Best Easy Baked Polenta Recipes

EASY OVEN-BAKED REAL POLENTA (NOT INSTANT)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 2-quart casserole dish with cooking spray.
• Pour water into the prepared dish; stir in polenta and salt.
• Bake in the preheated oven until polenta is thickened, about 40 minutes. Stir in squash, sour cream, and Cheddar cheese. Continue baking until cheese is melted, about 10 minutes more. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.

EASY CHEESE JALAPENO BAKED POLENTA (GRITS)

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Whisk cornmeal into water, cook until cornmeal comes together and is creamy 5-10 minutes.
• Meanwhile prepare peppers, and grate cheese.
• Add corn, pepper, cheese, butter, and salt. Butter a small-medium baking dish.
• Pour polenta into baking dish and bake 30-45 minutes. Turn on broiler and broil until bubbly, 2 to 3 minutes.

EASY OVEN-BAKED PUMPKIN POLENTA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F Generously coat a 3-quart baking dish with cooking spray.
• Combine water, salt and cornmeal in dish, mixing well (the mixture will separate). Bake, uncovered, 40 minutes. Remove from oven; stir in pumpkin, sour cream, pepper, nutmeg and half the cheeses. Bake 10 minutes.
• Remove from oven, top with remaining cheese, and place under the broiler for a few minutes, until top is brown and bubbly. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

EASY BAKED POLENTA

Steps:

• Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 375. Combine water, polenta, salt and pepper in 13x9 inch baking dish. Transfer dish to oven and bake, uncovered, until water is absorbed and polenta has thickened, about 60 minute.
• Remove baking dish from oven and whisk in parmesan and butter until smooth and creamy. Serve.

EASY OVEN-BAKED POLENTA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350F. Put polenta, water and salt into ovenproof 2 quart baking dish. Bake 50 minutes. Remove from oven and stir in butter. Return to oven for 10 minutes. Remove from oven and stir again. Stir in Parmesan, if using. Serve right away for soft polenta, or let sit 5 mnutes for stiffer polenta.

EASY, OVEN-BAKED POLENTA WITH BALSAMIC CREMINI MUSHROOMS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325°F.
• Place a large, oven-proof pot over medium-high heat (I used a 4 qt. All-Clad pot). Add the water, the milk, and one tablespoon of the butter. Bring this to a simmer, season with salt and pepper, and stir to melt the butter. Gradually add the cornmeal, whisking steadily to incorporate (this initial stir is key to prevent clumps from forming). Bring the mixture to a boil, immediately cover the pot with a lid, and transfer to the middle rack of the oven. Bake at 325°F until the polenta is tender and soft, about 30 minutes.
• Carefully remove the pot from the oven, stir in the second tablespoon of butter, cover again and let it stand for 5 minutes. Gradually add 4 oz. of the grated Parmesan, whisking briefly until the cheese has melted and is well incorporated. Check the consistency and the flavor, then cover and let it sit until ready to serve.
• While the polenta is in the oven, prep the ingredients for the balsamic mushrooms. First, clean the mushrooms and cut them into one-inch pieces. Make sure that the mushrooms are completely dry before cooking. Slice the shallot and cut the garlic into slivers.
• Set a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the mushrooms and "dry-sauté" them for 3 to 4 minutes, shaking the pan often, until they release most of their moisture.
• Add the olive oil and butter to the skillet and toss to combine. Next, add the shallots, the salt and pepper, and cook until the shallots start to soften. Lastly, add the garlic and the thyme and cook a few minutes more until everything is well caramelized.
• Stir the sugar into the balsamic vinegar and then drizzle the mixture over the mushrooms. Toss well to coat and let them cool slightly. Taste and adjust the seasoning.
• Divide the polenta among four bowls, top each with the balsamic mushrooms, more Parmesan cheese, and a good drizzle of your best olive oil. Garnish with some fresh parsley and serve!