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 are the best ways to serve polenta? ›

“Polenta is the perfect accompaniment to a flavourful, hearty ragu, grilled meats or sausages,” says the Florence-based food writer Emiko Davies. “I also love it with a stew of vongole [or pipis], with tomatoes and chilli.”

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.

What is good to mix with polenta? ›

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 meat goes best 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.

What do Italians do with polenta? ›

Polenta is a traditional Italian dish made from boiled cornmeal. It is a staple food in Italy and has been eaten for centuries. It is a versatile dish that can be served as a side dish, main course, or even as a dessert.

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 cuisine.

How do you make Jamie Oliver polenta? ›

Pour the milk into a large, heavy pan along with 800ml of water and 1 teaspoon of sea salt and bring it to the boil. Pour in the polenta in a thin stream, whisking all the time so it thickens as you go. Keep whisking for 2 to 3 minutes over a high heat.

Why does my polenta fall apart? ›

After placing the polenta into the pan, don't touch it until a crust has formed. When the crust forms it will release from the pan. If you play with it, you won't get a crust to form and it'll come apart.

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.

How to jazz 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.

What flavors go with 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. Make as a breakfast cereal; add nuts, seeds, dried fruits, fresh fruit, and milk of choice.

Why does my polenta taste bitter? ›

Polenta that hasn't been properly cooked tends to taste bitter. Additional boiling water, a spoonful at a time, may be added if the mixture becomes too thick to stir. Dissolve any lumps by pressing them against the side of the pot with the spoon.

How do you serve store bought 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.

Is polenta better for you 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?

Is polenta better with milk or water? ›

The Liquid

In Italian cooking, polenta is made with water. Some more Americanized recipes will prompt you to start with milk or stock, but (in my opinion) they are wrong. Hydrating your polenta with water will allow the flavor of the corn to shine, and it will allow each individual grain to absorb salt more readily.

Is polenta easy on the stomach? ›

Polenta is high in fiber and low in calories. Due to its neutral taste, it can be combined with various foods and served as breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It is filling and easily digestible.

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