Best 6 Slow Cooker Polenta Recipes

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Slow cooker polenta is a creamy and comforting dish that is perfect for a cold winter night. It is made with simple ingredients and takes just a few minutes to prepare. Polenta is a cornmeal porridge that has been a staple food in Italy for centuries. It is a versatile dish that can be served as a side dish, a main course, or even a dessert. In this article, we will share some of our favorite slow cooker polenta recipes. We will also provide tips on how to make polenta creamy and smooth and how to avoid common mistakes.

Here are our top 6 tried and tested recipes!

SLOW-COOKER POLENTA



Slow-Cooker Polenta image

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

13 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth, divided
3 cups cornmeal
1 medium onion, finely chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 bay leaves
2 teaspoons salt
1 cup half-and-half cream
1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup butter, cubed
1 teaspoon pepper
Additional shredded Parmesan cheese

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 SHORT RIBS WITH CHEESY POLENTA



Slow-Cooker Short Ribs With Cheesy Polenta image

Sounds delicious. Posted for safe-keeping. From Ladies Home Journal. Their nutritional info is VERY different from Zaar's for this recipe, I think Zaar is forgetting that there are bones in the ribs, not just 4 pounds of straight meat. LHJ version of nutrition: calories 480; total fat 14.5g; saturated fat 5.5g; cholesterol 75mg; sodium 696mg; carbohydrate 51g; fiber 7g; protein 32g;

Provided by Tee Lee

Categories     One Dish Meal

Time 9h40m

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 15

4 medium carrots, cut into 1-inch pieces
2 cups frozen pearl onions (from a 16-ounce bag)
4 garlic cloves, minced
4 lbs beef short ribs with bones
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 (14 1/2 ounce) can diced tomatoes
3/4 cup low sodium beef broth
1/4 cup dry red wine
1/4 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, coarsely chopped (plus additional for garnish)
2 tablespoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 bay leaf
1 cup quick-cooking polenta
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup parmigiano-reggiano cheese, finely shredded

Steps:

  • Combine carrot, onions and garlic in a 6-quart slow cooker.
  • Rinse ribs and pat dry; season with salt and pepper.
  • Heat oil in a large, wide pot over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking.
  • Add ribs, in batches, and cook, turning, until browned on all sides, about 15 minutes.
  • Transfer, as cooked, to slow cooker.
  • Stir together tomatoes, broth, wine, parsley, cornstarch and tomato paste in a bowl; pour over ribs. Add bay leaf.
  • Cover and cook, 9 to 11 hours on LOW or 4-1/2 to 5-1/2 hours on HIGH.
  • After cooking, skim off any fat from top (discard bay leaf).
  • Combine 3-3/4 cups water, the polenta and salt in a large saucepan over moderately high heat.
  • Bring to a boil, stirring constantly.
  • Add cheese and cook, stirring constantly, until thickened, about 5 minutes.
  • Serve ribs over polenta and garnish with parsley, if desired.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 1282.3, Fat 113.9, SaturatedFat 49.1, Cholesterol 234.6, Sodium 676.4, Carbohydrate 13, Fiber 2.5, Sugar 5.2, Protein 47.4

SHORT RIBS OVER CHEESY POLENTA (SLOW COOKER)



Short Ribs over Cheesy Polenta (Slow Cooker) image

From Midwest Living. I have not tried this but the recipe caught my attention because of the long cooktime - friendly for working households.

Provided by duonyte

Categories     One Dish Meal

Time 9h45m

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 17

2 1/2-3 lbs boneless beef short ribs
2 large onions, cut into thin wedges
1 cup thinly sliced carrot (2 medium)
1 medium fennel bulb, cored and cut into thin wedges
1 (14 1/2 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
1 cup dry red wine
2 tablespoons quick-cooking tapioca, crushed
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 1/2 cups water
1 cup coarse-ground yellow cornmeal
1 cup cold water
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup crumbled gorgonzola, blue cheese or 1/3 cup shredded parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • Trim fat from meat. In a 5- or 6-quart slow cooker combine onions, carrots, and fennel. Top with meat.
  • In a small bowl combine undrained tomatoes, wine, tapioca, tomato paste, dried rosemary, salt, pepper, and garlic. Pour over meat and vegetables.
  • Cover and cook on low-heat setting for 9 to 10 hours or on high-heat setting for 4-1/2 to 5 hours.
  • Meanwhile, prepare Cheesy Polenta. In a large saucepan bring the 2-1/2 cups water to boiling.
  • Meanwhile, in a bowl stir together cornmeal, the 1 cup cold water, and the salt. Slowly add cornmeal mixture to boiling water, stirring constantly. Cook and stir until mixture returns to boiling.
  • Reduce heat to medium low. Cook for 25 to 30 minutes or until very thick, stirring frequently and adjusting heat as necessary to maintain a very slow boil.
  • Stir in gorgonzola cheese, blue cheese, or Parmesan cheese.
  • Spoon polenta into shallow bowls. Spoon meat and vegetable mixture over polenta.

SLOW-COOKER BEEF RAGOUT ON POLENTA



Slow-Cooker Beef Ragout on Polenta image

Come home to relish this slow-cooked beef ragout served over polenta - a perfect Italian-style dinner.

Provided by By Betty Crocker Kitchens

Categories     Entree

Time 8h20m

Yield 5

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 medium onion, chopped (1/2 cup)
1 medium bell pepper (any color), chopped (1 cup)
2 medium carrots, chopped (1 cup)
1 lb beef stew meat, cut into 1 1/2-inch cubes
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 jar (14 oz) tomato pasta sauce
1 package (24 oz) polenta, cut into 10 slices

Steps:

  • Spray 4- to 6-quart slow cooker with cooking spray. In cooker, layer all ingredients in order listed, except polenta.
  • Cover; cook on Low heat setting 8 to 10 hours.
  • About 10 minutes before serving, heat polenta as directed on package. Arrange 2 warm polenta slices on each individual serving plate. Top each with about 1 cup beef mixture.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 360, Carbohydrate 41 g, Cholesterol 45 mg, Fat 1, Fiber 4 g, Protein 19 g, SaturatedFat 4 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 870 mg, Sugar 12 g, TransFat 0 g

SLOW-COOKER ITALIAN SOFT POLENTA



Slow-Cooker Italian Soft Polenta image

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

Heavy-duty plastic slow cooker liner
5 1/4 cups Progresso™ chicken broth (from two 32-oz cartons)
2 cups shredded Italian cheese blend (8 oz)
1 1/2 cups yellow cornmeal
1 teaspoon dried basil leaves, crushed
3/4 teaspoon salt
2 jars (6 oz each) Progresso™ marinated artichoke hearts, drained, coarsely chopped
1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 cup roasted red bell peppers (from 7-oz jar), drained, chopped
Small fresh basil leaves, if desired
Shaved Parmesan cheese, if desired

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

BASIC POLENTA (SLOW COOKER)



Basic Polenta (Slow Cooker) image

From The Italian Slow Cooker. You could add in grated cheese or herbs to the finished polenta for more flavor if desired. You could also use half broth and half water when cooking.

Provided by Brookelynne26

Categories     Grains

Time 2h

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 3

1 cup coarse ground yellow cornmeal, preferably stone-ground
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
5 cups water

Steps:

  • Stir together the cornmeal, salt, and water in a slow cooker. Cove and cook on high for 2 hours. Stir the polenta. If it seems too thick, add in a little water, milk, broth, or cream. Cook for 30 to 60 minutes more, until thick and creamy.

Tips:

- Use a slow cooker with a low setting to prevent the polenta from scorching. - If you don't have a slow cooker, you can cook the polenta in a pot over low heat, stirring constantly. - Be sure to use coarse-ground cornmeal for a creamy polenta. - Add your favorite seasonings to the polenta, such as salt, pepper, garlic, or Parmesan cheese. - You can also add cooked vegetables, meat, or fish to the polenta. - Polenta can be served as a main course or a side dish. - It can also be used to make polenta cakes, fries, or muffins.

Conclusion:

Polenta is a versatile and delicious dish that can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It's easy to make in a slow cooker, and it's a great way to use up leftover cornmeal. With a few simple ingredients and a little time, you can create a creamy and flavorful polenta that the whole family will love. So next time you're looking for a hearty and comforting meal, give slow cooker polenta a try. You won't be disappointed!

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