40 Polenta Recipes That Are Easy and Comforting

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

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

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

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

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.

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

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).

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

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.

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

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.

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Kristin Teig/Mediterranean Every Day

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. Instead of diligently manning the stovetop, let your oven do all the heavy lifting.

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Photo: Nico Schinco/Styling: Erin McDowell

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.

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Carina Skrobecki/Simply Real Eating

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.

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Matt Russell/Lazy Baking

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 cake. They'll have no idea it took you practically zero effort to prepare.

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Plant Power Bowls

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).

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PureWow

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 dish that stars sugar snap peas and asparagus.

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Photo: Gieves Anderson/Styling: Lauren Epstein

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. Substitute nutritional yeast for Parmesan cheese to make the dish totally vegan.

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Ambitious Kitchen

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.

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Half Baked Harvest

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?

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Pinch of Yum

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 dish even easier on the eyes by using tricolor or heirloom tomatoes.

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The Full Helping

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.

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A House in the Hills

17. Mini Polenta Pizzas

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

Complete with rainbow chard and caramelized onions. They’re plant-based, wheat-free and entirely adorable.

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What's Gaby Cooking

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 side with chicken Bolognese, basil vinaigrette, sausage and cooked veggies.

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Feed Me Phoebe

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.)

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Half Baked Harvest

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.

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What's Cooking Good Looking

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. (Thanks, Jodi Moreno!) Serve it all over kale or spinach with a dollop of dairy-free yogurt.

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Spoon Fork Bacon

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 way more exciting? Don't even get us started on the tarragon-lemon aioli.

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Salt & Wind

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.

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How Sweet Eats

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.

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Dude That Cookz

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.

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Feasting at Home

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.

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Spoon Fork Bacon

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

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

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

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Half Baked Harvest

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 pancakes.

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Salt & Wind

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.

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Recipe Tin Eats

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.

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The Mom 100

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.

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How Sweet Eats

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.

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