What is Polenta?
Polenta is a type of grain that has been a staple in Italian cooking for centuries. It has the appearance of coarsely ground cornmeal but features a creamy texture once it is ready to eat. Many people think polenta is the same as grits. While that is not true, polenta does have a mild flavor that can complement various flavors or seasonings. Additionally, you can use milk or broth instead of water to give it a creamier texture.
This quintessential side dish is an excellent alternative to pasta, potatoes, or rice. It is versatile enough to be cooked on a pan, baked in an oven, or even grilled. Today, we are sharing our favorite polenta recipes. Continue reading to learn how to make both creamy and baked versions of this Italian dish.
Creamy Polenta Recipes
1. Easy, Creamy, Polenta
Virtually anyone can make this basic polenta; it is a cinch. All you need is chicken broth, dry polenta, salt, pepper, and Parmigiano Reggiano cheese to make this recipe. You also add butter at the end to finish off this creamy masterpiece. Begin by boiling the broth and pour in the polenta. Keep stirring with a wooden spoon until the mixture has no lumps.
As you let it simmer and thicken, it should reach a consistency similar to porridge. To check for doneness, stick your wooden spoon in the polenta. If the spoon sticks up straight without you touching it, your polenta is ready to serve. This recipe would taste great alongside pork chops, steak, meatloaf, or even a ragu entree. No matter what’s for dinner, you can’t go wrong by serving this version of creamy polenta.
Get the full recipe and directions here.
2. Italian Polenta Bolognese
Look no further for a homey and rich polenta recipe. You’d be hard-pressed not to consider making a big batch of this for your next family gathering. The only downside to cooking polenta bolognese is you must have plenty of time on your hands.
It takes two hours for the bolognese component to thicken as it simmers on the stove. That’s a long time to wait for something to cook but rest assured that the time you will spend preparing this recipe will not be in vain. Trust us when we say that the aroma and overall flavor of this dish will never let you down.
Get the full recipe and directions here.
3. Polenta with Mushrooms and Caramelized Onions
This earthy polenta dish is the same as the first one, with the addition of roasted mushrooms and caramelized onions on top. If you want to make this dish vegetarian-friendly, just use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth when cooking the polenta. For the vegetable topping, prepare two cups of sliced onions and two cups of portabella mushrooms.
Mix these components with olive oil, salt, and a splash of water. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and prepare a large sheet pan with some parchment paper. Spread the onions and mushrooms in a single layer, then let it bake for about half an hour.
Check your onions and mushrooms every 10 minutes and rotate or flip the vegetables if necessary to prevent them from burning. This polenta provides textural contrast and is a great go-to recipe when you’re not sure what side dish to make.
Get the full recipe and directions here.
Baked Polenta Recipes
4. Garlic Parmesan Polenta Fries
You have to try these polenta fries; they are out of this world! Whip up a batch of polenta as usual, and spread it evenly onto a greased baking sheet. Once it has cooled off a bit, cut the polenta into fry-shaped sticks. Preheat an oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and bake the fries for 30 minutes, flipping them once halfway through the cooking time.
Even though this recipe takes more effort, we promise that the end result will always be worth the wait. These polenta fries are the perfect appetizer or side dish for a wide variety of entrees, including burgers, chicken wraps, and steak.
Get the full recipe and directions here.
5. Grilled Polenta
Kick off your summer season with grilled polenta alongside your favorite grilled meats. The recipe follows the same pattern as the polenta fries, but instead of cutting them into sticks, cut them into triangles. Remember to spray the polenta triangles with oil and grill each side for about two minutes.
You are more than welcome to toss them in paprika or Italian herbs to add flavor to this side dish right before serving. Even if you don’t own a grill, you can use a grill pan to make these bad boys. If you thought regular polenta was good, grilled polenta tastes even better!
Get the full recipe and directions here.
6. Grilled Polenta with Tomato & Burrata Bites
Burrata is the same as fresh mozzarella, so this recipe is essentially a grilled caprese polenta. Begin by roasting cherry tomatoes at 450 degrees until they soften up. Cook the polenta the same as before and spread it evenly onto a greased baking sheet. You will be using the same method as the previous recipe but cut it into squares instead of triangles this time around.
Top your grilled polenta with a spoonful of mozzarella, roasted tomatoes, and fresh basil, then dig in. These appetizers are so addicting that they’ll be gone before you know it.
Get the full recipe and directions here.
7. Polenta Veggie Cakes
Lastly, for a recipe that incorporates a lot of vegetables, you should try these polenta veggie cakes. This version of baked polenta calls for eggplant and tomatoes, but you can add pretty much any kind of vegetable you like, including bell peppers, mushrooms, onions, or zucchini.
Sauté your raw vegetables and gently stir them into a cooked batch of polenta. Spread your warm polenta mixture onto a greased baking sheet and allow it to cool before cutting it into rectangles. Next, line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and transfer the polenta cakes, leaving space in between each of them, so they don’t meld together. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and parmesan on top of the polenta cakes and bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit until the cheese has melted. This savory, cheesy polenta is sure to wow your tastebuds.
Get the full recipe and directions here.
We hope you enjoy trying some of these polenta recipes with your friends and family. There are so many ways to enhance a basic polenta; the possibilities are endless. Baked polenta is also great for people that require a gluten-free diet. Once you find how easy it is, polenta will become a staple in your household. Before you go, don’t forget to tell us about your favorite polenta recipe in the comments section.
If you like this post, we think you’ll really like our Easy Creamy Polenta recipe post.
