10 Recipes with Polenta That Are Comforting and Delicious

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!

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!

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.

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!

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!

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!

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!

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.

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.

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 (2024)

FAQs

What is the best way to eat polenta? ›

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.

What do Italians eat with polenta? ›

Polenta, yellow and white, is one of the Veneto's classic foods, included in many traditional dishes such as baccalá alla vicentina, with creamy dried cod simmered in milk; seppie al nero alla veneziana, with black cuttlefish; and fegato alla veneziana, slices of crispy fried polenta served with liver and onions.

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How do you make polenta taste better? ›

Cooked veggies are the perfect way to add hearty texture, richness, and flavor to creamy polenta. Try pairing it with roasted broccoli, Brussels sprouts, tomatoes, butternut squash, or cauliflower, with grilled mixed vegetables or zucchini, or with sautéed mushrooms.

What main dish goes well 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.

Is polenta healthier than mashed potatoes? ›

Polenta is high in protein and fiber, but compared to rice, pasta, or potatoes, it's much lower in calories and fat, yet still provides a source of complex carbs that are much-needed for energy. So, why not to try polenta out for your next meal?

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Is polenta more healthy than pasta? ›

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.

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Which country eats the most polenta? ›

It comes in many forms and can be chewy, gluey, crispy or extremely creamy. Polenta is eaten across Italy, but there are three main regions in the country's north where it's particularly popular – Veneto, Lombardy and Piedmont.

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How is polenta traditionally eaten? ›

Polenta was traditionally cooked by pouring stone ground flour from a height into a large pot of salted boiling water and stirring constantly for at least one hour. Once ready, it was served on a round plate, covered with a large dishcloth to keep it warm. Farmers ate it at every meal, from breakfast to dinner.

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Is polenta good for you? ›

Polenta is a healthful food choice with several nutritional benefits. Polenta may be good for health as it contains fiber and protein. It is also rich in complex carbohydrates, low in fat, and more. Polenta is cooked cornmeal that can be eaten as a side or used in a variety of recipes, from bread to desserts.

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What is the secret to cooking polenta? ›

Instead of laboring over the stovetop for nearly an hour, constantly stirring, you simply boil broth, gradually whisk in polenta, and wait. As the polenta sits, the hot broth gently, gradually cooks and swells the grains, and 45 minutes later, all that's left to do is whisk in the cheese and butter.

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Do you need to soak polenta before cooking? ›

A ratio of five parts liquid to one part cornmeal by volume produces polenta that's fully hydrated and cooked through, without any little raw, gritty bits. An optional presoaking step helps hydrate the cornmeal and cuts down on actual cooking time.

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Are grits and polenta the same? ›

Yes, both grits and polenta are made from ground corn, but the main difference here is what type of corn. Polenta, as you can probably guess from the color, is made from yellow corn, while grits are normally made from white corn (or hominy).

What makes the best polenta? ›

The best polenta is made from stone ground corn, which comes in a coarse, medium, or fine grind. Cornmeal labeled polenta is usually a coarse-grind, but you can make the dish with a medium or fine-grind. Or, use a combination of grinds, which is how I like it.

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Is polenta a healthy meal? ›

Polenta is a healthful food choice with several nutritional benefits. Polenta may be good for health as it contains fiber and protein. It is also rich in complex carbohydrates, low in fat, and more.

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How do you serve store bought polenta? ›

Since tubed polenta is pre-cooked, you simply slice and reheat by sauteing, grilling, roasting, broiling or even microwaving. Once the slices are tender on the inside and caramelized on the outside, top them with just about anything – your favorite sauce, vegetable, meat, seafood and/or cheese.

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

Recipes With Polenta

Creamy Polenta with tofu

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