Recipe Roundup

39 Polenta Recipes for Creamy (or Crispy!) and Delicious Comfort Food

Polenta can go savory or sweet.

March 24, 2020

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Polenta recipes fit right in with our current comfort food needs. A big pot of creamy cornmeal makes a wonderful base for whatever you're braising or roasting, but that's not all. You can bake with this pantry staple, too, and even use it as a stand-in for pizza crust. Here are 39 of our favorite polenta recipes to get you started.

Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Sean Dooley
1/39
Creamy Polenta
No need for constant stirring. Put the lid on this pot of creamy polenta, and the condensation will do most of the work for you.
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Photo by Joseph De Leo, Prop Styling by Sophie Strangio, Food Styling by Monica Pierini
2/39
Cheesy Baked Butternut Squash Polenta
Butternut squash melts into the polenta as this creamy, make-ahead dish cooks, while chunks of Fontina create melting pockets of cheese throughout. Feel free to substitute another creamy cheese if you don't have Fontina on hand.
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Photo by Kelsey McClellan
3/39
Blood Orange and Poppy Polenta Shortbread Cookies
Polenta adds corny, savory deliciousness to these light and sweet cookies. If you can't find blood oranges, substitute navel orange zest and juice.
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Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Katherine Sacks
4/39
Wild Mushroom and Parsnip Ragout With Cheesy Polenta
This hearty vegetarian ragout—served on a bed of creamy polenta—gets a boost of rich flavor from umami-packed tomato and miso pastes.
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Ditte Isager
5/39
Brown Butter-Polenta Cake with Maple Caramel
We love using polenta in our baking. To make sure this cake comes out moist, use finely ground polenta (labeled "quick-cooking" or "instant"). Cooking times listed on the package will be five minutes or less.
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Photo by Alex Lau, Food Styling by Sue Li
6/39
Oven Polenta With Roasted Mushrooms and Thyme
Still stirring your polenta? With this nearly hands-off polenta recipe, the oven does the hard work while your stovetop does the bare minimum.
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Photo by Dan Monick
7/39
Upside-Down Blood Orange–Polenta Cake
A touch of polenta in the batter gives this cake satisfying texture and an extra layer of nutty sweetness.
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8/39
Slow Cooker Ricotta-Spinach Polenta with Tomato Salad
Polenta recipes often use the pantry staple as a neutral carb canvas for a rich sauce or braised meat, but here the creamy ricotta-and-spinach-enriched polenta is the centerpiece, with a simple little salad on top for freshness. Feel free to substitute whatever fresh vegetables you have on hand.
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Photo by Alex Lau
9/39
Polenta Cacio e Pepe
This polenta recipe uses the pressure cooker for a dish that's simple and so delicious. If you don't have Pecorino, Parmesan also works well. Don't skimp on the freshly ground black pepper.
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Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell
10/39
Italian Fish and Vegetable Stew
Polenta doesn't need a heavy meat topping. Here, it gets firm white fish (such as mahi-mahi, cod, or halibut) and a bright sauce made with fresh vegetables, plus a bit of red wine vinegar, lemon juice, and mustard.
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Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Anna Billingskog
11/39
Polenta Bites With Wild Mushrooms and Fontina
Store-bought tubes of polenta are the ultimate appetizer shortcut: just slice and toast in the oven, top with sautéed wild mushrooms and a sprinkling of grated Fontina, then bake again until melty and irresistible.
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Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson
12/39
Lamb Chops with Polenta and Grilled Scallion Sauce
Yes, you can grill sliced polenta. Here, it's paired with grilled lamb chops and a smoky sauce made from grilled scallions and jalapeño.
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José Picayo
13/39
Shrimp Scampi with Quick Preserved Lemon and Fennel on Polenta
Shrimp scampi gets even more luxurious when served with polenta that's enriched with clam juice and cream. A little quick-preserved lemon brightens the dish.
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Photo by Alex Lau
14/39
Polenta Budino With Plum Marmellata
Budino is what Italians ask for when they want pudding. Polenta adds texture, richness, and a hint of savory flavor to this one. Sub in any whatever fruit you have for the plums. Even frozen will work!
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