10 Recipes with Polenta That Are Comforting and Delicious - Gourmandelle (2024)

10 Recipes with Polenta That Are Comforting and Delicious - Gourmandelle (1)

For those times when you need a comforting and delicious meal, I’ll show you how to use polenta to cook a delicious dinner! Here are 10 recipes with polenta that you are going to love! >>>

We’ve all been through this – it’s late, you feel hungry for dinner, yet have no intention of spending too much money or effort on a meal. This is where polenta comes to the rescue! This time-honored meal has been served on the plates of Eastern European farmers for centuries, as it is basically just boiled cornmeal. Now, you can make it yourself at home and serve it simple or with added ingredients.

Polenta can also be served as a hot, comforting porridge, or it can be left to harden, after which it can be fried, grilled and cooked in a variety of different ways. The point is, you can easily make a comforting meal out of your polenta.

I’ve made a list of 10 recipes with polenta that are vegan and that you can try out at home, made by some of my favorite food bloggers, but you can also find one of my own recipes! All of the recipes in the list below are vegan, delicious and super easy to make! Make sure to try them out and tell me which one you liked the most!

Recipes With Polenta

Creamy Polenta with Balsamic Roasted Vegetables & Garlic Chickpeas

This is a good dinner idea if you want to add some protein to your polenta. The creamy cornmeal goes amazing with some roasted vegetables of your choice. The chickpeas add some crunchiness to this otherwise soft dish. Don’t forget the balsamic vinegar! Oh, and if you have some leftovers, this could also be on your list of polenta recipes for breakfast!

10 Recipes with Polenta That Are Comforting and Delicious - Gourmandelle (2)

Creamy Polenta with tofu

Are you searching for some polenta recipes for dinner? This comforting polenta recipe has an extra twist. The creamy polenta is made with coconut milk and will compliment my special tofu-pepper sautee that I like to add. You’ll see for yourself how much flavor a few simple ingredients can add to your cornmeal mush. Enjoy your creamy polenta by itself or as a side dish!

10 Recipes with Polenta That Are Comforting and Delicious - Gourmandelle (3)

Polenta Cakes with Chili-Garlic Sauce

Here’s one of my favorite homemade polenta recipes of all times! This recipe gives an idea about how to make hardened polenta delicious. Simply add these extra ingredients in the mix while you stir the cornmeal, and you’ll end up with a totally different dish. Serve with chili-garlic sauce, store bought or homemade.

10 Recipes with Polenta That Are Comforting and Delicious - Gourmandelle (4)

Polenta Lasagna with Portabellas and Kale

This recipe is what people mean when they say ”the best of two worlds”. You probably never wondered how polenta and lasagna could mix, but the truth is you can pretty much add polenta to any recipe that involves pasta dough or other grains. This recipe is more complex and requires some time to make. The taste is totally worth it for sure!

10 Recipes with Polenta That Are Comforting and Delicious - Gourmandelle (5)

Vegan Creamy Polenta and Red Wine Mushrooms

Now we’re talking comfort! We all know that polenta recipes with mushrooms are the best, right? You should treat yourself with a red wine-infused dish every once in a while, and this vegan polenta with mushrooms is the perfect way to do it! This is also a great meal to have on your table during a celebration and I assure you that you won’t get enough from this amazing creamy delight!

10 Recipes with Polenta That Are Comforting and Delicious - Gourmandelle (6)

Polenta Veggie Burgers with Pesto & Veggies

Polenta burgers might seem a bit unorthodox, to say the least. You’ve heard of other things that replace the meat in a veggie burger, but polenta probably wasn’t on your immediate line of thought. Let me assure you that these burgers aren’t to be messed with! The pesto sauce does most of the work, but the veggies and polenta offer an amazingly soft texture that your friends will want to try! It’s simply genius!

10 Recipes with Polenta That Are Comforting and Delicious - Gourmandelle (7)

Vegan Polenta Pizza Bites

If you have any leftover polenta, here’s a cute idea of what to make for a snack. Shape it in little circles and try making these delicious pizza bites. You can use whatever topping you desire, and they’ll make for a nutritious and delicious snack at work or at home! Your kids are also going to love these!

10 Recipes with Polenta That Are Comforting and Delicious - Gourmandelle (8)

Vegan Polenta Wedges with Sriracha

Of course you can make wedges with polenta! This is a cool idea if you’re vegan and are sick of having potatoes as your side dish all the time. This is a quick recipe that will boost any meal you serve it along. Top them with Sriracha, because as we all know Sriracha is the best and it goes on anything, period.

10 Recipes with Polenta That Are Comforting and Delicious - Gourmandelle (9)

Vegan Buffalo Polenta Fries

Since I’m making a list of the best polenta recipes ever, here’s another idea for spicy polenta fries, only this time you’ll be using Franks Red Hot Sauce. You’re in for a tasty treat with these fries, not to mention that your spending will be minimal.

10 Recipes with Polenta That Are Comforting and Delicious - Gourmandelle (10)

Three Bean Chili Polenta Pot Pie

We’re back to more traditional cornmeal recipes. This one is also spicy, which makes it perfect for all the spicy lovers out there, including myself! It’s one of the most delicious meatless pot pie recipes I’ve personally tasted. It’s extremely filling and you will definitely come back for more! Make this one for a hearty weekend lunch at home and you won’t regret it!

10 Recipes with Polenta That Are Comforting and Delicious - Gourmandelle (11)

10 Recipes with Polenta That Are Comforting and Delicious - Gourmandelle (2024)

FAQs

What is traditionally served with polenta? ›

Polenta can be served with various toppings, like tomato meat sauce or a “white” sauce of sausage and mushrooms. In Abruzzo, especially in the province of Aquila during Lent, polenta is served with snail sauce or cooked in milk and served seasoned with oil, garlic and chili peppers.

How do you make polenta taste better? ›

Cooking it in milk will produce a rich and creamy polenta that's delicious and indulgent, but also heavy; stock (vegetable or chicken) will infuse the polenta with more flavor, but that flavor can also cover up the taste of the cornmeal.

How to use up polenta? ›

Polenta recipes
  1. Cheesy polenta with sausage ragout. A star rating of 4.4 out of 5. ...
  2. Orange polenta cake. A star rating of 4.7 out of 5. ...
  3. Lamb ragu. A star rating of 4 out of 5. ...
  4. Creamy polenta & mushroom ragout. ...
  5. Polenta-crusted chicken with cornbread. ...
  6. Lemon polenta cake. ...
  7. Raspberry & lemon polenta cake. ...
  8. Polenta & prosciutto chips.

How to eat polenta for dinner? ›

I have a couple ways I eat polenta:
  1. with butter and parmigiano cheese.
  2. with stracchino cheese (my favorite, but it can be difficult to find outside Italy)
  3. with melted assorted cheese.
  4. with mushroom sauce.
  5. with plain tomato sauce.
  6. with Bolognese sauce (ragù)
Oct 10, 2022

What do Italians do with polenta? ›

A Northern Italian staple, this humble Italian peasant food has emerged as a versatile fine-dining-style comfort food. Polenta can be made into layered terrines (in its solid form) or easy creamy porridges with Parmigiano-Reggiano and butter.

What sauce is good on polenta? ›

Polenta With Parmesan and Tomato Sauce.

Where is polenta eaten most? ›

Polenta is a staple of both northern and, to a lesser extent, central Italian, Swiss Italian, southern French, Slovenian, Romanian and, due to Italian migrants, Brazilian and Argentinian cuisine.

What meat do you eat with polenta? ›

You can serve this basic side dish on its own or alongside protein such as Pressure-Cooker Short Ribs, pan-seared chicken, or seafood.

How do you spice up polenta? ›

To spice things up for the adults at home, it can be fun to finish the polenta with a sprinkle of blue cheese, spiced pine nuts, or pepitas (for texture), and a drizzle of pesto, gremolata or other green herb sauces.

How do you make Martha Stewart polenta? ›

In a large, deep saucepan, bring 5 cups of water to a boil. While whisking constantly, add polenta in a slow, steady stream. Reduce heat to medium, cook until thickened, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon, about 15 minutes. Remove pan from heat and stir in cheese, heavy cream, and butter.

Can you eat polenta on its own? ›

But, with just a few ingredients and simple techniques, you'll make the richest, most luxuriously creamy polenta just like an Italian. A highly versatile dish, polenta can be served on its own.

Can you refrigerate polenta? ›

After you open the Polenta, it will last 5-7 days in the fridge, but do not freeze it!

Is polenta healthy or fattening? ›

Polenta is naturally low in fat and can be eaten as part of a heart-healthy diet. A person looking to reduce their saturated fat intake should cook polenta with water, plant milk, or broth instead of dairy milk, and avoid adding cheese or butter.

Is polenta better for you than rice? ›

Polenta is often used to substitute grains like pasta and rice, as it's lower in calories and is a source of complex carbohydrates. Because complex carbohydrates aren't broken down as quickly as simple carbohydrates, it's ideal for individuals watching their blood sugar levels.

Is it healthy to eat polenta everyday? ›

Polenta is a healthy gluten-free grain and good source of antioxidants that help protect your eyes and reduce your risk of certain chronic diseases. It shouldn't negatively affect your blood sugar levels as long as you stick to a reasonable portion size.

How do you eat Trader Joes polenta? ›

Slice, Heat, Top, and Eat

The truth of the matter is that precooked polenta can be sliced up, heated, and topped with your favorite fixings for an easy meal. Suggestions include: Mexican: Black beans, salsa, sour cream, cilantro. Italian: Sauteed mushrooms, marinara sauce, basil, Parmesan cheese.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Virgilio Hermann JD

Last Updated:

Views: 5891

Rating: 4 / 5 (61 voted)

Reviews: 92% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Virgilio Hermann JD

Birthday: 1997-12-21

Address: 6946 Schoen Cove, Sipesshire, MO 55944

Phone: +3763365785260

Job: Accounting Engineer

Hobby: Web surfing, Rafting, Dowsing, Stand-up comedy, Ghost hunting, Swimming, Amateur radio

Introduction: My name is Virgilio Hermann JD, I am a fine, gifted, beautiful, encouraging, kind, talented, zealous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.