Baked stuffed polenta, or polenta al forno, is a traditional Italian dish that is both hearty and flavorful. This dish is made with cornmeal, which is cooked and then mixed with cheese, vegetables, and meat or fish. The polenta is then baked until it is golden brown and crispy on the outside, while the inside remains soft and creamy. Polenta al forno can be served as a main course or a side dish.
Let's cook with our recipes!
BAKED POLENTA
Provided by Giada De Laurentiis
Time 35m
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 2
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Grease a half sheet pan with oil. Line pan with waxed paper. The oil will secure the waxed paper onto the pan.
- In a large pot bring to a boil 2 quarts of salted water. When water has reached a boil, reduce heat to medium high and slowly add the polenta, stirring constantly for 3 minutes. When polenta is thick and smooth, pour it into the prepared pan. Bake in oven for 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool in pan. When cool enough to handle, cut into any shape you desire. I like to cut out 2-inch circles.
BAKED POLENTA
Provided by Giada De Laurentiis
Categories side-dish
Time 35m
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 4
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Grease an 11 by 17-inch baking sheet pan with oil. Line pan with waxed paper. The oil will secure the waxed paper onto the pan.
- In a large pot bring to a boil 2 quarts of salted water. Stir in extra-virgin olive oil. When water has reached a boil, reduce heat to medium high and slowly add the polenta, whisking constantly for 3 minutes. When polenta is thick and smooth, pour it into the prepared pan. Spread the polenta evenly.
- Bake in oven for 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool in pan. Note: the polenta will not brown or change in color. When cool enough to handle, cut into any shape you desire. I like to cut out 2-inch circles.
POLENTA AL FORNO WITH SPINACH, RICOTTA AND FONTINA
Provided by David Tanis
Categories dinner, weekday, main course
Time 1h30m
Yield 6 to 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Blanch spinach briefly in a large pot of boiling water, 1 to 2 minutes. Drain and cool. Squeeze all excess moisture from spinach and roughly chop.
- In a large bowl, combine chopped spinach and ricotta. Season with salt and pepper, then add cayenne, lemon zest, half the Parmesan and all but 2 tablespoons of the fontina and stir well.
- Butter a 9- by 12-inch casserole dish. Ladle in half of the warm, soft polenta and spread with a spatula to make a thin layer. Spoon spinach mixture evenly over it. Top with remaining soft polenta and spread to smooth the surface. (May be made ahead up to this point, then covered and refrigerated. Bring to room temperature before baking.)
- Sprinkle with remaining Parmesan and fontina. Bake, uncovered, at 375 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes, until nicely browned. Remove from oven and let rest for 10 minutes before serving.
EASY OVEN-BAKED REAL POLENTA (NOT INSTANT)
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
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
BAKED STUFFED POLENTA (POLENTA AL FORNO)
This recipe from the *Italian Cookbook 2* of the Australian Womens Weekly cookbook series admittedly requires extra work, but makes up for it w/a company-worthy outcome that is visually stunning as a main-dish when served w/an Italian salad + garlic bread. The polenta is stuffed w/salami, sun-dried tomatoes, black olives & cheese. It has 2 cooking steps, but all the prep is done in advance of the final cooking step in the oven. I have not made this recipe yet, but did simplify the recipe & prep. I am hopeful that someone among you will be open to an adventure & give it a try. Pls see my notes Re pan sizes + a 2nd stuffing option at the end of the prep. (This recipe serves 6 as a main-dish or 8 generously as a side-dish. Time does not include chilling the polenta under refrigeration for several hrs or overnite). *Enjoy* !
Provided by twissis
Categories Cheese
Time 1h20m
Yield 6 Main-Dish Servings, 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- In a lrg saucepan, bring chicken stock to a boil & gradually whisk in the polenta. Reduce heat to simmer & cook 15 min or till very thick (while continuing to stir).
- Remove pan from heat & stir in butter, 1st measure of Parmesan cheese + parsley.
- Allow to cool slightly. Then press polenta mixture into an oiled 8 x 12-in lamington pan (See notes). Cool to rm temp & refrigerate several hrs (or overnite) till firm.
- Turn polenta out of pan, slice horizontally in half, return bottom half to pan & set top half aside.
- Evenly distribute sliced salami over the half in the pan, overlapping as necessary. Then evenly distribute the chopped tomatoes & black olives over the salami slices.
- Combine Mozzarella cheese, 2nd measure of Parmesan cheese & fresh basil. Spread half of this mixture over the layered salami, tomatoes & black olives.
- Gentle place top half of polenta over the layered ingredients & sprinkle it w/the 2nd half of the cheese & basil mixture.
- Bake in a hot oven (400°F) about 30 min or till heated thru. The top should be lightly browned & crisp, so place under broiler as needed. Allow to cool slightly & serve immediately.
- NOTES RE PAN SIZE: I do not have a lamington pan or a pan 8 x 12-in size. If made in one, the dish would be cut into 6 4x4-in square servings. I do have a 10-in rd glass baking dish that would be equal in size to the pan suggested. In this event, the dish would be cut in 6 wedge-shaped servings.
- 2nd STUFFING OPTION: As an 2nd option if you prefer, use thinly sliced prosciutto as a sub for the salami & keep all else the same.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 743.2, Fat 45.8, SaturatedFat 21.9, Cholesterol 133.2, Sodium 2214.9, Carbohydrate 47.4, Fiber 3.5, Sugar 8.1, Protein 36.1
BAKED POLENTA WITH RICOTTA AND PARMESAN
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
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.
BAKED POLENTA WITH CHEESE
Want a different family side dish but with flavors sure to please? Then try this. With some store-bought polenta in a tube and a few other ingredients, TADA ... scalloped polenta, yum!
Provided by laughingmagpie
Categories Side Dish Grain Side Dish Recipes Polenta Recipes
Time 1h
Yield 5
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Grease an 8-inch square baking pan with 1 teaspoon butter. Add 2 teaspoons Parmesan cheese to the baking pan and shake gently, back and forth, until the bottom and sides are coated with Parmesan, discarding any extra.
- Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and saute until tender, about 5 minutes. Add flour and stir until well combined. Turn off heat and whisk in milk. Turn heat to medium-low and bring sauce to a simmer; cook until thickened, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
- While sauce is thickening, mix together Cheddar cheese, Parmesan cheese, and bread crumbs in a bowl.
- Layer 1/2 of the polenta slices in the prepared baking dish and top with 1/2 of the sauce. Repeat with remaining polenta and sauce. Top with cheese mixture.
- Bake in the preheated oven until cheese is melted and golden brown, about 25 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 423.5 calories, Carbohydrate 32.5 g, Cholesterol 71.2 mg, Fat 24.5 g, Fiber 2.5 g, Protein 18.4 g, SaturatedFat 15.1 g, Sodium 820.4 mg, Sugar 7.9 g
Tips:
- To achieve a creamy polenta, use a ratio of 1:3 polenta to liquid (water or broth).
- For a more flavorful polenta, use vegetable or chicken broth instead of water.
- Season the polenta with salt, pepper, and other herbs and spices to taste.
- When cooking the polenta, stir it constantly to prevent lumps from forming.
- If the polenta is too thick, add more liquid and stir until desired consistency is reached.
- For a crispy polenta crust, spread the cooked polenta in a thin layer on a baking sheet and bake until golden brown.
- To make stuffed polenta, simply spoon your favorite fillings (such as cheese, vegetables, or meat) onto the cooked polenta and bake until heated through.
- Polenta is a versatile dish that can be served as a main course, side dish, or appetizer.
Conclusion:
Polenta is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed in many different ways. Whether you're looking for a hearty main course, a tasty side dish, or a simple appetizer, polenta is a great option. With its creamy texture and mild flavor, polenta is a blank canvas that can be customized to your liking. So get creative and experiment with different recipes and ingredients to find your perfect polenta dish!
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