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 eat polenta for dinner? ›

Spoon steamed or cooked veggies over hot polenta. Add cheese, herbs or other favorite seasonings. Top polenta with your favorite pasta sauce. Add sautéed greens and protein of choice including meats, cheese, lentils and legumes.

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.

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.

Is polenta Mexican or Italian? ›

Grits are from the American South, where they are also served for breakfast. Polenta is from Italy. Their different origin also determines the way they are served. Grits are typically eaten for breakfast whereas polenta is mainly served as a main course and side dish at other meals.

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. Here, we're sharing our favorite ways to serve polenta for dinner as well as a few creative variations on this satisfying staple.

How is polenta best served? ›

Whether you choose to use water or stock, or add butter and cheese, to keep your polenta creamy and pliable it needs to be served immediately – steaming hot from the pan. “Polenta is the perfect accompaniment to a flavourful, hearty ragu, grilled meats or sausages,” says the Florence-based food writer Emiko Davies.

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.

Why do my polenta cakes fall apart? ›

Instant polenta is partially cooked, then dried and ground very finely and absorbs liquid readily. This could be the reason why your cake is a little crumbly.

Why does my polenta taste bitter? ›

Polenta meal is slowly added to boiling water in a fine stream (Step 1) while being stirred with a wooden spoon to prevent it from becoming lumpy. The mixture is then stirred constantly as it cooks over a low heat for about an hour. Polenta that hasn't been properly cooked tends to taste bitter.

What is the best way to serve polenta? ›

Polenta pairs extremely well with stews, braised meats, saucy bean dishes, and roasted vegetables. It's the perfect cozy companion to all of your warm winter meals. Try it with our Chicken Cacciatore, or Slow Cooker Beef Stew!

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.

Can polenta be a meal? ›

If you're hustling to get more of the good stuff into your repertoire, Yotam Ottolenghi's low-maintenance polenta is here to serve. Made even more hearty with eggs and a blast of herbs, it's the answer to breezy brunches or easy dinners.

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