Allow us to introduce our secret pantry darling and unsung dinner hero: polenta. A simple dish made from cornmeal, it’s creamy, filling, comforting and cheap—but tastes downright luxurious and will be oh so impressive to your dinner party guests. Here are 40 surprising polenta recipes to incorporate into your weekly rotation. (Not sure what to serve with it? Or curious about the classic Italian way to prepare polenta? Scroll all the way to the bottom of this story for your biggest FAQs, answered.)
40 Polenta Recipes That Are Creamy, Comforting and Downright Impressive
This pantry gem deserves your attention
•
Published Jan 25, 2024
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
1. Cornish Hens and Parmesan Polenta with Fennel and Arugula
- Time Commitment: 45 minutes
- Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, high protein, one pan
This polenta pairing fancy, but it’s actually so easy. (Like, cooked in a single skillet easy.)
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 50 minutes
- Why I Love It: kid-friendly, high protein, beginner-friendly
All the perks of lasagna, minus the fuss. Your picky eaters will go gaga for the beefy tomato sauce.
- Time Commitment: 1 hour
- Why I Love It: vegetarian, special occasion-worthy
It doesn’t get cozier than this fall appetizer. You can use either fresh or canned pumpkin, depending on how fancy you want to get (or how lazy you feel).
4. Cheesy Polenta Bites with Brussels Sprouts and Pancetta
- Time Commitment: 45 minutes
- Why I Love It: kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy
Proof that polenta can be as crispy as it is creamy. These tiny bites are a lot like corner pieces of cornbread.
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 5 minutes
- Why I Love It: kid-friendly, beginner-friendly, high protein
Spaghetti can sit this one out. Contrary to popular belief, you don't need to stir polenta for hours on end—just whisk it from time to time to keep it from sticking to the pan.
- Time Commitment: 55 minutes
- Why We Love it: <10 ingredients, one pot
It doesn't get more hands-off than this baked approach to polenta. Instead of diligently manning the stovetop, let your oven do all the heavy lifting.
8. Turkey Sausage and Veggie Polenta Bowls
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, high protein
This half-hour wonder just might be the coziest weeknight meal of all time.
9. Lemon-Earl Grey Polenta Loaf
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 5 minutes
- Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy, one bowl
Bright, zingy and impeccably textured, your guests will ooh and ahh over this polenta-based cake. They'll have no idea it took you practically zero effort to prepare.
10. Soft Polenta and Mushroom Bowls
- Time Commitment: 55 minutes
- Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, vegan
The key to an indulgent, dairy-free polenta? Avocado oil (and a generous dollop of basil pesto).
12. Parmesan and Mushroom Polenta
- Time Commitment: 25 minutes
- Why I Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly
Almond milk is used in place of traditional dairy for this take on polenta. Substitute nutritional yeast for Parmesan cheese to make the dish totally vegan.
13. Polenta, Refried Beans and Egg Skillet Bake
- Time Commitment: 40 minutes
- Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients, vegetarian
Monique Volz knows that good things come in skillets. Finish your plate with fresh cilantro, diced avocado and hot sauce.
14. Cider Apple and Sage Roasted Pork Chops with Brown Butter Gorgonzola Polenta
- Time Commitment: 40 minutes
- Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, high protein, kid-friendly
The chops are cooked in apple cider and fresh apples for tenderness and autumn flavor. Need we say more?
15. Roasted Tomatoes with Goat Cheese Polenta
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 15 minutes
- Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, vegetarian
Creamy, tangy and delicious. Make the polenta dish even easier on the eyes by using tricolor or heirloom tomatoes.
16. Creamy Polenta with Barbecue Tofu and Mango and Heirloom Tomato Salsa
- Time Commitment: 2 hours
- Why I Love It: make ahead, vegan, dairy free
Leave it to Gena Hamshaw to create something healthy, easy and appetizing. Save time by marinating the tofu overnight and preparing the salsa a day in advance.
- Time Commitment: 2 hours
- Why I Love It: vegan, gluten free, kid-friendly
Complete with rainbow chard and caramelized onions. These polenta pies are plant-based, wheat-free and entirely adorable.
18. Polenta Bar
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 20 minutes
- Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy
Introducing Gaby Dalkin’s genius solution for feeding a crowd. Serve the cheesy polenta with chicken Bolognese, basil vinaigrette, sausage and cooked veggies.
20. Honey Butter Blackened Scallops with Herby Polenta
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, pescatarian, high protein
Don't let the shellfish intimidate you—scallops are so much easier to cook at home than you think. They only require a few minutes of searing per side.
22. Polenta Fries
- Time Commitment: 2 hours and 15 minutes
- Why I Love It: kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser, vegetarian
We love potatoes, but aren't these crispy polenta bites way more exciting? Don't even get us started on the tarragon-lemon aioli.
23. Broiled Polenta Bites with Green Harissa
- Time Commitment: 2 hours
- Why I Love It: vegetarian, gluten free, crowd-pleaser
This twist on crostini won't last long on the appetizer table.
24. Slow Cooker Maple Chipotle Pork with Cheesy Polenta
- Time Commitment: 10 hours
- Why I Love It: slow cooker recipe, high protein, crowd-pleaser
The polenta boasts pecorino Romano *and* fontina cheeses, both freshly grated for maximum silkiness.
25. Cheesy Polenta with Spring Vegetables
- Time Commitment: 25 minutes
- Why I Love It: <30 minutes, vegetarian
Not only is the polenta packed with butter, cream and gouda, but it's also crowned with fresh chimichurri sauce for good measure.
26. Grilled Eggplant with Greek Relish and Creamy Polenta
- Time Commitment: 40 minutes
- Why I Love It: vegan, beginner-friendly, special occasion-worthy
The briny relish, teeming with kalamata olives and sherry vinegar, would also pair well with chicken, gyros, salad or yogurt.
27. White Wine Braised Short Ribs with Balsamic-Mustard Vegetables over White Cheddar Polenta
- Time Commitment: 4 hours and 40 minutes
- Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, high protein, special occasion-worthy
This polenta recipe is beyond elegant, down to the green onion gremolata.
28. Sweet Buttered Polenta Pancakes with Fresh Summer Berries
- Time Commitment: 10 minutes
- Why I Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, kid-friendly
Butter, syrup and powdered sugar will quell the kids' doubts about these unconventional polenta pancakes.
29. Blood Orange Olive Oil Polenta Cake
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 20 minutes (plus cooling time)
- Why I Love It: gluten free, crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy
This olive oil-laced masterpiece is inspired by amor polenta, a cake from the town of Varese, Italy, that's made with almonds and polenta.
30. Chili con Carne Cornbread Pie
- Time Commitment: 8 hours and 25 minutes
- Why I Love It: slow cooker recipe, make ahead, crowd-pleaser
Prep the shredded beef in advance (the Crockpot will do most of the work for you), then prepare the buttery cornbread topping before baking and serving.
31. Salmon with Polenta and Warm Tomato Vinaigrette
- Time Commitment: 45 minutes
- Why I Love It: pescatarian, high protein
If you don't eat this summery dish in the backyard alongside a glass of vino, you're doing it wrong.
32. Lobster Polenta Pizza with Sun-Dried Cherry Tomatoes
- Time Commitment: 1 hour
- Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, special occasion-worthy, pescatarian
Roasted garlic + buttery lobster tail + mascarpone *and* fontina cheeses = your new favorite dinner. Substitute shrimp if you don't want to spring for lobster.
33. Easy Jalapeño Popper Chicken Chili and Cheddar Polenta Pot Pies
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 5 minutes
- Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, special occasion-worthy
In case you need yet another reason to buy a set of cute, single-serve baking dishes.
34. Almond Cake with Pear and Polenta
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 40 minutes
- Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, beginner-friendly, gluten free
The polenta cake gets fruity flavor and undeniable moisture from a surprise ingredient: pear baby food.
35. Spring Mushroom Polenta with Basil Vinaigrette
- Time Commitment: 40 minutes
- Why I Love It: vegetarian, beginner-friendly
Trust us: You'll want to make double of the basil vinaigrette to use on steak, pasta, salads, grilled fish and beyond.
36. Cherry Tomato Pesto Polenta with Fried Halloumi
- Time Commitment: 25 minutes
- Why I Love It: <30 minutes, crowd-pleaser, vegetarian
If the weather's warm, feel free to grill the halloumi instead of frying it. The char marks will offer nice smokiness to the plate.
37. Slow Cooker Cabernet Beef Short Ribs with Mascarpone Polenta
- Time Commitment: 10 hours
- Why I Love It: slow cooker recipe, high protein, crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy
Cabernet and fresh herbs take the fork-tender meat over the top, while mascarpone cheese makes the polenta extra creamy.
39. Asparagus and Shiitake Mushroom Tart with Polenta Crust
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 30 minutes
- Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, gluten free, vegetarian
It's just the starter for Easter dinner, if you ask us. (Just look at all that in-season asparagus.)
40. Bolo de Ananás (Azores Almond Polenta Pineapple Cake)
- Time Commitment: 1 hour
- Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, dairy free, special occasion-worthy
The polenta cake's texture is just as drool-worthy as the flavor. Dust each slice with confectioners' sugar before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Goes Best with Polenta?
Wondering what to serve with this hearty dish? The options are basically endless. Polenta has a mild, neutral flavor that pairs well with just about everything. Think saucy meatballs, jammy tomatoes, roasted vegetables, smoky bacon, garlicky shrimp, wilted greens, sweet-and-savory pork, beef stew, crispy chicken thighs, creamy beans and beyond.
How Is Polenta Served in Italy?
It's usually served as a communal dish, eaten family-style from a large platter or board, says La Cucina Italiana. It can play the role of a main or side. Many keep it simple with butter and cheese, while others douse it in sauce.
