Best 7 Baked Polenta Or Grits Recipes

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Baked polenta or grits is a versatile and delicious dish that can be served as a main course or a side dish. It is a great way to use up leftover polenta or grits, and it can be customized with various ingredients to create a variety of flavors and textures. Whether you prefer a classic cheesy polenta or a more innovative dish with roasted vegetables or herbs, there is a baked polenta or grits recipe out there to suit your taste.

Here are our top 7 tried and tested recipes!

OVEN-BAKED CREAMY POLENTA



Oven-Baked Creamy Polenta image

This warm and creamy side dish is perfect with our Braised Chicken with Mushrooms.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Ingredients     Pasta and Grains

Time 35m

Number Of Ingredients 6

3/4 cup cornmeal
1 1/4 teaspoons salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1/4 cup milk
2 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon chopped fresh marjoram (or 1/4 teaspoon dried)

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 425 degrees. In an ovenproof saucepan with a lid, whisk together 3 cups water, cornmeal, salt, and pepper. Cover, and bake 30 minutes, stirring halfway through.
  • Remove from oven, and add milk, butter, and marjoram; whisk briskly until smooth. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 155 g, Protein 2 g

BAKED POLENTA WITH TOMATO SAUCE AND RICOTTA



Baked Polenta with Tomato Sauce and Ricotta image

I turn to polenta when I am in need of some good, old-fashioned comfort food. I suspect it's because there is not much difference between polenta and the grits I was raised on in North Florida. This simple dish relies once again on my favorite tomato sauce and not much else other than freshly cooked polenta made better than ever with a little added ricotta.

Provided by Art Smith

Categories     HarperCollins     Hominy/Cornmeal/Masa     Tomato     Vegetarian     Parmesan     Basil     Ricotta     Healthy     Dinner

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 15

For the tomato sauce:
4 tomatoes
1 medium yellow onion, skin on
1 small bulb garlic
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Salt
For the polenta:
1 cup polenta
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
4 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
1/2 cup ricotta cheese
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
For the garnish:
4 tablespoons chopped basil

Steps:

  • To prepare the tomato sauce:
  • Preheat the oven to 425°F. Place the tomatoes, yellow onion, and garlic in a baking pan. Bake for 45 minutes or until the garlic is soft and the skin is peeling away from the tomatoes. Remove from the oven and cool to room temperature. Remove the skin from the tomatoes and put in a saucepan. Squeeze the garlic out of the bulb and into the tomatoes. Remove the skin from the onion. Coarsely chop the onion and add to the tomatoes.
  • Add the olive oil to the tomatoes and puree with a handheld immersion blender until smooth. You may need to add up to 1/3 cup water if there is not enough liquid. Season with salt. Warm the tomato sauce just prior to use.
  • To prepare the polenta:
  • Preheat the oven to 400°F. In a medium saucepan, bring 3 cups of water to a simmer and stream in the polenta. Whisk together until there are no lumps. Cover with a lid and continue to cook over low heat for 20 minutes, stirring every 3 minutes. Be careful when you go to stir the polenta-it tends to spit out pieces of the cornmeal, which is very hot. Remove the polenta from the heat and stir in the olive oil and basil. Drop in teaspoon-size pieces of the ricotta cheese. Pour the polenta into an 8-inch square baking pan and spread evenly. Sprinkle with the Parmesan cheese and let sit for 1 hour or until the polenta has firmed up. Bake the polenta in the oven for 15 minutes or until heated through. Cut the polenta into 8 equal pieces.
  • To serve:
  • Place 1/2 cup warm tomato sauce in 4 shallow bowls and top with two pieces of the polenta. Sprinkle with the chopped basil.

EASY OVEN-BAKED REAL POLENTA (NOT INSTANT)



Easy Oven-Baked Real Polenta (Not Instant) image

Why stir polenta forever when this delicious recipe works beautifully? I like to roast veggies (eggplant, zucchini, onion) while the polenta bakes, then when the polenta is done, top with roasted veggies and some chopped tomatoes, some spices, and bake another 20 minutes. It's dinner.

Provided by Nancy

Categories     Side Dish     Grain Side Dish Recipes     Polenta Recipes

Time 1h10m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 7

cooking spray
3 cups water
1 cup polenta
salt to taste
1 cup mashed butternut squash
½ cup sour cream
½ cup grated Cheddar cheese

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 2-quart casserole dish with cooking spray.
  • Pour water into the prepared dish; stir in polenta and salt.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until polenta is thickened, about 40 minutes. Stir in squash, sour cream, and Cheddar cheese. Continue baking until cheese is melted, about 10 minutes more. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 304.9 calories, Carbohydrate 32.1 g, Cholesterol 34.1 mg, Fat 15.1 g, Fiber 2.7 g, Protein 10.5 g, SaturatedFat 8.4 g, Sodium 533.1 mg, Sugar 2.1 g

EASY CHEESE JALAPENO BAKED POLENTA (GRITS)



Easy Cheese Jalapeno Baked Polenta (Grits) image

I don't care for grits, but I love polenta! Who knew they were the same thing? This recipe is made of wholesome ingredients and is so easy. The jalapenos, if properly seeded, add a lot of flavor without added heat. Serve this alongside your tex-mex dishes in place of rice or potatoes.

Provided by MommyMakes

Categories     Breakfast

Time 1h

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 7

5 cups water or 5 cups chicken stock
1 cup coarse-ground cornmeal
1 ears of corn, shucked or 1/2 cup frozen corn
1 -2 jalapeno, seeded and minced
2 tablespoons butter
3/4-1 cup shredded monterey jack cheese
1 teaspoon kosher salt

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
  • Whisk cornmeal into water, cook until cornmeal comes together and is creamy 5-10 minutes.
  • Meanwhile prepare peppers, and grate cheese.
  • Add corn, pepper, cheese, butter, and salt. Butter a small-medium baking dish.
  • Pour polenta into baking dish and bake 30-45 minutes. Turn on broiler and broil until bubbly, 2 to 3 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 260.8, Fat 13.6, SaturatedFat 7.9, Cholesterol 34.1, Sodium 610.5, Carbohydrate 28.1, Fiber 2.9, Sugar 1.1, Protein 8.5

"DIXIE POLENTA" (I.E., CREAMY ROASTED GARLIC GRITS)



Provided by Food Network

Yield Serves 8

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 cup coarse, old-fashioned stone-ground grits
1 quart chicken stock
1 tablespoon salt
1/4 cup Roasted Garlic Puree, recipe follows
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4 cup grated Parmesan or Sonoma Dry Jack cheese
1/4 cup half-and-half (or more to taste)
Salt and black pepper to taste
4 heads garlic, separated into cloves, unpeeled (do not use elephant garlic)
2 bay leaves (optional)
Olive oil

Steps:

  • In a 2- or 3-quart saucepan, heat the chicken stock over high heat until boiling. Add the salt, stir in the grits, and return to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer 30 to 40 minutes, stirring frequently until thickened.
  • Stir in the roasted garlic puree, butter, and cheese until incorporated. Stir in the half-and-half and adjust the seasoning. Transfer to a double boiler and keep warm until ready to serve.
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Toss the garlic with the bay leaves and enough olive oil to coat thoroughly. Transfer to an ovenproof pan large enough to hold the garlic in one layer and cover tightly with foil. Bake for 30 to 45 minutes, until the garlic is soft and aromatic. Cool slightly.
  • Pass the cloves through the fine blade of a food mill or press them through a strainer and then transfer the puree to a container. Cool completely, cover with a thin film of olive oil, and seal the container. Refrigerate until needed.

BAKED POLENTA WITH RICOTTA AND PARMESAN



Baked Polenta With Ricotta and Parmesan image

This no-stir method produces an effortless polenta. The ricotta adds lightness and turns the polenta into an elegant side dish. It may be baked up to 2 hours in advance and reheated, if desired.

Provided by David Tanis

Categories     dinner, grains and rice, side dish

Time 1h

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 cup coarse polenta
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 cup fresh ricotta
1 cup grated Parmesan
Black pepper

Steps:

  • Soak polenta in cold water for 1 hour. Heat oven to 400 degrees. Drain polenta, then place in a heavy-bottomed pot or ovenproof baking dish. Add salt and 4 cups water.
  • Place pot in oven, cover, and bake for 45 minutes. (The polenta will begin to simmer and absorb water after a few minutes. No need to stir.)
  • After 45 minutes, uncover and stir in the olive oil, ricotta and Parmesan, but don't overmix. Some of the ricotta should remain in big blobs. The mixture may be a bit soupy at this point, but will thicken as it continues to cook. Bake, uncovered, for another 15 minutes, until top has browned. Finish with a generous amount of pepper.

OVEN-BAKED POLENTA



Oven-Baked Polenta image

Provided by Nigella Lawson

Categories     side dish

Time 1h15m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 4

Butter for greasing dish and foil
2 quarts stock (any kind) or water
Salt to taste
12 ounces polenta meal

Steps:

  • Butter a shallow 2 1/2- to 3-quart baking dish, and set aside. Place stock or water and salt into a large saucepan, and bring to simmer. Remove pan from heat.
  • Heat oven to 350 degrees. Slowly pour polenta into stock, stirring rapidly with a wooden spoon. Place pan on medium heat. Slowly bring to a boil, stirring constantly in same direction. Boil 5 minutes, continuing to stir.
  • Pour polenta into buttered dish, and cover with buttered foil. Bake for 1 hour. Remove foil and serve.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 362, UnsaturatedFat 4 grams, Carbohydrate 56 grams, Fat 9 grams, Fiber 2 grams, Protein 12 grams, SaturatedFat 4 grams, Sodium 888 milligrams, Sugar 6 grams, TransFat 0 grams

Tips:

  • Choose the right polenta or grits: Use a coarse-ground polenta or grits for a hearty texture, or a medium-ground polenta or grits for a creamier texture.
  • Use flavorful cooking liquid: Choose a cooking liquid that will add flavor to the polenta or grits, such as chicken broth, vegetable broth, or milk.
  • Cook the polenta or grits slowly: Polenta and grits need to be cooked slowly and stirred frequently to prevent them from becoming lumpy.
  • Add cheese and butter for creaminess: Stir in grated Parmesan cheese and butter at the end of cooking to make the polenta or grits creamy and flavorful.
  • Serve polenta or grits with your favorite toppings: Polenta and grits can be served with a variety of toppings, such as sautéed mushrooms, roasted vegetables, or a simple tomato sauce.

Conclusion:

Polenta and grits are versatile dishes that can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. They can be served as a main course, side dish, or appetizer. With a little creativity, you can create endless variations of polenta and grits that will please everyone at your table.

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