Polenta, a traditional Italian dish made from cornmeal, offers a delectable and versatile culinary experience. Whether you prefer a creamy, soft texture or a crispy, golden crust, a crock pot can transform this simple ingredient into a hearty and flavorful meal. With its slow cooking capabilities, a crock pot allows for hands-off cooking, ensuring perfect results every time. Explore a world of taste as we present a collection of the best polenta recipes crafted in a crock pot. From classic polenta to variations infused with cheese, herbs, or savory meats, these recipes cater to a diverse range of palates.
Here are our top 9 tried and tested recipes!
SLOW-COOKER POLENTA
This Italian classic is so simple to make, you can now make it any night of the week. -Elisabeth Matelski, Boston, Massachusetts
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Side Dishes
Time 6h10m
Yield 12 servings
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- In a 6-qt. slow cooker, combine 12 cups broth, cornmeal, onion, garlic, bay leaves and salt. Cook, covered, on low , 6-8 hours, until liquid is absorbed and polenta is creamy. Remove bay leaves. Stir in cream, cheese, butter, pepper and remaining broth. If desired, serve with additional cheese.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 255 calories, Fat 8g fat (5g saturated fat), Cholesterol 25mg cholesterol, Sodium 1168mg sodium, Carbohydrate 34g carbohydrate (3g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 9g protein.
SLOW-COOKER BEEF AND POLENTA
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories main-dish
Time 8h25m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Toss the beef with the Italian seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Scatter the mushrooms and garlic in a 6- to 8-quart slow cooker; top with the beef. Add the pepperoncini, brine, tomatoes and beef broth. Cover and cook on low until the beef is tender, 8 hours.
- Uncover the slow cooker and let stand 5 minutes. Spoon off any fat from the top and discard. Shred the beef with 2 forks.
- Meanwhile, cook the polenta as the label directs. Remove from the heat and stir in the parmesan and butter until smooth; season with salt and pepper. Divide among bowls and top with the beef mixture.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 580, Fat 18 grams, SaturatedFat 9 grams, Cholesterol 157 milligrams, Sodium 1384 milligrams, Carbohydrate 46 grams, Fiber 3 grams, Protein 52 grams, Sugar 5 grams
CREAMY POLENTA
Provided by Melissa d'Arabian : Food Network
Time 2h30m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Spray the insert of a slow cooker with cooking spray (for easier clean up) and preheat on high.
- In a medium saucepan, add the milk, 1 cup half-and-half, 1 tablespoon butter, and polenta. Season with salt and bring to a boil over medium-high heat, whisking constantly to keep the mixture lump-free. Boil for 2 to 3 minutes. Pour the mixture into the slow cooker and cook on high for 2 hours, stirring once or twice per hour. Once you are ready to serve, open the slow cooker and whisk in the remaining 1 tablespoon butter, remaining 1/3 cup half-and-half, and Parmesan.
SLOW-COOKER ITALIAN SOFT POLENTA
Enjoy this tasty polenta made with cheese, Progresso® artichoke hearts and chicken broth. A perfect Italian side dish.
Provided by Betty Crocker Kitchens
Categories Side Dish
Time 4h40m
Yield 11
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Line 5- to 6-quart slow cooker with slow cooker liner; spray liner with cooking spray. In large bowl, mix broth, cheese blend, cornmeal, dried basil, salt, artichokes, milk and garlic until well blended. Pour mixture into slow cooker.
- Cover; cook on Low heat setting 4 to 5 hours, stirring once halfway through cooking. Turn off slow cooker. Stir in roasted peppers; let stand covered 30 minutes. Stir before serving. Sprinkle individual servings with fresh basil and Parmesan cheese.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 250, Carbohydrate 24 g, Fat 1, Fiber 1 g, Protein 10 g, SaturatedFat 5 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 910 mg
HOW TO MAKE PERFECT POLENTA
Polenta is nothing more than coarsely ground cornmeal. The classic ratio is 1 part polenta to 4 parts water, but I like to measure the polenta just a little scant of a full cup. I often use chicken broth instead of water. It's a perfect base for any kind of saucy meat or mushroom ragout.
Provided by Chef John
Categories Side Dish Grain Side Dish Recipes Polenta Recipes
Time 55m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Bring water and salt to a boil in a large saucepan; pour polenta slowly into boiling water, whisking constantly until all polenta is stirred in and there are no lumps.
- Reduce heat to low and simmer, whisking often, until polenta starts to thicken, about 5 minutes. Polenta mixture should still be slightly loose. Cover and cook for 30 minutes, whisking every 5 to 6 minutes. When polenta is too thick to whisk, stir with a wooden spoon. Polenta is done when texture is creamy and the individual grains are tender.
- Turn off heat and gently stir 2 tablespoons butter into polenta until butter partially melts; mix 1/2 cup Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese into polenta until cheese has melted. Cover and let stand 5 minutes to thicken; stir and taste for salt before transferring to a serving bowl. Top polenta with remaining 1 tablespoon butter and about 1 tablespoon freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese for garnish.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 291.2 calories, Carbohydrate 31 g, Cholesterol 33.4 mg, Fat 14.7 g, Fiber 2.7 g, Protein 9.2 g, SaturatedFat 8.2 g, Sodium 1186.1 mg, Sugar 2 g
CROCK POT POLENTA
I love polenta. Like it fried with maple syrup for breakfast. Like it with lemon pepper & a bit of butter, oh I could go on and on. But making it on the stove top was always plop plop burn burn, this way I'm safe.
Provided by L DJ3309
Categories Grains
Time 9h5m
Yield 3-4 loaves, 36 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- In large bowl combine cornmeal and 2 cups cold water.
- Pour 8 cups boiling water into 4 qt crock pot add salt and butter. When butter melts carefully add wet cornmeal stirring.
- Cover and cook on low for 6 to 9 hours (3 to 4 hours on high), stirring occasionally.
- Transfer polenta mixture to greased loaf pans. Chill til cold and firm. Remove from pans.
- Wrap individual loaves in foil or slice for desired recipes and carefully place in large freezer bags; 1 layer per bag. Stack bags after frozen. Makes 3 - 4 loaves depending on pan size.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 66, Fat 2.4, SaturatedFat 1.3, Cholesterol 5.1, Sodium 278.1, Carbohydrate 10.4, Fiber 1, Sugar 0.1, Protein 1.1
CROCK POT METHOD FOR POLENTA GRITS OR MUSH
Make and share this Crock Pot Method for Polenta Grits or Mush recipe from Food.com.
Provided by Vino Girl
Categories Breakfast
Time 8h10m
Yield 8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Spray the crock pot with cooking spray.
- Turn heat on HIGH.
- Add the liquid (use 8 cups for coarse ground cornmeal, 7 for finer grinds), salt, and cornmeal; stir well.
- Cover and cook for 1 hour on HIGH.
- Stir well and turn heat to LOW.
- Cover and stir occasionally.
- Cook for 6-9 hours on LOW until tender and very thick.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 110.4, Fat 1.1, SaturatedFat 0.1, Sodium 452.9, Carbohydrate 23.4, Fiber 2.2, Sugar 0.2, Protein 2.5
POLENTA (IN CROCK POT) RECIPE
Provided by L84supper
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Put cornmeal into slow cooker & stir in salt & pepper to tast. Tur slow cooker on. Put milk & water in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Stir the liquid into the cornmeal. Cook for 2 hours on high, or 3-4 hours on low, until liquid is absorbed and polenta is creamy. Stir in the cheese. Serve soft or cool, slice & fry on griddle.
CREAMY SLOW-COOKER POLENTA WITH SAUSAGES
The key to creamy polenta is a relatively high ratio of liquid to dried polenta: about five to one, instead of the more standard four to one. But the more liquid you use, the longer it will take the polenta to absorb it. That's why the best polenta is made in a slow cooker, where the dried corn can gently hydrate all day, with no stirring or worrying about clumps or molten splatters. In this recipe, the polenta is cooked with marinara (which is part of the liquid) and roasted red peppers. Then it's topped with quick-roasted sausages and sizzled capers and pepperoncini. If you are feeding spice-adverse kids, leave off the pepperoncini.
Provided by Sarah DiGregorio
Categories sausages, vegetables, main course
Time 6h5m
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Whisk together the polenta, roasted red peppers, marinara, garlic, olive oil, oregano, garlic powder and 1 teaspoon salt in a 6- to 8-quart slow cooker. Whisk in 5 1/2 cups of water. Cook on low for 6 hours. (The polenta will keep very well on warm.)
- About 10 or 15 minutes before you want to eat, heat the oven to 450 degrees. Lightly coat an oven-safe skillet with olive oil, and roast the sausages in the skillet in the oven until sizzling and browned, about 10 minutes. Remove the skillet and put it over medium-high heat on the stovetop. Add a little more oil if the pan is relatively dry. Add the capers and pepperoncini to the hot skillet with the sausages, and let the capers pop, 1 or 2 minutes. Turn off the heat.
- Stir the Parmesan into the polenta. The polenta will continue to firm up as it cools; stir in a few tablespoons of water if you would like it to be looser. Serve the polenta in shallow bowls topped with sausages, capers and pepperoncini. Pass more Parmesan at the table.
Tips:
- Use a slow cooker with a capacity of at least 4 quarts to ensure that the polenta has enough room to cook evenly.
- Be sure to use coarse-ground cornmeal for the best texture and flavor.
- Add your desired seasonings to the polenta mixture before cooking to infuse it with flavor.
- If you want a creamier polenta, use milk or cream instead of water as the cooking liquid.
- For a more flavorful polenta, use broth instead of water as the cooking liquid.
- Be sure to stir the polenta frequently during the cooking process to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Once the polenta is cooked, it can be served immediately or used in a variety of dishes, such as polenta fries, polenta lasagna, or polenta cake.
Conclusion:
Polenta is a versatile and delicious dish that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. Whether you're looking for a hearty breakfast, a comforting dinner, or a creative side dish, polenta is a great option. With its simple ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions, this crock pot polenta recipe is the perfect way to enjoy this classic Italian dish. So next time you're looking for a delicious and satisfying meal, give this crock pot polenta recipe a try. You won't be disappointed!
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