Baked Oatmeal Risotto
This easy and delicious, savory Baked Oatmeal Risotto is a non-conventional spin on risotto as you know it. It is a filling and hearty dish that is perfect for dinner or even brunch.
How many ways are there to cook oats?…
…is what I was thinking when I came across a recipe for Oatmeal Risotto in the Healthy Living Made Simple Magazine at Sam’s Club, one evening as I was perusing the aisles.
I thought I had eaten oats every which way possible – from overnight oats to oatmeal bowls, to oats ground up in cookies, to oatmeal cakes, oatmeal pancakes, …even delicious oatmeal ice cream! But, when I saw this Oatmeal Risotto, I was flabbergasted – and that’s putting it mildly!
I could not imagine how this would taste – I mean – seriously – risotto – with OATS?!?!
Say what????!!!!
So, I had to do the only thing imaginable – I HAD to make my spin on this oatmeal risotto!
I picked up the largest container of oats I could find at Sam’s Club where healthy living and eating is made easy. I also picked up a few other ingredients I thought I might need to make my spin on oatmeal risotto and rushed home to get dinner ready! (I also picked up some pre-packaged salads for backup – just in case this risotto didn’t turn out as planned.)
Did you know that oats are considered a
From most of the recipes round here on this blog, y’all know I try to eat pretty healthily. I eat oats because I know that they are full of fiber and have an uncanny way of reducing “bad” cholesterol. My daughter sometimes even uses oats as a face scrub!
But, according to an article in the Healthy Living Made Simple Magazine, a diet high in oats can also help improve blood pressure as well as help lower the risk of cardiovascular disease.
This same article went on to mention a study done by the University Hospital Mannheim in which Type 2 diabetes patients who were given oatmeal as part of their diet achieved a 40 percent reduction in their insulin dosage.
Oats were also given a shout-out in the treatment of headaches, depression, tension, insomnia (this must be why I sleep like a rock – literally), anxiety, and nerve pain!
And, hence, their superfood label!
Now, the original recipe for oatmeal risotto specified that the oats be cooked and placed in the fridge for at least 4 hours.
Personally, dinner is always a rush, and 4 hours I did not have. So, I changed that up too. In making my version of oatmeal risotto, I decided to go the baking route. Besides, baking involved only one skillet and one cutting board, and one measuring jar! Less time + less mess = Win! Win!
I also substituted almond oil for grapeseed oil. Though, olive oil works well too. I also used cherry tomatoes instead of regular tomatoes and added in some onion and mushrooms. I started this risotto off on the stove-top and ended it in the oven – and then I asked my daughter to taste test it, while I set up my props and photo area…and before I fully realized what was going on – she had eaten 1/3 of it!
So, I had to make another skillet of it to photograph!
My skepticism of this oatmeal risotto was totally unfounded – this recipe might sound off the wall – but, y’all cannot deny your tastebuds from savoring this level of deliciousness!
Now, please do share – what’s the most unconventional way YOU have tried oats?
Ingredients
- 1/2 onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic chopped
- 2 tablespoon almond oil or olive oil
- 7 wild cherry tomatoes – cut into quarters
- 3 white mushrooms sliced (approx 2/3 cup.
- 1 cup oats
- 2.5 cups Chicken Broth
- 4 basil leaves chopped
- salt and pepper to taste
- 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- Chili flakes optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Saute the onion and garlic in an 8-inch skillet coated with almond oil for about 5 minutes or so.
- Add the tomatoes and mushrooms and saute for about 2 minutes
- Add the oats and broth and stir well.
- Season with salt and pepper by adding a bit and tasting.
- Top with the basil and bake for 20 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and top with Parmesan immediately.
- Garnish with chili flakes (if desired).
- Serve warm.
Now I must admit, Shashi, I just can’t imagine how this would taste! But I do trust your judgment. If you say it’s good, then I believe you! I suppose oats are a bit of a ‘blank canvass’ like rice or quinoa, so why not?!
Now I never thought of oats as a blank canvas – love your analogy, Helen!
I used to use oats as a face scrub too! A very economical one. It’s true oats are a super-food. I’d never thought to use them to make a risotto! xx
Yes – oats are economical – period! Funny thing is grinding them at home to make oat flour is so cheap – but,here a packet of oat flour costs an arm and a leg – weird eh?! Thanks Charlie xx
I have visions of easily veganizing this with some nooch! And I LOVE the cherries! That’s such a great addition!
Thanks Rebecca – cannot wait to see your veganized version!
Oh come on, who comes up with such a recipe! Love it when people think differently! Looks super tasty, but probably also super filling 🙂
Haha – actually this recipe was adapted from one I found in Healthy Living Made Simple magazine at Sams Club 🙂
How do you always knock it out of the ball park?? I love risotto but HATE stirring… and love finding ways to make things in my skillet! Just pinned to try this soon 🙂
I hate stirring too – so the only risotto I ever make is the baked version! Btw – thanks so much Cassandra!
What a unique and delicious recipe! Thank you so much!!! #client
Thank you Lori! Always a pleasure!
oats in form of risotto…ah! sounds interesting
this looks super yummy and inviting 🙂
Thanks so much Shweta!
Love it and your twist including less time and less mess! Great recipe, Shashi!
Thanks so much Diane!
What a fun dish, Shashi! I’ve never heard of oatmeal risotto, but I am totally intrigued now. And I love your tomato and mushroom additions there. This looks like the ultimate comfort food (but still super healthy!) meal. Kudos to you for this one…I’ve never though about savory oatmeal, but now I can’t stop thinking about how delicious it would be! 🙂
David – I wasn’t sure about how it would be either – but when Lil Shashi ate almost 1/3 to 1/2 of the pan, I figured it must be somewhat decent – that child usually fusses about eating her oatmeal!
This is so weird. Just yesterday I was watching some old “Iron Chef” shows on Netflex and for one of them the secret ingredient was oatmeal. the one dish that really caught my attention was “oatmeal risotto”. What a strange idea, but the judges loved it. Now you have verified with both words and pictures that this is indeed a dish worth trying. Yours look downright awesome! Thanks for sharing this recipe because I will be giving it a try!
Thanks so much MJ – I haven’t watched Iron Chef in so long! I actually cannot take credit for this – this recipe was adapted from one in Healthy Living Made Simple magazine at Sams Club
This is CRAZY. But in a life changing kind of way. I know how I’ll be making my oats from now on!
Haha – thanks Joanne!
Oatmeal risotto? Wow, that’s what I call a super healthy and ingenious dish!
Thanks so much Daniela – I got the idea from Healthy Living Made Simple magazine at Sams
Wow, what a hearty and delicious looking breakfast, Shashi! Yum!
Thanks Marissa!
This is definitely a new combo for me, but I’m sure it was amazing! It looks so comforting and delicious and I love your addition of mushrooms and chili flakes!
Thanks so much Sonali – it was for me too – if I hadn’t seen it in the magazine, don’t think I would have ever thought of it…
Oatmeal risotto?! I love this, Shashi!!! Looks so savory and delicious!!!
Thanks Alice!
Wait, what? Oatmeal risotto? That’s something unheard of…
I’m beyond intrigued, I think I definitely need to try this one out!
Duude – you definitely should – it surprised me!