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40 Polenta Recipes That Are Creamy, Comforting and Downright Impressive

This pantry gem deserves your attention

polenta recipes: pumpkin polenta
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

Allow us to introduce our secret pantry darling and unsung dinner hero: polenta. A simple dish made from cornmeal, it’s creamy, filling, comforting and cheap—but tastes downright luxurious and will be oh so impressive to your dinner party guests. Here are 40 surprising polenta recipes to incorporate into your weekly rotation. (Not sure what to serve with it? Or curious about the classic Italian way to prepare polenta? Scroll all the way to the bottom of this story for your biggest FAQs, answered.)

Here’s How to Make Polenta at Home (Because It’s Easier Than You Think)


1. Cornish Hens and Parmesan Polenta with Fennel and Arugula

  • Time Commitment: 45 minutes
  • Why We Love It: special occasion-worthy, high protein, one pan

This polenta pairing fancy, but it’s actually so easy. (Like, cooked in a single skillet easy.)

2. Polenta Ragu Casserole

  • Time Commitment: 1 hour and 50 minutes
  • Why We Love It: kid-friendly, high protein, beginner-friendly

All the perks of lasagna, minus the fuss. Your picky eaters will go gaga for the beefy tomato sauce.

3. Pumpkin Polenta

  • Time Commitment: 1 hour
  • Why We Love It: vegetarian, special occasion-worthy

It doesn’t get cozier than this fall appetizer. You can use either fresh or canned pumpkin, depending on how fancy you want to get (or how lazy you feel).

4. Cheesy Polenta Bites with Brussels Sprouts and Pancetta

  • Time Commitment: 45 minutes
  • Why We Love It: kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy

Proof that polenta can be as crispy as it is creamy. These tiny bites are a lot like corner pieces of cornbread.

5. Polenta and Meatballs

  • Time Commitment: 1 hour and 5 minutes
  • Why We Love It: kid-friendly, beginner-friendly, high protein

Spaghetti can sit this one out. Contrary to popular belief, you don't need to stir polenta for hours on end—just whisk it from time to time to keep it from sticking to the pan.

6. Creamy Oven Polenta

  • Time Commitment: 55 minutes
  • Why We Love it: <10 ingredients, one pot

It doesn't get more hands-off than this baked approach to polenta. Instead of diligently manning the stovetop, let your oven do all the heavy lifting.

7. Polenta with Roasted Mushrooms and Bacon

  • Time Commitment: 50 minutes
  • Why We Love It: special occasion-worthy, crowd-pleaser

This bacon-topped stunner is satiating as is, but it'll be even more satisfying topped with a runny egg.

8. Turkey Sausage and Veggie Polenta Bowls

  • Time Commitment: 30 minutes
  • Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, high protein

This half-hour wonder just might be the coziest weeknight meal of all time.

9. Lemon-Earl Grey Polenta Loaf

  • Time Commitment: 1 hour and 5 minutes
  • Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy, one bowl

Bright, zingy and impeccably textured, your guests will ooh and ahh over this polenta-based cake. They'll have no idea it took you practically zero effort to prepare.

10. Soft Polenta and Mushroom Bowls

  • Time Commitment: 55 minutes
  • Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, vegan

The key to an indulgent, dairy-free polenta? Avocado oil (and a generous dollop of basil pesto).

11. Sautéed Chicken Breast with Cheesy Polenta and Spring Vegetables

  • Time Commitment: 30 minutes
  • Why We Love It: kid-friendly, high protein

Show off your spring farmers market haul with this polenta dish that stars sugar snap peas and asparagus.

12. Parmesan and Mushroom Polenta

  • Time Commitment: 25 minutes
  • Why We Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly

Almond milk is used in place of traditional dairy for this take on polenta. Substitute nutritional yeast for Parmesan cheese to make the dish totally vegan.

13. Polenta, Refried Beans and Egg Skillet Bake

  • Time Commitment: 40 minutes
  • Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients, vegetarian

Monique Volz knows that good things come in skillets. Finish your plate with fresh cilantro, diced avocado and hot sauce.

14. Cider Apple and Sage Roasted Pork Chops with Brown Butter Gorgonzola Polenta

  • Time Commitment: 40 minutes
  • Why We Love It: special occasion-worthy, high protein, kid-friendly

The chops are cooked in apple cider and fresh apples for tenderness and autumn flavor. Need we say more?

15. Roasted Tomatoes with Goat Cheese Polenta

  • Time Commitment: 1 hour and 15 minutes
  • Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, vegetarian

Creamy, tangy and delicious. Make the polenta dish even easier on the eyes by using tricolor or heirloom tomatoes.

16. Creamy Polenta with Barbecue Tofu and Mango and Heirloom Tomato Salsa

  • Time Commitment: 2 hours
  • Why We Love It: make ahead, vegan, dairy free

Leave it to Gena Hamshaw to create something healthy, easy and appetizing. Save time by marinating the tofu overnight and preparing the salsa a day in advance.

17. Mini Polenta Pizzas

  • Time Commitment: 2 hours
  • Why We Love It: vegan, gluten free, kid-friendly

Complete with rainbow chard and caramelized onions. These polenta pies are plant-based, wheat-free and entirely adorable.

18. Polenta Bar

  • Time Commitment: 1 hour and 20 minutes
  • Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy

Introducing Gaby Dalkin’s genius solution for feeding a crowd. Serve the cheesy polenta with chicken Bolognese, basil vinaigrette, sausage and cooked veggies.

19. Polenta Cake with Raspberry Rhubarb Compote

  • Time Commitment: 50 minutes
  • Why We Love It: special occasion-worthy, gluten free

It’s true: Polenta can be savory or sweet. (Just ask Phoebe Lapine, who pairs it with juicy berries and tart rhubarb.)

20. Honey Butter Blackened Scallops with Herby Polenta

  • Time Commitment: 30 minutes
  • Why We Love It: special occasion-worthy, pescatarian, high protein

Don't let the shellfish intimidate you—scallops are so much easier to cook at home than you think. They only require a few minutes of searing per side.

21. Braised Lentils over Grilled Polenta

  • Time Commitment: 1 hour and 20 minutes
  • Why We Love It: vegan, crowd-pleaser

Oh hey, two cups of red wine—aka the secret to infusing lentils with a richer, more complex flavor. (Thanks, Jodi Moreno!) Serve the polenta over kale or spinach with a dollop of dairy-free yogurt.

22. Polenta Fries

  • Time Commitment: 2 hours and 15 minutes
  • Why We Love It: kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser, vegetarian

We love potatoes, but aren't these crispy polenta bites way more exciting? Don't even get us started on the tarragon-lemon aioli.

23. Broiled Polenta Bites with Green Harissa

  • Time Commitment: 2 hours
  • Why We Love It: vegetarian, gluten free, crowd-pleaser

This twist on crostini won't last long on the appetizer table.

24. Slow Cooker Maple Chipotle Pork with Cheesy Polenta

  • Time Commitment: 10 hours
  • Why We Love It: slow cooker recipe, high protein, crowd-pleaser

The polenta boasts pecorino Romano *and* fontina cheeses, both freshly grated for maximum silkiness.

25. Cheesy Polenta with Spring Vegetables

  • Time Commitment: 25 minutes
  • Why We Love It: <30 minutes, vegetarian

Not only is the polenta packed with butter, cream and gouda, but it's also crowned with fresh chimichurri sauce for good measure.

26. Grilled Eggplant with Greek Relish and Creamy Polenta

  • Time Commitment: 40 minutes
  • Why We Love It: vegan, beginner-friendly, special occasion-worthy

The briny relish, teeming with kalamata olives and sherry vinegar, would also pair well with chicken, gyros, salad or yogurt.

27. White Wine Braised Short Ribs with Balsamic-Mustard Vegetables over White Cheddar Polenta

  • Time Commitment: 4 hours and 40 minutes
  • Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, high protein, special occasion-worthy

This polenta recipe is beyond elegant, down to the green onion gremolata.

28. Sweet Buttered Polenta Pancakes with Fresh Summer Berries

  • Time Commitment: 10 minutes
  • Why We Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, kid-friendly

Butter, syrup and powdered sugar will quell the kids' doubts about these unconventional polenta pancakes.

29. Blood Orange Olive Oil Polenta Cake

  • Time Commitment: 1 hour and 20 minutes (plus cooling time)
  • Why We Love It: gluten free, crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy

This olive oil-laced masterpiece is inspired by amor polenta, a cake from the town of Varese, Italy, that's made with almonds and polenta.

30. Chili con Carne Cornbread Pie

  • Time Commitment: 8 hours and 25 minutes
  • Why We Love It: slow cooker recipe, make ahead, crowd-pleaser

Prep the shredded beef in advance (the Crockpot will do most of the work for you), then prepare the buttery cornbread topping before baking and serving.

31. Salmon with Polenta and Warm Tomato Vinaigrette

  • Time Commitment: 45 minutes
  • Why We Love It: pescatarian, high protein

If you don't eat this summery dish in the backyard alongside a glass of vino, you're doing it wrong.

32. Lobster Polenta Pizza with Sun-Dried Cherry Tomatoes

  • Time Commitment: 1 hour
  • Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, special occasion-worthy, pescatarian

Roasted garlic + buttery lobster tail + mascarpone *and* fontina cheeses = your new favorite dinner. Substitute shrimp if you don't want to spring for lobster.

33. Easy Jalapeño Popper Chicken Chili and Cheddar Polenta Pot Pies

  • Time Commitment: 1 hour and 5 minutes
  • Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, special occasion-worthy

In case you need yet another reason to buy a set of cute, single-serve baking dishes.

34. Almond Cake with Pear and Polenta

  • Time Commitment: 1 hour and 40 minutes
  • Why We Love It: special occasion-worthy, beginner-friendly, gluten free

The polenta cake gets fruity flavor and undeniable moisture from a surprise ingredient: pear baby food.

35. Spring Mushroom Polenta with Basil Vinaigrette

  • Time Commitment: 40 minutes
  • Why We Love It: vegetarian, beginner-friendly

Trust us: You'll want to make double of the basil vinaigrette to use on steak, pasta, salads, grilled fish and beyond.

36. Cherry Tomato Pesto Polenta with Fried Halloumi

  • Time Commitment: 25 minutes
  • Why We Love It: <30 minutes, crowd-pleaser, vegetarian

If the weather's warm, feel free to grill the halloumi instead of frying it. The char marks will offer nice smokiness to the plate.

37. Slow Cooker Cabernet Beef Short Ribs with Mascarpone Polenta

  • Time Commitment: 10 hours
  • Why We Love It: slow cooker recipe, high protein, crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy

Cabernet and fresh herbs take the fork-tender meat over the top, while mascarpone cheese makes the polenta extra creamy.

38. Creamy Polenta with Eggs, Chorizo and Cilantro

  • Time Commitment: 30 minutes
  • Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, high protein, beginner-friendly

Chorizo turns this polenta brunch gem extra savory and spicy, but you could easily swap in crumbled breakfast sausage or bacon instead.

39. Asparagus and Shiitake Mushroom Tart with Polenta Crust

  • Time Commitment: 1 hour and 30 minutes
  • Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, gluten free, vegetarian

It's just the starter for Easter dinner, if you ask us. (Just look at all that in-season asparagus.)

40. Bolo de Ananás (Azores Almond Polenta Pineapple Cake)

  • Time Commitment: 1 hour
  • Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, dairy free, special occasion-worthy

The polenta cake's texture is just as drool-worthy as the flavor. Dust each slice with confectioners' sugar before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Goes Best with Polenta?

Wondering what to serve with this hearty dish? The options are basically endless. Polenta has a mild, neutral flavor that pairs well with just about everything. Think saucy meatballs, jammy tomatoes, roasted vegetables, smoky bacon, garlicky shrimp, wilted greens, sweet-and-savory pork, beef stew, crispy chicken thighs, creamy beans and beyond.

How Is Polenta Served in Italy?

It's usually served as a communal dish, eaten family-style from a large platter or board, says La Cucina Italiana. It can play the role of a main or side. Many keep it simple with butter and cheese, while others douse it in sauce.


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Senior Food Editor

Katherine Gillen is PureWow’s senior food editor. She’s a writer, recipe developer and food stylist with a degree in culinary arts and professional experience in New York City...

taryn pire

Food Editor

Taryn Pire is PureWow’s food editor and has been writing about all things delicious since 2016. She’s developed recipes, reviewed restaurants and investigated food trends at...