isn’t like traditional risotto where you have to stir it for 45 minutes!) yet elegant enough to be a holiday side dish or an entree you serve to company.Barley Risotto Butternut Squash

It’s so delicious, though, you won’t want to save it for special occasions.This recipe can work as a side dish or a vegetarian main. See? Very versatile. If you use is as a main dish, it’ll serve 4 people. As a side, it will serve 8 people.Barley Risotto Butternut Squash

I love the way the pearl barley cooks up so creamy, yet is a much lower glycemic index grain than the Arborio rice traditionally used in risotto. Pearl barley actually has a much lower GI than any kind of rice and most grains in general. Even though pearl barley is processed to have the hull and part of the bran layer removed, so isn’t a fully in tact whole grain, it cooks so much faster than the least processed barley, so I prefer to use it. Note that barely is not gluten-free.

Barley Risotto Butternut SquashI use the same method to cook this Barley Risotto with Butternut Squash as this Brown Rice Risotto. I start cooking it on the stove, and then move it to the hot oven to finish. Very minimal stirring is required, I promise!

This Barley Risotto with Butternut Squash is one of the most low-stress risottos you’ll ever make, yet the results will impress you. It’s creamy, fresh herbs add incredible flavor, with just the right amount of parmesan cheese. The butternut squash just makes this the perfect dish to make all fall and winter long.

Would you like to know what else makes this Barley Risotto with Butternut Squash a perfect weeknight meal? All of the ingredients can be purchased through Kroger ClickList! Now your grocery shopping and your dinner making are easy, low-stress experiences. Winning.

If you missed my post telling all about how much I love Kroger ClickList, you can read about it here. It really is a grocery shopping game-changer for busy moms. Even though I like grocery shopping, my schedule doesn’t allow for the leisurely trips I once enjoyed. If I have to choose between a long trip to the grocery store or being able to cook my family dinner, I’ll choose dinner every time. Thank you, Kroger, for allowing this online shopping experience that makes my life easier!Barley Risotto Butternut Squash

 

Print

Barley Risotto with Butternut Squash

★★★★★

5 from 1 reviews

This creamy Barley Risotto with Butternut Squash requires much less stirring than traditional risotto and makes a lovely vegetarian main dish!

  • Author: Happy Healthy Mama
  • Prep Time: 15 mins
  • Cook Time: 35 mins
  • Total Time: 50 mins
  • Yield: 4-8
  • Category: Dinner

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon avocado oil or butter
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 1 medium butternut squash, peeled, seeds removed, and cut into 1 inch chunks (about 4-5 cups)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 1/4 cup pearl barley
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme leaves (or use 1 teaspoon dried thyme)
  • 5 cups chicken or vegetable stock, divided
  • 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese (plus extra shaved parmesan for serving, if desired)
  • 3 large fresh sage leaves, chopped

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
  2. Heat the oil or butter in a large Dutch oven or oven-safe stock pot over medium heat.
  3. Add the onion and butternut squash and cook until the onion is softened, about 5 minutes.
  4. Add the garlic, pearl barley, and thyme, stir well and cook for about 2 minutes.
  5. Add 4 cups of the stock and bring to a boil.
  6. Boil uncovered, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes.
  7. Stir one last time, cover, and transfer to the preheated oven.
  8. Cook in the oven for 20-25 minutes, until the liquid is mostly absorbed.
  9. Bring the pot back to the stovetop, and over medium heat add 1/2 cup stock, the parmesan cheese, and the sage leaves.
  10. Cook for about 2 minutes, then add the last 1/2 cup of stock. Cook an additional 2 minutes, then serve with extra parmesan cheese, if desired. Enjoy!

Nutrition

  • Calories: 347.5
  • Sugar: 18.2g
  • Sodium: 352.7mg
  • Fat: 10g
  • Carbohydrates: 55g
  • Protein: 13.25g

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @https://www.instagram.com/happyhealthymama/ on Instagram and hashtag it #happyhealthymama

Thank you to Kroger for sponsoring this post. All opinions are my own.

 

 

 

Pin303
Share13
Tweet
Yum11
327 Shares

Categories: Dinner Recipes

ConvertKit Form

It's YOUR time to get healthy!

And I want to help! Sign up below and I'll send you the FREE

Healthy Living Playbook!

Thank you for subscribing to the Happy Healthy Mama e-mail list! I look forward to connecting with you more! :)

There was an error submitting your subscription. Please try again.

We won't send you spam. Unsubscribe at any time. Powered by ConvertKit
Previous Post: « Leftover Turkey and Wild Rice Soup
Next Post: Chocolate Cookie Pops »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Soybeans benefits says

    November 29, 2016 at 6:29 am

    The BARLEY RISOTTO WITH BUTTERNUT SQUASH Dish is looking very delicious. It is rich in minerals and proteins. It is rich in Vitamin A and hence it improves eyesight.

    ★★★★★

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

Primary Sidebar

What are you looking for?

Welcome! I'm Maryea, author of Happy Healthy Mama. I am on a mission to create the healthiest life possible for my family. Read More…

My Latest Videos

By Category

By Date

Copyright© 2019 · Cookd Pro Theme by Shay Bocks