If you’ve taken a peek at my last few recipes, you know I’m in my cozy one-pan meal era. This time of year especially, I really love to lean into warming and comforting seasonal dishes that embody wearing an oversized cardigan, lighting a fall scented candle, and watching a 90’s rom com. This dish is that feeling for me and has quickly become a highly requested favorite in my household. I hope it offers you a nostalgic hug, too, because I think we all could use that right now.

When the cool weather hits, the leaves turn shades of red, gold, and orange, and I’ve got squash on my mind, the one recipe that comes to mind (maybe second to pumpkin bread, if I’m truly honest), is pumpkin sage risotto. This labor of love is fit for a cozy afternoon in, makes an excellent date night dinner, and still hits as leftovers. It’s the food equivalent of a cozy cable knit sweater. It’s my must make fall recipe…

Okay, I know what you’re thinking… I do not have the time to sit and make a risotto from scratch! And trust me, I feel you, risotto is definitely a labor of love. But while we’re all sitting at home in “Quarantine 2: Winter Edition” and longing for those warm, comforting meals, when is there a better time to make risotto???

This vegetarian risotto is hearty and savory thanks to the addition of mushrooms that provide a meatiness as well as rich umami (savory) flavor…. When you try this recipe, you’ll be thanking the glutamate gods because it’s truly one for the books. I’ve made this three times in the past month and every time it’s exactly what I need for dinner on a gloomy fall Pacific Northwest evening. The process, although time consuming, is fairly simple and requires just enough skill to impress your friends without making you pull your hair out. So throw on some cozy music, grab yourself a glass of wine (or kombucha), and get cooking! You won’t regret it.