Creamy Polenta Recipe Served up Three Ways

This classic polenta recipe can be served straight out of the pot as a creamy polenta recipe, or used to make grilled or fried polenta.

It would be excellent served with this hueveos rancheros recipe!

What is Polenta?

Now, don’t be worried if you don’t know! I had never heard of polenta until I married my Italian husband. Polenta is a very simple porridge, if you will, made of cornmeal. If you’re thinking, “that sounds a lot like grits” you wouldn’t be too far off base.

What’s the difference between polenta and grits?

Polenta is a staple in Italian cuisine, made of yellow cornmeal, usually ground coarsely. Grits, commonly served in the southern part of the United States, are made of a more finely ground white corn.

I was first introduced to a creamy polenta, cooked on the stovetop. But instead of sticking with just polenta, my husband stirred in browned Italian sausage and cheese. Talk about comfort food!

Polenta is one of those flexible and versatile recipes that can be prepared in a number of ways. You can use water, milk, chicken stock, or vegetable broth to cook the corn for polenta.

The recipe for cooking polenta often depends on family traditions and personal preferences. And as evidenced by my husband, it can be customized by adding grated Parmesan cheese, butter, and/or any combination of fresh herbs and spices. Or sausage!

We often eat a simple bowl full of creamy polenta with sausage or various toppings. Grilled or fried polenta makes an excellent side dish, too. In fact, while I’d never had polenta at all until I met my husband, I’d never tried fried polenta until we were on our honeymoon! That was just not how his family served it. (But, dang, it was good!)

Some traditionalists argue that water is the only acceptable choice for making polenta because it yields the lightest, most distinctively corn flavor.

On the other hand, some argue that chicken or vegetable stock infuses the polenta with more flavor, while others prefer the richer and creamier taste associated with adding milk or half & half.

Ingredients

Liquid– Water works perfectly well for cooking the polenta to a creamy consistency. You can also use chicken, beef, or vegetable broth for a richer flavor. Milk is another option.

Polenta – A coarsely ground cornmeal, this shelf stable product is great to keep on hand for last-minute meals.

Sea salt – Use your favorite table salt or sea salt.

Butter – I used salted butter; if you prefer unsalted, that will work fine.

Process

This polenta recipe is made on the stove top. While it’s not a difficult recipe to make, it does require that you stick close by to stir the pot as the cornmeal cooks. This remains the same whether you use water or opt for a richer liquid such as broth or milk.

Once the cornmeal is cooked, you can serve the creamy polenta right out of the pot, topped with Parmesan cheese and butter, this delicious braised Tuscan pork, or even a meaty marinara sauce.

To make grilled or fried polenta, you’ll make a slightly stiffer batch of cooked polenta, which lends itself to slicing. Pour the cooked polenta into a baking dish to cool.

Polenta firms up as it cools, which allows you to cut it into rectangles or a triangular shape perfect for grilling or frying it.

Fried polenta can be cooked in your favorite skillet until it’s golden brown.

Grilled polenta can be made on a grilling pan or outside on the barbecue. Just be sure to thoroughly oil the grates to prevent sticking.

Whether you opt for creamy polenta, fried polenta, or grilled polenta, you can’t go wrong serving it with this beef ragu!

FAQs

What can you make with polenta?

Polenta is an extremely versatile dish. It can be cut into lengths and made into polenta fries, or cut into squares for skewers or pizza bites, and it can even be turned into a casserole.

How do I thicken my polenta dish?

If the polenta isn’t thickening as much as you’d like, you can slowly pour a spoonful of cornmeal into the hot pot. Allow it to cook for several minutes before determining if you need to add more.

Is this a vegan polenta recipe?

Yes, simple polenta is completely vegan. If you’ve got a “mixed” household, you can make the polenta with water, then scoop out enough for the vegans in the family before stirring in any extras (like sausage, cheese, or butter).

Is this creamy polenta recipe gluten free?

In its simplest form, polenta is cornmeal and water. Since corn is gluten free, polenta makes for a good starchy dish for those who are avoiding wheat and gluten.

Originally published in October 2019, this post has been updated.