Baked Polenta is a simple and delicious side dish that is perfect for pretty much any meal. If you’re stuck in a rice and potatoes rut, this baked polenta recipe is a great way to shake things up.
Have you tried polenta? This was the first polenta recipe we tried years ago and it most definitely was not the last. It is completely kid approved but flavorful enough to serve to any discerning adult.
I’ve had polenta on the list of foods I want to try for over a year now. I finally decided to make it along with the Twisted Chicken Piccata I posted yesterday. They went together perfectly.
What is polenta?
Polenta refers to a creamy porridge made from coarsely ground cornmeal. It is often prepared with milk and butter. It’s is soft and creamy when it is first cooked, but it hardens into a firmer dish as it cools. The hardened version of polenta can be sliced and served like a loaf.
It is traditionally an Italian dish, although polenta is made all over the world today. With budget-friendly and easy to find ingredients, baked polenta is a side dish you need to try. I guarantee you’ll be as impressed as I was.
Baked Polenta Recipe
While it’s often made on the stovetop, I used the oven-baked method for making this polenta. Seasoned with a simple blend of salt, pepper, and marjoram, I was so impressed by how flavorful the finished side dish was!
This polenta recipe really couldn’t get any easier. All you do is combine cornmeal with water, salt, and pepper in an oven-safe dish. Then cover and bake for 30 minutes. At the halfway point, give the polenta a stir.
After baking, add milk, butter and either dried or fresh marjoram and whisk quickly until the polenta becomes smooth and creamy. Serve immediately.
Microwave Polenta
I learned by accident that you can also make polenta in the microwave! The first time I made this recipe, my very old oven caught fire and started sparking.
Since the polenta was already partially cooked, I pulled it out of the oven and finished cooking in the microwave.
I simply placed the glass dish in the microwave and continued cooking it that way, stirring every couple of minutes until it was done. It worked out great!
It’s still simpler to pop it in the oven and walk away until it’s done, but in a pinch, the microwave definitely works.
What to Serve with Polenta
When it comes to side dishes, you’re hard-pressed to find anything that goes so well with so many different main dishes. Oven-Baked Crispy Chicken and Pan Fried Italian Chicken Thighs are terrific with polenta.
Baked Polenta would also be a perfect match for Balsamic Glazed Meatloaf. With a mild flavor and creamy texture, polenta is delicious with so many different entrees!
Polenta Recipes
Back when I posted this baked polenta, I was right to predict that we’d be enjoying a lot more often in the future. In the years since I first made polenta, it’s become a regular side dish on my dinner table.
If you like cheesy side dishes, try this Creamy Cheesy Polenta; it’s always a favorite with my kids! For something with a bolder spice level, you might enjoy Paprika Manchego Polenta.
These Polenta Fries are on my list to try soon as well!
I can’t wait for you to try this easy cornmeal side dish made right in the oven or microwave.
Oven Baked Polenta
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup cornmeal I used freshly ground corn, but store bought works as well
- 1 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1/8-1/4 teaspoon freshly cracked pepper
- 3 cups water
- 1/4 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/4 teaspoon (optional) dried marjoram or 1 teaspoon fresh
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. In a covered dish with a lid, whisk together the water, cornmeal, salt and pepper. Cover and bake for 30 minutes*, stirring halfway through.
- Remove from the oven and add the milk, butter, and marjoram, if desired. Whisk quickly until the polenta is smooth and creamy. Serve immediately. Enjoy!
Nutrition
{originally published 11/8/11 – recipe notes and photos updated 2/19/20}
Sonia (Nasi Lemak Lover) says
Old one go, new oven come, you must be excited! Thanks for sharing a new way of prepare cornmeal .
Carrie@Bakeaholic Mama says
I have never had polenta… but I always have the ingredients… Looks awesome!
Sue/the view from great island says
We love polenta in our house, it's a winter staple. I just wish it stayed creamy because it just doesn't appeal to me in it's hardened leftover form. That's good to know abut the microwave, though—and congratulations on a new stove!
My Journey With Candida says
I grew up eating fried polenta, only we called it fried mush. I never liked it as a kid but was made to eat it. Have not tried it since becoming an adult.
Reem | Simply Reem says
I love polenta,such a warm and cozy food it is.
Your recipe looks so good Mary….
Loved the yummy looking chicken too…
Tricia @ saving room for dessert says
Polenta is on my list too. You make it look so easy and delicious. Thanks!
Janeen says
Quite honestly… I'm about ready to get rid of half my cookbooks and start coming here!
Angie's Recipes says
Love polenta, but don't make them often enough. Looks so tasty with chicken piccata.
EcoCatLady says
Holy Moly! That's a dramatic way for an oven to die… mine bit the dust in the "great pea soup disaster of 2002." For future reference, when using a pressure cooker… if it stops making noise part way through, this means the thing is clogged and one should remove it from the heat. Ignoring it will lead to an explosive mess and an entire kitchen coated with a fine layer of pea soup. It was an interesting way to redecorate, but apparently there was just no way to clean the soup out of the oven controls and get the thing to turn on again, so alas, it had to be replaced.
The polenta looks great BTW!
Marjie says
My oven did that a while back. I just replaced the element and moved on. I've never had polenta before, but it sounds good.
Laurie@The Baking Bookworm says
Mary – polenta is also on my 'gotta try' list. This week I finally tried quinoa and really enjoyed it. Maybe next week I'll whip up some polenta. 🙂
Juliana says
I love polenta, but never used oven to "cook it"…will have to try this method next time.
Hope you are having a nice week Mary 🙂
The Starving Student says
I have made polenta plenty of times but always on the stovetop. I will definitely have to try cooking it in the oven sometime!
Geni says
I've always wanted to make polenta as well. Yours looks scrumptious!
The Slow Roasted Italian says
Polenta sounds divine! Wish I had a bowl of it. ; )
The Blonde Duck says
I've never tried it!
Becki's Whole Life says
So sorry about your oven – but at least you get a new one. I just got a new fridge today…very exciting for us foodies, huh?
This sounds like some very comforting polenta and I bet it went great with your picata. We don't eat it often enough…or grits either. Did you really grind your own corn? That is very cool if you did.
Mary says
Marje, I had no idea what was involved. I was expecting to replace it, but luckily it will be fixed tomorrow. A new heating element is all it needs and we'll be set for the holidays that way. Much faster than waiting for delivery of a new one and it will be just in time to bake my man's birthday cake on Thursday!
Geni, I did grind my corn, but it really wasn't a big deal at all. I have a grain mill for grinding wheat and it was an simple as pouring in a handful of corn and waiting a couple minutes for the cornmeal to be ground. 🙂
Words Of Deliciousness says
I have never had polenta, but it does sound delicious.
Anna @ hiddenponies says
I've never had polenta but it has been on my to-try list for at least a year too…I'm always worried the texture will gross me out, what would you describe the texture as?