Polenta is a classic Italian dish made from cornmeal that has a creamy, rich texture. It can be served soft or firm and adapts well to both savory and sweet preparations. When thinking about what polenta goes good with, there are many delicious options!
Meat dishes
Polenta is a fantastic pairing for meat dishes. The cornmeal has a pleasant sweetness that complements the savory flavors of meats. Here are some of the best meat dishes to serve with polenta:
- Braised short ribs – The tender beef and rich sauce is excellent with creamy polenta.
- Meatballs – Ground beef or turkey meatballs with tomato sauce taste wonderful with soft polenta to soak up the flavors.
- Pork chops – Grilled, breaded or roasted pork chops work well with the texture of polenta.
- Chicken thighs – Braise chicken thighs in a flavorful sauce and serve over a slab of polenta.
- Lamb shanks – Slow cooked, fall-off-the-bone lamb shanks go fantastically with creamy polenta.
- Sausage and peppers – Spicy Italian sausage sauteed with bell peppers and onions is perfectly paired with polenta.
The cornmeal in polenta accents savory meats beautifully. Fry polenta after it chills and serve it with oven-baked chicken or fried eggs for an easy weeknight dinner idea.
Seafood dishes
In addition to meat, polenta is a tasty base for seafood dishes. The texture and mild flavor complements light fish and shellfish. Some excellent seafoods to enjoy with polenta include:
- Shrimp – Sauteed, grilled or baked shrimp tastes delicious served over soft polenta.
- Cod – Baked cod fillets pair well with polenta’s subtle sweetness.
- Salmon – Grilled or pan-seared salmon served with polenta is a light, healthy meal.
- Crab cakes – Fry crab cakes and serve them over polenta for a unique twist.
- Clams – Steamed clams or clams casino bring together the taste of the sea with polenta.
- Mussels – Cook mussels in a garlic broth and ladle them over hot polenta.
The possibilities are endless when pairing seafood with polenta. Fry polenta cakes in olive oil and top with seared scallops for an elegant dinner party meal.
Vegetable dishes
Polenta is not just for meat and seafood – it also pairs wonderfully with vegetable dishes!
The mild corn flavor complements the many textures and tastes of seasonal produce. Some excellent vegetable polenta pairings include:
- Ratatouille – The classic French stew with eggplant, zucchini and peppers tastes great with soft polenta.
- Mushroom risotto – Swap out rice for polenta in mushroom risotto for a gluten free twist.
- Roasted vegetables – Top slices of fried polenta with a vegetable medley of roasted carrots, parsnips, Brussels sprouts and beets.
- Green beans – Saute green beans with garlic and olive oil to serve over creamy polenta.
- Kale and tomato – Saute kale, cherry tomatoes and onions for a flavorful polenta topper.
- Pesto – Stir basil pesto into hot polenta for a quick vegetarian meal.
Take advantage of peak seasonal produce like asparagus in the spring or squash in the fall to make delicious veggie polenta meals.
Cheese
The creamy cornmeal base of polenta is the perfect canvas for melted cheese. These are some of the best types of cheese to mix into polenta or use as a topping:
- Mozzarella – Fresh mozzarella melted into polenta is stringy and delicious.
- Parmesan – Sharp, salty parmesan grated on top of polenta adds a savory kick.
- Goat cheese – Tangy, crumbly goat cheese contrasts nicely with the texture of polenta.
- Gorgonzola – Crumbled gorgonzola baked into polenta is indulgent and tasty.
- Gruyere – Nutty, melty gruyere cheese makes an excellent addition to polenta.
- Cheddar – Sharp cheddar melted into hot polenta satisfies cheesy cravings.
When making polenta for a crowd, set up a topping bar with various shredded, crumbled and melted cheeses so everyone can customize their bowl.
Sauces and seasonings
Polenta serves as a neutral base that allows sauces and seasonings to shine. Consider these tasty ways to flavor simple polenta:
- Marinara sauce – Top polenta with traditionally seasoned marinara sauce.
- Gravy – Use polenta to soak up savory gravy, especially sausage gravy.
- Chimichurri – Drizzle a fresh, herby chimichurri sauce over polenta.
- Butter and sage – Swirl in butter and fresh sage for simple flavor.
- Pesto – Stir basil, garlic or other pestos into warm polenta.
- Hot sauce – Add a kick with drops of hot sauce stirred in or splashed on top.
When cooking polenta, add aromatics like garlic, onion, oregano, parsley and red pepper flakes directly into the pot for built-in flavor. Grated nutmeg also adds warmth and seasoning.
Easy Polenta Recipes
Here are 3 easy polenta recipes to try out using some of the suggested pairings:
Baked Polenta with Sausage and Peppers
Ingredients:
- 1 cup polenta
- 3 cups vegetable broth
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 lb Italian sausage, removed from casings
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella
Instructions:
- Cook the polenta in the vegetable broth according to package directions. Pour into a greased 8×8 baking dish.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook onion and peppers until soft, 5 minutes. Add sausage and cook through, breaking up with a spoon. Stir in marinara.
- Top polenta with sausage mixture then sprinkle with mozzarella. Bake at 375°F for 20 minutes.
Shrimp and Cheese Grits
Ingredients:
- 1 cup polenta
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1⁄2 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated cheddar
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Bring chicken broth to a boil, then slowly whisk in polenta. Reduce heat to low and cook for 5 minutes, stirring often.
- Stir in butter, then add cream and cheddar. Season with salt and pepper.
- In a skillet, cook shrimp over high heat just until pink, about 2-3 minutes. Stir into polenta mixture and serve.
Polenta with Mushrooms and Tomato Sauce
Ingredients:
- 1 cup polenta
- 3 cups vegetable broth
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb cremini mushrooms, sliced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 14oz can diced tomatoes
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1⁄4 cup basil leaves, chopped
Instructions:
- Bring vegetable broth to a boil, then slowly whisk in polenta. Reduce heat to low and cook for about 5 minutes.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms and cook for 5 minutes until browned. Stir in garlic and cook 1 minute more.
- Add tomatoes, tomato paste and basil to skillet. Simmer for 10 minutes to meld flavors. Season sauce with salt and pepper.
- Pour polenta into bowls and top with mushroom tomato sauce to serve.
Dessert
While polenta is more commonly known as a savory dish, it can also be used in sweet preparations for dessert. Here are some tasty ways to enjoy polenta for a sweet finish:
- Polenta cake – Bake up a moist cornbread-textured cake with polenta.
- Polenta cookies – Swap polenta for part of the flour in cookie recipes.
- Fried polenta – Drizzle fried wedges of chilled polenta with honey or maple syrup.
- Polenta pudding – Cook polenta in milk and sugar for a creamy, comforting treat.
- Grilled polenta – Brush grilled polenta slices with butter and sprinkle cinnamon sugar on top.
- Polenta breakfast porridge – Cook polenta in milk and serve topped with fresh fruit and honey.
Polenta adds great texture and subtle corn flavor to sweet baked goods. It also pairs well with stone fruits, berries, maple syrup and warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg.
Conclusion
From meaty main dishes to fresh vegetables to sweet desserts, polenta is an extremely versatile ingredient. Its creamy corn base takes on the flavors of sauces beautifully and complements both light and heavy foods. Some of the best pairings for polenta include meat like sausage, chicken and lamb, seafood like shrimp and clams, vegetables like mushrooms and kale, and cheese such as mozzarella, parmesan and goat cheese. Simple seasonings like pesto, chimichurri and warm spices also elevate polenta’s mild flavor. So next time you make polenta, explore some delicious new ways to serve up this Italian pantry staple.