Baked Parmesan Polenta Recipe
Baked Parmesan Polenta is a creamy and comforting dish made by cooking cornmeal in a flavorful broth until thickened, mixed with grated parmesan cheese, then baked to golden perfection. This recipe offers a deliciously cheesy twist on classic polenta, perfect as a side dish or a light vegetarian main.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 9 servings (9 squares) 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Polenta Base
- 3 cups low sodium vegetable or chicken stock or broth
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 cup cornmeal or polenta
Cheese Topping
- 1/4 cup plus 2 Tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly spray a 9-inch square glass baking dish with cooking spray or coat it with olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Simmer Stock and Salt: In a medium saucepan, bring the vegetable or chicken stock and kosher salt to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
- Add Cornmeal: While whisking continuously to avoid lumps, slowly pour the cornmeal into the simmering stock.
- Cook until Thickened: Continue to simmer the mixture, stirring frequently, for 15 to 20 minutes until it becomes very thick and nearly firm.
- Incorporate Parmesan: Stir in 1/4 cup of grated parmesan cheese evenly into the thickened polenta mixture.
- Spread in Pan and Add Topping: Transfer the polenta mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly. Sprinkle the remaining 2 tablespoons of grated parmesan cheese over the top for a flavorful crust.
- Bake to Golden Brown: Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, until the top turns golden brown and slightly crisp.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the baked polenta to cool slightly to firm up, then cut into squares and serve warm.
Notes
- You can prepare the polenta in advance by cooking and spreading it in the pan, then refrigerate until ready to bake.
- When baking refrigerated polenta, sprinkle parmesan cheese over the top and bake just before serving, which may require an extra 5 minutes of oven time.
- Use low sodium broth to control sodium levels in the dish.
- For a richer flavor, try using chicken broth instead of vegetable broth if not vegetarian.
Keywords: baked polenta, parmesan polenta, easy polenta recipe, Italian side dish, cheesy polenta bake
Find it online: https://mixitwitjoe.com/baked-parmesan-polenta-recipe/
