A creamy heap of risotto with pops of bright red pomegranate arils, speckles of green basil, and chunks of beautifully browned sausage peeking through.

Italian Sausage Risotto with Pomegranate & Basil

Name: Italian Sausage Risotto with Pomegranate & Basil
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 2
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1 pomegranate, 1 seeds separated, about 1 cup; 2 Italian sausages, 6 ounces cooked, sliced; 1 cup Arborio rice, 1 cup; 3 cups chicken broth, 3 cups; 1 white onion, 1/2 cup diced; 2 cloves garlic, 2 cloves minced; 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, 1/2 cup freshly grated; 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, 1/2 cup chopped; 2 tablespoons olive oil, 2 tablespoons; Salt, to taste; Pepper, to taste

Category Main Course

Prep 20 minutes

Cook 30 minutes

Style Italian

Technique Sautéing

Diet Friendly Gluten-Free

Daily Recipe: October 13, 2025

This dish is a lovely, warming fall comfort food, with a vibrant twist of tangy pomegranate that keeps it feeling fresh. The heartiness of traditional Italian sausage, and the fresh bite of pomegranate and basil make for a perfectly balanced, satisfying dish.

Ingredients (for 2)

1 pomegranate - 1 - seeds separated, about 1 cup
2 italian sausages - 6 ounces - cooked, sliced
1 cup arborio rice - 1 cup
3 cups chicken broth - 3 cups
1 white onion - 1/2 cup - diced
2 cloves garlic - 2 cloves - minced
1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese - 1/2 cup - freshly grated
1/2 cup fresh basil leaves - 1/2 cup - chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil - 2 tablespoons
Salt - to taste
Pepper - to taste

Preparation

Step 1 - 🍳🧅🔥

In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add 1/2 cup of diced white onion and 2 minced garlic cloves, sauté until they soften.
Step 2 - 🍚🍳🔁

Add 1 cup of Arborio rice to the skillet and cook briefly until the grains are lightly toasted.
Step 3 - 🍗💦🥄

Slowly stir in 3 cups of chicken broth into the skillet, one cup at a time. Allow each addition to absorb fully before pouring the next, and keep stirring frequently.
Step 4 - 🍗🧀🥣

Once all the broth has been absorbed and the rice is tender, remove skillet from heat. Stir in 6 ounces of cooked, sliced Italian sausages and 1/2 cup of freshly grated Parmesan cheese until they're well mixed with the rice.
Step 5 - 🧂🍚😋

Season your risotto with salt and pepper to taste.
Step 6 - 🌱🍽️🍚

Divide the risotto between plates. Sprinkle with about 1 cup of fresh pomegranate seeds and 1/2 cup of chopped basil leaves. Serve immediately to enjoy the dish at its best.

Additional

For a vegetarian version, substitute the sausage for mushrooms and use vegetable stock in place of chicken broth. Children can help by stirring the risotto regularly and sprinkling the pomegranate and basil garnish.