This collection of 55 best polenta recipes will deliver maximum satisfaction and flavor to the table; they’re bound to impress your entire family!
Polenta is a blank canvas that happily soaks up other ingredients’ rich and bold flavors.
By itself a mildly flavored dish, polenta comes to life when mixed with butter, cream, cheese, and sauces.
You’ll find 55 polenta recipes that display the capabilities of this ingredient.
Polenta is an Italian pantry staple made from ground flint corn, a variety known for its hard outer shell.
Using this hard type of corn creates a much coarser grind than the grits you’re familiar with on this side of the pond.
Like many other mainstays of Italian cuisine, polenta originated in the humble kitchens of peasant and working-class families.
It’s traditionally served on a large platter and shared by everyone at the table.
How did this “poor man’s food” from the Italian countryside become a restaurant-quality dish?
Polenta’s magic is in its versatility.
It has a neutral taste with only a hint of sweetness, which makes it easy to match with bold flavor profiles.
Furthermore, creamy polenta is fantastic in cakes and muffins.
Let’s take a look at 55 different ways you can use it at home.
Parmesan Polenta With Sausage Ragu takes delectable comfort food to the next level.
Enjoy a wine night for two with an Herb-Crusted Rack of Lamb With Creamy Truffle Polenta.
Check out #55 for a warm umami-filled soup for a cold night.
Let’s get this list going with a simple polenta dish!
Bone broth gives this dish a ton of flavor and helps create a smooth texture.
Parmesan cheese seasons the polenta with its nutty and salty notes.
The mild-flavored polenta is so tasty when paired with the creamy spinach sauce.
A bit of nutmeg gives the sauce a warm and nutty taste.
Mozzarella cheese on top browns and melts nicely in the oven, creating a delicious roasted flavor.
The pesto polenta’ herby and rich flavor pairs well with the marinara sauce’s brightness.
Smoked gouda gives the dish buttery and smoky undertones.
Bell peppers’ vibrant red and yellow colors pop in this dish!
The polenta browns beautifully in the oven and gets a crispy crust around the edges.
Zucchini and tomatoes add bright and sweet flavors to the pie.
Shrimp and tomato sauce placed on a bed of creamy polenta–unbelievably tasty!
The brightness of the tomato sauce is the right pair for the rich and buttery shrimp.
Heavy cream and cheese combine to create the polenta’s silky smooth texture.
Butter melted into the polenta makes it so rich and creamy.
White cheddar’s nutty flavor works well with the polenta’s mild sweetness.
Enjoy this as a side dish with oven-roasted chicken or other tasty protein!
Ground turkey is richer than chicken, making it an excellent choice for this recipe.
Mushroom adds an umami flavor that helps boost the dish’s meaty flavor.
These polenta fries are crisp on the outside and soft on the inside.
Oats mixed in the breading help the fries develop a wonderful crust.
Roasting the garlic in the oven allows it to develop a deep caramelized flavor.
The intense savory notes of the garlic are incredible paired with the sweetness of the honey.
The flavorful glaze drips down on the polenta, making every bite of this dish exquisite.
Layers of polenta, tomato sauce, and bechamel make for a luscious yet well-balanced dish.
Tomato sauce gives the dish tartness to balance the richness of the bechamel.
The final parmesan cheese layer gives the dish a savory and nutty topping.
You won’t even notice the zucchini and celery in the meaty bolognese sauce.
Balsamic vinegar adds a touch of its complex sweetness and umami to the dish.
The acidity from the balsamic wakes up the flavor of the other ingredients.
Roasting the tomatoes concentrates their sweet and umami taste.
Goat cheese has earthy, buttery flavors that go with the light sweetness of the polenta.
Black beans have a mellow sweet, creamy flavor that pairs well with the cheese.
The tomatoes’ freshness compliments the bean’s earthiness.
Cayenne pepper gives the dish just the right amount of heat.
Colorful summer veggies take the spotlight in this tasty meatless dish!
Zucchini and squash get nicely caramelized as they roast in the oven, providing the dish with a depth of flavor.
A generous drizzle of olive oil gives the dish a rich and fruity taste.
This beginner-friendly recipe is excellent for baking practice.
It takes only five minutes to prepare and just 40 minutes to bake.
The polenta’s neutral flavor is ideal for this savory dessert.
The spinach’s sweetness makes a beautiful match for the polenta’s creaminess.
Vegetable broth adds a mild savory flavor to the dish.
Pair this spinach polenta with oven-roasted pork chops or other mains!
The roasted mushrooms’ natural umami taste makes them a fantastic meat substitute.
The mushrooms soak up the pesto flavor and other seasonings for a succulent bite.
Chickpeas give this dish a soft, buttery texture that plays well with the creamy polenta.
Slow cooking tenderizes the beef and allows its flavors to blend into the rich tomato sauce.
Red wine adds depth and acidity to the ragu.
The chili-garlic sauce gives this dish an exciting spicy kick that will make you crave more.
If you want a milder heat level, feel free to adjust the amount of chili sauce to your liking.
A smoky undertone from the red pepper sauce complements the creaminess of the ricotta and mozzarella cheese.
Smoked paprika boosts the dish’s warm and smoky taste.
The spinach and mushroom blend fills the lasagna with a sweet-savory flavor combination.
Pistachio gives the dish a crunchy texture and an earthy flavor.
Burrata enriches the dish with its buttery taste.
A light char on the asparagus brings out its savory notes.
Maple syrup’s sweetness balances out the mustard’s spiciness.
Butternut squash gives the dish a nutty taste that works with the savory chicken thighs.
A bit of apple cider vinegar with the swiss chard adds bright acidity to the dish.
Enjoy a traditional middle eastern breakfast with this recipe!
The runny egg yolk pours onto the polenta and tomato sauce, covering the dish with its rich smoothness
Compared to regular melted butter, browned butter has a complex nutty taste that takes the scallops to another level.
Searing the scallops creates a crusty exterior that yields a tender interior as you bite them.
Using instant polenta is a real-life hack that cuts the usual 40-minute cooking time down to five.
A perfectly poached egg to top it off, and you’ve got a complete breakfast bowl!
The sun-dried tomato pesto is just loaded with an intense umami flavor.
The dish gets a meaty and sweet taste from the maple sausage.
The meatballs are “drunken” in a dark beer sauce, which gives the gravy a full-bodied caramel flavor.
Pouring the intense gravy all over the buttery polenta turns this dish into an indulgent comfort food.
Made with just a handful of ingredients, this dish allows polenta to take the spotlight.
Asiago and mascarpone cheese give the dish a lot of sweetness and acidity.
Lemon juice and capers provide an acidic punch to the scallop’s seafood taste.
The capers have briny and floral flavors that work well with the buttery scallops.
Hatch green chilies give the dish a smoky, earthy taste that shines through even with other flavors.
Turkey bacon also adds some smoky notes, but you can also use regular bacon.
A few avocado slices on top for richness, and you’ve got a well-balanced breakfast bowl.
The balsamic glaze’s complex combination of umami and sweetness pairs nicely with the pork’s savory flavor.
Topping the loin chop with fruit preserves adds a syrupy taste to the dish.
The sweet and earthy flavor of the refried beans works great with the cheddar cheese.
A chunky tomato salsa provides the dish with an outstanding sweet-tart flavor balance.
A mix of parsley, basil, and garlic covers the salmon with peppery and herby flavors.
The tomatoes’ freshness complements the salmon’s richness.
The crushed pretzels give the pork chops a wonderful crust and a sweet-salty flavor.
Honey and mustard combine to create a sweet and spicy glaze for the chops.
The pork tenderloin stays juicy and tender even after searing and baking.
Cumin’s warm and earthy flavor seasons the pork and gives it a nice color.
A squeeze of lime juice brightens up everything with its zesty flavor.
Ground turkey has a lighter flavor than beef or pork but still has robust, savory notes.
The turkey meatballs get a pleasant sweetness from the fennel seeds.
These no-bake polenta cakes are an excellent way to use leftover polenta.
Seasoned with freshly grated parmesan cheese, the cakes get a subtle savory flavor that works well with many dishes.
Vegan or not, you’ll love this meat-free dish!
The chickpeas and the butternut squash work together to give this dish a dose of sweet and nutty flavors.
Coconut milk adds a distinct floral fragrance to the polenta.
A dry white wine livens up the taste of the mushroom ragu with its tartness.
The fried polenta squares are ideal for picking up the rich mushroom ragu.
Red wine enhances the sweetness of the tomato sauce and gives it a more nuanced flavor profile.
Basil provides peppery and minty notes to the dish.
The oven heat brings out the broccoli’s sweetness and keeps their satisfying crunch.
Nutritional yeast is an instant no-meat source of meaty flavor.
Sage has a distinct lemony and peppery aroma that lifts the whole dish.
Parmesan cheese adds a sharp flavor to the sweet pumpkin.
Pan-searing the eggplants enhances their natural sweetness and buttery texture.
A bit of honey balances the tartness of the tomato-rich ragout.
The red wine demi-glace covers the chicken and polenta with its deep meaty flavor.
Rosemary and parsley add freshness to complement the intensity of the red wine sauce.
The fried polenta’s crispy texture plays nicely with the soft mozzarella cheese.
The balsamic makes the clean flavors of this dish pop.
46. Polenta Pizza
Polenta’s starchy texture makes it an excellent pizza crust.
Choose your favorite toppings and let your imagination run wild!
The cilantro’s freshness is delicious, with the cheddar’s sharpness.
Pickled red onions give the dish a ton of zing.
The sweetness of the sauteed kale is excellent with the sourness of the tomatoes.
A spoonful of yogurt on top gives the dish a tasty, tangy flavor.
Rendering the pancetta’s fat is crucial to this recipe.
The Brussels sprouts are browned on the fat, allowing them to crisp up, caramelize, and take in the pancetta’s flavor.
Dijon mustard’s tang rounds off the caramelized onion’s sweet flavor.
Blue cheese gives the sauce sharpness and enough saltiness to flavor the polenta.
The ragu’s rich meaty flavor makes this dish a phenomenal flavor bomb!
Heavy cream adds plenty of richness to the polenta and enhances its silky texture.
The dish’s bold colors layered on top of each other are just picture-perfect!
The fresh herb crust helps tone down the grassy flavor of the lamb.
Adding truffle oil to the polenta gives this dish a fancy feel that’s perfect for date night.
Skirt steak is one of the best bangs for your buck in beefy flavor.
The steak’s meaty flavor with the savory parmesan and buttery cheese is heavenly.
The spice rub’s warm flavors compliment the cauliflower’s nutty and sweet flavors.
Chili flakes add the right amount of spice to the roasted red pepper sauce.
Miso paste’s funky fermented richness creates a profoundly flavorful soup.
The sweet potatoes’ sweetness balances the miso’s saltiness.
The bottom line
Polenta can go from simple comfort food to a restaurant-worthy star.
You can serve it simply with butter, cheese, or cream or jazz it up with a meaty sauce.
The capabilities of this humble cornmeal are endless, depending on your creativity.
Just keep some recipes in this list in your back pocket for inspiration.
Check this out: What To Serve With Polenta: 13 BEST Savory Side Dishes🍴
55 Best Polenta Recipe Collection
This collection of 55 best polenta recipes will deliver maximum satisfaction and flavor to the table; they’re bound to impress your entire family!
Ingredients
- Creamy Polenta With Parmesan
- Italian Polenta & Spinach Bake
- Margherita Baked Polenta
- Cheesy Polenta Pie
- Cheesy Polenta & Shrimp
- Creamy Polenta Casserole
- Italian Polenta Skillet
- Crispy Polenta Fries
- Honey Garlic Chicken With Cheesy Polenta
- Layered Polenta Casserole
- Polenta Lasagna Bolognese
- Roasted Tomatoes With Goat Cheese Polenta
- Black Bean & Polenta Casserole
- Cheesy Polenta With Roasted Vegetables
- Savory Polenta Muffins
- Creamy Spinach Polenta
- Pesto Polenta With Thyme Roasted Mushrooms
- Braised Beef Ragu With Creamy Parmesan Polenta
- Polenta Cakes With Chili-Garlic Sauce
- Polenta Lasagna With Smoky Red Pepper Sauce
- Asparagus Polenta With Dill Pistachios & Burrata
- Spicy Maple Mustard Chicken With Creamy Polenta
- Shakshuka With Parmesan Polenta
- Brown Butter Scallops With Polenta
- Poached Egg Bowl With Spinach Polenta
- Breakfast Polenta Bowls With Sundried Tomato Pesto
- Ricotta Polenta With Drunken Meatballs
- Creamy Mascarpone Polenta With Crispy Fried Eggs
- Lemon Caper Scallops With Creamy Polenta
- Hatch Green Chile Polenta With Baked Eggs
- Balsamic Glazed Pork With Roasted Herb Polenta & Greens
- Polenta, Refried Beans & Egg Skillet Bake
- Herb-Crusted Salmon With Goat Cheese Polenta
- Honey Mustard Pretzel Crusted Pork Chops With Polenta
- Pork Tenderloin With Fresh Corn Polenta
- Turkey Meatballs With Creamy Polenta & Marinara
- Pan-Fried Polenta Cakes
- Creamy Polenta With Butternut Squash & Chickpeas
- Fried Polenta Squares With Creamy Mushroom Ragu
- Red Wine Tomato Polenta
- Creamy Polenta With White Beans & Roasted Broccoli
- Pumpkin Sage Polenta
- Eggplant Ragout With Polenta
- Roast Chicken With Red Wine Glaze & Polenta
- Caprese Polenta Bites
- Polenta Pizza
- White Cheddar & Poblano Polenta
- Soft Polenta With Blistered Tomatoes & Kale
- Brussel Sprouts & Pancetta Over Polenta
- Caramelized Onion Polenta With Blue Cheese Sauce
- Parmesan Polenta With Sausage Ragu
- Herb-Crusted Rack Of Lamb With Truffle Polenta
- Cheesy Polenta With Steak & Garlicky Greens
- Polenta WithCauliflower Steak
- Sweet Potato & Miso Polenta Soup
Instructions
- Scroll for your favorite recipe from our list of Polenta Recipes.
- Pick out the ingredients needed for the dish.
- Make then enjoy immediately!