Tonight I had a mini victory in the kitchen.
I made a completely vegetarian dinner and Ryan didn’t even bat an eye at the lack of meat in the dish.
Ryan is actually pretty great about eating vegetarian dishes, but he’ll sometimes say something like, “I bet this would be amazing with chicken in it.”
Yeah, yeah.
You will eat your beans and you will like them! 
Well, tonight Ryan didn’t even mention the fact that no meat was found anywhere near our dinner. In fact, he said it was really great and “the perfect winter meal” because it was so warm and comforting.
Butternut Squash Wheatberry Mock Risotto
- Serves: Two as an entrée, four as a side dish
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 large onion, chopped
- 1/4 teaspoon thyme
- 1 cup wheatberries
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 2 heaping cups butternut squash, peeled, seeded and cut into cubes
- 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese
- 3 cups fresh spinach
Directions:
- Heat oil in a medium size pot over medium heat. Add onions and thyme and cook until onions are slightly soft, about five minutes. Add wheatberries and allow to cook, stirring constantly, for approximately two minutes.
- Turn the heat to medium-high. Add broth and butternut squash. Stir constantly and allow to simmer until broth is nearly completely dissolved and butternut squash breaks down and becomes creamy (somewhat like mashed potatoes), approximately 25 – 30 minutes.
- Stir in Parmesan cheese.
- Add spinach and stir until leaves are somewhat wilted.
- Divide up mock risotto and enjoy!
Something about this dish reminded me so much of creamy risotto, but with a chewier texture that I really enjoyed thanks to the wheatberries.
This was definitely one of my favorite meals I’ve made in a while. I also think it would be a great side dish on Thanksgiving. The butternut squash in the dish simply screams fall!
And now I wish we had leftovers.
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Your victory in the kitchen looks marvelous! I have some huge butternut squashes that I’m trying to figure out what to do with. I have to try this (partly because the name makes me laugh). 🙂 I just might be able to pull this one off on my husband too (the whole no meat thing)! 🙂
A man not missing meat? You had quite the accomplishment, lady!:)
HAHAHA you are so right..in my house, my dad will always say..”wow this dish is great, but some sausage or beef in it would be great.” Whenever I make a vegetarian dish and he doesn’t say anything..I consider it a win as well 🙂
This looks very tasty by the way! YUMMMO.
Will be having this this weekend! Need a recipe for butternut squash… Found it! Thanks, Julie. 🙂
Omg that looks amazing!! I love risottos and those pictures just scream yumminess and comfort.
This look SO good! I’ve been in love with butternut squash as of late, so this might just have to be on the menu for one of next week’s dinners! Where can I find wheatberries? I’ve never used them before and wouldn’t even know where to look.
i get that comment all the time!! its like oooohhhhkkk why don’t you make it with chicken and we’ll see?!
This sounds fabulous! 🙂 I’ve never tried wheatberries!
I’d love to make this but I am unfamiliar with wheatberries. Are they commonly found at the grocery?
i think i got them at whole foods a while ago!
I am definitely making this!! It looks fantastic 🙂 I did have to google the Wheatberry and now that I know what it is, it is on the shopping list.
I even printed it out with a picture for my recipe binder (with many other Julie recipes). Can’t wait to make it.
Do you think some other substitutes like sweet potato or pumpkin puree would work instead of the butternut squash?
i think so! definitely worth a try!
I love the butternut squash and spinach flavor combination in this! I’ve made butternut squash risotto before, which is delicious, but too time-consuming for most week nights. I’m going to keep wheatberries in mind for next time. Thanks for the suggestion! 🙂
Yeah, risotto is one of those rich dishes where you really don’t miss the meat. I made a version last night with wild rice, red wine and caramelized onions. Risotto rules! I’ll have to try it with wheatberries–sounds great!
I’ve never had butternut squash, but every time i go to the farm stand I hear it calling my name. I might have to buy one now that I have this yummy recipe to try.
Would you believe that I’ve never had wheatberries before? Now I think I must!
Yum! I hate when I make some delicious meatless meal and my boyfriend says “this is good. but you know what would make it better? meat”. 😛
oh my gosh this looks so good! i am definitely making this soon.
What is a wheatberry? And why use it over arborio rice? Just wondering. I have made regular risotto and butternut squash does well in them all. YUM!
The Kidless Kronicles
they’re high in fiber and are a great source of folic acid and protein, too.
Yum! Next time you’ll know to double the recipe!
I’ve never been able to find wheatberries. Do you get them at a health food store?
looks amazing!!
Nice work. Butternut squash may be perhaps the best of all squashes. However, its the most work to use, but soo worth all the work. Looks like a very solid dish. Kudos.
Oh wow–that looks simply DEEEElish! Yumm Y. I totally want to make this–and I even have butternut squash. Score!
HA! I started cracking up cause my hubby says the same thing: “That would have been AWESOME with chicken in it.” lol Men……
That does sound and look like the perfect fall meal!! 🙂
mmmm. This is so what I need tonight. I love the loads of spinach! Good think i have a huge bag just begging to be used!
Do you think this would taste good with quinoa? I really want to try this recipe, my boyfriend loves meat and pasta but wants to try and eat more healthfully. This looks like something we could both eat 🙂
i think it would be GREAT with quinoa. i want to try it with barley and brown rice, too.
Looks delicious! John always asks where the meat is. Then I laugh and say TWSS.
You have had a lot of victories in the kitchen lately! Your shrimp, this … I love it! Keep cookin’ away lady 🙂
that looks SO good julie! what a great idea to use wheatberres- i absolutely LOVE their chewiness! i also love that you added spinach to it. yummy!
Yay, another fun way to use butternut squash. I’m on a serious orange foods kind of a kick right now, and can’t get enough of the squash. Thanks for this tasty looking spin on risotta. I haven’t eaten wheatberries much lately, so this will be a good excuse to get back into them again.
whoaaa this really looks soooo good!!! I love butternut squash, and I’m quite inspired to eat a boat load of it from here on out. See you next year when I’m turned orange 😛 And I think it’s suuuch a blessing when a husband or bf is able to appreciate even the least tasty dishes 🙂
There is so much deliciousness involved here, I can barely wrap my mind around it!!! I cannot wait to try this. I’ll never know for myself if boys won’t be satisfied with the lack of meat, because I have a feeling I won’t be sharing 😉
Yum! Seriously, so many of my favorite things are incorporated into this dish- I’m drooling just thinking about it. Thank you for sharing the recipe! I can’t wait to try it. (:
Hahaha my boyfriend said that exact quote about adding meat to a veggie dish tonight when were out to eat! Must be a guy thing
I’ve been loving butternut squash lately. This looks great! I love when my fiance doesn’t complain about meat-free meals. Lately, a lot of our meals have been meat free and he seems to love it. 🙂
Three posts in a row with no Sadie pictures? I’m so sad. 🙁
awww! hopefuly today! 🙂
Yay for another great meal for me to try! I am currently eating your squash casserole! Yummm!
Yummy! That dish makes me want to be vegetarian haha. I do enjoy the meat products, but sometimes it’s refreshing to step away from them! Victory 🙂
This sounds wonderful, and great for a dinner inside a warm kitchen and away from the recent chilly DC air. I don’t think I’ve ever had a wheatberry!
That looks so good! Making that one for sure!
I’m such a sucker for wheatberries. They’re SO deliciously chewy.
Boys and their love for meat 😉
Maybe this will convince my dad that a steak isn’t necessary EVERY night!
Wow! That looks so yummy. I think I know what I’m making for dinner over the weekend!
ohh can’t wait to make this!! it sounds so easy and delicious. thanks for sharing 🙂
I’m such a fan of bns- this looks great! Next time try stirring in some goat cheese! I made a pumpkin & goat cheese risotto last week and oh boy was it fab!
yumm! this looks super easy and I love butternut squash. Thanks for the recipe!
Wow this looks awesome and wheatberry is SO good for you. I’ll definitely have to try this. And my husband does the same thing but I still truck along and make the occasional meatless dish anyway 😛 If he wants meat, he can cook it!
This looks delicious! I’ve had a bag of wheatberries in my cupboard foreverrrr and never felt inspired to do anything with them – think this may be the ticket!!
Funny every once in awhile I get the same comment from my husband ” This would be soo good with (insert meat here)” haha. I just tell him to cook 😉 Kidding, kinda… I try to cook no more than one vegetarian meal a week for him, boys need their meat I guess 🙂