Best Italian Polenta Recipes

POLENTA WITH ITALIAN SAUSAGE

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine 1 cup water and cornmeal. In a saucepan, bring salt and remaining water to a boil. Slowly stir in cornmeal mixture. Reduce heat; cook for 15 minutes, stirring frequently. , Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook the sausage and garlic over medium heat until sausage is no longer pink; drain. Cool slightly. Cut sausage into 1-in. pieces; return to skillet. Add the tomatoes, tomato paste and parsley; bring to a boil. Remove from the heat., Spread half of the cornmeal mixture in a serving dish; top with half of the sausage mixture. Repeat layers. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately.

SAUTEED POLENTA WITH SWEET ITALIAN SAUSAGE AND BROCCOLI RABE

Steps:

• On a lightly oiled baking sheet spread warm polenta about 3/4 thick and cool to room temperature. Polenta may be made 2 days ahead and chilled, covered.
• In a large non-stick skillet heat 1 tablespoon oil over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking and brown sausage. Add water and cook sausage, covered, turning occasionally, until cooked through, about 10 minutes. Remove lid and cook mixture until any remaining water is evaporated. Transfer sausage with tongs to a bowl and reserve fat remaining in skillet. Cool sausage slightly and slice diagonally.
• Cut polenta into 1 1/2-inch diamond shapes or squares. In skillet sauté polenta in 2 batches in reserved fat over moderately high heat, turning occasionally, adding additional oil to skillet if necessary, until golden on both sides. Transfer polenta as cooked with a slotted spoon to bowl with sausage and cover.
• In skillet heat remaining tablespoon oil over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking and sauté broccoli rabe with salt to taste, stirring, until just wilted. Add garlic paste and sauté, stirring, 1 minute. Stir in remaining ingredients and simmer, stirring, until tomato paste is incorporated and sauce is slightly thickened. Add sausage and polenta and cook until heated through.
• Serve polenta sprinkled with Parmesan.
• To make basic polenta:
• In a heavy saucepan bring water and salt to a boil and gradually whisk in cornmeal in a thin stream. Cook polenta over moderately low heat (it should be barely boiling), stirring constantly, until very thick and pulls away from side of pan, about 40 minutes for cornmeal and about 15 minutes for instant polenta. Remove pan from heat and cover to keep warm. Stir polenta just before using. Polenta will keep warm, covered, about 20 minutes. Makes about 3 cups.
• Note: In the traditional method of cooking polenta, forty minutes of constant stirring is required to achieve a lumpless texture and fragrant flavor. However, Italian-food expert Marcella Hazan has developed a method that involves very little stirring during this time. We believe it produces a very good polenta, one nearly as flavorful and smooth as the traditional procedure. To make satisfactory polenta in a real hurry, an imported instant polenta (precooked cornmeal) is available. This cooks in a mere fifteen minutes.

ITALIAN POLENTA CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 1 1/2-quart casserole dish.
• Combine cherry tomatoes, basil, garlic, red wine, and 1/8 teaspoon salt for marinara in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse a few times to puree. Set aside.
• Bring water and 1/2 teaspoon salt to a boil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Whisk in polenta slowly, whisking constantly to ensure there are no lumps. Bring back to a boil; reduce heat to low and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in Pecorino Romano cheese and butter.
• Pour half of the polenta into the prepared casserole dish. Top with half of the sliced zucchini, overlapping slices slightly. Top zucchini with half of the marinara sauce, then sprinkle with half of the Italian-style cheese. Repeat layers one more time. Cover.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Uncover and continue to bake until cheese on top is slightly brown, about 10 minutes more. Remove from the oven and let stand for 5 minutes before serving.

ITALIAN SAUSAGE WITH PEPPERS AND ONIONS OVER POLENTA

Steps:

• In a large skillet, warm 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the sausages and brown well. Remove and set aside. Reduce heat to medium and stir in the peppers and onions. Sauté, stirring often, until very tender and lightly browned, about 8 minutes. Return the sausage to the pan and stir in the remaining olive oil and the oregano. Reduce heat to very low, cover and set aside while you make the polenta. To make the polenta, bring water to a boil in a teakettle. Turn off heat. Bring broth to boil in a large, heavy saucepan. Reduce heat to low. Stir in the salt and olive oil. Add the polenta very, very gradually, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon. Take your time. Once all the polenta is added let it cook over very low heat for about 5 minutes, stirring constantly. If the polenta becomes to thick to stir, pour in some hot water and blend it in. The polenta is done when it is smooth, shiny and tender. Turn off the heat and stir in the butter and Parmesan. Divide polenta among 4 bowls. Spoon sausage, peppers and onions over the polenta and serve. Pass extra Parmesan for sprinkling.

CRISP ITALIAN CHICKEN & POLENTA

Steps:

• Heat oven to 220C/fan 200C/gas 7. Using your fingers, roughly break up the polenta into small chunks and scatter in the bottom of a small roasting tin. Tip in the parmesan and mix. Sit the chicken breasts, cherry tomatoes, rosemary and garlic on top of the polenta, drizzle with olive oil, then season to taste.
• Roast for 25 mins until the chicken skin is crisp and golden, and the polenta and cheese are turning crusty around the edges. Serve with a green salad.

ITALIAN SAUSAGE WITH POLENTA

Steps:

• In a large nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray, cook sausage and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in broccoli. Reduce heat; cover and cook for 5-7 minutes or until broccoli is tender. , Stir in the tomatoes, pesto, pepper flakes and pepper; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes. , Meanwhile, for polenta, bring broth to a boil in a small heavy saucepan. Reduce heat to a gentle boil; slowly whisk in cornmeal. Continue stirring for 10-12 minutes or until polenta is thickened and has a smooth texture. Serve with sausage mixture. Garnish with cheese if desired.

ITALIAN CAESAR SALAD WITH POLENTA CROUTONS

Steps:

• To make the dressing: Finely chop the garlic and anchovies in a food processor. Blend in the lemon juice and mustard. With the machine running, gradually blend in the oil. Season the dressing, to taste, with salt and pepper.
• To make the croutons: Spread the olive oil over a small baking sheet. Transfer the hot polenta to the baking sheet, spreading evenly to form an 8 by 5 by 3/4-inch-thick rectangle. Cover and refrigerate until cold and firm, about 2 hours.
• Cut the polenta into 3/4-inch cubes. Pat the polenta cubes dry with paper towels. Add enough vegetable oil to a heavy large frying pan to come 1-inch up the sides of the pan. Heat the oil over high heat. Working in batches of 10, carefully add the polenta cubes to the oil 1 at a time and fry until golden brown, stirring to keep the cubes separate, about 2 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the polenta croutons to a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil.
• (The dressing and polenta croutons can be prepared 1 day ahead up to this point. Cover the dressing and polenta croutons separately and refrigerate. Rewarm the polenta croutons on a baking sheet in a 350 degrees F oven before serving.)
• To make the salad: Prepare the barbecue for high heat. Grill the lettuce until lightly charred, about 2 minutes per side. Cut the lettuce into bite-size pieces.
• On a serving platter, mound the grilled chopped lettuce. Decoratively scatter the sun-dried tomatoes and pine nuts. Drizzle with enough dressing to evenly coat. Sprinkle Parmesan and scatter the warm polenta croutons over and serve immediately.
• Bring 3 cups of water to a boil in a heavy large saucepan. Add salt. Gradually whisk in the cornmeal. Reduce the heat to low and cook until the mixture thickens and the cornmeal is tender, stirring often, about 12 to 15 minutes. Turn off the heat. Add the butter, and stir until melted.
• Lightly oil a half sheet pan. Transfer the hot polenta to the prepared baking dish, spreading evenly to 3/4-inch thick. Refrigerate until cold and firm, about 2 hours.

ITALIAN SUMMER SQUASH POLENTA BAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Saute carrots, zucchini, squash, onion and bell pepper in a large saucepan with a small amount of olive oil. Season with garlic salt and pepper. Saute vegetables for approximately 5 minutes and pour in spaghetti sauce. Stir, cover and simmer until vegetables are slightly tender.
• Slice polenta into 1/2 inch circles and season with garlic salt and pepper. Heat enough oil in a medium skillet so as to completely cover the entire bottom of the pan. Pan fry seasoned polenta in hot oil, about 3 minutes per side. Remove from oil and layer the slices in a large casserole dish. Spoon the vegetable mixture over the polenta and then sprinkle with Mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
• Bake casserole for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes before serving.

INSTANT POT® ITALIAN SAUSAGE AND POLENTA

Steps:

• Combine chicken broth, polenta, and half-and-half in a medium-sized heat-resistant glass bowl, such as Pyrex®. Set aside.
• Turn on a multi-functional pressure cooker (such as Instant Pot®) and select Saute function. Pour in grapeseed oil and allow to get hot. Add sausages and cook until brown, about 2 minutes per side. Pour in marinara sauce, onion, and bell pepper; mix to combine. Place a trivet into the pot and set the bowl of polenta on top of the trivet. Close and lock the lid.
• Select high pressure according to manufacturer's instructions; set timer for 10 minutes. Allow 10 to 15 minutes for pressure to build.
• Release pressure carefully using the quick-release method according to manufacturer's instructions, about 5 minutes. Unlock and remove the lid. Whisk butter, garlic salt, red pepper, and Parmesan cheese into the polenta. Serve immediately.

ITALIAN BARBECUED CHICKEN WITH POLENTA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
• Season the chicken liberally with salt and pepper, poultry seasoning, and grill seasoning. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a medium skillet and brown the chicken a few minutes on each side to put some of it's flavor and drippings into the pan then transfer to oven and roast 15 minutes more or until juices run clear. Meanwhile, add 1 more tablespoon olive oil to the pan and cook pancetta or bacon, if using, until crisp. Add onions, garlic and rosemary, cook 5 minutes then add the vinegar, sugar, Worcestershire, tomato sauce and 1/2 cup chicken stock, reduce heat to low and let sauce simmer 5 minutes more.
• Bring remaining 1 1/2 cups stock and milk to a boil, whisk in polenta and season with salt and pepper. Whisk polenta 2 to 3 minutes until it thickens, stir in butter and cheese, remove from heat.
• Remove chicken from oven and turn in barbecue sauce. Fill shallow bowls with polenta Top with chicken, spoon extra sauce over chicken and garnish with some torn basil leaves.

ITALIAN POLENTA CASSEROLE

Steps:

• In 5- to 6-quart Dutch oven, cook sausage and ground beef on medium-high 5 to 6 minutes or until browned, stirring and breaking up meat with side of spoon. With slotted spoon, transfer meat mixture to medium bowl.
• To same Dutch oven, add onion; cook on medium 8 to 10 minutes or until tender. Stir in garlic; cook 30 seconds. Add tomatoes with their puree; heat to boiling on high, breaking up tomatoes with side of spoon. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, uncovered, 10 minutes. Add eggplant and meat; cover and cook 5 minutes on medium. Uncover and cook 10 minutes longer or until eggplant is tender, stirring occasionally.
• Meanwhile, preheat oven to 400 degrees F. In microwave-safe 4-quart bowl, with wire whisk, combine water, broth, cornmeal, and salt. Microwave on High 15 to 20 minutes or until cornmeal mixture is very thick. After first 5 minutes of cooking, whisk vigorously until smooth (mixture will be lumpy at first); whisk 2 more times during remaining cooking time. Remove from microwave, whisk in Romano.
• Spoon 2 cups hot polenta into each of two 1 1/2-quart shallow casseroles. Spread polenta over bottom and up sides of casseroles. Spoon filling over polenta. Spread remaining polenta around casserole edge to form a rim. Sprinkle with a couple tablespoons additional grated Romano, Parmesan, or Asiago.
• Bake one casserole 30 minutes or until hot. Let stand 10 minutes for easier serving. (Freeze the other one for later.).
• Makes 8 servings (in 2 casserole dishes).
• Note: if you want to lower the fat content, use turkey Italian sausage. Make sure to use quality sausage - I've used my favorite, our freshly made Merguez, and good sausage really makes a difference.

ITALIAN BEEF AND POLENTA CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375°F. Spray 11x7-inch (2-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray.
• Cut zucchini in half lengthwise; cut diagonally crosswise into 1/4-inch slices. Set aside. Cut polenta crosswise into 8 slices; coat both sides of each slice with cooking spray.
• Heat 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add polenta slices; cook 6 minutes, turning once, until lightly browned. Arrange polenta slices in baking dish.
• In same skillet, cook beef over medium-high heat 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thoroughly cooked. Drain, if necessary. Set beef aside. Add zucchini to skillet; cook 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender. Add beef, pasta sauce and pepper; cook 1 to 2 minutes until thoroughly heated. Spoon beef mixture over polenta; sprinkle with cheese.
• Bake uncovered 18 to 20 minutes or until bubbly and cheese is melted.

ITALIAN PORK CHILI WITH POLENTA

Steps:

• Roast the bell pepper over a gas flame, turning with tongs, or broil until the skin is blackened. Transfer to a bowl, cover and let cool. Peel, seed and chop the pepper. Heat the EVOO in a Dutch oven or other heavy pot over medium-high heat. Add the sausage and pancetta and cook until well browned. Add the ground pork, thyme, fennel seeds, garlic, chile peppers, onions, oregano and roasted red peppers and cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute. Deglaze with the wine, stirring and scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon. Add 2 to 3 cups chicken stock and simmer for a few minutes to allow the flavors to combine. Bring 2 cups chicken stock and the milk to a low boil in a saucepan. Whisk in the polenta and cook, whisking, until thick but pourable, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the heat. Add the butter and then the cheese, stirring until melted. Season with salt and pepper. Ladle the polenta into shallow bowls and hollow out the center. Fill with the chili and top with more cheese. Garnish with parsley. Cook's Note: The chili can be covered and refrigerated for a make-ahead meal. Reheat over medium heat, and prepare the polenta before serving.

POLENTA WITH ITALIAN SAUSAGE AND VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Squeeze sausage out of casings into skillet, and saute over medium heat. Break sausage up into small pieces and cook until no longer pink.
• Remove sausage from skillet and discard drippings except 1 tablespoons.
• Saute onion and garlic in reserved sausage drippings until onion is soft. Add mushrooms and zucchini, stir frequently until all liquid evaporates. Stir in tomatoes, herbs, and red pepper flakes. Return sausage to skillet and simmer for 5 minutes.
• Spread an even scant amount of sauce (about 2/3 cup) on bottom of an 11x7 inch baking pan. Add a single layer of sliced polenta rounds. Layer with 2 cups of sausage sauce and 3/4 cup of Provolone.
• Finish with an additional layer of polenta rounds, all the sausage sauce, and all the Provolone. Sprinkle Parmesan on top.
• Bake uncovered at 350F for 30 minutes or until bubbly. Let cool 5-10 minutes before serving.

ITALIAN SAUSAGE & POLENTA

Steps:

• For ragout: Heat olive oil add mushrooms, cook for a couple of minutes add shallots and garlic, saute over medium heat for about 5 minutes, until lightly carmelizing add turkey sausage in small pieece Cook well on medium to high heat until sausage cooked and veg and sausage starting to carmelize Add herbs, stir in quickly Deglaze with wine Add tomato paste,stir in well and cook through for a few minutes Add chicken stock, bring heat up to high simmer, cover and reduce heat. Cook on low simmer for about 15 minutes. Polenta: While sauce is cooking, heat olive oil in large (4qt) saucepan Add finely minced garlic, saute until lightly browned Add two cups of stock, bring to high simmer Add polenta, 1/2 cup at a time, stirring well so that no lumps form Add more chicken stock as you add polenta Cook over low/medium heat for about 15 minutes, stirring every few minutes Add parmesan about 1/4 cup at a time, stirring until well incorporated Cook for about another 10 minutes Add 1/2 and 1/2, stir in well Continue to cook for another few minutes. Consistency should be thick and creamy. Ladle 3/4 cup polenta into shallow bowl, and spoon ragout over polenta.

LAYERED POLENTA LOAF WITH ITALIAN SAUSAGE & CHEESE

Steps:

• In a saucepan of medium-high heat, sauté fresh sausage with 2 tablespoons olive oil and clove of garlic. Cook until brown. Discard garlic clove.
• Pulse sausage, mortadella and pancetta, separately. Combine and set aside.
• Steam spinach, just until wilted. Drain well and chop roughly.
• Have loaf pan greased and ingredients prepared, as polenta will start to harden quickly.
• Bring 4 1/2 cups of water to a rapid boil. Salt to taste. Add polenta to water by whisking in slowly. Stir in 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan and 1/4 stick of butter. Cook until mixture has thickened about 1 minute.
• Layer in loaf pan: 1/3 polenta mixture, sprinkle with 1 cup mozzarella, meat mixture, then top with spinach. Top with another 1/3 of polenta mixture, then remaining mozzarella. Cover with the rest of the polenta and chill for 1-2 hours or until set.
• To serve: preheat oven to 375Ëš. Flip loaf pan to remove terrine, then slice. On a shallow, non-stick baking sheet, arrange slices and drizzle with olive oil. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until warmed and cheese melted.
• Serve with a salad of torn burrata and cherry tomatoes in olive oil.

ITALIAN SAUSAGE POT PIE WITH POLENTA CRUST

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375°F. Spray 2 1/2-quart casserole with cooking spray.
• In 12-inch nonstick skillet, cook sausage over medium heat about 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned; drain. Add zucchini, beans, tomatoes, basil, rosemary and 3/4 cup of the cheese; stir gently. Spoon into casserole.
• In medium bowl, beat eggs slightly with fork. Crumble polenta into eggs; mix well. Spoon polenta mixture evenly over sausage mixture; spread evenly.
• Bake uncovered about 25 minutes or until sausage mixture begins to bubble around edges and polenta is firm to the touch.
• Sprinkle remaining 1/4 cup cheese over top; bake about 10 minutes longer or until cheese is melted. Cool 10 minutes before serving.

SHRIMP & POLENTA ITALIAN BOWL #RAGU

Steps:

• Cut bacon into ¼ inch cubes add to a deep medium non-stick pan sauté on medium high heat until bacon is crispy. Remove bacon place on paper towel to drain excess fat.
• Discard bacon fat from pan reserving 1 tablespoon add shrimp and cilantro to bacon fat and sauté on medium high until shrimp turn pink remove shrimp and set aside to the same pan add Raju sauce stir to pick up the flavors of bacon fat and cilantro reduce heat to medium cover and let it warm up.
• While sauce is warming up in a medium pan over high heat, bring water and salt to a boil, and gradually stir in polenta. Reduce heat and simmer gently, stirring frequently to prevent sticking until mixture thicken and is creamy add butter and cheese mix until well incorporated.
• To serve add ½ cup sauce to 5 bowls top each with equal amount of polenta, 3 shrimp each and sprinkle with equal amount of cooked bacon you may garnish with additional cilantro serve immediately.

POLENTA WITH ITALIAN SAUSAGE

Steps:

• Combine water, cornmeal and salt in a double boiler or heavy saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly.
• Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 1-1/2 hours, stirring occasionally.
• Meanwhile, brown sausage and garlic in a large skillet; drain. Cool slightly. Cut sausage into 1-in. pieces; return to skillet.
• Add tomatoes, tomato paste and parsley; bring to a boil. Remove from the heat.
• Spread half of the cornmeal mixture in a serving dish; top with half of the sausage mixture. Repeat layers.
• Sprinkle with cheese. Serve immediately.

ITALIAN SAUSAGES WITH BROCCOLI RABE AND POLENTA

Steps:

• Heat 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil in heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add sausages. Cover skillet and cook until sausages are brown and cooked through, about 8 minutes per side. Transfer sausages to plate; tent with foil to keep warm. Add garlic to drippings in same skillet and stir 30 seconds. Add broccoli rabe and 1/2 cup broth. Cover skillet and cook until broccoli rabe is crisp-tender, about 8 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat 2 tablespoons oil in heavy large saucepan over medium heat. Add polenta; mash with potato masher until smooth. Mix in remaining 1/2 cup broth and cheese. Simmer until polenta is warmed through, about 5 minutes. Season polenta with salt and pepper.
• Spoon polenta onto 2 plates. Top with sausages and broccoli rabe.